PGMA keynotes mid-year Philippine Economic Briefing Wednesday
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the keynote speaker of the mid-year Philippine Economic Briefing on Wednesday morning at the Makati Shangri-La’s Rizal Ballroom.
The Briefing, organized by the Investors Relations Office (IRO), has for its theme: “ Philippines Addressing Challenges, Staying the Course.”
Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr., and the economic managers that include Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Ralph Recto, will discuss the recent policy thrusts in their respective sectors.
Around 1,000 guests from the business and financial communities, diplomatic corps, academe and media are expected to attend the briefing that will guide analysts and investors in making their investment recommendations and decisions.
In last February 15,2008 full-year economic report on the theme “Defying Gravity, Rising Steadily,” the President said she is “confident and bullish on our economy, our people and our ability to join hands to move this nation forward.”
The Philippine economy has what it takes to defy gravity and rise steadily to loftier heights unseen and unheard of in more than a decade, she said.
The briefing is part of the IRO’s economic communication program aimed at ensuring that investors’ decisions benefit from a comprehensive understanding of the progress in economic reforms and what they mean for the economic fundamentals of the Philippines.
Gov't will not waver in its reform agenda despite global challenges to RP's economy - PGMA
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday reassured the local and international investment community that her administration will not waver in its reform agenda and that it will act responsibly in the face of global challenges to the country’s economy.
The government “will stay the course and has a plan for the future,” the President said in her address during the opening the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) meeting in Malacanang.
“We will continue on the path of economic reform,” she said, referring to her administration’s comprehensive strategies which she spelled out in her State of the National Address (SONA) last year.
“Our reforms to date have helped us in this time of global economic upheaval. Without them, we would not be as confident as we are that our economy will withstand these external shocks,” she said.
The President said her administration will remain vigilant against new challenges to the economy as “we must maintain the fiscally prudent policies that have given us the strength to weather this global storm.”
The NCC meeting was a followup to the first National Innovation Summit held on Nov. 26, 2007 to come up with the building blocks needed to speed up national innovation strategies and faster and higher growth across industries.
The President added that her administration is “doing everything in our power to focus on the fundamentals, keep the economy steady, and to provide relief for those most in need,” pointing out that “the best buffer we have to external vulnerability is our own domestic, internal strength.”
“Building a stronger, healthier economy driven by domestic consumption and investment, and relying less on external markets is exactly what our reform agenda is about,” she said.
The administration’s five comprehensive strategies for global competitiveness are: (1) plentiful and affordable food to keep our labor cost globally competitive; (2) reduced cost of electricity to make our factories regionally competitive; (3) modernized infrastructure to efficiently transport goods and people; (4) upgraded knowledge and technologies disseminated for productivity; and (5) reduced red tape to cut business costs.
She admitted that the government’s economic team has been challenged by the unprecedented surge in the price of crude oil in the global market by as much as 44 percent, and that of rice by 43 percent over the past year.
The President said, however, that the economic team is “doing its best on all fronts to manage inflationary pressures, provide a safety net to those members of our society who are hit hardest by these global developments, and deliver the economic growth that will continue to generate jobs.”
PGMA to grace 56th Zamboanga del Sur anniversary celebration
PAGADIAN CITY--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will join residents of Zamboanga del Sur in celebrating the 56th founding anniversary of this province when she arrives here tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 17).
The President, who is expected to arrive at around 2 p.m. at the Amusement and Events Center of the Pagadian Provincial Capitol Compound, will be welcomed by Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles, 2nd District Rep. Antonio Cerilles (2nd dist.), Rep. Victor Yu (1st dist.), and Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co for the festivities.
Joining the President and her party are Mayors League president and Dumalinao Mayor Ace William Cerilles, Presidential Assistant for Region 9 Ferdinand Mahusay, 1st Infantry Tabak Division head M/Gen. Nehemias Pajarito and Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 9 Director Jaime Karingal.
Known as the Megayon Festival, the week-long celebration is the grandest gathering in the province, complete with cultural tradition of the settlers in the area consisting of Subanens or the lumads, Muslims and the local settlers.
The three-year-old festival, which started in 2006, is an artist-led cultural event that has instilled a sense of pride in the cultural unity and harmony among the people of Zamboanga del Sur.
The provincial government has adopted the Megayon Festival as the province’s official celebration.
