Sultan Sharif Pulalun brings cheers to Zamboanga scavengers, fire victims
text & photos HADER GLANG

Poor residents in Lumbangan and fire victims in two other Barangays in Zamboanga City found cheers early Sunday after Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun personally handed to them food assistance.

The Sultan, along with supporters, led in the distribution of rice, noodles, and sardines at the “Zamboanga’s poverty hill” with a hundred of scavengers in the area. At the same time, he carried out a house-to-house distribution of goods in Barangays Canelar and Moret with village officials.

“It really feels good that you have at least help in a small way,” Sultan Pulalun later said in an interview.

He also called on the people, especially those well-to-do families, to share their blessings because the poor residents in the said barangays really need foods and medicines.

An elderly woman, who spoke in behalf of the Lubangan scavengers, said that they are very grateful to the assistance extended by Sultan Pulalun to them.

“Gracias gayud con el attention ya dale canamon aqui…bien grande ayuda ya gayud este (we are very thankful to the attention that has given by Sultan to us…this is a big help),” she said.

Lumbangan, about 10 kilometers east of Zamboanga City, is a dump site for tons of garbage that could be anything from a harmless piece of rubber duck toy to more toxic materials such as computer and television parts or even a bottle of pesticide.

For its residents, the village is a man-made hill of poverty, a symbol of a struggle for many who brave the heat and cold in search of scrap, wrote Al Jacinto, a freelance journalist, in his feature news published in the national dailies late last year.

According to Jacinto, the dump is a place of opportunity for many jobless people in the village, but there are dangers to face as well and many scavengers are suffering from different diseases such as tuberculosis, asthma and skin allergy.

Early this year, a big fire hit one of the city’s urban village leaving some 6,000 families (mostly squatters) homeless in the congested barangay Canelar. The fire destroyed about 1,500 houses. Many of the fire victims are still not relocated or re-housed up to now.

IMAGE OF THE DAY

The moro mosque at Barangay (village) Taluksangay (a fishing community, about 20 kilometers north east of Zamboanga City is the site of the oldest mosque in Western Mindanao). The Senate has declared recently the oldest mosque in the Philippines constructed in Tawi-Tawi by then Sheik Karimul Makhdum, an Arab missionary from Saudi Arabia in A.D. 1380, as a national shrine. (HADER GLANG)

Pres. Arroyo & Speaker De Venecia appoint Governor Ampatuan as Lakas-CMD party chairman for ARMM

REGIONAL Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has been designated Regional Chairman of the Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats Party for the ARMM.

The designation of Gov. Ampatuan was signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as party chairperson and Speaker Jose De Venecia as party president. The effectivity of the designation is retroactive to January of 2006.

“In accordance with existing rules and authority vested upon us by the Party, you are hereby designated as Regional Chairman for ARMM. By virtue thereof, you are authorized and mandated to exercise the prerogatives of your office to ensure the consolidation, unification and strengthening of the Party in pursuit of its Christian – Muslim Democratic ideology and its proper role in advancing the welfare, interests and nationhood of the Filipino people,” the designation said.

Governor Ampatuan thanks President Arroyo, Speaker De Venecia and the entire leadership of the Lakas-CMD for the trust and confidence given him, even as he vowed to exert all possible efforts to promote the interest of the Party and the Filipino nation.

“I am so thankful to Her Excellency Madame President Arroyo, Hon. Speaker De Venecia and the entire leadership of the Lakas-CMD for their trust and confidence. I assure them that with this new responsibility given to me, I will do all I can to push for the interest and welfare of the Party in particular and the Filipino people in general.

Regional Gov. Ampatuan, son of Maguindanao Gov. Datu Andal Ampatuan, Sr., was the official candidate of the Lakas-CMD during the August 8, 2005 ARMM regional elections. He won overwhelmingly over other candidates, some of whom were former ARMM Governor Dr. Parouk Hussin, former ARMM Vice Governor Mahid Mutilan and businessman Ibrahim “Toto” Paglas due to the massive support of the people and many local government officials in the region.

