AMORE's 'Wall of Light' unveiled in ARMM

To celebrate the “Partnership for Light”, the leadership of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) the Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (AMORE) and the visiting Dutch Ambassador H.E. Robert Vornis led the unveiling of the “Wall of Light” at the ARMM Complex in Cotabato City last Monday.

The “Wall of Light” made of 129 granite tiles were installed to represent the 129 barangays electrified of which 71% of the electrified villages are in the region.

AMORE is a partnership project of the Philippine government-Department of Energy, US Agency for International Development (USAID, Mirant Philippine Foundation and Winrock Foundation).

"This day is a celebration because “electrification of close to 4,000 households in remote and conflict-affected areas is indeed worthy to celebrate because of its tremendous impact in these communities and in the region as a whole,” said ARMM Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna.

Sampulna, who relayed the message of ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan extending his outmost gratitude and for the sincere commitment to being our partners in bringing about a peaceful, progressive and competitive region.

The partnership enabled PNOC to supply AMORE, through Shell Solar Philippines Corporation with 55-wattpeak solar homes systems for 30 households per village at a 60-percent price subsidy from the Netherlands government.

The joint undertaking electrifies the remote and conflict affected areas in Mindanao that cannot be connected to the power grid, with stand-alone renewable energy systems such as solar and microhydro.

By bringing light and electricity to the households in these communities, Sampulna added that "we not only improve their lives but we give them hope – a fervent reason to have brighter and more positive outlook in life despite the hardships brought about by the years of instability."

The AMORE program, Sampulna said continues to be among the most important and successful programs that the ARMM leadership have in the region.

H.E. Ambassador Robert Vornis of Netherlands said that their country gave 60 percent (60%) subsidy that is equivalent to 5.6 Million Euros or approximately 350 Million Pesos approved grant component of totality.

Energy Sec. Raphael Lotilla said that “we will bring power and light to all people”. He further concluded that they would complete the electrification for all barangays in the Philippines before 2008.

Mr. Victorino Bala of PNOC stressed that the electrification of villages was part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the administration would provide assistance for Muslim brothers and to provide light on every homes so that more families would enjoy the improve quality of life.(BPI-ARMM)

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Dutch Ambassador visits ARMM. Dutch Ambassador Robert Vornis (right) is welcomed by ARMM Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna (left) and Chief of Staff Ulama Acad on his arrival Sunday in Cotabato City. Vornis is among the dignitaries who will take part in series of activities that celebrate the electrification of around 4,000 households in depressed areas in the ARMM under the Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy Program (AMORE) program. ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan along with AMORE Chief of Party Tetchie Capellan and PNOC President Pedro Aquino will lead the unveiling of the "Wall of Light"- a symbolic marker that signifies the RP-US-Dutch partnership. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and Shell Solar Philippines General Manager Ramin Nadimi will also be among the important guests in the said activity. (BPI-ARMM)

Salapuddin hails Basilan marines’ gun ban measure

House deputy speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin has welcomed the newly-assigned 1st Marine Brigade in Basilan for stepping up the enforcement of gun ban in the island province imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“We welcome the measures coming from the new Marine Brigade commander (Col. Ramero Alivio) assigned in Basilan. I firmly believe that should be the first task that the Philippine Marines should get into,” Salapuddin told reporters.

He said it’s high time that the strict implementation of the gun ban is enforced to the fullest not only during the election period to contain the proliferation of illegal firearms and private armies in his province.

In November last year, the third termer Basilan congressman asked the Lower House and the concerned government agencies to look into the alleged proliferation and acquisition of illegal firearms by politicians in Basilan.

Reports said heavy armaments being used for warfare and the maintenance of private of illegal firearms by unscrupulous politicians were how the election fever has been manifested in the island province.

“The acquisition was supposedly intended to maintain peace or for security or defensive measures. Unfortunately, unscrupulous politicians have been planning to use the firearms to guarantee victory at the polls through the use of violence and intimidation,” Salapuddin said.

