Military confirms Abu Solaiman died in Sulu clash

The military on Wednesday confirmed the death of ranking Abu Sayyaf leader Jainal Antel Sali Jr., alias “Abu Solaiman,” after a fierce clash with government troops Tuesday in Sulu.

Sources from the Joint Task Force Comet under Brig. Gen. Ruben Rafael said troops recovered the body of Sali from Mt. Daho, Talipao town and had been positively identified.

Brig. Gen.Arturo Ortiz, chief of the Army Special Forces, said civilian assets and intelligence operatives confirmed to him that it was Sali’s body that was recovered based on a mole on the corpse’s eyelid and teeth placements.

Earlier military reports said Sali was badly wounded during an encounter with troops from the 8th Special Forces Company, but fled into the jungles of Talipao with 60 fully armed followers, one of them was killed and some others were wounded.

Army Major Eugene Batara, spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom), also said soldiers raided and captured Sali’s camp that can accommodate more or less sixty troops in Mt. Dahu, Talipao.

Soldiers recovered from the captured camp several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), blasting caps, grenade launcher ammunitions, testers, soldering irons, medical paraphernalia, various personal belongings and voluminous terrorist documents.

Sali carried a $5-million bounty on his head from the US government. His body is reportedly being kept at Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu, headquarters of the 104th Army Brigade.

US is helping the Philippine government identify the remains of a man said to be the elusive Khadaffy Janjalani, chieftain of the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf terror group.

American and Filipino forensics experts were now working on DNA samples to establish whether the body was that of Janjalani. The decomposing body was recovered from a shallow grave in Patikul town early this year.

Janjalani has been reported killed several times in the past, only to embarrass the government by launching deadly terror attacks.

Meanhile troops are continuing to hunt down Janjalani’s Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) cohorts, Umar Patek and Dulmatin, whom Abu Sayyaf militants are believed to be protecting on the island province of Sulu.

Both men are wanted for the October 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia, in which 202 mostly foreign tourists were killed. JI and the Abu Sayyaf are both on the US government's list of foreign terrorist organizations. (HG)

Congressman Salapuddin running for governor of Basilan

Political showdown between Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) Congressman Gerry Salapuddin and wife of Governor Wahab Akbar of Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) is in the offing in Basilan Province.

Fifty-four-year old Salapuddin, who is also the incumbent House deputy speaker for Mindanao, announced Wednesday his candidacy for provincial governor of Basilan in the May 14, 2007 elections.

Salapuddin bared his gubernatorial election bid in the wake of reports that wives and relatives of Governor Akbar are running for top posts in Basilan and its municipalities.

The third termer Basilan solon will be running against inexperienced Jum, first wife of third termer Governor Akbar, who is reportedly running for congressman in the lone district of the province.

Salapuddin said he was concerned about the direction of his province, "which is becoming under a family and conjugal dynasty control."

"This must be stopped. That's why I'm running for governor because Basilan is not for one family but for all to share," he declared.

Salapuddin also revealed that Malacanang was considering him for a Cabinet position. He said despite this, he chose to run for governor because it is the clamor of his people.

Salapuddin did not state the names of his party-mates, but said he will formally announce his line up and file his certificate of candidacy on the middle of February, next month. (HG)

Troops clash Abu Sayyaf anew, 1 slain, 2 hurt

A member of the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group was killed while two soldiers were wounded following a clash Tuesday morning with suspected terrorists in the island province of Sulu, the military said.

Troops from the Special Forces clashed with some 60 armed men, as government forces pressing on their “Operation Plan Ultimatum” to capture ASG chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani and his Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) cohorts, Dulmaten and Omar Patek who are wanted for the 2002 Bali bombing in Indonesia.

The 2-hour clash took place in Mount Dahu, Talipao town, Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro, spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), told a Manila-based radio station in an interview.

Abu Sulayman, one of key leaders of the Abu Sayyaf group, reportedly led the gunmen. The extremists fled leaving one of their slain cohorts with undetermined number of casualties. “We believe Sulayman was injured,” the spokesman added.

At least nine suspected terrorists, including two JI militants, were killed and scores of others wounded since the operation began on Aug. 1. The military said it would not terminate the offensive until the combined al Qaeda-linked ASG-JI group is neutralized.

A recent military report said soldiers killed Janjalani during an encounter and his body was recovered near Patikul, on Sulu island. But this could not be confirmed until the DNA test results on Janjalani’s remains out. (HG)

Mayor survived ambush, but aide died in Mindanao

A town mayor in southern Philippines survived an attack by unidentified gunmen on Monday, but his security aide was killed, police said.

Two motorcycle-riding assassins opened fire on Bagumbayan town Mayor Felipe Aliaga’s vehicle as it leaving from residence to town hall in Sultan Kudarat, police said.

