Lami-Lamihan Fair

The participants in the Lami-Lamihan Fair, an annual festival coinciding with the founding of the Municipality of Lamitan, Basilan on June 26, 2006. The fair showcases the traditional Yakan tribe customs and traditions, music and dancess, and traditional crafts. (HADER GLANG)

US peace institute lauds GRP-MILF for sustaining peace talks
text & photo HADER GLANG

Dr. Astrid Tuminez, senior research associate of the United States Institute for Peace (USIP), tells newsmen that US and its allies on terror are still very worried on the recurring intelligence reports on the presence of terror groups in Mindanao.

A Philippine-born American peace expert has commended the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for sustaining the peace process, saying that there is real attempt to address the roots of the conflict in the southern Philippines.

Dr. Astrid Tuminez, senior research associate of the United States Institute for Peace, said the talk of ancestral domain is very important because it addresses the territory, control of economic resources and governance.

“The negotiations are slow and systematic and I commend this because there is no need to rush an agreement that may not really address the problem that has to be addressed,” she said.

Ms. Tuminez was one of the speakers on the topic “GRP-MILF Peace Accord:Impact To Business And Trade in ARMM” during the culminating day of the 5th ARMM Business Congress last Tuesday in Lamitan, Basilan Province.

About 300 businessmen and local government officials from provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and the City of Marawi participated in the two-day business congress, which was held at a tightly military guarded Claret High School.

During the meeting, a Declaration of Policy and Program of Action was issued by the ARMM Business Council (ABC) to be submitted to ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan.

The declaration commits to push the creation of an industry development for rubber, seaweeds, etc., that includes production, processing, packaging,marketing and financing; formulation and operationalization of the ARMM Halal Development Plan.

It also calls for the improvement of training facilities, setting of skills program, and development of actual needs of job market; and the speeding up by the Regional Ports Management Authority of the improvement of services and facilities.

According to Tuminez, she was impressed with the law institutions that have created the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) which are training people in the barrios applying Islamic rules and regulations as a foundation.

“I think they are for empowering local communities to monitor development initiatives so that people may feel they’re part of whatever problem happens after peace agreement is signed.”

Commending both the military and the MILF, she said there is a lot of momentum being generated from the three-year truce that is monitored by the International Monitoring Team (IMT) involving civil society groups.

“I am very interested in the fact that they are talking about giving Moros some control over economic resources,” she added.

The US committed $30 million in development assistance for Mindanao, conditioned on a peace agreement with the MILF, which has been blamed by Philippine military for sheltering Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants.

Tuminez debunked claims by certain quarters that the commitment was withdrawn and that it was intended for GRP-MILF post agreement development. She said the money was already given to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for education and infrastructure programs.

US government, she said, remains very supportive to the peace talks but continues to emphasize that it is very worried about intelligence reports that there are still JI elements or al Qaida elements being sheltered.

“This continues to be a concerned until US policy makers are convinced it is no longer happening. The United States as well as the Australia and other countries are not convinced that there are no JI or so-called terrorist elements in parts of Mindanao,” she said.
MILF leaders have time and again denied sheltering or helping JI elements, saying new intelligence reports are reharsh of unfounded claims in the past.
Presently, the peace negotiation mediated by Malaysian government has not yet-resumed after the last exploratory talks in Kuala Lumpur early this year. (ZS)

Business congress boosts investment in ARMM, says Ampatuan

text & photos HADER GLANG

ARMM Trade and Industry Secretary Ishak Mastura , ARMM Business Council Chairman Haron Bandila (center) and ARMM Bureau of Public Information Director Samson Gogo update media on the major accomplishments of the ARMM Business Congress in a press conference in Basilan. (Below photo) ARMM DTI Undersecretary for regional operations Carissa Cruz-Evangelista, assisted by other ARMM officials, cuts the ribbon signaling the opening of the product bazaar and product exhibits.

OFFICIALS of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have made several important announcements at the first day of the 5th ARMM Business Congress in Lamitan, Basilan. These include the significant increased of investment generation in the region.

In a prepared speech, ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan said economic data shows that investment in the autonomous region has significantly increased in 2004 and 2005 with P511.9 million and P439.8 million, respectively, compared with the year 2001 which registered investment generation of P258 million.

These increases in investments are largely attributed to business expansion of major industries in ARMM. Combined investment generation registered both at the DTI-ARMM and RBOI-ARMM totaled to P1.4 billion which garnered a total employment generation of 11,561 individuals for the year 2004.

“The ARMM Business Congress has significantly stimulated the business climate of the region. This generated 12 percent increase in investments from P194.97 million for the period January-May 2005 and to P222.77 million for the same period in 2006,” Ampatuan said.

One of the major and concrete accomplishments of the annual event is the enactment into law of the Regional Economic Zone Authority (REZA), which provides the regulatory framework for the industrial development of the ARMM. This triggered the efforts toward the development of the Halal industry and also revitalizes the creation of the International Polloc Free Port in Parang, Maguindanao.

“Taking cue from these results, I am looking forward that this year’s business congress will double the gains of the previous ones and will lead to more beneficial results in the development of the region’s vital industries such as Halal, rubber and seaweeds,” Ampatuan said.

Stable peace and order condition in order to attract further investments in the ARMM and close coordination and active participation with the local government units in the implementation of programs and projects are also among the main concern under the Ampatuan administration.

“I fully support the peace process with the MILF and MNLF in accordance with the President Arroyo’s current peace and development thrust. I hope with the impending success of the peace process, more investors will invest in ARMM,” he said.

The ARMM Business Congress is a vital link between the regional government and the business sector towards the implementation of the programs and policies that are essential to the region’s socio-economic development.

The annual event began in Cotabato City in Maguindanao five years ago. It was then followed in Marawi City, 3rd in Jolo, Sulu and fourth in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. The event was, alternately held in the five provinces for the ARMM constituents to have the chance of putting their province into spotlight and showcase its investment potentials to the visitors or investors. (ZS)

ARMM governor donates ambulance vans to 5 provinces

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan gave one ambulance vehicle for each of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of the five provinces of the ARMM as a move to enhance the delivery of health services to the constituency of the region.

Funds to purchase the said ambulances shall be taken out from his Special Purpose Fund (SPF) of the locally generated revenues of the ARMM.The Regional Governor has directed the Office of the Regional Treasury to provide the needed amount for the project.

Ampatuan announced his move during his dialogue-meeting with the officials of the Department of Health at his sub-office in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao on June 21, 2006.

Present during the meeting were DOH Regional officials, provincial and municipal health officials and chiefs of hospitals from all over the region.

The meeting, according to DOH-ARMM Secretary Lampa Pandi, was unique and first in the history of DOH-ARMM, where a regional governor personally sat down with the department officials in a meeting which lasted for hours to discuss issues and concerns affecting the department as well as moves to enhance the delivery of health services.