Salapuddin called on the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to immediately look into the situation in his province.

“I believe that the matter, if not addressed, will again tarnish the forthcoming conduct of elections,” the lawmaker added.

Salapuddin, meantimne, brushed off political detractors’ criticism against his bid for governor of Basilan, saying he is used to it and this pushes him more to do his job and serve the people.

“I don't want to waste my time with those critics. I have my hands full tackling unfinished business and pressing issues in congress,” he said.

Salapuddin, a third-termer congressman, is running under the administration's Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Kampi-Lakas-CMD) coalition party.
(HG)

US-RP Balikatan soldiers fix bumpy road in Sulu

Bato Bato, Jolo Island resident Nader Daud and his friends come to watch the progress U.S. Marines and Seabees, along with their counterparts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), make every day on the main road that leads from the village to the island’s largest municipality, Jolo City.

Daud and many of the local citizens travel the road to the city almost every day to sell crafts, buy food, and trade goods to support their families. But during three months out of the year, heavy rains cause erosion and ruts on the dirt road, making travel nearly impossible for vehicles.

On February 14, Joint Task Force Balikatan 2007 began an engineering civil assistance project, or ENCAP, to fix the road so it will be usable for local residents year-round. Helping out were U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan; U.S. Navy construction specialists from Port Hueneme, California (called “Seabees”); and AFP partners. Pictured above, a U.S. Sailor directs a large equipment specialist operating a front-end loader where to dump dirt to fill the new road.

The Bato Bato road construction is one of several projects being conducted throughout the island during the annual Balikatan exercise, which runs through early March. Other projects include school and clinic renovations, and free medical clinics that offer medical attention to local residents.

The annual exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States is structured to further develop the two countries’ crisis action planning, enhance their ability to effectively conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and promote interoperability between participating countries.

“This is the only ENCAP the detachment is doing that will require attention every day we are here,” said Staff Sgt. Jami D. Larson, a Fayetteville, N.C. native. “The road is more than three miles long, and with vehicles coming through here every day, it’s impossible to shut this road down. Working here through the duration is the only way this road will be finished.”

Larson said many considerations came into play when they started the project. “We had to pretty much tear up the existing road,” he said. “There were no drainage ditches, the road (was flat) and it was loose.”

Before construction began, the road was only made up of dirt, but after its completion, it will be mixed with gravel. “The rocks we’re using are three inches long on average, and are much larger compared to what we’re used to working with,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Robert N. Rossell, the project supervisor. “Now we have to use dirt to fill the gaps in between the rocks to make sure everything is compacted so the road will stay together.”

During the project, Marines and Sailors are digging ditches on both sides of the road while ensuring the road has a run-off so that water will drain to avoid erosion and ruts. Heavy equipment brought into Jolo such as graders and a compactor are being used to even the road and create a smooth-riding trip to Jolo City.

A lot of progress has been made on the project, but it hasn’t been easy, Larson said. “It’s tough doing all of this in this hot weather, but the Marines and Seabees are really working together to get the job done,” he said.

Cpl. Derek C. Riekena, a heavy-equipment operator with the detachment, said he and others anticipated a lot of work to finish the project from the moment they arrived. “While en route to our camp when we first got to the island, we could feel all the bumps and ruts we drove through,” the St. Peters, Missouri native said. “We have taken shorter lunch periods because we knew this was going to take a while. Since we started, we have made a remarkable difference.”