Aliaga and aide were going for a flag raising ceremony when the suspects armed with .45-caliber pistols appeared near the gate and shot them, it added.

The mayor’s aide identified as Paterno Guillermo was fatally hit in the different parts of the body and died instantly. Reports said the mayor was slightly injured in the attack.

Investigators are eyeing politics as a motive behind the attack. The mayor had earlier announced plans of running again in this year’s elections, sources said. (HG)

MILF blames ASG/JI for bombings in Mindanao

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on Friday pointed to the combined al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) as behind the three deadly bomb attacks in Mindanao that killed seven people and injured more than 30 others.

“We believe that this triple bomb explosions in General Santos City, Kidapawan City and Cotabato City were the handiwork of Abu Sayyaf and Dulmatin and Omar Patek,” said Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF political affairs chief.

Dulmatin and Patek are among international terrorists wanted by the United States government. They are blamed for the October 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia, that killed some 200 people and injured scores of others.

The two Indonesian bombers are on the run in Sulu with Abu Sayyaf group, including its chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani, and are being pursued by government troops in its on going operation dubbed “Oplan: Ultimatum”, which began on August last year.

Government soldiers killed earlier this month seven suspected members of the terrorist group, including an Indonesian militant and a senior Abu Sayyaf leader blamed for spate of bombing, in two separate encounters off the southern island of Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

Jaafar said the bomb attacks were carried out by the Abu Sayyaf in retaliation to the death of its senior leaders in Sulu and as a way to sabotage the on going 12th ASEAN summit in Cebu City to shame the Philippine government.

But Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon blamed Basit Usman, a former MILF member who is now working with the Abu Sayyaf and JI, as the mastermind for the series of bomb attacks.

The military also linked Usman to the April 2002 bombing of the Fitmart department store in General Santos in which 15 people were killed and more than 60 hurt. The suspect was captured in July that year, but escaped three months after and returned underground.

Police investigators on Thursday came up with an artist sketch of a suspect in the bombing of lotto betting station in General Santos City, where six people were killed and 26 others were injured. Reports said the sketch is similar to the image of Usman.

Meanwhile, Jaafar denied that Usman is a member of the MILF and offered to help government agents identify and arrest of the suspect through the Adhoc Joint Action Group Action (AHJAG) and GRP-MILF coordinating committee on cessation of hostilities (CCCH).

“This is not new. We are the usual suspects whenever there are bomb attacks in the country to picture the MILF as a terrorist organization,” he said. “However, we are waiting for the proposal of government to help pin down the suspect through AHJAG or CCCH…we are ready.”

The MILF had earlier denied police information, which pointed to MILF commander Said Pakiladato and his deputy, Ustadz Hawon, as the perpetrators of the blast near a refreshment parlor on Makakua Street in Cotabato City on Jan. 5 that injured three people.

Reports said the two suspects were leaders of the 105th MILF Base Command and carried out the attack on behalf of the JI terrorist group. Pakiladato was the prime suspect in the deadly 2002 bomb attack in Maguindanao that killed a town mayor. (HG)

12th ASEAN summit in Philippines marred by bombing spree in Mindanao

The opening day of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cebu City, Philippines was marred by terror attacks as three bomb explosions rocked Wednesday night in three key cities in Mindanao, where seven people were killed and several others injured.

The first blast went off at around 6:00 p.m. near a lotto outlet in front of the Anchor Hotel along Santiago Boulevard in General Santos City, where six people were killed and 23 others were seriously injured.

Two and half hours after, another blast rocked near a police outpost in Kidapawan City, leaving six people including a 14-year old boy injured.

The third blast took place at 10:45 p.m. along Almonte Street in Cotabato City, where one was killed and five others injured.

The bombing spree was the fifth to occur in Mindanao. Last month, a bomb explosion ripped through the Kensan Mall in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, wounding two people and last Friday, another bomb attack rocked in downtown Cotabato City, wounding two more people.

No group claimed responsibility for the latest bombings. Police and military have yet to say if the combined al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant groups were responsible for the attacks.

Australia earlier warned its citizens of a possible bomb attack in the Philippines. It advised its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines because of the high threat of terrorist attack.

The warning travel advisory also said it continues to receive credible reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, includingf places frequented by foreigners.

Other reports suggested that terrorists could target sites in Metro Manila, Mindanao including the Sulu Archipelago, and Cebu Province, which is hosting the five-day 12th ASEAN summit.

But Armed Forces chief of staff General Hermogenes Esperon shrugged off threats to summits, saying the renewed terrorist warning has no basis. "We are not in the situation the Australians have pictured us to be."