"This meeting is a unique in its kind because for the first time in the DOH-ARMM where a regional governor spent long hours of his time with the department officials to discuss issues and problems affecting the department. This is also the first time where problems raised by some health officials were immediately given concrete solutions. We therefore thank the governor for this support," Pandi said.

During the meeting, Ampatuan also announced the construction of municipal health stations to some towns in the region where there is no existing health station. He was saddened to learn the lack of necessary health facilities in many towns of the region.

The regional governor also directed Pandi to release on time the operational expenses of the hospitals and the IPHOs as well as the salaries and benefits of the health workers. He also directed the health officials to strengthen their services by way of synchronizing their plans and programs from down the line.

"I want to introduce changes in the Department of Health. You must involve your people down the line in the planning of your programs so that you will really know what are the needs of your department as well as the needs of the people you are serving to," he said.

He also directed Secretary Pandi to meet the health officials on a regular basis, probably monthly or quarterly, so as to maintain the smooth operation of the department.

Earlier, the ARMM chief executive also made the same dialogue-meeting with the officials of other line agencies of the ARMM as part of his efforts to introduce necessary reforms and' effective governance. (BPI-ARMM)

Mt. Everest controversy should now stop - Mindanao solon

House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin has sought an end to the row over who was the first Filipino mountain climber to have conquered Mt. Everest since the country he said needs to move on and face more pressing problems.

“The euphoria and ecstasy over the mountain climbers’ feat is no longer a sensational issue to us who are more concerned with the hike in petroleum products, goods particularly food and grocery items, the continued disturbance and destabilization efforts of those who cannot accept defeat and the Arroyo presidency, the state of our education and other major issues are more relevant concerns to discuss than the issue of who got first to the top of Mt. Everest,” Salapuddin said.

Salapuddin said the claim of Mt. Everest climber Dale Abenojar that he reached the summit ahead of Leo Oracion and Pastor Emata and the refutation of Dr. Ted Esguerra, the physician of the first Philippine Mt. Everest expedition team are of no consequence.

“As Filipinos, even if their respective quests are supported by different sponsors, they must stop claiming and disclaiming the glory over each other,” said Salapuddin.

The Basilan lawmaker said while the climbers’ solid spirit and firm determination to reach the peak of the world’s highest mountain is enviable, they must bear in mind that it is not a question of who arrived at the summit first.

“It’s more of their endurance and capacity to reach the top. But they must not forget that ultimately what goes up, goes down,” said Salapudin.

Unless the spirit of conquering Mt. Everest is not instilled and put into belief that Filipinos can be at par or can surpass others and practice this belief, Salapuddin said any expedition or individual decision to climb Mt. Everest will have no significance.

“It will only be serving the pride and ego of those mountain climbers who consider Mt. Everest climbing as mere sports or hobby to them,” said Salapuddin. (PRESS RELEASE)

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Media protest. Officers and members of the Zamboanga Press Club Incorporated, Defense Press Corps, and other media organizations in Zamboanga City denounce the recent incident at the City Council, where a journalist suffered from a verbal abuse from a government official. ZPCI President Bong Simbajon (4th from right) leads the protest along with DPC President Roel Pareño (2nd from left). Sitting from right are: Hermie Ventura (RGMA) , Hader Glang (Zamboanga Southwall), Jerry Lacastesantos (RPN), Nonong Santiago (Zamboanga Today); and standing from right are: Jimmy Villaflores (RGMA), Dodong Ramos (RGMA), Elsie Molina (DXMR), RC Montebon (Zamboanga Peninsula), Jovian Disto (Zamboanga Times), Jun Bernardo (RGMA), and Totoy Muñoz (Gold Star Daily). Photo By CHARLIE SACEDA of Philippine Star

Below is the full joint statement of ZPC, DPC, PPC, CHPC, SPPC, and ZCC. Click Here for NUJP Report

JOINT MANIFESTO

We, the officers and members of the ZAMBOANGA PRESS CLUB INC., DEFENSE PRESS CORPS, POLICE PRESS CORPS, CITY HALL PRESS CORPS, SANGGUNIANG PANGLUNGSOD PRESS CORPS, and ZAMBOANGA COLUMNIST CLUB, do strongly condemn, the dishonorable and uncalled for incident at the City Council in which/was scolded by a councilor and almost physically attacked by a police officer on June 15, 2006, during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

We are not questioning the credibility of anybody involved in the incident but we strongly denounced the arrogance and unjust verbal and near physical attack on our co-league while the council was in session that day.

Public officials are public servants and are not exempted from the requirement of civilized behavior.

There are other avenues for correcting wrong of false media reports that public officials can avail of, but verbal insults and threats of physical harm is out of the question in the recent case.

A public official is not excused from adhering to norms of good manners and right conduct.

So therefore, with one voice thru this manifesto, we fervently asked from the Presiding Officer, Vice Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco, who is also our former co-league in the media profession, to initiate and conduct an objective investigation of the incident and take disciplinary actions, if needed.

We similarly demand that the City Council investigate the said police officer that was caught on video camera and seen by eyewitnesses, the mediamen and councilors themselves, in the preliminary stage of physically attacking Feliciano during that fracas. He must be sanctioned administratively.

We have high respect to the Sangguniang Panglungsod, as the vanguards of DEMOCRACY, and we expect the honorable members of the City Council to return this regard to our profession.

INSULTING, MALIGNING, AND EVEN KILLING MEDIAMEN CANNOT SUPPRESS PRESS FREEDOM.

UPHOLD PRESS FREEDOM!

Halal industry up for discussion in 5th ARMM Business Congress in Basilan
text HADER GLANG

Businessmen in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have piloted the production of Halal poultry that will be exported to the Middle East, said an official of the Autonomous Basilan Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The matter will come up for discussion when around 300 key business and industry leaders in the ARMM, investors, policy makers and government executives hold the 5th ARMM Business Congress in Lamitan, Basilan on June 26-27.

Halal is a Quranic term, which refers to foods that are permissible to Muslims for consumption in accordance with Islamic laws.

Muslimin Jann Jakilan, president of the Basilan-based Islamic chamber, believes Halal is a big industry and has a huge potential in the ARMM that businessmen in the country should partake or take advantage.

“That’s why we are now piloting the production of poultry. Hopefully other industries like the fish sector, beef and others will come in because this (Halal) will help boost our economy,” Jakilan said.

Jakilan noted that during Hajj, the Halal industry in Saudi Arabia and some other Middle Eastern countries is almost monopolized, saying that around 80% to 90% of the Halal products sold in the oil-rich Arab nations come from one country. He did not elaborate.

The delegates in the business congress are expected to finalize the establishment of a Halal certification scheme in the ARMM and its technical facilities. They are also likely to discuss trade prospects, especially that of exporting Halal foods.

Halal certification is the process whereby products are declared or verified as suitable for Muslim consumption. It is direly needed in the ARMM since all food products from the country cannot enter the "Halal" markets of the Middle East and Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Marlon Libut, a representative from the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program, said right now they are positioning the areas of ARMM as far as having the capacity in producing Halal food with a credible certifying body.

