Ulamas gather in Zamboanga to tackle moro pressing issues

text & photos HADER GLANGMs. Amina Rasul, Lead Convenor of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID), delivers her message during a regional forum/workshop attended by religious leaders of the Muslim communities from Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga.

Some of the Mindanao's influential religious leaders of Muslim communities and intellectuals met Tuesday in Zamboanga City in an effort to define practical ways to help address the seemingly unending problems confronting the Bangsamoro people.

The meeting, dubbed: "Empowering the Ulamas of the Philippines,'" was convened by the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) and the Magbasa Kita Foundation, Inc. (MKFI) through the assistance of the British and Netherlands embassies at the Amil's Tower Hotel.

At the opening ceremony, Amina Rasul, PCID Lead Convenor, considered the event in Zamboanga City as the first regional consultative forum/workshop and one that is intended to give the Muslim religious leaders the avenue to discuss issues that are important to them.

"Similar efforts will also be held in Cotabato City, Cagayan de Oro, Lanao, and other parts in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) leading up to a National Summit to be held in November this year," she added.

In recent round table discussions in Manila, muftis asked PCID to help the ulama organize a national forum to meet together different religious leaders from all Muslim communities in the country, including Luzon and Visayas that have 2 million Muslims.

"We have to try and bring them together through the ulamas and see whether we can come up with a national strategy and priority so that our people overcome conflict, poverty, injustice, social and political inequity and get into the development," said Rasul.

For one day, participants from Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga came up with some suggestions and ideas such as strengthening the Islamic education, unity among the ulamas and the Bangsamoro people and promoting peace and development in the country, especially in Mindanao.

They recommended very strongly to President Arroyo the change of leadership in the Office Muslim Affairs (OMA) from the hands of politicians or businessmen to the religious leaders and for the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to take a look at how it can assess them as a sector so that they can handle poverty alleviation and development projects.

Dr. Abdulkhair Tarasun, who lectured the participants on the role of the ulama in peace and development in Muslim Mindanao, gave emphasis to understanding, unity and respect among the Muslim religious leaders and the Bangsamoro people.

Tarasun also expressed his total rejection of extremist approaches, saying that moderation is the true essence of true Islam. He, likewise, touched upon the important role that ulama should play in educating the youth.

Meanwhile, Atty. Hamid Barra of the Mindanao State University (MSU), who lectured on the importance of unity in Islam, also stressed the need for unity within the Muslim community.

"Islam is more than a religion. It is a complete way of life," said Barra. "The absence of unity brings and breeds disruption, devastation and disputes. The unity of all humans is the ultimate aim of the teachings of Islam."

During the workshop, forum organizers asked the participants on what are the socio-economic conditions of the ulama in the region and what are their strengths and weaknesses and their opportunities and challenges.

Former Senator Santanina Rasul, MKFI chairperson, gave a message while Prof. Moner Bajunaid, executive director of a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) called MIND Center, spoke on the forum expectations. Dr. Mashur Bin-Ghalib Jundam of the University of the Philippines' Institute of Islamic Studies was also in attendance.

Prominent Muslim religious leaders -- Ustadz Habib Zain Jali, chair of the Bangsamoro People's Congress, Ustadz Shariff Julabbi of the Ulama League of the Philippines, Mufti Tanjilil of Zamboanga City, Mufti Abirin of Sulu and Mufti Hamja Oto of Basilan -- were among the participants.

ARMM proposes P10.6 billion budget

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao presented a budget proposal in the amount of P10.646 billion pesos. This budget proposal was presented by Atty. Oscar Sampulna, Executive Secretary of the ARMM, representing the Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) team who attended the budget hearing at the Waterfront Hotel in Davao City last week.

The P10.646 billion according to Sampulna was broken down into P5.496 billion for Personal Services (PS) which comprised 71% of the total budget, P1.466 billion for Maintenance and other Operating Expenses (MOOE), and P813.7 million for Capital Outlay. The Capital Outlay will be spent for locally funded projects on infrastructures.

The DBM team was headed by Undersecretary Eduardo Opeda and Director Luz Cantor and five other members from the DBM- Manila. Undersecretary Eduardo Opeda said the national government will be operating on a balance budget and not on deficit budget as in the case in the previous years.

The ARMM has a current budget of P8.877 billion pesos, which according to Atty. Sampulna the recommended budget for 2006 is lesser by about P1.2 billion pesos.In his last statements Atty. Sampulna appealed to the DBM officials to restore the said amount because it is needed in the construction of new projects and rehabilitation and upgrading of existing projects as roads, bridges, farm to market roads, ports and telecommunication facilities.

Meanwhile, DepEd Secretary Dr. Udtog Kawit assailed the DBM for telling them that his office has never received an allocation for school buildings, items for school teachers and asked for the creation of School Division in the new province of Shariff Kabunsuan. He also complained of lack of medicines for his School Nurses and medical officers. He also lamented the fact that the School Nurses did not receive their benefits.