Gov. Ampatuan believes that it will not difficult for him to consolidate and unify the Party in the region considering that at least 95 percent of the more than 80 municipal mayors and all the five provincial governors and Marawi City mayor and other local officials are supportive to his administration in ARMM.

“With the support of my party mates in the region and our constituents, I am confident that we can easily consolidate, unify and strengthen the Lakas-CMD in ARMM,” he said. (BPI-ARMM)

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Sunset over Sta. Cruz Island in Zamboanga City. (HADER GLANG)

AFP refutes CBCP’s charge of disinformation

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday denied the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) accusation that the military sow public disinformation to discourage the Church and people from pushing through the Charter Change rallies.

The AFP clears that what has been said in the media about threats of terrorism is based on reports gathered by the intelligence units. In fact, there was nothing new in the statements released in media about the country’s present security situation.

It is a known fact that in any assemblage of big crowd, threat of terrorism is always possible. Terrorists can or may take advantage of these rallies to sow fear and inflict injury among our people through terroristic activities. Thus, there was no disinformation as what the CBCP claimed.

To inform and remind our people of the present security situation and to caution them to be careful do not mean stopping them from participating any rally. As protectors of the people and defenders of democracy, the AFP highly respects the right of the citizens to assembly and expression of grievances through peaceful means.

We are just doing our jobs to secure the public. The objective is to advise our people to be more careful to preempt any unlawful undertakings of the rebel groups.

Moreover, the government forces are doubling their efforts to ensure the safety of the participants to the prayer rally. The safety of the civilians is the military’s paramount concern. (PRESS RELEASE - 4th CRG, CRSAFP)

U.S. Deputy Chief and House Speaker Urge Muslim Congressional Interns to Continue Dedication to Leadership and Government

The participating students and representatives of MSU with (seated left to right, center row) House Speaker Jose de Venecia; acting DCM Jon Linborg; and Frank Donovan, acting Mission Director, USAID.

Demonstrating the U.S. and Philippines’ commitment to investing in people, democracy, and peace, U.S. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Jon Lindborg, who is also Mission Director, U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), and Philippine Speaker of the House of Representatives Jose de Venecia hosted a December 15 completion ceremony for 25 Filipino students from the “Congressional Internship Program for Young Muslim Leaders” (CIPYML).

The CIPYML Program, which has been ongoing for more than two years, gives qualified graduates from colleges in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and other conflict-affected areas of Mindanao the opportunity to work for four months at the House of Representatives and gain hands-on experience in legislation and policy formulation.

The CIPYML Program is managed by USAID and implemented in partnership with the House of Representatives and Mindanao State University (MSU). The American people are proud to help open doors so these young leaders from Mindanao can expand their knowledge of and experience in government and leadership. The internship program not only helps these young leaders learn more about democratic governance, but brings their unique perspectives and experiences to the halls of Congress.

The 25 interns are the sixth batch to go through the program, which typically hosts two groups of interns each year. Both Acting DCM Lindborg and Speaker de Venecia delivered remarks during the ceremony and encouraged the young leaders to continue seeking opportunities to increase their own knowledge of democratic governance, and to share with others what they learned during their internships. (PRESS RELEASE)

Misuari is running for Sulu governor in 2007 polls

This file photo originally taken by Hader Glang in Barangay Taluksangay few days after the signing of peace agreement in September 1996 shows MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari, former Zamboanga City Mayor Vitaliano Agan (left), and a representative of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Detained Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari will run for governor in the May 2007 elections following his registration at the Jolo municipal Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Sulu Thursday.

A political observer, who requested anonymity, commented that Misuari’s running for governor will be the last nail that will seal whatever pretension he has as a revolutionary and the peace pact that he signed with the government will be dead forever.

The source said that this action by Misuari is understandable, because he seems to be no longer fighting for his principles and his people but his personal future and happiness after he has been subjected to untold sufferings inside jail.

Jolo town councilor Cocoy Tulawie, in a television interview in Zamboanga City, also confirmed that the detained MNLF leader is running for governor in next year’s elections. He did not elaborate.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) had repeatedly urged government to release Misuari. The OIC also wants Misuari to attend the tripartite review of the 1996 peace agreement in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on February 6 to 8 next year.