“Megayon” is derived from the Subanen word, meaning unity as the festival features events that showcase the cultural unity and the harmonious relationship among its settlers.
This year´s festival -- with the theme "Responsible Usage of Natural Resources, Key to Sustainable Progress and Unity" -- promises to be fresh, new and innovative in terms of cultural and events programming.
The festival also offers venues for honing the talents and skills in the field of culture, arts, sports, etc. of the people of Zamboanga del Sur; and to promote the province as the new tourist destination in Mindanao through this year´s addition of the "Suroy Megayon" – a historical and cultural tour within the province´s cultural villages.
The province-wide festival has enjoined various delegations from the 26 municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur and from Pagadian City which is now the regional center of Region IX.
The week-long celebration which started last Sept. 12 features nightly cultural performances, beauty contests, live band performances, dances and sports competitions.
The main venues of the festival is the Agro-Tourism and Heritage Complex at the Provincial Government Center, as well as the Amusement and Events Center at the Provincial Capitol compound here.
PGMA to distribute multi-million peso "goodies" to Zambo Sur
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- Firming up on her promise to let the fruits of her tough economic decisions reach the grassroots, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will distribute medical, agricultural and technological "goodies" worth millions of pesos from seven government agencies during her visit to this province on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
The distribution cum awarding ceremony coincides with the province's celebration of its 56th Foundation Anniversary, where the President would be the special guest and speaker.
From the Department of Health (DoH), the President will give out a check for P10 million for the OB Gyne section of the newly-constructed Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center; from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), she will release Land Patents to 108 qualified farmer beneficiaries under the Handog Titulo Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in accordance with the Public Land Law, Commonwealth Act 141, as amended;
From the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), the President will distribute checks worth P763,175 for the Workers Income Augmentation Program (WINAP) for the Members of the Springland Young Workers Association (SYWA) for the setting-up of an Internet Café (P478,375) and for the member-beneficiaries of the Muslim-Christian Farmers-Fishermen Association for the Seaweed Trading Project (P284,800);
From the Department of Agriculture, the President will turn over 22.794 kilometers of Farm-to-Market roads to the municipality of Ramon Magsaysay, Zamboanga del Sur (7.65 kmd) costing P20.307 million and to the municipality of Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur (15.144 kms.) costing P45,322,343.96;
Also from the DA, the President will award five (5) flat bed dryers and six Irrigators to the Associations in the municipalities of Mahayag, Molave, Midsalip and Tambulig, Zamboanga del Sur with a total cost of P3.0 Million benefiting 2,826 farmers.
“Goodies” from other government agencies are: From the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with a Notice of Fund Transfer of one (1) unit Health Station Building constructed at Barangay Pinoles, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur costing P492,100.
Notice of Fund Transfer of one (1) unit Day Care Center constructed at Barangay Baking, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur costing P427,000.00
Notice of Fund Transfer of one (1) unit Flea Market Building constructed at Barangay Bag-ong Kahayag, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur costing P763,000, checks at P150,000 each as livelihood assistance to 5 Self Employment Assistance para sa Kaunlaran (SEA-K) beneficiaries.
From the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), “goodies” include: A check for P500,000 from the DOST Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) for the Nutri-Booster Philippines Incorporated for the Upgrading of Banana-Enhanced Nutri-Booster Production located at Balangasan, Pagadian City;
Check for P300,000 for the establishment of Feedmill in Barangay Tinaga, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur Certificate of turn-over of 200,000.00 worth of Laboratory Equipment for the Banana Tissue Culture in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur - Recipient: Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co.
From the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR): Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to 310 landowner-beneficiaries covering 2,156 hectares to the 24 municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
Certificate of Turn-Over of the 3.2 kms. of rehabilitated Farm to Market Road in Poblacion Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur costing P5,899,227.30 jointly funded by DAR-BIARSP, and LGUs-Zamboanga del Sur, Kumalarang Municipality and Barangay Kaumahan.
Certificate of Turn-Over of one (1) unit Multi-Purpose Center in Barangay Maruing, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur costing P600,000.00
Certificate of Turn-Over of 3 kms. rehabilitated Lamare Farm-to-Market Road in Barangay Poblacion, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur costing P2,196,299.53
To cap off the awarding ceremonies, the President is expected to deliver a message.