With the project partly finished, local resident Daud and others are already looking forward to a better road ahead. “We all come here every day and wave to the militaries to show our appreciation for their hard work,” said the 19-year-old. “The road is not even complete yet and we all have seen improvement.” (PRESS RELEASE)

ARMM conducts consultations on children protection

Members of the Provincial Technical Working Group conducted On-site consultations with the Municipal Council on the Protection of Children (MCPC) in the provinces of Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan. The MTWG visited the municipalities of Datu Montawal, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Matanog, Buldon, South Upi, Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Parang and Sultan sa Barongis. (Left) Emma Ali of DWSD-Maguindanao with Engr. Amy Dalandag (3rd, left) of DILG-Maguindano, Joy Bravo (2nd, left) from Commission on Human Rights 12 and a representative of the Local Government of Montawal (3rd, right) interviewed SPO1 Eddie Quia-eo of Datu Montawal on the needs of the law enforcement in terms of implementing the program for children under the MCPC. The on-site meetings is in partnership with the UNICEF. (BPI-ARMM)

Mindanao solon names partymates in Basilan

Administration gubernatorial aspirant Gerry Salapuddin has named his running partymates for congressional and vice gubernatorial race under the banner of local Kampi-Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats coalition party in Basilan for the May 2007 elections.

In an interview, Salapuddin said Jim Hataman Salliman, former mayor of Sumisip and brother of Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Party List Rep. Mujiv Hataman, will run for congress while Majang Linggisan, Basilan’s ABC provincial president and Kampi provincial chairman, for vice governor.

“The inclusion of Salliman and Linggisan was a decision made upon consultations with all supporters and team partners in the province,” Salapuddin said when asked what prompted him to choose the two as partymates.

Salapuddin who is serving his final and last term as member of the House of Representatives, also filled in re-electionists Lamitan Mayor Orig Furigay and Isabela City Mayor Rody Tan with the local Kampi-Lakas coalition party in Basilan.

The House deputy speaker for Mindanao said his team, which is fielded with credible and qualified candidates, would push President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s platform of government.

President Arroyo vowed to fight for changes in the system that would lead to economic and political stability including constitutional reform leading to a change in the country’s form of government.

“We would implement ‘doable’ socioeconomic reforms and give priorities to delivery of basic services, agriculture, health, education, environment and a program to contain the proliferation of illegal firearms and private armies in Basilan,” Salapuddin said. (HG)

RP-US Balikatan Exercises 2007 opens today

The RP-US Balikatan Exercise 2007 formally opened on Monday at Camp Aguinaldo and it will run until March 4 in Jolo, Sulu, where Filipino soldiers are hunting down remnants of the Abu Sayyaf group and Jemaah Islamiyah militants.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney and Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo gave their respective remarks in the opening ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo Officers’ Club in Quezon City.

Dignitaries from the DFA and Defense, led by Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., the Philippine Congress, and co-exercise directors, U.S. Army Major General Stephen Tom and AFP Rear Admiral Amable Tolentino were in attendance.

Balikatan 2007, the 23rd in this series, is conducted under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement, and reflects the robust and active Philippines - US military partnership for the benefit of the people.

This year’s exercise focuses mainly on humanitarian projects in Mindanao, especially Jolo Island, including multiple medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering projects carried out by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and U.S. personnel.

There will also be a combined task force staff exercises that emphasizes crisis action planning in a maritime security scenario, which will help the two countries learn to work together in addressing real-world challenges such as terrorist transit routes, piracy, drug smuggling, and critical infrastructure protection.

The term balikatan is from the Tagalog language, which means “shouldering the load together,” characterizing the guiding philosophy of this exercise and the US - Philippines security partnership. (PRESS RELEASE)

Salapuddin confident on President Arroyo nod for Lamitan cityhood before May polls

House deputy speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin is confident that the Municipality of Lamitan in Basilan, once siege by the extremist Abu Sayyaf group, will gain cityhood status soon before the May 14 elections.

This came as the Senate approved on February 5, 2007 the conversion of 12 towns in the country, including Lamitan and three other municipalities in Mindanao.

Salapuddin, author of the bill converting Lamitan into city, said he is very confident that President Arroyo would be able to sign the cityhood bills into law before the May polls.

“It will be a blessing to the people of Lamitan and Basilan in general. We have long wanted this to happen,” said Salapuddin, who is serving his final and last term as congressman.