Brig. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino, a revert to Islam and currently chairperson of the government Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG), accompanied Misuari in his trip to Jolo Thursday after the court granted the latter’s petition to register in Sulu as voter.

Misuari signed a peace agreement with Manila on September 2, 1996, but the MNLF complained until now that the pact has not been implemented fully by the government.

He is facing rebellion charges after a failed MNLF uprising on Jolo Island and Zamboanga City in 2001. He was accused by the military of allegedly masterminding the attacks.

Until his arrest in Malaysia and imprisonment in Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa Laguna in 2002, Misuari was the governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

IMT MEDCAP treated hundreds of patients in 2 conflict-ridden areas in central Mindanao

A Medical and Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) team of the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) has treated hundreds of patients in conflict-ridden areas in the southern Philippines.

(A refugee in central Mindanao in makeshift housing near a mosque)

The IMT’s MEDCAP team has provided treatment, free medicines and vitamins to around 700 patients mostly children, women and old folks from Barangays (villages) in Datu Saudi Ampatuan and in Mamasapano, Maguindanao province.

Major Genera Dato' Md Ismael bin Ahmad Khan, IMT head of mission, said they are now in full swing with their MEDCAP and gradually shifting their focus on humanitarian and socio-economic programs “so that the people will start to reap and enjoy the dividends of the peace process.”

He said the MEDCAP was implemented in coordination and cooperation with the Joint GRP- MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), and Local Government Units (LGUs).

“Common sickness that were diagnosed included body pains, abdominal pain, headache, colds, fever, cough, eye problems, hypertension and asthma,” said Dr. Amran, the Medical Officer of the IMT.

He said patients experiencing eye problems, particularly cataract, were advised to immediately see an ophthalmologist as they could not attend to them considering that the case involves surgical operation.

The physician promised to bring up to the Malaysian government the predicament of those patients experiencing eye problems, even as he called for other institutions and humanitarian organizations to help in attending to these cases involving eye problems.

Meanwhile, village leaders and elders in Maguindanao hailed the IMT, which composed of officers from the governments of Malaysia, Brunei, Libya and Japan, for the big contributions it is giving in the search for genuine and lasting peace and development in their war ravaged communities.

Zamboanga No. 1 seller in olive oil sardines

Mindanao's small and medium sized companies made some major sales at the recent Yamang Mindanao trade exhibit.

Trade officials said the businesses earned some P40-million in cash and booked sales for 128 mostly small producers who participated. DTI records showed products from Region 9 (Western Mindanao) topped the sales at nearly P19 million followed by Region 12 (Southwestern Mindanao) at P17.2 million.

“The exhibit sales was realized through the purchase and bookings made by 29 institutional buyers from Europe, the United States, Manila, Cebu and walk-in buyers from the area,” the trade and industry deparment said.

The best sellers included sardines in olive oil (Zamboanga City), organic muscovado (Pres. Quirino, Sultan Kudarat), banana tissue (Federation of North Cotabato Banana Farmers, Inc.), processed cashew and mango products (South Cotabato), driftwood furniture (Sultan Kudarat) and tuna value-added (General Santos City).

"Exhibitors presented their companies and products to a panel of interested buyers. Outright orders, negotiations and bookings took place right there and then," she said.

Delegates to the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area Joint Cluster Meeting for Tourism Development also graced the event.

Some 40 small-and-medium enterprises from Region 12, 30 from Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) and Caraga, 23 from Region 11 (Southeastern Mindanao), three from Region 9, and two from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao participated in the trade exhibit. There were also two guest exhibitors from Region 8.

A total of six seminars or training programs were also conducted during the duration of the event to enhance the capability of the SMEs in the area and make them more competitive in the market.

These include seminars on financing programs (Small Business Guarantee Fund Corp., EU Funding Windows and National Livelihood Support Fund); Applying for Organics Certification and Market Opportunities for Organics Products; Potential Export Channels for Value Added Marine Food Product, Challenges and Improvements and; Seminar on ISO 22000: Food Safety Management System.