PGMA to open another tertiary hospital in region
PAGADIAN CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will arrive here tomorrow to lead the formal opening of the P144.5-million Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, a 100-bed capacity tertiary hospital.
From Pagadian City Airport, the President will motor to the provincial government center in Barangay Dao for the inauguration of the newly-completed tertiary hospital with a floor area of 4,020 square meters. The building is situated in a seven-hectare complex at the Zamboanga del Sur government center.
Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles, Rep. Antonio Cerilles, (2nd dist.); Rep. Victor Yu, (1st dist.), Vice-Gov. Roseller Ariosa, members of the provincial board, Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co, who is also the president of the mayors league; Dumalinao Mayor Ace William Cerilles, and presidential assistant for Region 9 Ferdinand Mahusay are expected to welcome the President at the airport.
The President will lead the ribbon-cutting and the unveiling of the project marker to signal the formal opening of the hospital, after which she will conduct a brief inspection at the hospital facilities.
She will also turn over assorted medicines to the hospital for distribution to indigent patients.
The newly-built ZDS Medical Center was funded through a bond floatation.
Implemented by the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government, the construction of the medical complex started in Aug. 2007. To date, the tertiary hospital project is already 98 percent complete.
On Sept. 17, 2007, the President also opened Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in Dipolog City.
PGMA vows to energize Aklan barangay realized
IBAJAY, AKLAN – When President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited Ibajay June 2 of this year to inaugurate the town’s newest bridge, one very urgent request she got from the barangay folks is the electrification of Barangay Aparicio, an upland barangay of the municipality.
Nine days after June 2, Barangay Aparicio folks got their wish. This good news, however, was not immediately known throughout the province, especially when Typhoon Frank struck Aklan on June 21, 2008, as all attention of Aklan leaders and the whole population focused on rehabilitation efforts and rising from the ruins brought by the calamity.
Barangay Aparicio has 140 households. On June 18, 2008, 50 of these households were energized by the Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO), the province’ power distributor, after line construction was effected at the request of PGMA to the electric cooperative’s General Manager, Chito Peralta.
Barangay Aparicio, together with neighboring barangays Monlaque and Malindog, are beneficiaries of the country’s peace agreement with the RPA-RPM.
The President said then that she wanted the country’s peace agreement with the RPA to bring a new era of economic development to areas like Aparicio.
To uplift the economic situation of the people of Aparicio, one very important need identified was electricity.
With the electrification of the barangays, the likes of Luzminda Domingo, abaca loom weaver, and other housewives who are into nito crafting, abaca rope twining and other home-based industries interviewed earlier when the barangay was still “in darkness” could work even at night.
“This way,” Luzminda Domingo said, “we can increase our productivity.”
Now that Aparicio is already energized, this goal of Domingo and the rest of Aparicio folks could be achieved.
Barangay Aparicio, according to AKELCO,was selected as beneficiary of “Barangay Subsidy” of the National Electrification Administration for this year.
Presently, 98% of barangays at AKELCO’s coverage areas is already energized. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Army sets hotlines to allay fears of rumored MILF attacks
ICC –Tubod, Lanao del Norte, 9/16 - A top ranking military commander announced that the army has set up call or text hotlines to allay fears of rumored Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) plans to attack civilian communities in Lanao del Norte.
Col. Alfredo Peralta, 403rd Brigade commander, 4th Infantry Division, said during a press forum at the Macapagal Training Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte that this is renegade MILF leader Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo is now resorting to propaganda to create panic in several areas.
He said Bravo and his cohorts are sending false information thru text messaging that some municipalities will be attacked by either the MILF or the Ilaga, a vigilante group claiming to eliminate Muslims.
Peralta conveyed that people can now call or forward the text messages they receive to the following numbers: 09298283078, 09276586920 or 09196525939 to verify if the information they receive is true or for any information on Commander Bravo.
“80% of the text messages received are disinformation campaign by Bravo. Let’s distinguish between truth and propaganda. These messages are aimed to create panic among people and create tension between Muslims and Christians,” he added. (Brent M. Bravo, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
5 warrants of arrest issued to Kumander Bravo, et al
ICC – Tubod, Lanao del Norte, 9/16 - Police and military authorities are now serving five warrants of arrest to Moro rebel leader Abdulrahman Macapaar alias commander Bravo and his cohorts issued by the Regional Trial Court of Lanao del Norte, Branch 7, in Tubod.