Salapuddin, who also authored the cityhood of Isabela town, is running for gubernatorial post in Basilan under the administration's Kampi-Lakas coalition party.

If signed into a law, Lamitan will be the newly-created city in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the second city in Basilan next to Isabela City.

But the country's league of city mayors is questioning the legality of the bills converting 12 towns into cities. The league is also petitioning the Comelec from holding plebiscites.

The 12 towns include Lamitan, Basilan; Batac, Ilocos Norte; Baybay, Leyte; Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; Bogo, Cebu; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; Carcar, Cebu; Catbalogan, Samar; Tabuk, Kalinga; Tandag, Surigao del Sur; and Tayabas, Quezon.

The city mayors believe that the cities' share from the internal revenue allotment (IRA) would get smaller if the government would allow the conversion of 12 unqualified towns.

“That has always been their (city mayors) position but they are not the lawmakers. We are the lawmakers,” Salapuddin said.

“Why are they so selfish to deny what is due to others?” Salapuddin asked. “Everyone especially the depressed areas want also to be developed just like them.”

He stressed the best way of equitable sharing of the national wealth and income of the government is by creating cities specifically those provinces without cities yet.

“As I have always said there is no better way of developing of countering rebellion and insurgency in the countryside than socially and economically uplifting it.” (HG)

IMAGE OF THE DAY

President's bet. Monsi Crisanto dela Cruz, former priest turned politician, of Nuevo Zamboanga Movement (NZM) announces that he has been officially chosen as the standard bearer of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's KAMPI for mayoralty race in Zamboanga City on May 14 elections. (text & photo HADER GLANG)

Mixed reactions over senatorial candidacy of Sulu Sultan

There has been a mixed reaction among claimants of the Sultanate of Sulu to Malacanang’s decision of fielding Sultan Jamalul Kiram III as the 12th senatorial candidate of unity ticket for the May 14 elections.

Self-proclaimed paramount Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo Ibrahim Bahjin told reporters his family is not happy with Kiram’s decision to join politics.

He said: “We are not so happy about this recent development…the candidacy of our kin…my cousin actually…for the senatorial line up of the administration.”

“The true sultan upholds the dignity of his office and upholds the dignity of his raayats and his sultanate by not subjecting himself to the authority of another established sovereign entity.”

He added he couldn’t give his support to Kiram’s candidacy even if they are relatives.

But the influential Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun said he is not “deeply” concerned about Kiram’s political ambition.

“I truly am not that concerned about this issue. As the legitimate Sultan of Sulu, I don’t mingle in politics,” Pulalun added. (HG)

1,000 indigenous land claimants protest vs. police abuses in Bukidnon

DON CARLOS, Bukidnon -- Some 1,000 families of Lumads, Muslims and Christians who started occupying portions of the 1,766 hectares of land declared by the Supreme Court as ancestral land of the Daguiwaas clan, complained against a series of harassments allegedly by policemen of this municipality.

This developed as the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), a tri-people grassroots organization assisting the land claimants, condemned what it described as “obstruction of justice” by elements of the Don Carlos Police Station who were allegedly behind the harassment against the members of the Daguiwaas clan.

From February 7-8 and on February 10, the Daguiwaas clan complained against the policemen who allegedly fired M-79 grenade launchers and M-15 rifles towards the direction of the land occupants, though no one was hurt as the bullets landed on open fields.

The local policemen, however, claimed that they were “ambushed” by the members of the clan while patrolling the area, a claim vehemently belied by Benjamin Daguiwaas, president of the Daguiwaas Clan Foundation that leads the land claimants.

“They fired upon us from a distance and then they will come near us to tell us that we were the ones that fired upon them. How can that be possible when the direction of the bullets were towards us?” Daguiwaas asked.