On Tuesday, security officials rehearsed the routes carrying leaders from the 10 ASEAN nations, as well as Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea and India, who confirmed attendance in the 12th ASEAN summit from Jan. 10 to 15. (HG)

Sulu Army's 104th Brigade Command has new chief

Colonel Antonio Supnet, commander of the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ), was relieved and reassigned to Sulu to head the Army’s 104th Brigade, replacing Brigadier General Reynaldo Saelana.

Supnet took over the command following the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Hermogenes Esperon in Jolo, Sulu on Monday.

Supnet was chief of staff of the Southern Command (now Western Mindanao Command) prior to his assignment as Task Force Zamboanga commander sometime in August 2006.

One of his accomplishments was the prevention of entry of a thousand of bomb ingredients sneaked in by suspected Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah militants to the port of Zamboanga.

It is not known who will succeed Supnet in the Task Force Zamboanga.

“The change of command was supposed to be first week of December. We’re doing this to make our offices dynamic and give chance to junior officers to move on,” Saelana said in a radio interview.

It was learned from a military source in Sulu that Saelana will be assigned to another brigade command in Mindanao that hunt down the Communist Party of the Philippines’ New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

Troops who have been hunting down the combined JI and al Qaeda-linked ASG terrorists in the hinterlands of Sulu since August last year dubbed as “Operations Plan Ultimatum” were ordered to intensify operations against high value targets.

On Tuesday evening, troops under the anti-terror Task Force Comet killed a senior leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, tagged as responsible for kidnap-for-ransom, bombings, military and civilian liquidation, in a raid in Patikul town.

Killed was Binang Sali alias “Freedom”, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf urban terrorist group operating in Jolo who carries a P1 million reward for his neutralization or capture.

Military also blamed him for the kidnapping of Ms. Jacqueline Silben and her son Jefrey at Barangay Gandasuli, Patikul, Sulu last July 20, 2006.

It can be recalled that Jefrey was hacked to death by his kidnappers and his mother was seriously wounded during the rescue operation conducted by the elements of Joint Task Force Comet.

Members of the Military Intelligence Group 9 backed by the 104th Brigade, Scout Rangers and Special Forces pinned him down in a brief encounter at sitio Pula, Upper Halaw Village, Barangay Anuling.

Troops recovered a .45 caliber pistol and various bomb paraphernalia and improvised explosive device (IED) components from the battle site.

Army Major Eugene Batara, WesMinCom spokesman, said Sali was completely surprised as the operating troops used stealth and the cover of darkness to their advantage.

“The terrorist leader had no choice but to fight it out as he realized to be surrounded by government troops. The brief firefight resulted to his untimely death,” Batara said.

With this development, he added the AFP troops prevented the ASG-UTG to conduct bombing and other terroristic action against the AFP and the innocent civilians.

To date, troops in Sulu have killed 9 terrorists in a span of four days period, according to Batara. (HG)

President Arroyo inaugurates P68 million USAID road project, military hospital in Sulu

President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo inaugurated Monday a multi-million pesos road project and a military hospital in Sulu island, where US anti-terror trained Filipino soldiers are hunting the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.

The two projects, with a combined cost of P68 million, are the P49 million USAID-GEM-MEDCO Parang-Indanan Road Project in Barangay Saldang, Parang town, and the P19 million Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista Trauma Hospital in Jolo town.

Sulu Governor Banjamin Loong, Medco Chairman Rey Leyretana, US Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones, and USAID Country Director Jon Linborg, assisted the President in the ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling of the marker of the newly completed road project in Parang.

After the ceremony, the President flew to the Army's 104th Brigade Headquarters in Jolo town to inaugurate the newly completed military trauma hospital and to hold a command conference with top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

During the command conference with top military officials, the President said the Philippines will continue to be a strong player in security and trade, in fighting poverty and building prosperity.

"This is our commitment to the Filipino people to all the peoples of East Asia and to all our allies like the United States," she said. "We thank our Amercian allies for contributing that road through the Growth with Equity in Mindanao project of the USAID."

"This is only one of the many examples of how our Filipino and American troops and officials have been working together and bringing prosperity to areas like this beautiful island of Sulu."

The president also commended the Armed Forces for the successful operation against the Abu Sayyaf and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), "which only proves that these terrorist elements have nowhere to hide and are in fact already doomed to annihilation."

"Our fight against terror goes hand in hand with the global and regional effort; and as we face the ASEAN summit, we would like to assure all our allies in East Asia and beyond that the Filipino soldiery and people are on watch every hour of the day, determined to do their share to defeat terror for a more secure and safer world."

"Our meetings in Cebu will sustain the momentum in our collective fight against terror and in mopping up all forms of instability that affect the run of trade, cooperation and people to people solidarity in this part of the world."