PSupt. Gerardo M. Rosales, Regional Director, Police Regional Mobile Group (PRMG 10) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said during a press forum that they have already filed 55 cases against Bravo and his men, 37 of them identified.
Rosales added, all cases were filed at the Provincial Prosecutors Office in the municipality of Tubod, Lanao del Norte and in Iligan City against them for the August 18 attack in the towns of Kauswagan, Maigo and Kolambugan, all of Lanao del Norte.
He said further they were glad that 58 of their victims cooperated with the government authorities to file cases against Bravo and his rouge followers.
Charges issued against Bravo and his cohorts include double murder, three attempted murders and arson, said Rosales. (Lorry V. Gabule, PIA Iligan)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Army says US forces not helping AFP in hunting Bravo
ICC – Tubod, Lanao del Norte, 9/16 - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reiterates that the United States (US) forces are not involved in the military operations against Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo and his men.
Col. Benito De Leon, 104th Infantry Division Commander said the US forces are based in Zamboanga City, although they visit other areas in Mindanao to gather intelligence information.
“But that’s as far as their fight versus terrorism is concerned. They don’t participate in the hunt for Commander Bravo,” he stressed.
De Leon also said that the American forces are also present in Central Mindanao because they conduct humanitarian missions, particularly in Lanao del Sur.
“They are composed mostly of medical personnel and Engineers. They also put up schools and create water systems to help depressed areas,” he said. (Brent M. Bravo, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Army says lawless MILF shifting to guerilla warfare
ICC – Tubod, Lanao del Norte, 9/16 - The Military confirms reports that the lawless elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) under Commander Bravo are now shifting to guerilla warfare, the unconventional fighting with which a small group of combatants use mobile tactics such as ambushes or raids to combat a larger and less mobile formal army.
Col. Alfredo Peralta, 403rd Brigade commander, 4th Infantry Division, said during a press forum at the Macapagal Training Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte that Bravo and his men blend with civilians and come out at a time and place they choose.
“But that doesn’t mean the Army is not prepared, the public shouldn’t worry” he stressed.
Peralta said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is always ready to protect the people and bring Commander Bravo and his cohorts to justice because of the crimes they committed.
“They massacred unarmed and defenceless civilians. That is our conviction in finding him. The search for Bravo continues, even during this month of Ramadhan.” He assured. (Brent M. Bravo, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Everything in Lanao del Norte is under control--30IB
ICC-Iligan City Tubod, Lanao del Norte (09/16/08) – Everything is under control and the people of Lanao del Norte can sleep very tightly now.
This is the assurance of Lt. Col. Cristobal Zaragosa, commander of the 30th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, whose unit is assigned as augmentation force to the Philippine National Police (PNP) from Kolambugan up to Sapad towns of the province.
The 30IB commander gave the assurance to clarify the issue of the firings made by his troops at the back of the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC), its temporary headquarters in Tubod, Lanao del Norte’s capital town.
“We were just testing our machine guns and mortars after they were being cleaned, but the activity was well-coordinated with the local government unit (LGU), “ he said.
The tests were necessary to determine the effectiveness of the marksmanship training and accuracy of 30IB personnel handling the guns.
The sound of the guns could be heard only within a distance of 400 meters and it was nothing alarming because we only wanted to test the capabilities of our guns, Zaragosa, again emphasized.
On reports that the lawless MILF group (LMG) will make another attack on the coastal towns of the province after the Ramadhan, the 30IB commander said he doubts these threats, unless the LMG will commit suicide.
A lot of Bravo’s men are tired and they have began to question his leadership because what he did resulted in the difficulties of their families.
“Imagine for their wives to abandon their homes, bring their children to the evacuation centers where they get sick due to poor sanitation and congestion and stand the humility of lining up for food in the evacuation centers?,” he asked.
Meanwhile, Zaragosa has urged the followers of Bravo to abandon him saying it would be better for them to surrender and join their families in peace.
“We know some of them are now ashamed to wear their MILF uniforms and boots as evidenced by those that they discarded when they changed into new clothes and new shoes after looting the stores in Kolambugan,” the 30IB Commander said.