He alleged that the policemen were with some armed civilians who are grantees of Certificates of Land Ownership Award by the Department of Agrarian Reform, but added that the CLOAs are “actually illegal because they were issued by the DAR after the Supreme Court has granted us this land.”

In 1988, the Commission on Settlement of Land Problem (COSLAP) decided to grant the 1,766 of the 4,000 hectares of land claimed by the Daguiwaases as part of their ancestral domain.Since the COSLAP decision was challenged, the Supreme Court, in 1989, decided with “finality” to sustain the ruling of COSLAP, but since then, over 50 installation orders penned by local Sheriff Tayron Tan could never be implemented.

Daguiwaas said that the installation orders could not be implemented because “some powerful politicians and big businessmen” have reportedly been “using money and their influence to block us from actually occupying and making productive use of our land.”

The clan named the Zubiris, the family of Bukidnon governor, among the politicians who are allegedly blocking their actual installation on the land.Among the alleged “squatters” the claimants have identified are Capitalists Danding Cojuanco, the Del Monte Corporation and the Bukidnon Farms Inc. They also named some of the Sorianos, Simbalons, Palmadas.

“The governor’s family has a 200-hectare banana plantation that encroached into our 1,766 hectares ancestral land,” Daguiwaas said.

Meanwhile, MPC Council Official Jose Akmad, who was here with two other MPC officials, in condemning the alleged harassement, said: “It is unfortunate that the law enforcers here seem to be the ones obstructing justice."

Akmad suggested for higher authorities to conduct and immediate investigation against the local policemen that allegedly harassed the land claimants and “they should be brought to the bar of justice if found obstructing justice.”

Akmad said that “unless these supposed law enforcers are punished, the people would lost their trust on this government and may conclude that this is a government of injustice.”

An official of the Community and Environment Office here, requesting not to be named, said that the Daguiwaases “could have initiated a legal proceeding asking proper government bodies to cancel the CLOAs issued to some individuals.”

Daguiwaas narrated that in 33 years of their legal battle, there were already 30 of them who were allegedly murdered by people they suspected to be “goons of the moneyed” people behind the squatting of their land.

There have been a number of attempts to re-occupy their land in the past, but the claimants ended up abandoning it also as they were met with alleged harassments that led to the murder of some clan members and burning of their houses.

The latest fatalities they reported were those in January of last year where seven died and a number of houses were torched.

The latest land occupation attempt that the claimants did was after the December 25, 2006 meeting of all tribal leaders involved. More than 900 families joined the land occupation but they are yet occupying just a portion of the land along the boundaries in the eastern part. (PRESS RELEASE)

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Zamboanga tourist guides and Badjaos (sea gypsies) lead European visitors to pumpboats at a mini wharf near Lantaka Hotel for site seeing and swimming at the Sta. Cruz Island. Some 500 tourists, mostly Germans, arrived here onboard the worldwide cruise ship MS Albatros on Friday.(text & photos HADER GLANG)

BFAR-ARMM officials to participate in a seaweed mission to Sabah, Malaysia

As part of the measures being undertaken by the Philippine government to improve the seaweeds industry in the country, the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has organized a mission tour to Sabah, Malaysia on February 11-17.

The mission, which will be composed of public and private fishery officials from Mindanao and Palawan, is intended to bolster the performance of the country’s seaweeds industry. The delegation will visit all the seaweed processing plants and some growing areas in Sabah and meet with their company officials.

The group will also get into talks with officials of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines-Facilitation Center (BIMP-FC) pertaining to the conduct of the proposed 1st BIMP-EAGA Seaweed Conference in 2007.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo along with the other heads of state of the BIMP-EAGA nations has earlier given directives to expedite the implementation of seaweeds programs and projects in the sub-region, among which is the Joint Venture on Seaweeds Production and Processing.

Two head officials of the region’s fisheries bureau, BFAR-ARMM Regional Director Keise Usman and BFAR-ARMM Asst. Reg’l Dir. Janice Musali, are set to participate in the said mission.