Libut disclosed that there is already a Supreme Court ruling, which states that the Halal certification is a religious action and not a government function to provide Halal certification.

“At the moment, the whole agenda is that we wanted to consolidate then develop and install a one certifying agency or body composed of the private sector and the religious group,” he said.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 2004-2010 Medium Term Development Plan has envisioned ARMM to be the Halal-based food production center of the country.

The Philippines, through the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) has been working for the accreditation of domestic halal certifiers to open more markets for the country’s exporters, especially in the lucrative halal markets in the Middle East.

Noting the huge potential market for halal products, the department has been working for the accreditation of Philippine halal certifiers, who will supervise and verify the compliance of Philippine exports to halal rules.

The global market for halal is about $150 billion, which is mainly boosted by the growing economies of Muslim countries, expanding population, and increasing importance of restaurant and hotel sectors particularly in the UAE.

It is estimated that the 1.8 billion Muslim consumer base spreads over 112 countries, with 400 million in located in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. (ZS)

5 killed, 10 hurt in bomb blast in Mindanao
text HADER GLANG

A BOMB exploded in a public market in Maguindanao Province, Central Mindanao Friday morning as a convoy carrying a provincial governor was passing by, killing five people and wounding 10 others, the military said.

Captain Jose Ritche Pabilonia, public information officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP') Southern Command, said the explosion at 7:30 a.m. went off in a busy public market of Shariff Aguak town.

Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan, father of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, was unhurt, according to a report by Cotabato City-based radio station.

The father and son could not be reached for comment, but it was reported in the international news wires they condemned the attack and blamed "terrorists" for the attempt on their lives.
Authorities said Ampatuan, who was on the first vehicle of the convoy, could be the target of the bombing.

Pabilonia said an improvised explosive device placed in a parked multi-cab vehicle exploded while the convoy of Governor Ampatuan composed of five vehicles was passing towards Mamasapano town.

He said a Revo type van owned by Ed Mangansakan (one of the convoys) was passing near an abandoned multi-cab when a bomb suddenly exploded destroying the vehicle and killing its four passengers.

Another person onboard a single Honda Dream motorcycle that was also passing in the area at the time of explosion died. Recovered from the scene of incident were 81 mm mortar ammo and battery pack, according to Pabilonia.

Three of the five slain victims were identified as Edsrapil Mangansakan, owner of the Revo; Cajilo Datumanong, the one onboard single motorcycle; Datu Kams ampatuan, driver of Revo. Two of of the slain victims were relatives of the Maguindanao governor.

Two 3-year old kids identified as Admyra and Suhod and a certain Bai Nula, Baby and Anwar were among the ten injured victims, mostly passers-by. They were rushed to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital.

The military and police in Shariff Aguak are now on full alert after authorities received reports that another bomb might explode. They have yet to identify the group responsible for the bombing. (ZS)

Onward with regional economic growth, the 5th ARMM Business Congress

All roads lead to Lamitan, Basilan on June 26-27 as the province hosts this year’s ARMM Business Congress.

Now on its 5th year, the ARMM Business Congress is the biggest gathering of key individuals from the regional government, the business sector, non-government organizations and donor communities.

The event serves as an effective venue for the discussion of the pressing socio-economic issues and concerns of the region. ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan said that the business congress is a vital link between the regional government and the business sector towards the implementation of programs and policies that are essential to socio-economic development.

The 5th ARMM Business Congress is a joint undertaking of the Municipal Government of Lamitan, the Provincial Government of Basilan, ARMM Regional Government, ARMM Business Council, Autonomous Basilan Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Growth with Equity in Mindanao-USAID.

In line with the theme “Sustaining Business and Industry Development in the ARMM”, the 5th ARMM Business Congress will continue the gains that were made during the previous congresses and open up additional business opportunities in the region particularly to host province Basilan.

"The Congress is aimed at continuously strengthening the partnership among the vital stakeholders of peace and development in the ARMM. It is designed to promote peace and social progress through the establishment of a sound and stable local economy,"says Haron Bandila, ARMM Business Council Chairman and Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF)-ARMM.

The colorful and vibrant Lami-Lamihan Festival, which is an annual celebration observed by the people of Lamitan, will be among the highlights of the 5th ARMM Business Congress. Lami-Lamihan features the natural bounties of the municipality including the rich and diverse cultural heritage of its people.

“We have really prepared for this big event. It is our chance to showcase what Lamitan has and prove wrong the perception that our place continue to be the lair of lawless elements. Our town is home to dynamic and peace-loving people, pristine beaches and other scenic spots,” says Lamitan Mayor Roderick H. Furigay.

Other highlights of the congress include trade and product exhibits, business matching sessions and the plenary sessions on key economic and policy issues.

The conduct of the previous congresses has been instrumental in improving the business climate in the region. It garnered the confidence of local businessmen and lured crucial investments into the region. Host province also benefits from media attention that the annual congress gets � providing local government units the chance to showcase the potentials of their place as prime destinations for tourists as well as investors.

“I hope that when people hear of the place Lamitan, the first thing that would get into their mind will be the conduct of the 5th ARMM Business Congress and other good things about our place instead of the infamous incident that happened here several years ago,” Furigay said.

Basilan’s flourishing rubber industry is expected to get an additional boost with the conduct of the business congress. The provincial government of Basilan targets to make the province the “Rubber Capital” of the country - a move that is being fully supported by the ARMM Regional Government.

The development of Basilan’s rubber industry was one of the priority projects cited by Regional Governor Ampatuan during his first state of the region address.

“The preparations that we have exerted for this year’s business congress improve the chance that the gains that were made during the previous ones will be doubled. Our major industries such as rubber, seaweeds and the Halal will greatly benefit from this event,” Amaptuan said. (BPI-ARMM)

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Saudi-Philippines Loan Agreement signing. The agreement for the 75 million Saudi Riyals Loan Package for the Basilan Circumferential and Lanao Circumferential Roads, Cotabato Diversion Road, and Mindanao Roads Improvement Project was signed by YOUSEF I. AL-BASSAM, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Saudi Fund for Development and Bahnarim A. Guinomla, Ambassador of the Philippines to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The signing of agreement was witnessed by (standing from right) Project Manager Abdulfatak A. Pandapatan of DPWH, Atty. Ombra B. Benaning of DPWH, Congressman Hussin Amin of Sulu, Undersecretary Bashir D. Rasuman of DPWH, Congressman Abdullah D. Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, Assistant Secretary Norberto R. Basilio of DFA (not shown in the photo) Undersecretary Guiling Mamondiong of DOTC, Administrator Vicente Suazo, Jr. of Marina and Mr. Carmelino J. C. Tizon of DPWH.

DPWH inspects Saudi funded Basilan circumferential road project

text HADER GLANG

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has inspected the unpaved sections of the Basilan Circumferential Road (BCR) that will be improved through the US20 million (SR75 million) loan from the Saudi Fund for Development (SDF).