Kawit said donors of School sites are now reclaiming the lands because of their increasing families. He added that there is need to title the school sites in the name of the schools so that donors will be able to retrieve it.

All other agencies in the ARMM presented their respective budget to the DBM team for scrutiny. DOH-ARMM secretary Tahir Sulaik presented his department who is given less attention by the national government. He complained in terms of personnel why administrative regions have better personnel and support than the ARMM.

Why we are not treated equally with the administrative regions, Sulaik asked DBM? He said the health state of the ARMM is poor. Most of the budget proposals presented were rebuked by the DBM for not having justifications and creations of new positions were rejected by telling that they should establish transitions.

Abdulsallam (Sammy) Guinomla, the acting Budget Chief of the ARMM stated that the technical budget hearing is held in Davao City because it will be less expense, unlike the previous years wherein the budget hearing was held in Manila, it will entail more expenses which according to him indorsed by Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan. (BPI-ARMM)

Malaysian national arrested for possession of drugs at Zamboanga City international airport
text & photos HADER GLANG

Supt. Ibar Elumba Padao, chief of the 9th Police Center for Aviation Security, interrogates Kosalai Kumaran Poornavelu, a Malaysian national who was arrested at the Zamboanga City International Airport for alleged possession of Marijuana.

Police aviation security forces arrested Monday morning a Malaysian national for possession of illegal drugs at the Zamboanga City International Airport.

Supt. Ibar Elumba Padao, chief of the 9th Police Center for Aviation Security, identified the suspect as Kosalai Kumaran Poornavelu, a resident at 15 Brosh Drive 30350, Ipok Perak, Malaysia.
Poornavelu, 50, arrived at the Zamboanga City airport around 10:50 a.m. from Davao City via Cebu Pacific and was about to check in for a connecting flight bound for Malaysia when intercepted.

Padao said airport personnel found three-sachet type of cellophane containing dried leaves of marijuana (cannabis sativa) when the suspect’s baggage was manually inspected.

“Our personnel supervising the x-ray machine backed by SPO3 Ernesto Saluna and PO3 Ferdinand Almoite apprehended the suspect and confiscated some suspicious items,” he added.

The arrested Malaysian national was placed in the custody of the 9th police aviation group following his arrest at the airport for further interrogation. He was later taken to the PDEA crime laboratory for examination.

As of press time, the suspect was turned over to the 9th police aviation group and placed under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) regional office here.

Appropriate charges would be filed against Poornavelu for violation of Dangerous Drugs Act, according to Padao. But the arrested Malaysian national denied possessing the dried Marijuana leaves. He claimed he is a physician by profession.

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An Interview With Monsi

WEEKS after Nuevo Zamboanga leader "Monsi" Crisanto dela Cruz conceded the 2007 local election in Zamboanga City to Mayor Celso Lobregat, the former priest sat down with this writer for an exclusive interview.

The following is a full transcript of questions and answers of Zamboanga Southwall's interview with Monsi, conducted by Hader Glang on Sunday, June 10, 2007.

Q: Are you going back to the active ministry in the archdiocese of Zamboanga?

A: Honestly, I will take my time in discernment and prayers. No need to rush. God will surely show me the way, in His time.

Q: In the meantime, what are your immediate plans?

A: Four things come to ny mind: 1) Time for intensified prayers and reflections; 2) Formation of Nuevo Zamboanga Foundation and fulfillment of pledge to give scholarship and some lands to the poor; 3) Research and study; 4) Time to look forward, to inspire and touch the lives of people thirsting for the good and love that comes from the Almighty.

Q: Do you have regrets running for public office?

A: No regrets. My decision was reached after days of retreat and intensive consultations. I am at peace with God and my conscience.

Q: Why have you conceded early? Is it true that somebody refunded all your election expenses to keep quite?

A: In a democracy, we always have a winner and a loser. I may have lost the elections, but definitely have won the hearts of many. There is honor and dignity even in defeat. I sincerely congratulate Mayor Lobregat, wish him the best of success and health. May I humbly take this opportunity to enjoin my friends and supporters to give our respect and support to the mayor for the good and progress of our city. As to the second point: I am not for sale; I have not received any refund from anyone. I believe that there's still civility in politics.

Q: How will you manage to survive without going back to the active ministry?

A: I shall travel in faith. The Lord gave me hands, feet and the necessary faculties to be able to work with dignity. Today, I open up few pages of the Bible and encountered the beautiful lines and I quote: "Look at the lilies of the field and the birds of the air..." Surely, with faith and our good works, we can move mountains.

Q: Monsi, how would you deal with the priests that maligned and attacked your good name? And those who allowed themselves to be used by your political adversaries?

A: My friend, I have only one line: They are my brothers. They deserve my love, respect and forgiveness.

Q: During the intense campaign, have you ever thought of withdrawing, considering, the betrayal of some close friends, especially, when Lakas and Kampi gave you a lukewarm treatment after initially endorsing you as the official candidate of both parties only to be withdrawn directly or indirectly?