After the inauguration of two projects in Sulu province, the President flew to Misamis oriental to grace the opening ceremonies of the 77th anniversary celebration of the province. (HG)

MILF denies involvement in Cotabato City blast

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has denied involvement in Friday’s bomb explosion on the busy street in Cotabato City that injured two people.

“We have no reason to sow terror and we are observing a truce with the government…we have nothing to do with the blast,” MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu stressed in a radio interview.

“We are the usual suspects whenever there is terror attacks in the country. We are always their scapegoat,” he added.

Intelligence information pointed to Said Pakiladato and a certain Ustadz Hawon as behind the bomb attack near a fastfood chain on Makakua Street. The two are reportedly leaders of the 105th MILF Base Command in central Mindanao.

Authorities also tagged Pakiladato as the mastermind of the 2003 explosion that killed Datu Piang Mayor Saudi Ampatuan. He was also blamed for the previous bombings in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, and Makilala, North Cotabato.

"We do not know where these intelligence reports about their alleged involvement are coming but they are definitely not involved in any of the incidents mentioned," Kabalu said.

He said the authorities should conduct further investigation before naming any MILF commanders because doing so without basis could further endanger the stalled peace talks between the rebels and the government.

The stalled GRP-MILF peace talks is expected to resume this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with the debatable issue of territory of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity as main agenda. (HG)

Sulu Sultan thanks US for continuing Balikatan
text & photo HADER GLANG

The influential Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun has expressed thanks to US government for its decision to proceed with joint military exercises with the Philippines.

Sultan Pulalun also expressed thanks to the Philippine government for complying the bilateral accord with Washington called the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which grants legal protection with American troops in the country.

“In behalf of my people, I express my deep thanks and gratitude to the US government for continuing the Balikatan. We can now move forward with fruitful cooperation and development projects in Sulu,” he said.

The US government canceled the annual Balikatan war exercises in the Philippines this year due to a dispute over custody of Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith, who was ordered detained by Judge Benjamin Pozon in Makati jail after he was convicted of rape last December 4.

But Smith returned to custody of US Embassy late last week while his case is on appeal on orders of Philippine government. This set off a storm of criticism against President Arroyo’s administration, which said that the government had to make the decision to prevent a further deterioration of Manila’s ties with Washington.

The annual Balikatan exercises — which bring 3,000 to 5,000 U.S. servicemen to the Philippines — have helped train Filipino soldiers in counter-terrorism, particularly in the southern Philippines where Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militants are active.

Meanwhile, Sultan Pulalun ordered his officials to arrange a meeting with a high-ranking US official, possibly with US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, to discuss how the Sultanate of Sulu could avail of development projects from the US government.

“We hope they will give attention to the area of Sultanate of Sulu, especially in Parang, Tapul, Siasi, and Lugus, the people there are very poor…they really need help,” he appealed.

At the height of Balikatan controversy last year, Sultan Pulalun initiated a pro-US rally in the heart of Jolo town in a show of support for Balikatan. He said he support the exercises because the intention is good and the Americans would build schools, hospitals, roads and bring medicines.

Priest missing, feared abducted in Mindanao

A Roman Catholic priest has been reportedly missing and feared abducted in Misamis Oriental, northern Mindanao.

Father Lucio Bula, 46, last reported returning to his hometown of Balingasag for a Christmas vacation on December 31. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Authorities said they were looking into the disappearance of Father Bula. The priest's family had asked for help but could not say if he had been kidnapped.

A source from Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro said it had been informed of the disappearance of Bula and it’s deeply concerned that he is missing.

Kidnapping of Catholic priests is common in the southern Philippines mostly carried out by the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf extremists. (HG)

ARMM is No. 1 in private armed groups, says PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has bared that most of the private armed groups in the country are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

PNP Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. said each group has a minimum membership of three persons, “although there are some with as many as 10 or more members.”

Fifty-six private armed groups are in the ARMM, nine in Western Mindanao, three in Central Luzon and two are in Cagayan Valley, he added.

Razon said the 56 private armed groups monitored in the ARMM were scattered in different areas; with 25 groups reportedly based in Sulu, 21 in Maguindanao, seven in Lanao, three in Tawi-Tawi and Basilan.

"These private armed groups were believed to be in possession of loose firearms," he said. "We hope to neutralize these private armed groups and seize all the loose firearms."

Private armed groups of politicians are well-armed and powerful, especially during election period.

In 2001 a tabulation prepared by the Armed Forces showed that private armed groups were responsible for 80-82 percent of the violent election cases. They were also blamed for 65 percent of the killings and 85 percent of the non-fatal incidents. (HG)

Fire destroys Catholic radio station in Tawi-Tawi

Fire destroyed a radio station run by catholic priests in a Muslim dominated province in the southern Philippines Wednesday, officials said.