Sharif Madsmo Hasim, DPWH IX assistant regional director for maintenance operations, said a team from the DPWH’s Project Management Office (PMO) in Manila arrived in the region last week and conducted an ocular inspection of BCR.

Hasim, who is also the district engineer of Basilan, said the PMO team headed by Engineer Jake Mambuhay went around the towns of Tipo-Tipo, Sumisip and Maluso to check on the 54.6 km unpaved sections of BCR road.

“This (ocular inspection) only shows that the improvement of BCR will really push through. Insha-Allah (in God’s will) the implementation of the project will be done soon to facilitate infrastructure and economic development in Basilan,” he said.

Hasim said he expects the road project will start in the first quarter of 2008 after the PMO team completed its surveys, detail engineering, plan/program preparations and bidding process. “We estimated a P1 billion budget to complete the unpaved section.”

Basilan is one of the recipients of the US20 million initial aid of the Saudi Government to the Philippine Government for peace and development of Mindanao, home to more than 5 Muslims. Other recipients are Lanao and Cotabato.

The initial aid will be sourced from the US100 million pledge of the Kingdom of Saudi under its SDF that will finance other infrastructure projects and development of agriculture, fisheries, maritime transport, shipbuilding and ports in Mindanao. (ZS)

Mindanao to showcase competitive products in trade exhibit on July 15-17 in General Santos City

A special trade exhibit by entrepreneurs in Mindanao will be held on July 15-17 in General Santos City to vitaminize the economy of southern Philippines, home to over 5 million Muslims, officials said.

Trade and industry director Ibrahim Guiamadel for central Mindanao said they will show the best local products that they have here in Mindanao which are for both domestic and foreign markets.

The three-day exhibit dubbed “Yamang Mindanao” (Mindanao’s Riches) will showcase the southern island’s best products, numbering about 100. Among products that will be showcased are those made out of woven fabric called "T'nalak" which is the flagship product of Lake Sebu town; Cotabato City's crabs, which are sourced the famed Rio Grande River; General Santos's tuna; and North Cotabato's fresh fruits and rice-based delicacies.

Guiamadel said the majority of the products to be displayed "are those that are from the local government units, particularly the 'One Town, One Product' program."

The program, being implemented through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), encourages the country's micro, small and medium enterprises to produce and market distinct products or services using indigenous raw materials and manpower.

Through this program, local chief executives of every city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage.

Patterned after Japan's One Village One Product project, One Town One Product has already been established by neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malawi, Cambodia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

It was found to be effective tool of poverty alleviation particularly in the rural areas.

Guiamadel said that local and foreign buyers will flock to the three-day trade fair, including a delegation from Europe and the nearby states of Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

A business matching activity between local entrepreneurs and some 50 Brunei, Indonesian and Malaysian investors have also been arranged.

"We are capitalizing on this event to establish trade linkages or business matching between Mindanao producers and buyers from other countries," said Dorecita Delima, assistant regional trade director.

She said that if the exhibit succeeds in wooing foreign buyers to place orders of local products "it will greatly boost the economy of Mindanao and benefit the grassroots people who till the pineapple plantations, grow bananas, mangoes etc, and weave the T'nalak fabrics."
Guiamadel agreed that the exhibit will benefit enterprises classified as micro, small and medium, which in turn will be of help to the village folks who are being employed by the entrepreneurs.

"What's good about this is that it is these small people whom we help because it is them who are the backbone of the One Town, One Product program."

Sultan Kudarat province will showcase its fresh and processed banana, mango and durian as well as fresh and processed milkfish, tilapia and carp and virgin coconut oil.

South Cotabato province will display fresh and processed passion fruit, pineapple and guyabano, processed guava, Philippine lemon, jellies and juice concentrate, processed banana, mango, organic rice, corn chips and gold jewelry.

Mindanao's economy seems to be on the right track as its 2005 performance show that investments jumped to 260 percent for the first half of 2005.

Records of the Board of Investments show that investments valued at Php1.66 billion (P53=US$1) were brought into Mindanao from January to June of 2005, more than doubling 2004 figures of Php0.46 billion in the same period last year.

Foreign equity investments in Mindanao for the first half of 2005 accounted for 54 percent share of the total investments at Php892 million, 68 times greater than 2004's Php13 million. (PRESS RELEASE/DTI)

Loren Legarda’s electoral protest proves fraud in 2004 presidential polls
text & photo HADER GLANG

“My protest has shown the fraud already.” Thus how Former Senator Loren Legarda reacted when asked the latest on her electoral protest against Vice President Noli de Castro in the 2004 vice presidential elections.

Legarda claimed the substituted election returns of Lanao del Sur are evident and that more than 60 percent of the ballots of the Province of Cebu are faked with different kind of papers used and with no watermark feature.

“Therefore if there is any one thing that my protest have proven, it is the faked ballots of Cebu and the substituted election returns of Lanao del Sur,” Legarda noted.

Atty. Romulo Makalintal, De Castro’s lawyer, belied Legarda’s claim, saying that no evidence of fraud had been discovered in Cebu and Lanao del Sur in the recount being undertaken by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).

He said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President De Castro have won by a landslide over opposition standard-bearer the late Fernando Poe Jr. and the former senator in Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, Legarda told Zamboanga Southwall though the judicial process is quite slow, she does not blame the Supreme Court. “My point is that it has served its purpose. It has accomplished its task of showing the fraud and the truth of 2004.”

She said whether the recounting will be finished or not that is a big question because the whole process is very slow. “All I’m saying that I’m realistic enough to see that the process is expensive and slow. At least good enough if we are able to show the fraud, which we have already.”

Commenting on the claim that De Castro has a wider lead over his opponent as seen in the original copy of election returns from Congress, Legarda said the lead of Noli by 880,000 votes is almost overcome.

Legarda has protested more than a 100,000 precincts throughout the country and so far the Court has recounted only the provinces of Cebu & Lanao del Sur, where the election was reportedly marred by dagdag-bawas (vote-shaving/padding) operations and widespread irregularities.

“Assuming we finish the recounting in pilot provinces by the end of the year, that alone is more than sufficient to overcome the lead of my opponent nationwide because his lead is only 1.5% at the whole process,” she said.

Legarda visited Zamboanga City last Monday to grace a tree planting activity by multi-sectoral groups upon the invitation by the Task Force Siembrada, an advocate group in the preservation of environment that enjoins every member of the 700,000 population of the city to plant at least ten trees a year.

“I am with you in your Arbor Week celebration. I am with you in protecting the environment in Zamboanga City and in the preservation of your watershed. I’m with you in promoting the culture and heritage of your historic city,” she said.