A: Difficult question that deserves honest response! I never thought of it. I was determined to give a decent fight on issues affecting our city. I have conceded, but I sincerely believe that I won the hearts and respect of many people. My thoughts of Lakas and Kampi, though initially hurt, are one of kindness and understanding considering the expediency and signs of the time. It was a good political exercise and truly I fought hard with dignity. Without the grace of the Almighty and the wholehearted support of real friends, I may not have survived the knock out punches of the political exercise. Truly, it was very good and worthwhile experience that enriched my life. Again, no regrets.

Q: If given the chance will you seek public office again?

A: I have no immediate plans. But I am sure that God has some plans for me and in His own time, He will surely show me the way.

Q: Interestingly, towards election day, many people were saying that you would be the next mayor, what happened?

A: I have faith in the electoral process, it has to work no matter how imperfect it may be. Our democracy must have to survive. Many stories can be said and told. Our citizenry knows the real score. Without any complain or excuses I humbly bow down to such a system with the hope that someday our future generation of leaders may have the strength of character to earnestly work for reforms that would improve the present electoral system.

Q: How did you earn the trust and support of the Muslim communities? Majority of the Pastors from the different Christian Churches, sizable group from the business community, the masa and academe. More than 70,000 votes with limited resources, is not a joke. You never got a zero vote in all the precincts, what is the secret?

A: When there is love and respect for each other, nothing is difficult. For what I am worth, I represented my real self, our plans and visions for a Nuevo Zamboanga. Yes. together, in our imperfect way, we presented a message of Hope for everyone.

Q: I was at the Shrine, I saw the Archbishop pointing at you with disgust in the presence of Fr. Calvo; I too attended the Fiesta at Divisoria Parish: it seems that in many words, he is not happy about you. What are your thoughts?

A: I only have highest respect and love for the Archbishop, past and present.

Q: With begging the question: Are you happy of how the Catholic Church of Zamboanga treated you after giving your best in your years of active service to the Roman Catholic Church?

A: I love the Church so much that you would not hear from me a word of complaint. Whatever future plans I have and will make, would always depend on the will of God for me and my prayerful discernment and response. Please spare me from questions like this...please!

Q: You have defended the presidency of Erap and more, so with PGMA with so much loyalty especially in her most difficult moments. Do you feel betrayed and abandoned?

A: No hurt feelings. For me, politics come and go: but my friendship and respect towards them would remain unto my last breath. Everyday throughout my life would be the assurance of love and prayers for them. I have only my understanding towards them, no sentimiento.

Q: Win or lose, you promise to give scholarship and some 20 lots at 100 squire meters each, will you proceed with it?

A: Even years before I run as a candidate for mayor, I have silently been doing this apostolate. I shall honor my word for the poor who have less in life must have more in love.

Q:Finally Monsi, do you have any parting message for the exclusive interview?

A: Thank you for the time you have shared with me. You made me, perspire, but then I say with great joy and fulfillment that Zamboanga City is beautiful and great. It is worth the sacrifice. Someday, in God's own time, we shall all witness Nuevo Zamboanga! God bless Zamboanga and everyone.

Philippine and U.S. Navies Extend Helping Hand during “CARAT 2007” Military ExercisesA U.S. Sailor hands a box of food and supplies to a Philippine Sailor as the two militaries partnered to load donations onto a truck for delivery to a Mindanao orphanage. (Official U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Mark R. Alvarez.)

Partnership is the key theme of the bilateral naval exercises ongoing between the United States and Philippine Navies. The 13th annual bilateral maritime training exercise “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training,” known as CARAT, began last week in the Zamboanga and Basilan area. But partnership on the water was extended onshore during community relations events supported by both U.S. and Philippine Navy volunteers.

During CARAT, U.S. and Philippine sailors also visited the Boalan Elementary School in Zamboanga to donation of sports equipment, books, food, and hygiene materials. Philippine Armed Forces and the U.S. Navy also provided free medical and dental care to residents in Isabela City, Basilan, during a day-long community program.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. The exercises in CARAT are designed to enhance the ability of our nations to work together in maritime situations that range from natural disasters to maritime interception of criminals and terrorists.

But one of the most important partnerships our nations’ militaries engage in is the humanitarian partnership. The CARAT exercise also focuses on relationship building through social and community service events such as providing free medical, dental, and veterinary care in host communities – an integral part of the long partnership between our countries.

The U.S. Navy’s CARAT group includes the USS Harpers Ferry from Sasebo, Japan (pictured above); the USS Ford from Everett, Washington; and the USS Jarrett from San Diego, California. Approximately 1,400 U.S. personnel are taking part in the CARAT exercises, including personnel such as U.S. Navy Seabees, U.S. Navy and Army doctors, and U.S. Army veterinarians who will participate in humanitarian projects. (PRESS RELEASE)