Sultanate of Sulu calls RP Muslims to support 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu

The influential Sultan of Sulu, Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun, on Friday called on Filipino Muslims to support the Philippine hosting of the 12th ASEAN Summit in Cebu province.

The four-day summit, beginning Dec. 10, will bring together the Economic Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to the central Filipino island where they are to sign the Blueprint on the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015, five years ahead of the original target of 2020.

The ASEAN Economic Ministers will also finalize seven documents for signing during the Summit.

The blueprint -- which will focus on how ASEAN could benefit from the elimination of tariff for the ASEAN-6 by 2010 and for the new ASEAN members by 2015 -- is one of the most important documents to be signed by the leaders when they meet in Cebu.

Sultan Pulalun said the holding of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu only proves the Philippines continues to enjoy the support of the international business community and other nations and is a safe place for every body to go.

"We hope this historic event would be most remembered by many Filipinos that the Philippines is still strong and that our leaders continue to work for the country and everybody's benefit."

"I call on all Muslims in the Philippines and around the world to continue supporting the government effort for this ASEAN Summit to be successful and bring peace to all nations of the world, particularly in Asia," Sultan Pulalun, a peace advocate and active in humanitarian works, said.

The 50-year old Sultan said the Summit would further strengthen the relationship and foster unity among ASEAN member countries.

Over the years, ASEAN has seen the growth of regional networks of non-governmental organizations.

One of the most active of these groups is the ASEAN Peoples' Assembly, which is an important partner of ASEAN in moving forward its integration initiatives.

At the 12th ASEAN Summit, the Philippines will support the holding of the 5th ASEAN People's Assembly, which coincides with the ASEAN Leaders' Summit. President Arroyo has chosen the theme for the 12th ASEAN Summit, entitled "One Caring and Sharing Community."

The theme will reflect the initiatives to be taken by the Philippines in ASEAN community building and common people's participation.

Last year, Malaysia hosted the 11th ASEAN Summit and discussed seven main issues -- the spread of bird flu, southern Thailand conflict, democracy in Myanmar, crude oil prices fluctuation and poverty, investment and trade and an ASEAN charter.

This year, the Summit will be hosted by the Cebu Metropolitan Area, composed of Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City and Lapu-Lapu City.

The ASEAN is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (PRESS RELEASE)

Korean seaman lost at Sulu sea

A Korean seaman has disappeared aboard a Korean ocean-going vessel while it was sailing at Sulu on November 26, 2006, authorities said.

Authorities identified the missing Korean seaman as Yoon Suk Lee, 23, a 3rd Engineer of Korean registered ship, C.March.

Sources said that the vessel’s skipper, Capt. Shin Jong Chul, reported through radio message that Yoon Suk cannot be located in the ship on Nov. 26.

It said that the missing Korean ship engineer was last seen about 9 p.m. of November 25 sipping red wine with shipmates, but the following day, when the skipper conducted a headcount, Yoon Suk did not show up.

Capt. Jong Chul said Yoon Suk’s cabin was intact with his personal belongings inside. He said they left Australia on Nov. 17, carrying ore shipment on the way to China passing the Sulu Sea, where Yoon Suk was last seen.

The ship had eight Korean and 16 Filipino crewmembers, according to the source. The family of a Korean seaman have put up a reward for anyone in Zamboanga City, Sulu, Basilan or Tawi-Tawi who can locate their son.

The father, brother and uncle of Yoon Suk arrived in Zamboanga City to launch a search for him after the vessel’s skipper.

They said said Yoon Suk has boarded the vessel only about a month ago. They could not figure out what happened to him, but expressed hope that he is still alive.

They said that if he had fallen into the sea, there is a good chance he survived, because at that time (Nov. 25), there were several fishing boats within the vicinity of the Sulu Sea where C. Match was sailing through.

The relatives have asked the assistance of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard to help locate Yoon Suk. They also distributed posters with Yoon Suk’s face.