“It is not enough that only one group is leading the tree planting, it should be all of us not only in planting trees but also follow the environmental laws and do pro-active measures like tree planting.” (ZS)

DAR hopeful of Zamboanga’s inclusion in Japan agrarian infra projects

text & photo HADER GLANG

Department of Agrarian Reform-IX (DAR-IX) Regional Director Julita Ragandang is flanked by her assistants during a press conference with local media at DAR's office in Veterans Avenue, Zamboanga City.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) regional office here in Western Mindanao is hopeful that Japan government would include Zamboanga in the implementation of the third phase of its Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) in the southern Philippines.

In a press conference, DAR Regional Director Julita Ragandang said they are trying their best to be included in the ARISP-Phase III, which will be implemented next year and funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

“We hope that Japan would include us, but this depends in the national level,” Ms. Ragandang said. “We have yet to see its (Japan’s ARISP) phase III that will be implemented in Region 9.”

Japan has been supporting the country's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). ARISP is only one of its several projects being implemented by DAR in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and other “special areas” like the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Region 12.

The JBIC has the biggest contribution to the DAR’s ODA portfolio or 30% of the total investment for both the completed and on-going foreign-assisted projects. Likewise, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has the significant contribution in financing the program.

Ragandang said DAR completed ARISP Phase I with a total cost of P117 million and is expected to finish the Phase II in 2007, costing about P421 million. Among the major components of the projects are irrigation, post-harvest facilities, farm-to-market roads, and potable water supply.

“We really have to work hard in trying to finish this project because if we’ll not meet the deadline it might be transferred to other regions,” Ragandang said. “That’s how the foreign assisted project is being implemented it’s very strict on the time table.”

Earlier, the Japanese government assured Philippines that it is firmly committed to helping the country’s Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) attain growth and progress through various development projects.

As of May 31, 2006, the DAR has distributed 214,704 hectares of agricultural lands to 108,976 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Region 9, which benefited over 60,000 people in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur and in the cities of Zamboanga, Isabela, and Municipality of Lamitan in Basilan.

Under its Credit Assistance Program for Program Beneficiaries Development W-I, the department funded 7 projects with a total loan of P8.1 million to 396 ARBs. Five rubber-based cooperatives were also funded with a total cost of P188 million covering 1,935 hectares with 1,607 ARBs. Another 12 ARBs received P90,000 from Local Credit Assistance Program for micro livelihood projects. Five other cooperatives were also financed by the Capacity Enhancement Program for Plantation ARC with a total of P2.3 million. Thirty-one agribusiness firms and farmers cooperatives signed 15 new tie-ups.

On Foreign Assisted Infrastructure Support Projects, the department has completed 65 farm-to-market roads covering 200.65 kms. costing P103.4 million and benefiting 20,394 ARBs, 6 hanging bridge with lms. costing P3.5 million, 22 irrigation system covering 3,890 has. service area costing P74 million, 55 units rural water supply serving 10,512 houselholds costing P30 million, 19 units post harvest facilities costing P12 million benefiting 5,000 ARBs, 42 school buildings with 623 classrooms costing P156 million, 60 units household latrines and semi – public latrine, 30 units barangay health stations, and 5 rural health units costing P10.5 million. (ZS)

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Malaysian peace educator Dr. Kamarulzaman Askandar (center), regional coordinator of the Southeast Asian Conflict Studies Network, Research and Education for Peace Unit and Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, interacts with the Filipino audience during a solidarity forum in Zamboanga City dubbed "Malaysia And The Philippines: Partners In The Mindanao Peace Process". The forum, sponsored by the Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace and Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ), is also participated in by Atty. Jose Manuel Mamauag (left) and Ms. Ayesa Abubakar, head of the Mindanao Studies Program as reactionists.

MILF joins MNLF delegation to attend 33rd OIC confab in Azerbaijan
text HADER GLANG

A two-man delegation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) joined the delegation of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to attend the three-day 33rd Session of the Islamic Conference (OIC) beginning Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

A report posted at Luwaran.com, the MILF’s official website, said the MILF delegation is led by Maulana Bobby Alonto, who is a member of the MILF negotiating peace panel, and another senior MILF official whose name is not given as of press time.

The MILF delegation was attending the conference in capacity as a “coordinating organization.” It will join the MNLF group composed of Ustadz Abdulbaki Abubakar, Assemblyman Hatimil Hassan, and an unnamed third member.

The MNLF has an official observer status in the OIC, while the MILF enjoys only de facto recognition. But, several OIC member states officially deal with the MILF since 2001, including Malaysia, Libya, and Brunei. Also a number of European states particularly Scandinavian is in contact with the MILF in recent months, according to the report.

The annual OIC session was to review the progress of the implementation of OIC resolutions, including the consideration of all draft resolutions, which were approved by the convenal of the preparatory meetings prior to the 33rd conference.

The conference will also deliberate on several reports by the OIC secretary- general as a follow-up to the resolutions adopted by the 32nd Session of ICFM held in Sana'a, Yemen, in June last year and decisions taken by the Third OIC Extraordinary Summit from Dec 7 to 8 last year in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Issues covered in these resolutions and reports include the Palestine-Israeli conflict, terrorism and enhanced economic cooperation and assistance during humanitarian disasters. (ZS)

Defense chief Cruz visits Zamboanga for PDR info drive text & photos HADER GLANG

Defense chief Avelino Cruz Jr. (2nd from left) proceeds to a press conference with Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon (right) and Defense Usec. Ernesto Carolina (2nd from right) at the military's Southcom headquarters in Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City.

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. on Friday visited Zamboanga City and met with top brass of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command, the military’s largest unified area command, to pursue and promote the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR).

“My visit here is in connection with the implementation of Philippine Defense Reform,” Cruz told local reporters in a press conference. “PDR has key areas, which we are executing to further boost the capability of the AFP.”

Cruz’s visit had to do, as well with carrying out the Capability Upgrade Plan, which focuses on acquiring basic individual and unit equipment that are needed in the AFP’s internal security operations to enhance mobility, firepower, communications, force protection and combat life-support.

During the meeting, Cruz said that Southcom chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon and other military commanders in Mindanao came up with a consensus making Sulu as the center of attention in the convergence efforts of socio-economic building, basic infrastructure, education and strong capable military.

“If we join all this it can produce an atmosphere conducive to growth,” he said. “We have to concentrate in Sulu so that we can replicate the success in Basilan, but we don’t need additional US personnel…what we need is additional US resources for roads, schools and medical facilities.”

A thorough assessment of the defense and military establishment that lasted for three years was completed in 2003. This assessment resulted in the formulation of the PDR program, which provides the framework for introducing comprehensive, systematic and institutional improvements in the defense and military establishment.

“PDR serves as the overall framework for the transformation process that will re-engineer the Philippines military system and re-tool its personnel,” Cruz said. “Re-engineering our systems means introducing improvements in planning, programming, budgeting, logistics, procurement, management and finance, among other critical function areas.”

“Re-tooling our personnel means professionalizing our workforce by establishing effective staff development programs and introducing updated personnel management systems, as well as increasing our training capacity in order to improve our core competence.”