The two are expected to provide the mission with technical assistance during the tour.

“The seaweeds industry is among the most important industries that we have in the region both in terms of its economic and social impact. We hope that this mission will contribute to the improvement seaweeds farming in the region,” says Usman.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) continues to be the top seaweeds producing region in the country. The total seaweeds output of Mindanao made up the 60% of the total seaweeds products in the country in 2003. And around 70% of which came from the ARMM.

Export-bound seaweeds products are among Philippine’s top dollar-earner. In 2003, it generated $143.5 million for the country and registered a 10% increase in the following year with $158 million. It also accounts for most of the country’s total aquaculture output. (BPI-ARMM)

PNP Turns over 11 cars, 6 motorcycles to ARMM

To improve police service in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, PNP Police Director Oscar C. Calderon (3rd from right) turned over 11 brand new police cars and six motorcycles to Local Chief Executives and Chief of Police of some Local Government Units in the province of Lanao del Sur during his visit today at the Police Regional Office-ARMM, Camp SK, Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan. Witnessing the turned over ceremony is PNP-ARMM Regional Director Joel R. Goltiao (left), Asst. ARMM Cabinet Secretary Mr. Samson Gogo(2nd, left). (text & photos BPI-ARMM)

MNLF to boycott OIC-hosted tripartite talks in Saudi Arabia if without Misuari

The Moro National Liberation Front is poised to boycott the tripartite conference if the Philippine government disallows MNLF chairman Nur Misuari to attend the meeting.

This was stated by spiritual adviser of Misuari and chairman of the Bangsa Moro People's Congress (BMPC) Ustadz Zain Jali in an interview with local reporters here on Thursday.

"We passed a resolution giving the MNLF chairman the sole authority to negotiate for the Moro people in the Tripartite Conference to be hosted by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)," Jali told reporters.

The government's passage of Organic Act 9056, which Jali claimed a violation of the September 2, 1996 Peace Agreement, is among the issues the MNLF will raise during the conference.

The forthcoming tripartite meeting, which was originally scheduled this February, hits snag after an MNLF faction led by Habier Malik detained for two days the delegation of Marine Major General Benjamin Dolorfino and Defense Undersecretary Ramon Santos in Panamao town on Jolo island.

The MNLF rebels had prevented Dolorfino and Santos from leaving after getting upset over information that the tripartite meeting to discuss the implementation of peace accord between the MNLF and the Philippine government had been cancelled.

But after getting assurance that the tripartite meeting will push through in March 17-18 in Jeddah, the group of Malik freed the two government officials along with their 18-member peace mission. Both the government and MNLF had refused to call the situation a hostage taking.

According to Jali, there was partial implementation of the provisions of the 1996 Peace Accord, but there are several violations of the peace pact such as the integration of MNLF combatants into the AFP, more representations of Muslims in government agencies and development programs for Muslims in Mindanao.

"All these provisions did not materialize and were not implemented," he claimed.

However, sources from Malacanan said that the Philippine government, which continues seeking an observer status seat in the OIC, has religiously implemented the GRP-MNLF peace accord of 1996.

The MNLF was recognized as the sole and legitimate representative to the OIC of the Bangsamoro people, the Muslim Filipinos in the southern Philippines.

As a permanent observer, the MNLF has the privilege to attend all OIC conferences, including the Islamic Summit Conference and the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers. (HG)

Ex-MNLF rebels free marine general, defense under secretary in Sulu

Former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels released on Sunday a 20-member peace mission, including a marine general and a cabinet official, detained for the past two days in their camp in Panamao, Sulu.

Major General Benjamin Dolorfino and Defense Undersecretary Ramon Santos with other government officials and security escorts had been prevented from leaving the MNLF Bitanag camp in Panamao town since Friday.

Two helicopters fetched the group from the MNLF camp and brought to 104th Brigade headquarters in Jolo town. Then a Nomad plane airlifted Dolorfino and Santos with Peace process adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza to Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) in Zamboanga City.

