PGMA to proceed with her trip to U.S. to address the opening of the U.N. general assembly next week
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is pushing through with her planned visit to New York next week to address the opening of the 63rd United Nations General Assembly and to attend high-level meetings with world leaders.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, in a briefing at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel this morning before the mid-year Philippine Economic Briefing, said President reconsidered going to the United States upon the “strong recommendation” of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, and Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hilario Davide, Jr.
"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has decided to proceed with her planned visit to New York to attend the High-Level Debate of the 63rd United Nations General Assembly and for other high-level meetings with global leaders," Dureza said.
Dureza said the President’s attendance at the UN General Assembly at this time is in the national interest as the UN will be addressing urgent issues that include global poverty and hunger mitigation.
The President, who will be the fourth national leader to speak at the opening of the session on Sept. 23, will deliver the country report on progress made in fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), whose resolution is of primary concern to developing countries, including the Philippines.
“This is a rare honor accorded to the Philippines. The participation of the President on that day, speaking alongside other world leaders, will be a positive reflection on the country,” the Press Secretary said.
“The President will be able to put forward Philippine concerns on key international issues, and to highlight Philippine progress before the international community. This will both allow the Philippines to be heard in multilateral diplomacy to address global concerns, and reinforce international confidence in the Philippines, supportive of national development efforts,” Dureza further said.
Dureza also said the President is scheduled to meet in New York with Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Edmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and with UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon.
Dureza said the President will inform the OIC Secretary General of the new peace policy of her government based on consultations with stakeholders in Mindanao.
He said the President would also “express appreciation to the OIC for its continuing support, and will strengthen the dialogue for peace, indicating also the Philippines commitment to harmonious relations with the Islamic world, reflected in the Philippine request for OIC observer status.”
Dureza said the President, in her meeting with the UN Secretary General, will discuss the MDG’s and international cooperation for food and energy, UN Peacekeeping Operations in which the Philippines is an important contributor, as well as the regional situation in Southeast Asia where the Philippines plays a lead role in the ASEAN.
The President will also discuss the Second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) and the Special Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development, which the Philippines will host in October this year and May next year, respectively.
“Both these initiatives will advance critical Philippine diplomatic efforts. GFMD2 will enhance international cooperation to improve the conditions of global migration for the benefit of millions of migrants from all nations, including the Philippines. The Special NAM Ministerial Meeting, which will be the first-ever on interfaith dialogue, will consolidate Philippine leadership in promoting understanding and trust among different faiths to foster greater peace and development,” Dureza said.
While in New York, the President will push for the candidacy of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago for a seat in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“Securing a seat in the ICJ is of fundamental interest to the Philippines, as it would facilitate Philippine contributions to the progressive development of international law reflecting the perspectives and concerns of developing countries,” the Press Secretary said.
While no specific date has been set yet for the President's departure, Dureza said she will leave "in time" for the UN General Assembly on September 23.
Region 9 problems and proposed solutions presented to PGMA Thursday
DAPITAN CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will grace on Thursday here the Local Peace and Security Assembly (LPSA) in the Zamboanga Peninsula to help local governments and other stakeholders address various challenges to peace and development in Region 9.
The President will be the guest of honor and speaker at the closing of the two-day LPSA in Region 9 scheduled Sept. 17-18 at the Dakak Park and Beach Resort Hotel, located some 30 minutes by land north of this city.
Region 9 comprises the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Some 300 participants from local government units (LGUs), communities and other stakeholders in Region 9 would gather here on Wednesday to formulate ways and means to attain peace and economic development in the region.
The output or action agenda of the two-day forum would be presented to the President when she arrives shortly before noon on Thursday in Dakak after her official engagements in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur.
Expected to accompany the President in her trip here today are National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles and Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles.
The President and her party would be welcomed by local officials led by Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes, 1st Congressional District Representative Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon, 2nd District Rep. Rosendo Labadlabad, 3rd District Rep. Cesar Jalosjos, Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy and Dapitan City Mayor Dominador Jalosjos.
Last year, the President ordered the conduct of LPSAs nationwide to identify and respond to issues and problems hindering peace and economic development in the regions.
Since August 2007, nine LPSAs have been successively conducted nationwide starting in Region 7, CARAGA, Region 8, CALABARZON, Region 5, Region 11, CAR, Region 6, and the most recent in Region 2 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan last July 30-31.
Governor Yebes said the conduct of LPSAs is a hands-on strategy of the national leadership with local governments, communities and stakeholders identifying problems to peace and development and crafting an action agenda that, upon presentation, is immediately responded to by the President.