The improvements being introduced through the PDR are based on templates for defense reform that have been tried and tested in several countries that have undergone defense transformation. Once adapted to local conditions, these templates are envisioned to transform the defense and military establishment into more effective institutions in confronting current and emerging security threats.

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the AFP, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) was directed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to release P5 billion to sustain the momentum gained in the transformation efforts through the PDR.

“Hopefully as the country’s economy improves this can allow us to provide better benefits and services as well as construct 3,000 units a year of off-base and on-base housings to active officers and enlisted personnel in the camps,” Cruz said.

The PDR has 10 component thrusts: 1. Implementation of a strategy-driven, Multi-Year Defense Planning Systems (MYDPS); 2. Improvement of operational and training capacity; 3. Improvement of logistics capacity; 4. Improving operational level expertise by addressing organizational, management and operational systemic deficiences (staff development); 5. Improvement of personnel management systems; 6. Planning, programming and execution of a multi-year capability upgrade for the AFP; 7. Optimizing the defense budget and improving management controls; 8. Creating a professional acquisition workforce and establishing a centrally managed defense acquisition system; 9. Increasing capability of the AFP to conduct civil military operations; 10. Information management development program. (ZS)

IMAGE OF THE DAY

Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney met with 36 Filipino high school students participating in the Youth Exchange Study (YES) program, a U.S. Government-funded program that brings students to study in the United States. The YES program provides full scholarships to study for one year to secondary school students from countries with significant Muslim populations. The Filipino participants represent a variety of cultures, religions, and backgrounds. During their one-year stay in the U.S., the students will live with host families, attend school, learn about American society, acquire leadership skills, and educate Americans about the Philippines. The program is being implemented in the Philippines by the American Field Service-Philippines (AFS) and its alumni association. After the students return to the Philippines, AFS conducts follow-on activities encouraging them to take the leadership skills they acquired during the program and apply them in their communities as they continue their studies and begin participating in civil society. (PHOTO/PRESS RELEASE)

EHEM!

Unfinished public school buildings complaint

Please pass to all concern.....

If you have any complaint pertaining to Department of Education, especially Secondary and Elementary School levels, anywhere in the Philippines, such as:

1. Unfinished Construction of School Buildings;

2. Teachers selling goods like tocino, longganisa and other products;

3. Any act or ommission committed by DepEd Officials. employees and teachers;

4. Harassment of Public School Students;

5. and other concerns.

Report and e-mail the substantial information to sapak101@yahoo.com.ph in order to have an appropriate action. Please help alleviating corruption in education and against the youth.

Thank you!

Corruption in the Philippines is very serious. Be sensitive! Be bothered! Be involved! Ehem Groups Links!

HAPPY 108th PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY!

(Editor's Note: We are republishing Romeo Abol's article on Philippine Independence Day. The author hails from Barangay Soccoro, Cubao, Quezon City)

Independence Day: June 12 or July 4?

THE FILIPINO nation celebrates Independence Day on June 12. It was during the term of President Diosdado Macapagal in the early 1960s when the law was enacted, in effect, reverting the celebration from July 4 to June 12.

We have accepted June 12 as Independence Day. But let us not delude ourselves and others into thinking that the independence that we are celebrating on that day was proclaimed by General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898. But the fact is the Philippines attained independence on July 4, 1946.

The proclamation of independence by General Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898, paved the way for the establishment of a revolutionary government on June 23, 1898, to work for the recognition of the Philippines as an independent nation, by all countries, including Spain.

On Sept. 29, 1898, the Malolos Congress ratified the declaration of the Philippine independence, which eventually led to the approval of the Malolos Constitution by the Malolos Congress on Nov. 29, 1898. Finally, on Jan. 21, 1899, the Philippine Constitution was promulgated by General Aguinaldo.

But these events did not put an end to the Spanish rule in the Philippines. Not one country recognized the Philippine Republic under General Aguinaldo.

Then the Philippine-American War broke out.Pursuant to the 1898 Treaty of Paris, the Philippines and the Filipino people came under the sovereignty of the United States. The Philippine Republic ceased to exist.

The great majority of the Filipino people and their leaders took their oath of allegiance to the new US sovereign.

In other words, the sovereignty of the Malolos Republic gave way to the sovereignty of the United States of America. And the United States continued to be sovereign in the Philippines until July 4, 1946. On that day, the United States withdrew its sovereignty, and the Filipino nation became a sovereign.

It is the July 4 proclamation of independence that marked the birth of the Philippine Republic under which we now live.

IMAGE OF THE DAYA Filipino army soldier with cannon in southern Philippines. Buy It Now

MILITARY BLOTTER

June 7: Government troops killed a lawless group commander and captured one of his followers in a gun battle in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte. Captain Jose Ritche Pabilonia, Southern Command information chief, said soldiers from the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion killed Commander Sulade Utol, leader of the lawless element group operating in Labason town. The soldiers were conducting combat patrol when they encountered about seven fully armed men at Tunghaan, Brgy Usukan, triggering a 15-minute firefight. No casualty was reported on the government side, according to Pabilonia. The captured follower of Commander Sulade was identified as Jhon-Jhon Canam. One caliber .45 pistol (colt) with one magazine loaded with 6 rounds live ammo and one caliber .38 revolver with 5 bullets were recovered from the suspects. Commander Sulade’s body and his captured follower were turned-over to Labason Police Station for proper disposition. Operating troops were deployed to Usukan patrol base to conduct follow-up operation in the area.

June 7: Military and police authorities arrested a suspected political officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) and three others in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay Province. Arrested were Julian Balindres alias Roming, his wife Esmeralda, Ponciano Burlad, and Beverly Illesig, all belong to the NPA’s front committee (Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee) with code ‘’KARA’’. Captain Pabilonia said joint intelligence units of the Army’s 102nd Brigade and the Imelda police arrested the suspected communist rebels at Brgy Balongisan. He said Balindres has standing warrant of arrest for destructive arson with criminal case no. 2881-T without bail bond issued by Judge Anecito Galon Jr. PF 8th MCTC. The suspects are detained at Imelda Police Station.

June 7: Four soldiers were wounded in a clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Monkayo Compostela Valley Province. Captain Pabilonia said troops from the 28th Infantry Battalion while on combat operation at Kalinugan, Barangay Casoon encountered about thirty fully armed communist guerrillas. He said firefight lasted for almost an hour. According to Pabilonia, the wounded soldiers were rushed to Camp Panacan Station Hosp, Panacan, Davao City for treatment. “We believe the enemies have suffered casualties as evidence by bloodstain found in the encounter site and reports from civilian who saw the communist terrorists dragging away around five of their comrades.” Troops conduct pursuit operations against the fleeing NPA rebels.

June 8: Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels set on fire heavy equipment of a private construction firm in Malaybalay City. Captain Pabilonia said the communists under the Front Committe-89 burned seven heavy equipment at Purok 4, Barangay, Zamboanguita. Conception Basic Builders Incorporated (CBBI) with Arthur Ong as the owner owns the equipment. The suspects left the area after destroying one grader, 1 buldozer, 1 payloader, 1 road roller, 3 dump trucks and 1 motorcycle. Troops from the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion are pursuing the communist rebels, who reportedly fled to Baaranga, St. Peter area.