At EABB, Dureza told reporters “We are now here in Zamboanga we’ll go to Manila tomorrow. The two gentlemen have spoken with the President on the phone. The President expressed her thanks to everyone.”

Dureza said that in his personal assessment Ustadz Habier Malik was only concerned about the tripartite meeting. “They got so frustrated when they read an item in the newspaper saying that the tripartite was scrapped.”

When asked if there was an OIC intervention, Dureza replied: “If it is intervention in the usual meaning…there is no intervention but OIC helped in clarifying with Ustadz Malik the issue on tripartite meeting.”

In his account, Dolorfino admitted they were prevented by Malik to leave the area until the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Philippine government would settle the matter, referring to a meeting to be hosted by OIC to discuss the implementation of a 1996 peace agreement between the MNLF and the government.

“So there was only one important thing to Ustadz Malik and that is a definite schedule of the holding of the tripartite meeting,” Dolorfino told reporters.

Dolorfino said an OIC official called MNLF commander Habier Malik to assure him that the tripartite meeting between representatives of the MNLF, the Philippine government and the OIC will take place on March 17-18 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He added that after getting assurance that the tripartite meeting will push through in March, “they agreed to let us leave.” The meeting was originally scheduled for later this month.

For Undersecretary Santos, “We took advantage of the time because they (MNLF sub commanders) were just there. I held seminar in the camp because Sir Dureza had instruction to organize a program about women and children in the conflict area.”

“The truth is that we were not under stress. It is stressful in the office than there… especially when my superior calls me to the office. I have gained many insights from there,” he quipped.

Former MNLF guerrillas have been complaining about the alleged failure of the government to keep its commitments under the peace agreement, such as socio-economic projects to boost development in impoverished areas in the southern region of Mindanao.

Santos and Dolorfino's team went to visit Panamao on Friday afternoon to discuss with MNLF leaders recent firefights between MNLF forces and the military, including one in January that left six MNLF members and three soldiers dead.

Dolorfino and other government officials had refused to call the situation a hostage-taking. The MNLF also insisted that the peace mission was only invited to stay overnight at their camp. The military, however, had heightened alert due to the incident.

In 2001, MNLF chairman Nur Misuari, also former ARMM governor, led a failed uprising against the government to protest the slow implementation of the peace pact, leaving more than 100 people dead.

Misuari attempted into self-exile in the Middle East but was captured in Malaysia and subsequently extradited to the Philippines, where he is now under house arrest while on trial for rebellion charges. (HG)

Sultan Sharif Pulalun graces Moro art exhibit

An art exhibit dubbed as Sulu in the Art of Rameer Tawasil – held at MEIN College in San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City – has captured the unique and cultural values of Tausug tribe in Jolo island.

Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun and other guests on Saturday graced the opening day of the exhibit.

About 30 works are on display. Using oil on canvas, pastels, etching and serigraph, the artist – Rameer Tawasil created a collection of unique works of art.

In an interview, Sultan Pulalun described the works of Tawasil on display as indigenous and only one of its kind. He added the artist showed his skill and creativity.

The Sultan also lauded Tawasil for his remarkable artistic achievement, adding that he was an example of a new breed of successful Moro artist.

“He is the pride of Sulu, considering the quality of his works,” Sultan Pulalun said. “This art exhibit is a very important event for me because it is my wish to uplift the cultural values of each and every region in Mindanao.”

The exhibition, which is organized by MEIN College Language Center, Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People, and Endgame Marketing, Inc. in celebration of Philippine Arts Month, will run up to February 20, 2007. (text & photos HADER GLANG)

20 people killed, 10 others wounded in Zamboanga LPG truck explosion

A truck transporting liquified petroleum gas tanks exploded in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, killing at least 20 bus passengers and wounding 10 others, the police report reaching this city said.