If, they really have the heart to make their land a harmonious place for their families and for themselves to live, then they should come down and put an end to the misery of their families. Only then would our government forces stop going after them, he stressed. (RCA/PIA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
It’s elementary schools by day, evacuation centers by night in Kolambugan
ICC-Tubod, Lanao del Norte (09/16/08) – It is still classroom by day and evacuation center (EC) by night for the elementary schools of Barangays Kulasihan and Riverside in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte (LDN).
This was confirmed by Federisa Samson, LDN Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer during a media briefing, today, at the Information Command Center (ICC), Provincial Capitol in Tubod, LDN’s capital town.
The activity which was organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) led by Deputy Director General Leon Omoso attended by representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Regional Disaster Coordinating council (RDCC) and the LDN Local Government Units and the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the region.
Samson said these schools had been converted into ECs to house 2,955 families with 5,392 persons during the Aug. 18 attack by the lawless MILF group (LMG).
These EC’s have remained to be used as classrooms during the day at which time the evacuees would go to the nearby houses of their relatives. At night time, they go back to the classrooms for shelter and to sleep, she said.
Meanwhile, Samson said some 209 families with 773 persons have remained in these ECs, as of press time.
On the other hand, the LDN Provincial Government will continue serve the internally displaced persons (IDP) who are inside the ECs and those who have returned to their homes but have lost their livelihood.
In fact, we still continue our relief operations to distribute food and non-food items to the IDPs in these conflict-affected areas, Samson added. (RCA/PIA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Operations to get Bravo is not all-out “search and destroy” – Col. Peralta
ICC-Tubod, Lanao del Norte (09/16/08) – The on-going operations against Bravo is not a military action, per se, but only to apprehend a criminal.
This was clarified by Col. Nonato Alfredo Peralta, Commander of the 3rd Infantry (Peacemaker) Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (403rd Bde), Philippine Army, during a press briefing at the Information Command Center (ICC), held in Tubod, Lanao del Norte’s (LDN) capital town.
The 403rd Bde commander said it only happened that the criminals who were responsible for the recent attack in LDN are members of the lawless MILF group (LMG), thus, the necessity of the military force.
“Bravo did not just kill but ‘massacred’ a number of people last Aug. 18, including a two (2)-year old girl, a 95-year old grandfather, women. He also burned school buildings, houses and looted stores,” he said .
But Peralta wants to remind the public that the operation is not directed to a “search and destroy“operation but only for one that is intelligence-driven and only meant to bring him to justice and answer for the crimes he committed.
Meanwhile, he said his unit is building up a ‘community-in-progress’ while the operations to get Bravo is concerned.
“We have improved our network with the local chief executives (LCE) led by Gov. Khalid Dimaporo, all the municipal mayors, the barangay officials, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the national agencies, to absorb and filter all information relative to Bravo and the LMG,” he also said.
Peralta said there are now two (2) Infantry Battalions (IB), under the 403rd Bde that covers the coastal towns of the province: the 8IB covering the areas from Iligan City to Maigo and 30IB from Kolambugan up to Sapad, all in LDN.
These are on top of the units under the First ID that provides the blocking force along the Munai, Pantao Ragat, Poona Piagapo and Tangkal complex, the known exit route of the LMG’s toward Lanao del Sur where they expect to get sympathy actions from the other members of the MILF. (RCA/PIA)
ICC-GEN. SANTOS CITY DISPATCH
Sarangani governor questions MILF sincerity to peace process
ICC-General Santos City (MAASIM, Sarangani, 15 September)--- Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez questioned the sincerity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to peace process when they themselves can hardly spare innocent civilians from their own making of atrocities.
“Where’s the sincerity, honor, peace and justice…. What kind of ideology is that we are defending?” the governor lamented.
With this, Dominguez vowed to bring justice to the two innocent civilians killed during the August 18 violent attack by lawless MILF group (LMG).
“We will continue to seek justice for the civilians who were executed” at the height of MILF aggression of Poblacion, Maasim, he said.
“Ayoko na ng engkwentro; sino man sa mga kababayan natin ang may baril hahabulin natin,” the governor told media during the dialogue with local leaders today (Sept 15) held at the municipal hall.
With firmness, the governor said he did not want any armed group roaming around his province anymore. The government, Dominguez said exists to preserve peace and protect civilians from all imminent threats.