Governor Yebes said he has been duplicating the President’s hands-on type of governance by celebrating his birthday every Sept. 20 by traveling on a seven-hour ride from Dipolog City to consult with and provide needed services to the members of the almost 3,000 Subanen tribe in the remote hinterlands of the province.
Accompanying him in the sleepover with the indigenous people, Yebes said, are provincial and other local officials to directly provide vital services and other anti-poverty programs for the poorest of the poor in the province.
With the hands-on type of governance, the governor was honored with the 2007 Gawad Lingkod Bayan award while Zamboanga del Norte has steadily repositioned itself away from being one of the poorest provinces in the country.
Palace says OPAPP head Esperon was quoted out of context
MALACANANG said today Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Hermogenes Esperon was “quoted out of context” in the statement he made last Monday at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) during its anniversary celebration.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, in a briefing at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel before the Philippine Economic Briefing this morning, said Esperon was quoted out of context when media reports said that the “MOA-AD will be used as reference document in the resumption of peace negotiations with the MILF.”
“When Secretary Esperon cited the MOA-AD as a potential reference for future negotiations, he was simply referring to the lessons learned from the experience of crafting the MOA-AD and the subsequent issues, reactions and controversies arising threfrom,” Dureza said.
Dureza reiterated that the government stands firm on its decision not to sign in its present form or in any other form the MOA-AD.
Instead, he said, peace negotiations will be guided by the results of genuine dialogues and consultations with communities and stakeholders in Mindanao.
Such results of dialogues with communities and stakeholders will be used as basis for future negotiations with any armed group, “ not the MOA-AD.”
The Press Secretary also said the President was only aware of the general framework of the agreement on ancestral domain and that she had reiterated to the peace negotiators that it should be consistent with the Philippine Constitution.
Dureza added that the President was against the inclusion in the new and expanded Bangsamoro homeland, barangays that are not contiguous to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM),adding that the President will not have approved provisions that would create a separate state for the Muslims in the south.
PGMA to inspect concreted portion of the Dimataling-Pitogo provincial road in Zamboanga del Sur on Thursday
DIMATALING, Zamboanga del Sur -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will inspect the concreted portion of the Dimataling-Pitogo provincial road here on Thursday, Sept. 13 to ascertain that her government's program to construct and rehabilitate 3,000 kilometers of roads and bridges before the year ends is being complied with.
It may be recalled that the President ordered a surge in infrastructure spending as a hedge against the slowdown in the economic activities in the United States during the groundbreaking and time capsule laying ceremonies for the construction of the C-5 road extension project in February this year.
Upon her arrival here, the President, who will be joined by Zamboanga del Sur 2nd District Representative Antonio Cerilles, Dimataling Mayor Haniel Baya, Tabina Mayor Greg Dayundon, Pitogo Mayor James Yecyec, DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane and Kagawasan Barangay Captain Julian Ugang, will be given a briefing on the status of the road project by Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles.
The concreting of the 434.5 meter portion of the Dimataling-Pitogo road project was made possible through the release of P5-million from the President's Social Fund, in addition to its original funding of P30 million.
The concreting contract was implemented by the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur through the Provincial Engineer¨s Office.
PGMA opens 2nd tertiary hospital in Zamboanga Peninsula
PAGADIAN CITY – Residents of this city has all reason to rejoice as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opens today the P144.5 million newly upgraded Zamboanga Del Sur Medical Center, a 100-bed capacity and second tertiary hospital in Region 9.
The construction and upgrading of ZDS Medical Center inside the 7-hectare Zamboanga Del Sur government center in Barangay Bao, this city, is in line of the Arroyo administration’s thrust to deliver cheap and quality healthcare services especially to the indigent families of the province.
From the Pagadian City Airport, the President will motor to barangay Bao here to cut the ceremonial ribbon at the main entrance of the 2-storey ZDS Medical Center. This will be followed by the unveiling of the hospital marker.
Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Zamboanga del Sur Governor Aurora Cerilles, 2nd District Representative Antonio Cerilles, 1st District Representative Victor Yu, and Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co will assist the President in the ribbon-cutting rites.
Invited to attend the ceremonies are Mayors League president and Dumalinao Mayor Ace William Cerilles, Presidential Assistant for Region 9 Ferdinand Mahusay, Vice-Governor Roseller Ariosa, members of the Provincial Board, ZDS Medical Center Chief Dr. Jesus Atilano Ocampos Barangay Dao Captain Crisostomo Lagare.
In an interview, Dr. Ocampos said the ZDS Medical Center is ready to accept patients on or before October this year once all medical equipments and necessary facilities are installed.
He said the hospital is equipped with dialysis, ultrasound, CT Scan and x-ray machines, pediatric unit, rehabilitation room, among others.
