Thursday, August 23, 2007
Zamboanga bomb blast triggered by alarm clock, says police
text & photos HADER GLANG
Aftermath of bomb blast Tuesday night at Plaza Pershing situated right in the heart of Zamboanga City. At least 14 people were injured in the bomb explosion.
text & photos HADER GLANG
Aftermath of bomb blast Tuesday night at Plaza Pershing situated right in the heart of Zamboanga City. At least 14 people were injured in the bomb explosion.Police here on Wednesday confirmed that a shrapnel-packed improvised explosive device was used in Tuesday night's bomb explosion at the heart of the city, where 14 people were injured.
The blast, which occurred at around 7:30 p.m., reduced a concrete bench to halve and shattered windows of establishments near the Plaza Pershing, along I. Magno Street.
Senior Superintendent Manuel Barcena, city police chief, said the bomb explosion was triggered by an alarm clock.
"The bomb was placed in a bag and left in a concrete bench," Barcena said. "Our bomb squad recovered some parts of the explosive."
He said the investigators are still determining if the blast was terrorist-related. "We can't conclude yet if the explosion was the work of Abu Sayyaf or any other groups."
"What is clear now, the bombing was not intended to kill people. I think the perpetrator of the bombing just wanted to send message."
A bombing in October 2001 at a food stand in a crowded plaza in downtown Zamboanga killed 11 people and injured 50 others. And a series of bombings in 2004 and 2005 also occurred in the heart of the city.
Police and military authorities blamed the Al Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group for the past bomb attacks in the city, where dozens of people were killed and hundreds injured.
Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City police office urged the public to be vigilant against possible terror attacks.
"We need the cooperation of the community to address this threat," Barcena said.
When asked if there was a police security lapses, he said: "We wont admit that there is security lapses. We've been serving the city with all our hearts."
Police investigating the bombing incident released two cartographic sketches of three of the suspects based on the description of witnesses.
The sketches describe the two suspects as males, between 18 and 28 years old, 5'8" to 5'9" in height, slim in built, fair complexion and Tausug speaking.
In a related incident, police operatives foiled a bomb attempt at the bus terminal, few hours after a powerful explosion went off night at the heart of the city.
Police regional director Jaime Caringal said fortunately a bag containing bomb set to explode last Tuesday night at terminal was noticed unattended by some passengers in a bus enroute to Pagadian City.
"It could have been a twin bombing just like two years ago that occured in the city proper," Caringal said in a press conference at City Hall.
For his part, Zamboanga Task Force (TFZ) chief, Col. Alfredo Esperalta, said that most of the blast victims sustained shrapnel injuries. He did not elaborate.
He, instead, warned the general public, saying that even if there were arrest and recovery of explosive materials, there were no guarantee that such bombing will not occur anymore.
"That's why we would like exhort the public to help law enforcement agencies in fighting this menace of society," the task force commander said.
Security forces here were placed on full alert status. Bomb squad units were conducting mobile patrol in the different business establishments and malls in the city's commercial district.
The blast, which occurred at around 7:30 p.m., reduced a concrete bench to halve and shattered windows of establishments near the Plaza Pershing, along I. Magno Street.
Senior Superintendent Manuel Barcena, city police chief, said the bomb explosion was triggered by an alarm clock.
"The bomb was placed in a bag and left in a concrete bench," Barcena said. "Our bomb squad recovered some parts of the explosive."
He said the investigators are still determining if the blast was terrorist-related. "We can't conclude yet if the explosion was the work of Abu Sayyaf or any other groups."
"What is clear now, the bombing was not intended to kill people. I think the perpetrator of the bombing just wanted to send message."
A bombing in October 2001 at a food stand in a crowded plaza in downtown Zamboanga killed 11 people and injured 50 others. And a series of bombings in 2004 and 2005 also occurred in the heart of the city.
Police and military authorities blamed the Al Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group for the past bomb attacks in the city, where dozens of people were killed and hundreds injured.
Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City police office urged the public to be vigilant against possible terror attacks.
"We need the cooperation of the community to address this threat," Barcena said.
When asked if there was a police security lapses, he said: "We wont admit that there is security lapses. We've been serving the city with all our hearts."
Police investigating the bombing incident released two cartographic sketches of three of the suspects based on the description of witnesses.