No one was injured or killed.

The fire broke out sometime after 11:15 a.m. at the second floor of DXGB radio station, owned by Sulu Tawi-Tawi Broadcasting Foundation and Catholic Broadcasting Network, in Barangay (village) Pag-asa, Bongao.

“There was a loud explosion at the second floor before the fire engulfed the building,” said Babylyn Omar, the radio station manager.

The building was in full flames when the firefighters arrived, but it took them almost 1 hour to stop the fire, and all the station’s contents were destroyed, according to Omar.

Sources from the town’s Bureau of Fire and Protection said faulty electrical wiring inside the building's ceiling caused the blaze. (HG)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMAGE OF THE DAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMAGE OF THE DAY

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

AFP refutes CBCP’s charge of disinformation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Misuari is running for Sulu governor in 2007 polls

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zamboanga No. 1 seller in olive oil sardines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Korean seaman lost at Sulu sea

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thousands of Zamboangueños march for peace

text & photos HADER GLANG

Pupils carry placards with anti war markings during the walk for peace as part of the celebrations of "Week of Peace."

Thousands of Zamboangueños took to the streets on Wednesday to celebrate the Week of Peace, which aims to raise consciousness for a culture of peace among the peoples of Mindanao.

Peace Advocates of Zamboanga (PAZ), the organizers of the yearly celebration, have given more emphasis on environmental issues with the theme "In the Name of the Almighty, God of Harmony, Care for the Earth!"

Around 20,000 people including concerned government agencies and instrumentalities and members of the private sector and civil society marched from Pettit Barrack to the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex.

Some students carried banners and placards with "No for war and yes for peace fight! For freedom!!! And "Make peace not war for the love of the world" slogans. Others performed street dance.

"The Subanun people can never accept the undergoing environmental destruction of our forest by indiscriminate logging and the destruction of our ancestral domain. We also renounce war," said 48-year old Subanun tribal leader.

Father Angel Calvo, PAZ president, said they have seen the people in Mindanao are more conscious now of the peace advocacy than ever, trying to incorporate the element of peace in their society.

"The peace advocacy we're seeing is getting more and more…people from all walks of life are taking center stage and participating with enthusiasm as never before in the history of Mindanao," Calvo said.

But he cautioned the people that unless they build a strong civil society that is able to withstand or counteract conflict through peaceful solution they would never attend lasting peace in their community.

A statement from indigenous group in support to peaceful means of resolving the conflict in Mindanao read that, "We can never believe that a lasting peace could be attained by means of guns and bullets."

"There is really an urgent need for a new approach in dealing with the insurgency and other disgruntled armed groups in Mindanao rather that pursuing the policy of all out war against those armed groups."

In North Cotabato, the peace and development communities (PDCs) have conducted a contest on the search for the most peaceful camp.

In Cagayan de Oro City, a walk for peace was also held while in other key cities and provinces in Mindanao have conducted symposiums on peace and environmental issues and sportsfest among Muslim and Christian religious sector as well as an interfaith prayer vigil.

The Mindanao Week of Peace is celebrated each year from the last Thursday of November to the first Wednesday of December. It is a comprehensive promotional activity that involves various GOs, NGOs, and PO's in advocating the culture of peace in the Southern Philippines.

PAZ and SALAM Foundation initiated it in Zamboanga City in 1997. It has snowballed into a Mindanao-wide event as adopted by the Bishops-Ulama Conference and perpetuated as an annual observance through Presidential Proclamation 127, S. 2001.

Muslim leaders hail Senate Bill declaring Sheik Makhdum mosque in Tawi-Tawi as national shrine

text HADER GLANGThis is the first and oldest mosque in the Philippines constructed in Tawi-Tawi by then Sheik Karimul Makhdum, an Arabian missionary from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in A.D. 1380.

Muslim leaders in Mindanao hailed the Senate’s declaration of the Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque in Tawi-Tawi as a national shrine, saying it is a milestone in the Philippine history.

The Senate on Friday approved on third and final reading a bill authored by Senator Edgardo Angara declaring the Philippines’ oldest mosque in recognition to the contribution of Islam in the development of culture and civilization in the country.

"This will symbolize as a great honor to the Islam faith,” said Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun. "We are overjoyed by the recognition being given to the contribution of the Islamic faith to the country's history.”

History tells that the six centuries-old mosque in Tubig Indangan, Simunul, considered as the oldest structure and first mosque in the Philippines, was constructed by an Arabian missionary, scholar and judge, Sheikh Karimul Makhdum, in AD 1380.

The Sheikh set foot in the island of Tubig Indangan 615 years ago, 140 years before the arrival of Magellan (the Spaniard who discovered the Philippines) in the Philippines. He introduced the first Islamic civilization in the country.