Constructed at the total cost of P144.5 million, the new ZDS Medical Center was funded through a bond flotation.
Implemented by the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur through the Provincial Engineers Office, the medical complex started its construction on Aug. 30, 2007 and completed only on Aug. 30, 2008. To date, the construction of the tertiary hospital project is 98% completed.
On Sept. 17, 2007, the President also opened Zamboanga Del Norte Medical Center in Dipolog City.
CHR to mount nationwide voters' education campaign
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and its partner agencies will begin undertaking soon a nationwide voters' education campaign.
CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima said this undertaking aims to increase among voters, particularly those from vulnerable sectors, awareness and understanding about their right to suffrage so the country's electoral process can be improved.
De Lima noted CHR will determine whether to conduct the campaign by region or by sector.
"We hope to promote for electoral participation a rights-based approach that supports people's right to self-determination," she said Wednesday in a press conference at Quezon City-based Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO-INNOTECH).
For the campaign, CHR is focusing on the country's vulnerable sectors as authorities noted these experience difficulty in electing chosen candidates due to disability, dislocation, old age and other factors.
CHR's target vulnerable sectors are the elderly, people with disabilities, detainees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), indigenous peoples and first-time voters.
De Lima noted IDPs particularly risk not being able to vote because conflicts force them to move elsewhere while the country's election rules require them to register where they reside.
"If conflict in Mindanao doesn't end before 2010, many more displaced persons will have difficulty voting," de Lima said, noting government must address this policy gap as soon as possible.
She said voter education will help enhance the electoral process. "When we vote, we don't give our consent but assert our right over governance of the State."
On Sep. 17, CHR launched this campaign at SEAMEO-INNOTECH with Commission on Elections, United States Agency for International Development, non-government organization Task Force 2010 and International Foundation for Electoral Systems supporting such initiative.
CHR also held during the launching a multi-sector workshop dubbed "Ensuring the Right to Electoral Participation: Giving Access to Vulnerable Sectors in 2010."
De Lima said the workshop aims to identify numerous situational and physical constraints contributing to vulnerable sectors' electoral disenfranchisement.
She also clarified CHR's interest in the 2010 polls is to "ensure people's fundamental right to participatory government is fully realized." (PNA)
Australia provides P12 million in humanitarian assistance to Mindanao
DAVAO CITY -- The Australian Government, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), will provide over Php 12 million (approx A$320,000) humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict in Mindanao, particularly in the provinces of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte.
Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said "the contribution addresses the needs of people uprooted from their homes and separated from their means of livelihood because of the conflict. Assistance will include essential items like water and sanitation facilities, food, and counseling services in evacuation centres."
"Australia hopes that people displaced by the conflict are able to return home as soon as possible, and the efforts of the government, donors and NGOs can resume the focus on peacebuilding and development," Mr Smith said.
Australia is working with the UN, the National Disaster Coordinating Council, as well as other donors and international and local organizations, to coordinate efforts on humanitarian response.
The funds will be made available through the Government of the Philippines-United Nations Multi-donor Program (GoP-UNMDP) Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace. Australia, through AusAID, has been the largest donor to the GoP-UNMDP since 1997 with contribution of about Php 1.3 billion (A$34.4 million) until 2010.
The ACT for Peace Program, the fourth phase of the GoP-UNMDP, aims to strengthen and sustain peacebuilding efforts in southern Philippines following the 1996 peace agreement between the GoP and the Moro National Liberation Front. It is being implemented by the Mindanao Economic Development Council and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Government.
ACT for Peace supports peace and development advocates, most of whom are former rebel combatants, in doing voluntary work in community organizing, resource mobilization and bridging peace and development communities with concerned government and other donor agencies.
Australia is a long standing development partner of the Philippines and the second largest bilateral grant aid donor. In 2008-09 the Australian Government will provide an estimated Php4.4 billion (A$109.3 million) in development assistance, focusing on the key pillars of economic growth, basic education, and national stability and human security. (AusAID)
RP to withstand effects of US financial crisis, says Pres. Arroyo
DURING the government’s mid-year economic briefing, President Arroyo expressed confidence that the government's fiscal reforms will allow the country to withstand the effects of the financial crisis.
Thomas Crouch, ADB’s deputy director-general for Southeast Asia, likewise said that the Philippine cannot be insulated from the financial crisis but there have been macro-economic policies that have made it less vulnerable and in a better position to respond to the negative impacts of these events.
PGMA acknowledged that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth posted only a 4.6 percent increase in the second quarter compared to the 8.3 percent growth recorded in the second quarter last year.