As fighting erupted anew in this town Friday (Sept 12), government troopers here maintained that they were not against the MILF, in general, but only those suspects responsible for sowing fear and violence.
Encounters between the military and MILF band ensued on Friday at Sitio Macao, barangay Daliao leaving “twenty (20) LMGs dead and wounding several others,” a military report disclosed.
Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 73 Infantry Battalion assured residents of their safety as tension began to subside late afternoon of Saturday.
He denied reports that the encounter spilled over the highway saying it was 700 to 800 meters far.
As this develops, de Leon said MILF leadership must be able to exercise control over their men on the ground and take full responsibility of their actions.
Taking his leadership as an example, de Leon said: “Commander ako ng 73IB, lahat ng actuations na gagawin ng sundalo ko sagot ko. Lahat ng actions ng sundalo ko tama o mali lahat iyon ay sagot ko. Ibig sabihin pag sinabi ko sa kanila wag nyong gawin yan hindi nila gagawin yun pag sinabi ko sa kanila gawin nyo yan gagawin nila yun. Yun ang leadership.”
He added that had all armed groups possessed that same core value, violence could not have taken place in Maasim. He expressed that even Muslims certainly do not wish for “culture of violence” to prevail over peace.
As of 5P.M. today, the Maasim Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council has been attending already at evacuation centers some 700 families with 3,000 or more dependents with relief goods and other basic services.
Dominguez himself and town Mayor Aniceto Lopez Jr. called on the dialogue to solicit suggestions from local leaders the appropriate actions to be done to prevent further escalation of the incident to other towns in the province. (PIA SarGen)
ICC-GEN. SANTOS CITY DISPATCH
Local Ceasefire Committee for Sarangani pushed
ICC-General Santos City (MAASIM, Sarangani, 15 September)--- Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez and local leaders of Maasim in a dialogue today pushed for a creation of a Local Ceasefire Committee that will mediate the initiation of “talks” between the local government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The local ceasefire committee will be created as soon as the Provincial Peace and Order convenes. It will also be discussed further as to its composition and tasking of members.
But even as Dominguez cast doubt on the “sincerity” of the MILF to peace process, the governor and the local leaders of Maasim were nonetheless, convinced that dialogue is the only key to peace.
Dominguez was saddened that violence must happen in his province when he, together with other leaders and officials from the province down to the municipalities have been working very hard to harness Sarangani’s potential as premier tourist hub in SocSarGen.
Expressing his views on the conflict situation, Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the 73 Infantry Battalion emphasized that peace and progress can never go separate way.
“Alin ba ang dapat mauna kaularan o katahimikan, progreso o kapayapaan walang mauuna sabay sabay yan,” he told media, officials and local leaders.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng kaunlaran kung may kasabay na katahimikan. Kami nandirito ang habol namin ay kaunlaran ng lahat ng barangay, ng sitio ng bayan dito sa rehiyon 11, 12 13 and all regions of Mindanao,” de Leon added.
Speaking with firmness, Dominguez said he only wished a very good future for all his constituents. “Kung tayo ay desidido lahat hanapin natin ang napakagandang kinabukasan, isang mapayapang kinabukasan para sa lahat,” he said posing a challenge then to LMGs.
He also called on MILF and other armed groups and individuals to stop the senseless violence and opt for continued peace instead. “Itigil na po natin ang kultura ng pagdadala ng armas dahil ang kultura na ito ay hindi makakatulong sa ating pag-unlad,” he said.
The governor opined that when a person has gun he has the power to choose whom to kill or spare and is even capable of spawning violence at the expense of progress and people’s safety.
DILG-Sarangani, which serves as the secretariat to the Provincial Peace and Order Council is yet to announce the schedule of the meeting for the creation of the committee. (PIA SarGen)
ICC-GEN. SANTOS CITY DISPATCH
MILF leadership urged not to let individuals destroy its organization
ICC-General Santos City (Maasim, Sarangani 15 September)--In reaction to speculations that the attack at Sitio Macao in Barangay Daliao here last Friday (September 12) was not initiated by the leadership of the 107 base command of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), but by certain individuals and other recalcitrant MILF sympathizers, Lt. Col Joshua Santiago, Commanding Officer of the 27 IB, PA urged the leadership of the MILF to cooperate with the government and clear its name.