The mosque is held with great esteem and emulation by the Muslims and even non-muslims and is considered sacred. Domestic and foreign tourists frequently visit the mosque to pay respect and homage to the shrine.

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through its Legislative Assembly has already passed a law declaring the inclusion of the Sheikh Makhdum centennial celebration as one of the Islamic events entitled to a special non-working holiday within the five provinces under the ARMM.

House deputy speaker for Mindanao Abdulgani “Gerry” Salapuddin said the declaration of Sheik Macdum mosque is a great honor and recognition to the Filipino Muslims, particularly to the people of Tawi-Tawi.

“It is only appropriate that the Congress of the Philippines have given this recognition. As a Muslim I feel honored about this but I really don’t know if there is a counterpart bill from
the House…if there is none...I’m willing to be one of the sponsors,” Salapuddin added.

Earlier, Sultan Pulalun appealed to Senator Angara that the mosque in Likup village in Indanan town in Jolo, Sulu be declared also as a national shrine being the country’s second oldest mosque and because events of historical importance took place at the mosque.

AKBAYAN calls for public debate on platforms of governance of Zamboanga political rivals
text HADER GLANG

A party-list organization has called on political rivals in the city to hold a public debate on their respective platforms of governance following the proliferation of alleged sex video of former priest Crisanto “Monsi” dela Cruz.

The video showed two men having oral sex, but Dela Cruz, a staunch supporter of President Arroyo and standard bearer of the united opposition in the city for next year’s elections against incumbent Mayor Celso Lobregat, denied he was the man in the video.

“We would like to appeal to all candidates in our city not to allow local politics to degenerate into something that is abominable,” said AKBAYAN Island Rep. for Mindanao Edgar Araujo.

Araujo, also a political professor of Western Mindanao State University, hopes that the media and other concerned organizations would help the population understand what to be done in the city, especially this coming elections.

He said the voters should support an election that will be decided on the basis of the candidates’ vision for the city and not on the basis of below the built tactics or mudslinging that insult their senses.

As taxpayers, he emphasized, they deserve better politics and better leadership for this city, saying that for the past several years, they have seen the city transforming itself into a violent city, sinister city, and a city of intrigue.

“Let’s invite all these candidates to a forum and allow them to debate themselves who can present the better platforms. They should focus the campaign on issues, rather than on dirty tricks,” he said.

Asked his view on a purported de la Cruz’s sex video, Araujo replied: “What a private person does in his own private time is not my concern, but what concerns me is what public officials do using public money during both their private and public moments."

Multi-sectoral groups, youth and religious leaders have endorsed the call for a debate among administration and opposition candidates in the city on their respective platforms of governance.

Mindanao solon asks probe on guns proliferation in Basilan

House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin has asked the Lower House and other concerned government agencies to look into the alleged proliferation and acquisition of illegal firearms by politicians in the island province of Basilan.

Salapuddin raised the issue, saying that this was how the election fever has been manifested in his province – with heavy armaments being used for warfare and the maintenance of private of illegal firearms by politicians.

“Politically-related killings have escalated in Basilan,” he said. “It took much time and efforts to rid my province the image of Abu Sayyaf. Sadly, now the threats come from the politicians.”

The Basilan congressman said the acquisition and proliferation of firearms 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.

According to Salapuddin, the unscrupulous politicians are unmindful that they will disenfranchise the voters who, as citizens of the country, are the very particles of popular sovereignty and ultimate source of established authority.

In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Salapuddin called on the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to immediately look into the situation in his province.

He also asked the agencies to implement a program to contain the proliferation of illegal firearms and armed groups, and to ensure that election laws would be enforced.

Salapuddin likewise directed the committees on national defense, local government, and suffrage and electoral reform to conduct a joint congressional inquiry and come up with appropriate remedial measures.

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

Ambassadors of 6 Nations Visit Zamboanga and Basilan; Focus on Programs for Peace and Prosperity

(Joint Press Release by the Embassies of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States of America)

In a unique event demonstrating international support for peace and prosperity in Mindanao, six Ambassadors visited Zamboanga and Basilan on November 13: Ambassador Tony Hely of Australia, Ambassador Peter Sutherland of Canada, Ambassador Ryuichiro Yamazaki of Japan, Ambassador David Pine of New Zealand, Ambassador Peter Beckingham of the United Kingdom, and Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney of the United States of America. Also traveling with the party was Undersecretary Nabil Tan of the Philippine’s Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process.

These six countries all support myriad development projects in Mindanao, focusing on education and job skills training, small business development, local governance, improved healthcare, agricultural sustainability, poverty alleviation, peace building, and counter-terrorism. They coordinate their efforts with one another and with the national and local governments in the Philippines. During their visit, the Ambassadors discussed greater coordination and synergy among their various programs, which will help them more effectively benefit citizens of Mindanao and the Philippines.