The global economy has hit the Philippines hard and had painful impact on every Filipino through higher prices of food, fuel and rice.
The Philippines was not the only one in Asia affected by the turmoil in the US market, citing the dismal growth in the economies of Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea.
The country has remained resilient because of the government’s reform in the tax system. The funds raised by the government through the value-added tax (VAT) will help cushion the country from the global hike in food and oil prices as well as the effects of the meltdown of the US financial system. It has given the country the funds to invest in targeted reliefs to the most poor through programs aimed at relieving the high price of energy and food.
Among these programs were the removal of tariff on petroleum products, food-for-school program, power subsidy, microfinance, scholarships and college loans, fuel discounts, income tax exemption, and supplemental calamity budget.
The government is doing its best in all fronts to manage inflationary pressures, provide safety nets to those members of our society who are hit hard by these global developments, and deliver the growth that will continue to generate jobs and the tax revenues that we need to fuel our investment in the future.
President Arroyo also announced plans to reduce corporate income taxes to 30 percent in 2009 from the current rate of 35 percent . The cut in corporate income tax rate next year will give companies more headroom to reduce their prices to the public and be more competitive.
The government is doing everything in its power to focus on the fundamentals, keep the economy steady and provide relief to those most in need. But government will only be successful if every segment of society pulls together and commits to building an ever stronger Philippines.
RP banking system remains sound despite US financial crisis--BSP
BANGKO Sentral ng Plipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco said the country's banking system remains sound despite the collapse of US investment firm Lehman Brothers. The Philippine banking system has not been significantly affected.
Furthermore, the Philippine domestic banks' exposure to structured products issued by Lehman are well-cushioned by the banks' capital base.
The government will continue to monitor developments in the global financial markets since these could effect impact not just in the banking sector but in economic growth as well.
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
American soldiers to build irrigation systems in Lanao
ICC, MARAWI CITY, Sept 17 (PNA) -- Philippine military authorities admitted the presence of American soldiers, particularly in the Lanao areas, but these are mainly for humanitarian assistance and development aid.
Army Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the 104th Infantry Brigade, said the US forces are also into intelligence purposes which is in keeping with an earlier agreement with the Philippines' supporting the global war on terrorism.
American troops are based mainly in Zamboanga and "just come and go" in the Lanao areas purposely for technical purposes in intelligence swapping with domestic counterparts, he said.
Even before the atrocities in Lanao which was perpetrated by the rogue band of Moro rebel leader Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo, American troops have already moved to Lanao to construct water systems and irrigation projects.
Col. Rey Ardo, commanding officer of the Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade based here, said American military engineers are set to initiate the water system projects in the towns of Lumbayanague and Masiu.
Tapping the vast Lake Lanao, the Americans saw the rich agricultural potential of several towns which are actually considered rice basin of the province, he added.
Earlier, Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief General Nelson Allaga has clarified that American soldiers are not involved in combat operations against a group of rebels being pursued by Filipino soldiers for pillaging communities in Lanao del Norte.
Certain quarters have criticized the presence of US troops in Mindanao, whom they claimed are involved the ongoing police actions against Moro rebels.
But, Allaga said not a single American soldier is among the Filipino troops now scouring the jungles of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte in search for Commander Bravo.
"They are in the area for humanitarian purposes like medical and dental mission as well as to assess possible projects that could be build in a particular locality," he said. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Heavy fighting erupts in Lanao del Sur
ICC, MARAWI CITY, Sept 17 (PNA) – Heavy fighting erupted between government troops and a band of Moro rebels in a hinterland municipality in Lanao del Sur early morning on Wednesday.
Fighting was still raging as of 3pm with soldiers aided by artillery and air assets, said Col. Rey Ardo, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade based in this city.
He said government side has so far suffered five wounded while the rebels lost heavily as many of their casualties were seen being dragged away.
The clash in Calanogas town, some 80 kilometers southwest of here, could be a diversionary move to ease pressure on the ongoing offensive in nearby Mt. Gurain complex where soldiers are about close in on the lair of Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo.
Bravo's group is responsible for the August 28 attack in several villages in Lanao del Norte that killed over 40 civilians, displaced some 8,754 families or 36,703 individuals and destroyed over P18 million worth of properties.
Ardo said they also suspect that the band of rebels engaged by the Army's 51st Infantry Battalion in Calanogas is set to reinforce the beleaguered group of Bravo who already sustained massive losses since a police action was launched weeks ago.
Almost simultaneous with the fighing in Calanogas, soldiers of the 65th IB engaged a a group of rebels believed to be part of Bravo's followers who have splintered into groups of 20 to 30 men.
The clash is at the slopes of Mt Gurain, near an encampment where Bravo could be holed up, Ardo said.