In a peace dialogue with local leaders today, Santiago emphasized that the military operation in the municipality is only to enforce the law against groups or individuals who staged atrocities in the area and killed innocent civilians.
He said the government has long been protecting the peace process in Mindanao especially with the MILF; however, there are suspects in the previous and recent attacks in the municipality who claimed that that they are members of the MILF.
“For us na law enforcers, ang problema kasi namin may inaalagaan kasi kaming peace process sa MILF and then here comes the criminals na gumawa dito sa Maasim sinasabi nila MILF sila, that is confusing to us. So maybe yung mga nasa MILF leadership ay makipag cooperate sa amin and they will be invited upang ipaliwanag kung bakit ganun. Ang masasabi ko sa MILF is that do not let your organization be destroyed by individuals,” he said.
For his part, Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez said that since the start of his term as the chief executive of the province, the local government respects the ideologies of the different organizations here.
But with the lives claimed from innocent civilians, he said it’s hard to put confidence with any armed groups here anymore.
“Paano tayo maghahanap ng tunay na kapayapaan kapag gagamitin natin ang pwersa para sa paghahanap sa kapayapaan? Ano ba ang rason ng rebelyon dito sa Sarangani,” Dominguez asked the leaders present adding that the local government has been doing its best to give to the people the services due them.
The governor said that violence and criminal acts are not the solution to express these ideologies, but in a peaceful dialogue without arms.
“Kapag ginamitan natin ng dahas, ng criminal actions hindi na tayo maririnig dahil ituturing na tayong criminal at kakasuhan tayo ng pulis . Darating ang final peace agreement sa loob ng ilang buwan o baka taon hindi natin alam, kung meron tayong sinseridad makipag-usap tayo.”
Meanwhile, Benjamin Donato, Municipal tribal chieftain representing the Indigenous People in Sarangani appealed to activate the peace group that would pursue the peace dialogue in the local level.
He said the IPs are tired of running away whenever conflicts arise. They are the ones who are affected especially that most of their livelihoods are in the mountains where operations against these renegades are ongoing.
However, he said that while they are for the activation of the peace group, they still believe that the military should continue with its operation to pursue criminals and let them face the full force of the law. (PIA-SarGen)
ICC-GEN. SANTOS CITY DISPATCH
Military assures civilians' safety in Maasim, Sarangani
ICC-General Santos City (DALIAO, Maasim, Sarangani, 15 September) – Traffic along the national highway traversing this coastal village was never disrupted even as government troops and an armed group were engaging in sporadic firefights the past two days.
However, Lt. Col. Edgardo De Leon, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, said encounters had died down at 2pm Saturday (September 13) and assured residents of safety.
Going west, the highway connects General Santos City and Maasim poblacion to the towns of Kiamba and Maitum.
"Unta hangyo lang, kung pananglitan man na mag gyera, magpalayo lang sa sibilyan intawon," said Daliao barangay captain Abdulrajes Pangolima. "Mao nay pinaka the best na dili madamay ang sibilyan."
Pangolima recalled that on Friday noon (September 12) he just came from sambayang (prayer) when his constituents notified him of the presence of the military going to sitio Macao. After 20 minutes, they heard gunfire near a cellsite tower. The tower is some 150 meters away from a mosque.
The village chief said some residents told him that it was the group of armed men who fired first at the military.
"Haka-haka lang na may tinamaan na mosque, dito ko lang yan narinig pero sa totoo lang wala pang makapagsabi," he added.
De Leon said there was no mosque in the Friday engagement site which is a small area.
"Yong binabanggit po na mosque, wala pong mosque sa encounter areas kasi andon pa po yon malapit sa shoreline. Pinabubulaanan ko na may mosqueng pinagbabaril umano, wala pong ganun," De Leon said.
The military commander said the engagement area is contained just 700 to 800 meters away from the highway. "There's no mosque there. Hindi nag spill-over yong engagement."
"Hindi po natin pinabayaan na lumagpas sa highway yong encounter site. Dahil paglagpas po ng highway andon po yong barangay proper ng Daliao. Hindi ko po pinayagan na lumagpas pa ng highway baka madamay po yong mga civilian." De Leon said.