June 9: Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed while two government soldiers wounded in a clash in San Fernando, Bukidnon. Reports reaching the AFP Southcom headquarters said combined elements of 5th SRC and 6th SRC encountered about 60 fully armed communist terrorists believed to be under Commander Paragu at Nabuntaran, Barangay Maputi. Captain Pabilonia said the firefight lasted for about one hour after which the communist rebels scampered to different directions. Soldiers recovered two M14 rifles of the NPA rebels.

(Summary from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Command Headquarters, Command Information Office Incident Report as of June 10, 2006)

ARMM conducts eartquake safety drill

The leadership of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is conducting series of coordination and briefings to different schools in the region in preparation for the drill day, officials said.

This is in line with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to conduct a Nationwide Earthquake Safety Drill on June 20, 2006 to test the earthquake-preparedness of school administrators, supervisors and students all throughout the country.

Office on Civil Defense-ARMM Director Lita Enok said the preparations on simulation drills for the earthquake-preparedness in schools in the region is on-going now.

Enok, also the Executive Director of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) -ARMM said the Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan has given her instruction to implement the directive of the President in coordination with the members of the RDCC- TWG-ARMM.

Regional Governor Ampatuan is the Council Chairman of the RDCC-ARMM.

According to Enok, OCD-ARMM has started giving briefings to schools identified by her office where to conduct the said drill.

She said they have identified Broce Elementary School in Camp Siongco, DOS and Sultan Kudarat Islamic Academy in Sultan Kudarat, both in Maguindanao province.

"We have to do preparedness drills in our schools so that our teachers and our pupils would have knowledge on what to do during emergency situations. We don't want that our people would experience the same situation in Indonesia where thousands were killed during the recent earthquake. So, we have to be always ready to any eventuality. We have to intensify our emergency preparedness in the region," Enok said.

Department of Education Memorandum No. 459 dated October 22, 1999 states the conduct of preparedness drills in schools.

Enok said that schools and other institutions should have their emergency and evacuation plans. Included in the directive she said is for them to check if these schools have safety spots and evacuation sites.

"Included in this activity is for us to check also the safety of the buildings." The preparedness drill will start at 9 o'clock in the morning upon giving a one (1) minute siren or alarm in the identified schools.

PHIVOLCS Engr. Rainier G. Amilbahar said that schools should organize emergency response teams. Members of these emergency teams would act as response teams to any emergencies in their respective schools.

Amilbahar said during earthquakes, the person should start evacuating and finding a safe place after the shaking which he said will stay a minute. During the shaking, the person he said should find a safe place and cover his head.

"We really have to know the basic knowledge on what to do during disasters. In earthquakes, first, you have to duct, cover and hold then find a safe place and keep calm and don't panic," Amilbahar said. (BPI-ARMM)

Belgian envoy visits Basilan agrarian projects
text & photos HADER GLANG

Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines Gregoire Vardakis cuts the bark of a rubber tree to let out sap during a plantation tour at Lamitan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (LARBECO) in Basilan.

Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines Gregoire Vardakis made a one-day field visit to the Province of Basilan in the southern Philippines on Thursday to inspect a multi million grant projects by the royal government of Belgium.

Vardakis expressed his confidence about the present situation in Basilan, saying that there is stabilization in the province, “this means that this country (Philippines) is going in the right direction as far as the whole peace process is concerned.”

“We (the Belgian) as member state of the European Union (EU), we touch great importance to this peace process…and this is the reason why in January of this year, the European ambassadors visited Mindanao.”

Mayor Roderick Furigay and Army 103rd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer led in welcoming Ambassador Vardakis, accompanied by his programme coordinator, Peter D’Huys.

They inaugurated one unit semi-public latrine and toured at a 500-hectare LARBECO rubber plantation. They also inaugurated two newly completed school classrooms at Baungos Elementary and a school classroom-building project in Menzi, Isabela City.

DAR regional director Julita Ragandang said the Belgian Integrated Agrarian Reform Support Programme have already spent over P30 million to support several initiative projects and agrarian reform programs of the different cooperatives in the province.

Ragandang said the interventions of the Belgian government and other DAR foreign assisted projects have helped a lot the province in providing jobs, livelihood and improving the lives of the cooperative beneficiaries.

The support of the Belgian government to the Philippines’ Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Programme (CARP) started in 1995 with the Belgian Agrarian Reform Support Project (BARSP) and was extended in 1998 with the Belgian Integrated Agrarian Reform Support Programme (BIARSP).

The prime objective of BIARSP is to reduce poverty by increasing the income of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). The programme does not only concentrate its interventions on agricultural infrastructure, but also incorporates health and basic education components.

BIARSP targets Region VII (Provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental), Region IX (Provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay) and Basilan in the ARMM, and reaches 54 municipalities in these 8 provinces.

The field visit to Basilan by Vardakis was the first for a high-ranking Belgian official since the 1998 kidnapping of two Belgian nationals, agrarian expert Lieven de la Marche and journalist Erick Bracke. It was organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

“It was very successful. We had the opportunity to visit our projects in Basilan, they have been going on there for several years and thanks to the Philippine authorities, especially to Secretary Dureza,” Vardakis said in an interview at Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City.

When asked his comment on the Belgium’s interest in the peace process between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), he said, “We are open to dialogue with the government and whatever we can contribute.”

“I can’t say more for the moment I would just say that we are already contributing but if there is any special request from the local authorities we will certainly study it and analyze the situation and see what we can do collectively.

Vardakis said he is hopeful that the peace process between the Philippine government and the MILF would be concluded by the end of the year.

"That would be a new development which would certainly be considered as a new level of confidence building. It is our wish that the sooner the better, but of course this is in the hands of the facilitators and all friendly forces who are keeping hand in this very delicate negotiations. We can not speak on behalf of those actors we are just observers and wishing them well. That’s all I can say.” (ZS)

MILITARY BLOTTER

June 2: Five suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) killed a soldier in an ambush in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur. The slain soldier was identified as a certain Pfc. Allan Rogador of the Philippine Army. He was on his way to Battalion headquarters in Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur for official mission when ambushed at Barangay (village) Lukuan, Lakewood by gunmen. Southern Command information chief Capt. Jose Ritche Pabilonia said the suspects took away the cal. 5.56 M16 rifle and ammo of Rogador. One platoon was deployed to conduct pursuit operations.

June 2: One person was killed while three others were wounded when soldiers engaged in shootout while serving the search warrant in Mandulog, Iligan City. The slain was a follower of Camad Pagsida, the subject for the search warrant. The wounded were members of the search team. Captain Pabilonia said elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 were about to search Pagsidan residence at Purok 14 when they were fired upon by occupants, triggering a brief firefight. The search team recovered one US M14 rifle, 8 rounds 40mm ammo, 74 rounds 7.62mm, 2 magazines for cal. 45 ad one handheld radio transceiver. Judge Mamindiara Mangotara of Ragional Trial Court Branch 1 issued the search warrant.