No casualties have been reported among soldiers in Mt Gurain even as heavy fighting also continue as of 3pm.
"We have prepared for all their possible moves. No way they can repel our offensive," Ardo said. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Mother gives birth in evacuation center
ICC,ILIGAN CITY, Sept 17 (PNA) – One thing that a couple will cherish in their stay at an evacuation center here is the coming of their sixth child.
Virgina Paburokis, 35, whose family was among those who fled their homes to escape marauding Moro rebels, gave birth to a boy at the Buruun village gymnasium, which serves as their temporary shelter.
She delivered the boy at around 2:45pm on Sept 14 on the cold pavement of the gymnasium. But, other evacuees on Tuesday said the mother and the baby never got any medical attention.
The Paburokis couple fled their home in Lapayan Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte, which by was among villages pillaged the rogue band of Moro rebel leader Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo.
Virginia's husband Danilo said municipal workers from Kauswagan once fetched and brought them to stay in a public building in their village in Kauswagan, but, noticed there were no soldiers or policemen to secure the place.
"We then decided to return to Buruun," Danilo said in the vernacular.
He said his wife and the baby has yet to be checked by a physician, saying they do not have the means after they lost their livelihood and properties during the Aug 18 attack.
The couple was even hesitant to call the attention of authorities to their plight. "It is our decision to return here in Buruun and we do not blame anyone for not helping us," the husband said.
The attack on August 18 by Commander Bravo and his men on various villages in Lanao Del Norte killed over 40 people, displaced some 8,754 families or 36,703 individuals and destroyed over P18 million worth of properties. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
AFP: MILF hierarchy's hand seen in Cotabato, Lanao atrocities
ICC, ILIGAN CITY, Sept 17 (PNA) – The Armed Forces on Wednesday revealed what it believed that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has sanctioned the atrocities committed by two of its top leaders in Central Mindanao.
Major Medel Aguillar of the AFP 5th Civil Relations Group, said they have gathered enough evidences that would show the MILF hierarchy condoned all the atrocities done by Commanders Kato and Bravo in Cotabato and Lanao areas, respectively.
"Why is it until now the MILF has not denounced Kato and Bravo for their wrongdoings?" Aguillar asked even as he remarked that the MILF must also make efforts to prove its sincerity on the peace process instead of issuing statements that tend to condone the pillaging of villages.
Among the initial indications that the MILF has a hand in the attacks that killed civilians and destroyed properties was the defiance by the MILF on what was agreed as pull out from their positions in Aleosan and Pikit towns in Cotabato.
Kato burned some 117 houses in Cotabato and killed two civilians.
In Lanao Del Norte, Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo led his group of some 300 followers to attack villages and towns in Lanao Del Norte.
Bravo and his men killed over 40 people, displaced some 8,754 families or 36,703 individuals and destroyed over P18 million worth of properties.
Aguillar said "the MILF benefited very much" from the hostilities, using it as a vehicle to convey a message that only them would know.
He explained that the atrocities started even long before the issue on the signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) came about and that the attacks on civilians has nothing to do with the MOA-AD.
But, the MILF can redeem itself, Aguillar said, by surrendering Bravo and Kato and make them answer to the criminalities they have committed against innocent people.
The MILF has argued that as revolutionaries, the Philippine government has no jurisdiction over Kato and Bravo and only the MILF can investigate and decide on the actuations of the two.
On the other hand, Army Lt. Col. Agane Adriatico, spokesman of the 1st Infantry Division, said the two have committed crimes amid existing Philippine laws and must be made to answer for their atrocities in accordance to Philippine laws. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Army soldiers stumble into abandoned MILF camp
ICC, Iligan City, Sept 17 (PNA) – Soldiers of the Army's 65th Infantry Battalion (IB) stumbled a training camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) 101st Base Command at a remote town in Lanao Del Sur on Monday.
Col. Rey Ardo, 103rd Army Brigade commander, said the camp bear the tag Camp Darul Hanan and it is located in barangay Basak, Madalum town, Lanao Del Sur.
There were indications that the camp was hastily abandoned, he said.
Ardo described the camp to be about seven hectares complete with training facilities, to include three guard posts, a mess hall, an obstacle course, a firing range, a mosque, an officer’s quarter and three large-capacity barracks, purportedly for training purposes.
Soldiers also found in the camp empty shells of 30 caliber and 60 caliber machineguns and training paraphernalia.
Over the weekend, Ardo said the 33rd IB and 15th IB also encountered around 25 armed men in the vicinity of Mt. Gurain complex, where Commander Bravo is believed hiding.