The Ambassadors visited Armed Forces of the Philippines WESTMINCOM Commander Major General Cedo for a briefing on security activities; met with Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat to talk about partnership programs in development; and talked with members of the Basilan Chamber of Commerce about improving economic prospects on the island. Pictured above are the six Ambassadors with Basilan government and business leaders at Jollibee Restaurant in Isabela City, including Mayor Rodolfo Tan (far left) and Governor Abdulwahab Akbar (5th from left).

They also participated in an official turnover ceremony of computers and Internet connections to the Islamic Institute of the Philippines in Zamboanga City under USAID’s Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) program. In Lamitan, Basilan, they attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a community learning center donated by the Australian Government under AUSAID’s Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) program and celebrated a Canadian Government computer equipment handover under CIDA’s Local Governance Support Program for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (LGSPA).

ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan Delivers 2nd State of the Region Address

ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan delivered his second State of the Region Address (SORA) before the members of the 5th Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) at the start of their session on November 13, Monday at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, ARMM Compound in Cotabato City.

During the SORA, Regional Governor Ampatuan report on the efforts his administration had made for the past one year.

He is also expected to lay down his priority programs and thrusts for the next two (2) years and submit to RLA his proposed measures.

Foreign diplomats including envoys from member-countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), foreign donor nations, congressmen, provincial governors and mayors and other leaders have been invited to hear him deliver his SORA.

Ampatuan reported to the Assembly the efforts made by his administration on his five priority programs – on peace, public order and security, development administration and good governance, economic, infrastructure and social services development.

The regional governor stressed the importance of the full support and cooperation given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) the leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the good people of the ARMM.

“We have maintained an environment of peace and stability in the region compared to some areas in Mindanao,” he said.

He said he is re-affirming his commitment and support to the resumption and up to the conclusion of the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the MILF.

The governor believes that the next generation deserves peace and the time to have peace is now. For this reason, he is joining the fervent prayers and appeal of Mindanaoans to the government and to the MILF leadership to return\n to the negotiating table.

The regional governor said that records show that crime incidence in the region has decreased from 462 in 2005 to 311 this year.

With the good reform we are instituting in the ARMM, Ampatuan said that Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has extended more assistance to the region for us to realize our plans and programs for our people.

The assistance from the president include P500 million development fund to financed various infrastructure projects; P190 million, which the region used as financial assistance to our teachers who did\n not receive their salaries for the month of September 2005 and P166 million for water system under the President’s priority program.

To address the issue on transparency, Ampatuan said that his leadership adopted a policy of transparency and accountability that have brought good results to the ARMM. A policy requiring all agencies to remit to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on a monthly basis all GSIS shares and premiums of the employees."

“We have maintained an environment of peace and stability in the region compared to some areas in Mindanao,” he said.

The regional governor will also report to the RLA Speaker that the region was able to generate a total collection of P487 million from January to September 2006 this is due to a better cooperation built between the ARMM and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The regional economy according to the Regional Governor is sound and healthy. Our rice and corn program continued to yield higher production including the livestock and fishery program reached better results.

The seaweed industry in the region is gaining great production and expansion which netted 503,002 metric tons in 2005 and it generates income and revenues to our people in the region.

As of June 2006 the investment in the region had grown to about 12% registering an investment of P288million compared to P254 million in 2005.

The industry sector showed about 3% increase in employment from 3, 282 jobs generated in June 2005 to 3,394 in June 2006. The agriculture sector posted 21,959 jobs for 2006.

With the launching of the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board, Inc. last October 16, 2006 in Manila, ARMM is now ready to accept investment proposals on the Halal Industry.

The region has also made important improvements in social services and development with decisive gains in the field of education, child and maternal care, health services, job generation and other human development issues.

In addition to the intensified efforts of concerned line agencies, Ampatuan likewise cited the noteworthy contributions of several funding institutions that have projects in the region such as the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao (BEAM) and the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS), which support Madaris and community-based education in critical areas in the ARMM, and the UNICEF for their Country Program for Children VI and support to the Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) program.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has allotted 40 scholarships to qualified students in the ARMM for school year 2006-2007.

Some projects were also undertaken to improve the region’s labor resource with 144 skills training carried out by TESDA benefiting 3, 320 workforce. The DOLE on the other hand conducted a job fair to facilitate job seekers land potential jobs both locally and abroad.

Ampatuan mentioned the important steps that are being taken by the region to improve health services. Foremost of which is the development of vital health facilities in key areas in the region, the allotment of P20 million for the enrolment of indigent constituents to PhilHealth and the adoption of the ARMM Strategy for Health Improvement (ASHI) and the guidelines on contraceptive self-reliance.