He said troops on patrol were checking out what residents reported as armed group. "Kahapon nga meron ngang nakita yong mga sundalo na humigit kumulang 20 armado don sa sitio Macao at ng nilapitan ng tropa natin don napo nagkaroon ng engagement or encounter," De Leon said.
"Yong armed group na yon di ko pa po masabi kung anong grupo yon. Baka mga bandido yon kasi wala naman dapat mga armed group dito, in-engage po ng mga tropa natin yong mga bandido," according to De Leon.
On the other hand, De Leon has assured the barangay captain that there was no need for Daliao residents to evacuate because they are protected by the 73rd IB.
"Wala pong naperwisyo so far," De Leon added. "Regular yong patrol kasi may persistent report, pag hindi namin ginawa yong pagpa-patrol, eh hindi naming ginagawa yong tungkulin namin. And the information came from civilians kasi gusto namin bumalik sa normal at takot na takot na sila. Una, hind kami naniwala na may armado don kaya nong nagpatrolya, meron nga talaga."
A military report said armed men responsible for the attack of Maasim town hall and police office was sighted and engaged by patrolling troops of 73rd IB Friday. The said group has been the subject of complaints by civilians who have virtually evacuated the area for more than two weeks already for fear of atrocities to be perpetrated by the group.
As 73rd IB troops were advancing into the hiding places of the armed band, firefights ensued "that killed twenty (20) LMG's (Lawless MILF Group) and wounded several others in Sitio Macao," according to the military report.
The military launched long-range patrols as a follow-up operation on the continuous hunt for those who attacked the PNP station and Municipal Hall of Maasim last August 18, killing two civilians and robbing several stores in the public market.
Armed groups have pillaged communities in Maitum town in June and held civilian hostages as they retreated towards Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. Sarangani has remained to be peaceful until the armed groups believed to have come from different parts of the region, particularly from Cotabato and Palimbang launched terror actions.
Yesterday afternoon, a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Philippine National Red Cross arrived in Daliao to extricate the body of one of those killed in the encounter.
De Leon personally made the request to the ICRC.
De Leon said his troops brought down from the hills the body late yesterday. "He was positively identified by Maasim Chief of Police Insp. Joeffel Remudaro to be Yasser Benito, one of those who took part in raiding Maasim Police Station and filed with criminal case."
ICC-GEN. SANTOS CITY DISPATCH
Kiamba Mayor calls for community vigilance
ICC-General Santos City (KIAMBA, Sarangani, 15 September) – Mayor Rom Falgui is calling for cooperation and vigilance among constituents to bring to justice perpetrators of an explosion at the poblacion public market at noon Sunday (September 14).
The blast left no casualty and was "probably meant to terrorize" the community, according to Lt. Col. Edgardo De Leon, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion.
The military said the bombing could be a diversionary tactic.
At the time of the blast, De Leon's men were conducting long-range patrols in Maasim against armed men who attacked Maasim poblacion last month that resulted to the killing two innocent civilians.
"I also want to tell those groups or individuals who planned for this that they did not succeed in sowing fear to the people of Kiamba who continue to embrace peace and justice," said Falgui.
"I believe that justice will be quickly served for this incident," the mayor added.
The military said that the perpetrators had a motive of sowing terror by planting the explosive in a public location.
An eyewitness said a man in blue motorcycle placed a carton box beside Nene Variety Store adjacent to Julius Plastic Ware and immediately left.
The stores were closing half-day after noon on Sundays.
Julius Plastic Ware owner Fernando Palmes said it was an hour later when he left the store that the explosion took place.
"Hindi ko alam kasi wala naman akong kalaban at wala naman akong kagalit na tao (I don't know because I don't have an enemy or grudges with anyone," Palmes said.
Police estimated property damage at P100,000.
"We are now on combat alert status," town police chief Alex Joe Orcajada said.
"We ask the people to calm down because your police authorities and the military are here and we are on alert. We need your cooperation to report to us any suspicious elements so that we can protect you," the police officer said.
The explosion came from yet an undetermined type of bomb, according to Explosives and Ordnance Division team from General Santos City.
"Let us continue our effort of preparing a better future for our children and our beloved municipality. Amidst the trouble we are facing today, let us draw strength from each one of us. Despite our differences in religion, let's help each other in prayer," Falgui said. (PIO Sarangani/PIA SarGen)
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