During the weekend clashes, soldiers recovered night vision goggles, MILF uniforms, a bag of dried fish, shells for B40 rockets, a rifle grenade, bandoleers of bullets and documents believed to belong to the MILF 102nd base command.
"Commander Bravo's world is already shrinking with soldiers almost everywhere," Ardo said.
Meanwhile, on Saturday dawn, the CAFGU detachment in barangay San Isidro, Bagumbayan, Kauswagan, Lanao Del Norte was harassed by about 20 MILF guerrillas.
A firefight ensued for five minutes before the rebels withdrew.
Reports said the incident could be a prelude to a rebel plan to attack Kauswagan town but were repulsed by militiamen. No casualties were reported from both sides. (PNA)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Army doubts MILF sincerity to peace process
ICC, Iligan City (09/16/08) – The Military doubts the sincerity of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in adhering to the peace process.
This was the statement of Maj. Medel Aguilar, Commanding Officer of the 5th Civil Relations Group (5CRG) who said that the MILF has not made any effort to capture Commanders Bravo and Kato, who are members of their group.
In a press briefing at the Information Command Center of the Philippine Information Agency in Iligan City, he said that if MILF is not doing anything, that is an indication that they consent to their acts.
“We still believe in the peace process. But the MILF has kept silent about the crimes of the two and did not condemn the atrocities they committed,” he said.
He said the army is under the assumption that the MILF has prior knowledge of the planned attacks of Bravo and Kato and suspect that the group may be cuddling them.
The military official explained that as long as they’re protecting these people, their sincerity to the peace process is in doubt.
Aguilar also said that maybe the MILF are benefiting from the acts of the two renegade commanders and emphasized that as long as they still belong to them, they will destroy the peace process and disrupt the road to peace.
“Bravo and Kato are barriers to the peace process. The MILF should surrender them to us to show their sincerity,” he stressed. (Brent M. Bravo, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
There will still be Christmas in Mindanao
ICC, Iligan City (09/16/08) - Despite the clashes between the military and lawless groups in some parts of Mindanao and despite all the travel advisories against going to this southern part of the country, the people in Mindanao are already feeling the Christmas spirit.
As early as September, the first of the “ber” months, Christmas jingles are being continuously played in the radio and in stores and tiangges or flea markets to mark the start of the season.
Contrary to what others believe, Mindanao remains generally peaceful and people here welcome Christmas just like everyone else – by putting up a Christmas tree in their homes or by decorating their houses with wreaths and multi-colored lights.
The streets still remain safe and stores will soon be filled with Christmas decors and star lanterns or parol, adding color and excitement as people look forward to the month of December.
People in Mindanao will still anticipate their Christmas bonus and still plan to make the occasion special, even in their own little ways.
Children will still go house to house using home-made instruments singing Christmas carols and people from all walks of life will still flock malls to avail of season discounts and look for gifts.
On the midnight of December 24, the family will still gather for the traditional Noche Buena feast and to exchange gifts.
There will still be Christmas in Mindanao. This year’s celebration will still be a peaceful one, even if the whole country, even maybe the world, thinks that turmoil is everywhere here.
There may be conflict in some of its areas but despite of all these, the Christmas spirit is very much alive in Mindanao and people still go out to greet each other “Merry Christmas!” (Brent M. Bravo, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Nightlife continues undisturbed in Iligan –ICPO
ICC, Iligan City (09/17/08) – Iligan City is very peaceful. In fact, nightlife in the city continues undisturbed, even as the month-long activities lined up for the celebration of the annual town fiesta on Sept. 29th are being observed by the residents.
This is the assurance of P/Chief Supt. Arniel Catarata, Chief of Operations, Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) who said the negative write up on the peace and order situation of the city is just a mere disinformation campaign by some groups that takes advantage of the rampage of the lawless MILF groups (LMG).
“The LMG is only confined to the hinterlands at the boundary of Lanao Del Norte and Lanao Del Sur, and so far, there are troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly, the Philippine Army, who are scouring the area even as they provide the blocking force so the LMG cannot enter the city.
Meanwhile, he said ICPO is continuously conducting a more serious monitoring of the areas where relatives of the LMGs are residing in the city in addition to what they do in all its hotels, inns, lodgings and other suspected safe houses of the LMG in the city.
“We have also organized the village leaders of areas here which are known to be populated by friends of the LMG to call and inform ICPO immediately of the presence of any suspicious persons who may visit their areas,” Catarata said.
So far, they have promised never to allow any of the LMG elements to enter their subdivisions saying they have been living in the city for a long time, that many of their children have finished their studies here peacefully and that they would like the condition to remain so.