Further, trade and commerce in the region is expected to get a bolster with the completion of vital infrastructures in strategic areas. A total of 38 bridges under the Tulay ng Pangulo sa SZOPAD are either 100% completed or under final phase of construction.

There were also massive implementation of 629 projects categorized as regional, provincial and district impact projects.

The Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE), a project funded by the USAID and other donor institutions, currently caters to the electrification needs of 190 barangays in the ARMM.

Ampatuan said that ARMM continues to move forward. Although in a slow pace, the gains being made definitive. “We will have a long way to go. We still have a lot to accomplish, and as your regional governor, I am confident that we will be able to reshape the region into its better form.” (BPI-ARMM)

Plight of Lake Lanao Highlighted
text SAMIRA GUTOC

Marawi City – Amidst the sounds of gongs and kulintangs, more than 200 representatives of academe, local governments of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City, the National Power Corporation, the Sultanates, Ulama League of the Philippines, government agencies, military and people’s organizations joined the Philippine Muslim Women Council (PMWC), a national NGO, in a dramatic signing of a “Covenant to Conserve and Protect Lake Lanao, the second largest freshwater lake in the Philippines and one of the 5 oldest in the world.”

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, in her first visit to Marawi, also joined the women and youths in “standing up to protect the environment” in her keynote speech rendered at Marawi Resort Hotel during the Conference-Workshop on Environmental Conservation with the theme, “Stewards of Mother Nature, Stand Up to Protect Lake Lanao.”

Lanao del Sur Governor Aleem Bashier Manalao in his speech said the presence of the US Ambassador in the “summer capital of the South will help us in preserving the rich natural resources we have for our people and the whole of Mindanao.”

“We take pride in showing to you the beauty of our province endowed with the panoramic beauty of the place, its fertile soil, cool climate and the source of power for Mindanao, the enchanting Lake Lanao with the Sleeping Lady serving as backdrop.”

Sectoral leaders gave their pledges to conserve Lake Lanao. The president of the 16 Royal Sultanates of Lanao, Mayor Topaan Disomimba, said “losing the great Lanao Lake is losing as well the idiosyncratic identity of the Maranaws, the people of the Lake.”

Others who gave pledges were Dr. Aleem Mahid Mutilan, President of the Ulama League of the Philippines, Vice-President Dr. Pasayud Macarambon’s representative of the National Power Corporation, General Manager Baliamen Mamainte of the Lanao Sur Electric Cooperative, Col. Ramiro Alivio of the 1st Marine Brigade, the Department of Education-Marawi City representative and Ambassador Abulkhayr Alonto, founding Vice-Chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front.

PMWC President Omera Dianalan-Lucman, who was former Undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development said that PMWC was building alliances and partnerships with all stakeholders to protect and develop Lake Lanao.

“We aim to create a critical mass with political will out of the participants of this conference.”Supported by the United States Agency for International Development through the ECOGOV, the conference-workshop aimed to convene stakeholders and raise awareness on the need to promote solid waste management and advocate the implementation of the Lake Lanao Development Authority.

The organizer, PMWC, while acknowledging other movements such as Save Lake Lanao Movement (SALAM) and Ranao Claims Against the Power Plants (RCAPP) that have internationalized the environmental degradation of Lake Lanao, hopes to collaborate on programs to conserve and develop the Lake for the future generations of lake dwellers, the Maranaos.

Last October 2, the Diliman-based Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) issued an advisory discouraging residents from “using affected water for cooking and drinking.”

This is due to the discoloration attributed to the presence of cyanobacteria that can cause diseases ranging from liver damage, paralysis or even death, based on the report of BFAR-Region 10, Cagayan de Oro City, confirmed by MSU-Naawan.

PMWC attributed the degradation of Lake Lanao to “human and industrial waste and non-compliance of environmental compliance certificate by the DENR.”

Lake Lanao specialist Pipalawan Naga of SALAM said there used to be 40 endemic species in the Lake before the installation of the National Power Corporation (NPC) in the Agus rivers around the lake, but the hydroelectric power plants have affected the water level of the lake.

Naga said the aquatic biodiversity is threatened due to previous government interventions of introducing predatory species which destroyed the 18 endemic species in the lake.Workshop outputs on the causes of environmental degradation of Lake Lanao included concern for illegal logging causing deforestation, use of fertilizers causing water pollution, ignorance of the people on environmental laws, construction of regulatory dams and lack of sewerage system.

The participants recommended stronger political will by local government units to enforce and monitor environmental laws such as compliance with the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the DENR, environmental education/ information drive to raise awareness on solid waste management and watershed reforestation and people’s participation