The truck lost control and hit the side of the road while negotiating a downhill in Lacupayan, Tigbao town at around 10:45 a.m., causing it to turn turtle and triggering a fire from leaked gas tanks that caused a powerful explosion.

The blast sent a passing by passenger bus to the opposite lane. "The bus was beside the truck when the explosion occured," said Sr. Supt. Ramon Ochotorena, provincial police director.

According to Ochotorena, the casualty count may rise as the explosion happened near a ravine in Tigbao town.

"The bodies of victims may have been flung below ... Some of the fatalities could not be identified because the explosion disfigured their faces," he said.

The recovered bodies were brought to funeral parlors in Pagadian City, while at least 10 persons were rushed to the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Hospital for treatment. (HG)

Gunmen attack Kidapawan jail, freeing 47 inmates

About 25 unidentified gunmen stormed a provincial prison in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato early Friday, freeing at least 47 inmates, including five high profile criminals, police said.

Senior Superintendent Federico Dulay, Philippine National Police (PNP) Cotabato provincial director, said armed men destroyed the fence and bore a hole in the detention cells to spring the inmates.

Dulay identified the five high profiled criminals as Teng Bajudin, Faisal Mama, Tahir Mundos, Datu Ali Sultan and Mohammad Nur Hassan, who were involved in kidnapping and bombings, and the other escapees were a mix of common criminals.

Accdording to Dulay, the jail breakers armed with automatic rifles and rocket propelled grenade launchers raided the provincial prison at around 1:00 a.m.

There was no immediate report of casualty in the incident, but initial radio reports based in Cotabato City said the gunmen fired their RPG launchers at the provincial jail.

There are about 780 inmates inside the Kidapawan provincial jail. Most of them Muslims and suspected insurgents.

It was not the first time militants targeted a jail in Central Mindanao. In December last year, three men, armed with assault weapons, stormed the provincial prison in Maguindanao and sprang a suspected bomber of the Awang airport near Cotabato City in 2003. (HG)

ARMM PNP seizes 24 firearms, ammunitions without Comelec exemption

Elements of different Provincial and Municipal Police Office under PRO ARMM including its Regional and Provincial Mobile Groups since the start of the election period have intensified its campaign through joint PNP and COMELEC Checkpoints on the implementation of COMELEC GUN BAN and confiscated a total of 24 assorted types of firearms and ammunitions from firearms’ holder with no COMELEC exemption.

Cases have already been filed against those suspects who were apprehended while other firearms were recovered left abandoned on PUVs. However, no security personnel to VIPs have been apprehended since the start of the Election period for the reasons that those security personnel either possessed COMELEC exemption or VIPs tend not to travel without their security personnel.

Since election period starts, ARMM is relatively peaceful with no election-related violent incident transpired. Probable election watched areas in ARMM were already identified based on the parameters set by the COMELEC with 29 barangays considered Election Areas of Immediate Concern [EAIC] and more than 400 barangays considered Election Areas of Concern [EAC] which are largely attributed to the intense political rivalries, presence of Partisan Armed Groups, presence of ASG, MBG and other threat groups in the area, and occurrence of election-related violent incidents during the previous elections. These areas are mostly located in Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Shariff Kabunsuan.

On the other hand, our Regional/Provincial/Municipal Election Monitoring and Assistance Center [REMAC/PEMAC/MEMAC] were already established with investigation, security and intelligence personnel tasked to monitor and take proper actions on all election related incidents and activities.

Meanwhile, our Office is processing documents for Local Absentee Voting of our personnel who are duly registered voters and will be temporarily assigned to other province or municipalities with in ARMM to perform election duties on Election Day. We are fast-tracking the documents to be submitted not later than March 14, 2007 to the COMELEC in order for our personnel to vote for Senators and Party-list Representatives anytime from April 28 – 30, 2007. (PRESS RELEASE from BPI ARMM/Police Chief Superintendent Joel Rudio Goltiao, CSEE)