“The village leaders said they will also continue to maintain an open line of communication with the ICPO to report the presence of any suspicious person in their areas,” Catarata added. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Lanao Norte puts up bunkhouses for IDPs
ICC, Iligan City, Tubod, Lanao del Norte (09/17) – Worried about the condition of some schools being used as classroom by day and evacuation centers (EC) by night, the Lanao del Norte (LDN) Provincial government has started to put up three (3) bunkhouses for the internally displaced persons (IDP) in the province.
The bunkhouses are constructed by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), using light materials, such as bamboo for flooring, ‘amakan’ or woven pieces of bamboo sheath for walling and ‘nipa’ shingles for roofing.
During a press briefing at the Information Command Center (ICC) in the municipality of Tubod, the Provincial Capital, District Engineer Maribel Francis Ong of the LDN’s 2nd Engineering District, said two (2) of these bunkhouses are constructed in the village of Kulasihan, Kolambugan town while the third one is constructed in Kauswagan of the same province.
The bunkhouses in Kulasihan consist of 32 rooms with 15 units each of toilets and bathrooms with one (1) unit common dirty kitchen while that in Kauswagan consist of 10 rooms, five (5) units each of toilets and bathrooms plus one (1) common dirty kitchen.
Classrooms in the Kulasihan Elementary School are being used as evacuation centers for the IDPs of Kolambugan who disperse to the nearby houses during the day when classes are held and come back only after classes have ended.
These bunkhouses are expected to ease up the congestion of LDN’s IDPs due to the Aug. 18 attack of the LMG where 2,955 families with 5,392 persons in Kolambugan and 108 families with 600 persons in Kauswagan were displaced.
As of press time, however, 209 families with 773 persons have remained in the ECs of Kolambugan while eight (8) families with 47 persons have remained in the ECs of Kauwagan.(Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA-10).
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
PGMA to visit the Army troops in Lanao
ICC, Tubod, Lanao del Norte (09/17/08) – Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is scheduled to visit the headquarters of the 4th Infantry Brigade, First Infantry (Tabak) Division (104th Bde), Philippine Army at its headquarters in Ditucalan, Iligan City on Sept. 18, 2008.
The President who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will see for herself, the concerns of the forces on the ground to know what’s happening with her troops in the field.
The visit of the President is expected to raise the morale of the soldiers who have been assigned to do its mandated job of protecting the people from the terrorist threats of the lawless MILF group (LMG) responsible in the attacked three (3) of the coastal towns of Lanao Del Norte.
The attack resulted to the death of 43 persons that included a 2-year old girl and a 94-year old grandfather, mostly of gunshots, the injury of 42 others , also mostly of gun shots and hack wounds and two (2) persons missing.
It also resulted to the burning of 55 houses , 37 classrooms, nine (9) commercial buildings and one (1) unit each of a private owner-type jeep, PNP patrol car and a cargo truck, ransack/looting of 15 business establishments and five (5) houses, and damaged 30 classrooms due to artillery fire, as well, as the displacement of 8,754 families with 36,703 persons.
“These incidents which occurred last Aug. 18 had sent more government forces to the province to augment the Philippine National Police (PNP), “ Col. Beneto T. De Leon, Commander of 104 Bde, IID, PA said.
De Leon said his unit serves as the blocking force at the Munai, Poona Piagapo, Pantao Ragat, Matungao and Tangkal complex in Lanao del Norte while the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (403rd Bde) takes charge of the coastal towns, particularly, from Iligan City to Sapad of the province.
During her visit, the President is expected to be briefed on the progress of her order to the Army troops to get LMG leader Bravo for all the atrocities he has done on hapless civilians and bring him to justice,” De Leon added. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
PGMA joins the "Bukah" with Muslims in Zamboanga del Sur
ICC, PAGADIAN CITY, 9/17--President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Muslims in Zamboanga del Sur will together take the “Bukah” today to show to the world that majority of the people in Mindanao are peace-loving and that the present hostilities in the area are limited only to the rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
“Bukah” is the Islamic term for a break in the fasting of the Muslims during the month-long observance of the Ramadhan. The Muslims break their fasting for the day before 6:00 p.m. by taking in light food such as fruits, bread, juice, and water. After the break, they return to the mosque to resume praying.
The President will be in this city tomorrow to join in the celebration of the 56th founding anniversary of Zamboanga Del Sur.
The President will join in the “Bukah” in Barangay Banale as well as interact with our Muslim brothers.
Association for Islamic Development Inc. (AID) officials led by Eshmael Calalagan, President; Ali Bantilan, Vice President; Khalid Omar, Treasurer; Zacaria Mama, Secretary and the Association´s Board of Directors will receive the President when she arrives at the Barangay Banale community hall.