June 3: Government troops clashed with suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group in Sumisip, Basilan, wounding two rebels. The soldiers from the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion were on patrol at Barangay Central when they encountered about 30 fully armed men believed to be under Commander Muktar Mingkong. Captain Pabilonia said a 15-minute firefight ensued, “but the enemy withdrew after it suffered two casualties (wounded). As of press time, military pursuit operation continues in the area.

June 3: Three unidentified gunmen in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte shot and killed a priest and her daughter. Slain were Mocsin Hasim, 47, a pastor of Alliance for Christ, and Mercy Hasim, 21. The victims who hail from Barangay Kauswagan, Baliguian town sustained multiple gun shot wounds in their heads. Captain Pabilonia said the two on board a motorcycle were on their way to Poblacion Siocon from a wedding ceremony in Baliguian when the gunmen stopped them and started shooting them. Troops from the 2nd platoon, Battalion Company of 44th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Matiag and the joint elements of Barazon and Matiag Detachment 18th Infantry Battalion rushed to the scene and conducted initial investigation.

June 4: At least 10 persons were killed when a clan war between two feuding group broke out in Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay Province. Capt. Pabilonia said a group of 10 fully armed men under a certain Ebno harassed the group of Tarsum Indal, a barangay chairman of Bagong Buhay, triggering an exchange of fire. Four of the attackers were killed identified as Hadji Jumadil Saupi, Usman Saupi, Alvin Ajijul and Muty Sahid. The group of Indal suffered one casualty identified as Juihan Indal. According to Pabilonia, Barangay Indal voluntarily surrendered to the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion while the group of Ebno fled to unknown direction. One M16, one homemade M70 grenade launcher and one 357 revolver were recovered in the area.

(Summary from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Command Headquarters, Command Information Office’s Incident Report as of June 4, 2006)

2 soldiers killed in landmine blast in Tawi-Tawi
text HADER GLANG

At least two soldiers were killed on Tuesday when a landmine exploded in the southern island of Tawi-Tawi, a military report reaching the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Southern Command headquarters said.

The soldiers from the 11th Marine Battalion Landing Team were conducting reconnaissance patrol at Sitio Papatan, Barangay Baldata, Sapa-Sapa town when one of them accidentally stepped on a landmine, the report disclosed.

The blast victims – one of them an officer – were taken to Bongao hospital but they both expired upon reaching Lamion pier. Their names were withheld until their families have been notified, said Capt. Jose Ritche Pabilonia, Southcom information chief.

An effort to save their lives was executed by sending HH60 helicopter from the USNS Mercy, which landed at the Naval Station Bato-Bato in Panglima Sugala. The helicopter also landed in Sanga-Sanga airport, according to Pabilonia.

The Abu Sayyaf is reportedly active in Tawi-Tawi and in nearby Sulu island, but the military would not say if the group was behind the explosion.

“The case is under investigation and Southcom suspects that the landmine was planted by lawless elements operating in the island,” Pabilonia said. (ZS)

Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman (center) answers media question during a press conference in Zamboanga City. Also in photo are DAR Region 9 officials.

DAR assures support to ARMM land reform programs
text & photo HADER GLANG

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Nasser Pangandaman has assured that his department will support the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the implementation of its plans and programs on land reform.

Pangandaman made the assurance last Friday during his visit to the Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in Isabela City and Lamitan, Basilan, which are still part of DAR’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) scope.

Although the powers and functions of DAR were already devolved to ARMM, he said, “I have assured them that we will support their plans and programs and other proposed projects they have submitted to us.”

Based on DAR’s accomplishment report from January to December 2004, the department distributed a total of 104,069 hectares of agricultural lands to 71,682 ARBs nationwide including two ARMM provinces (Basilan and Lanao Sur).

Few weeks ago, during the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pangandaman met with ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and discussed several DAR projects, which will be implemented in the autonomous region.

“I was telling him (Ampatuan) we really have to push for more programs for the benefits of our Muslim brothers. I assured him of our support in the DAR,” said Pangandaman, himself a former ARMM official in the early 1990s during the incumbency of his father, former ARMM Gov. Liningding Pangandaman who was also one- time Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia. (ZS)

Marawi, Maguindanao top in 1st ARMM Qur'an reading competition

Marawi City’s male contender, Jaber Noor, and Maguindanao’s female contender, Suraidah Ampatuan, emerged as Champions in the 1st ARMM Regional Qur’an Reading Competition held on May 30, 2006 at the Municipality of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

The competition was a joint undertaking of the ARMM Regional Government thru the Bureau on Cultural Heritage (BCH) and the Provincial Government of Maguindanao and the Municipality of Shariff Aguak.

Each of the component provinces of the ARMM including the City of Marawi sent in a pair of contender, a male and a female, to the competition.

Based on the criteria for judging, Noor garnered an overall point of 97.15% while Ampatuan managed to earn 96.15%. The two were closely followed by 1st runner-ups Lahmudin Makabuat of Maguindanao with 96.45% and Zainab Hanafe of Lanao del Sur with 94.70%. Second runner-ups were Majeed Ahmad of Lanao del Sur with 94.70% and Warda Alang of Marawi City with 93.80%. Nurhadi Dasan of Basilan and Hasma Hassan of Tawi-Tawi landed in the 3rd runner-up with 93.60% and 91.40% respectively.

The pair from Sulu, Benmunir Arip and Hurinnur Kisri, ended in the 4th runner-up with 88.55% and 88.25% respectively. Fifth runner-ups were Omar Muktar Burugan of Tawi-Tawi with 87.85% and Aima Nawawi of Basilan with 85.65%. Each of the two champions received a trophy and cash worth P60, 000.00.The cash prize was originally placed at P10, 000.00.

Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal S. Ampatuan, Sr. was enthralled by participants and turn-out of the event that he decided to provide an additional P100, 000.00 to the would-be champions of the competitions.

“I earnestly believe that activities such as this which undoubtedly contributes to the personal and spiritual growth and wellbeing of us Muslims will have beneficial impact in the establishment of a better and progressive society in the region,” Governor Ampatuan said.

During the celebration of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival late last year the BCH have successfully organized a Qur’an reading exhibition that was participated in by national champions in Qur’an reading.

BCH-ARMM Executive Director Haron Felmin said that their office will lobby for the passing of a regional legislation which will mandate the conduct of a regional Qur’an reading competition annually and possibly declare May 30 as the regular date for holding it.

“We want to pursue activities that will be instrumental in the preservation and promotion of our important religious and cultural practices,” says Felmin.

ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan said that their efforts to implement programs and projects that focus not just on the social and economic aspects but also place due to importance to religious development should motivate constituents to be more supportive to the autonomous regional government. (BPI-ARMM)