Last September 1, Muslims in the Philippines started the observance of the month-long Ramadan--- the time for spiritual purification achieved through fasting,self-sacrifice and prayers.
Celebrated during the ninth month of Islamic calendar, the fast is observed each day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam.
The 14-hour daily fasting covers absolute abstinence from food and drinks, smoking and even from legitimate sexual contact of couples bound by marital knot.
Ramadan concludes with a 3-day festival known as "Eid" or "Eid ul-Fitr," which literally means "the feast of the breaking/to break the fast." The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Ramadhan heals people’s anxieties
ICC, Iligan City, 9/17--Muslims and Islamic devotees of Mindanao continue to celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadhan with various socio-cultural, religious and sports festivities despite the continuing AFP-PNP manhunt operation against lawless MILF groups under Commanders Bravo and Umbrakato.
In Lanao del Sur, the month-long religious festivities slowly heals people’s anxieties over the recent MILF atrocities that almost ruined the smooth relationship between the Christian and Muslim populace of the two provinces of Lanao and the cities of Iligan and Marawi.
Provincial Governor Mamintal ‘Bombit’ Adiong Jr. initiated the annual Ramadhan festival as part of his administration support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s program for peace and development of Mindanao. But even as the countdown for the ending of the month-long fasting begins, the festive mood of the peace-loving Maranaos continue to linger in their hearts as they share with their Christians brothers and sisters the prayers of peace, understanding, and harmony, Gov. Adiong said.
“When we started celebrating the Ramadhan, we urged every peace-loving citizens to pray for peace and the peace process between the government and the MILF to resume so that war in Mindanao will end”, Gov. Adiong said.
The Provincial Chief Executive further added that most of the fetivities are conducted nightly at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium with the final celebration to end during the observance of the Islamic Eid’l Fitr. (Rex T. Dumarpa/PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
ICPO sets up contingency plans for Iligan City fiesta celebration
ICC, Iligan City (09/17/08) – The Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) has appealed for sobriety and calm even as it assures the residents of the city that it has contingent plans to ensure the success of the city fiesta celebration on Sept. 29, this month.
During a press briefing at the Information Command Center (ICC) at the Philippine Information Agency, this city, P/Chief Insp. Arniel Catarata, ICPO Chief of Operations, Intelligence and Investigation Division (OIID) said elements of the Police Regional Mobile Group (PRMG) has arrived in the city.
“They are now deployed in strategic areas of the city to serve as augmentation force to the ICPO, in addition to the elements from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly, those of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army assigned within and at the outskirts of the city,” he said.
On the ploy used by the lawless MILG group (LMG) leader Bravo of wearing the traditional Islamic “Abaya” and disguise himself as a woman to avoid detection, the OIID Chief said ICPO has received quite a number of such reports.
“So far, the ICPO has checked the presence of Bravo in all the places mentioned in these reports but our operatives who followed them up found the reports to be negative and even the AFP refuse to confirm such reports,” he said.
Anyway, the ICPO is not lowering its guard against these LMG and that it is very thankful of the help from civilians in the vicinity who feed them other important details of strangers entering their areas, such as, the police auxiliaries and the community intelligence network .
“This network gives us very positive responses in our campaign to really report to us the presence of any suspicious-looking persons who may belong to the LMG, including the type and color of their vehicles used, their corresponding plate numbers, etc.,” Catarata added. (Rutchie Cabahug- Aguhob, PIA-10)
ICC-ILIGAN CITY DISPATCH
Military vows to help probe vs MILF abuse
ICC, Pagadian, (ZC),9/17= The military has vowed to cooperate and assists the Commission on Human Rights in the investigation of blatant human rights violations of lawless groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The families of the victims want to know the real circumstances behind the death of their loved ones and they have every right in the world to know this, according to Major Gamal Hayudini, commander of the 4th Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP.
Hayudini also condemned the lawless MILF groups for using young children as warriors and innocent civilians as human shields. He lamented that these acts are inhuman and should be condemned by all.
The military official disclosed that the military is quick to provide assistance to the victims and their families and that troops have been deployed in different areas to secure civilian communities and allow those who were forced to abandon their homes return safe.
He added that there are reports that children and innocent civilians were used by the lawless MILF groups as human shields. He said that this clear infringement of human rights should be investigated and that the military is ready to help in the probe if only to give justice to the families of the victims.
Meanwhile, the AFP has sent ground troops to console with the victims’ families and assure them of the AFP’s wholehearted cooperation with the CHR. Substantial financial assistance was also extended to the bereaved families of the victims. (4CRG,CRSAFP/PIA-BASULTA)
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