The sketches describe the two suspects as males, between 18 and 28 years old, 5'8" to 5'9" in height, slim in built, fair complexion and Tausug speaking.
In a related incident, police operatives foiled a bomb attempt at the bus terminal, few hours after a powerful explosion went off night at the heart of the city.
Police regional director Jaime Caringal said fortunately a bag containing bomb set to explode last Tuesday night at terminal was noticed unattended by some passengers in a bus enroute to Pagadian City.
"It could have been a twin bombing just like two years ago that occured in the city proper," Caringal said in a press conference at City Hall.
For his part, Zamboanga Task Force (TFZ) chief, Col. Alfredo Esperalta, said that most of the blast victims sustained shrapnel injuries. He did not elaborate.
He, instead, warned the general public, saying that even if there were arrest and recovery of explosive materials, there were no guarantee that such bombing will not occur anymore.
"That's why we would like exhort the public to help law enforcement agencies in fighting this menace of society," the task force commander said.
Security forces here were placed on full alert status. Bomb squad units were conducting mobile patrol in the different business establishments and malls in the city's commercial district.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Zamboanga's film maker debut movie "Xenoa" opens at all Philippine cinemas nationwide today
Zamboanga's very own. Sean Lim Lim, a 23-year old film director of the independent sci-fi movie called "Xenoa," poses with his movie poster during a press conference August 21, 2007 at Victory Studio along Climaco Avenue downtown Zamboanga City. Photo HADER GLANG
A new independent digital film, called "Xenoa" is bound to make inroads in the local cinema circuits, especially at all SM Digital Cinemas nationwide, from August 22 to 28, 2007.
The science-fiction (sci-fi) movie offering from a 23-year old Zamboangueño film director Sean Lim Lim, gives the viewers a glimpse of the power struggle for the planet Xenoa.
Packed with incredible fight scenes and cutting-edge special effects, Xenoa is one action-filled visual-feast that promises to bust boundaries in the field of independent filmmaking in the Philippines.
The cast of Xenoa includes Isabel Granada, Paolo Ballesteros, Rafael Nanquil, Hiyasmin Neri, Clem Poblete, Lesley Leveriza, PJ Lanot, Alan Marasigan and Ronnie Martinez.
Sean, also a recording artist under Synergy Music (featuring the hits "Basta't Sabihin Mo Lang" by Vehnee Saturno and "Wonder Girl" by Trina Belamide), says "Xenoa" was shot in several locations in Metro Manila.
"Some shots were also filmed in Hong Kong along Tsim shat sul, Central, and Mongkok. There was even one scene shot inside the MTR train Central which was almost empty. Quite a rather isolated case for a busy place like Hong Kong."
Sean's debut movie, started out during a break in music video shoot, where together with some friends they thought of coming up with a short film. Eventually the story evolved into something bigger. Then came the birth of "Xenoa."
An avid fan of Steven Spielberg (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) and Georgia Lucas (Starwars), Sean always dreamt to produce his own. He admits that he came out with the title from nowhere. The concept of the story was based on the character of Darth Vader - how he became a bad character. In Xenoa, it's the opposite.
During the development of the script, Isabel Granada was the perfect choice for the character because of her almond-shaped eyes. Paolo Ballesteros came in naturally being an underated actor and friend of Sean way back in college. Rafael Nanquil, a fashion model takes a bigger challenge this time as he acts and not sashay on the catwalk.
For the information of Zamboangueños, Sean comes from Lim Shi Clan. He is the nephew of Rikki Lim, who manages Victory Studio along Climaco Ave., this city. His father, Robert Lim, is one of the stockholders of the Teen Squad, Bench and Extreme.
He finished his high school education at Zamboanga Chong Hua and took his multi-media arts from De La Salle - College of St. Benilde. He is presently an instructor of multimedia arts at the Asia Pacific College.
Aside from directing, he is also a singer, commercial model together with Mayor Celso Lobregat's son Marco in one of national television advertisement.
"I hope that 'Xenoa' will be one movie that would be recognized because of its good story, over all quality, and the ensemble acting of all the actors who contributed their talents to make this movie a reality," he says.
The production team of "Xenoa" are also Sean's friends in the industry namely Arnold Buena of HIT Productions (sound effects and musical scoring); advertising maverick Ruben dela Cruz (co-producer and director of photography).
Since Sean teaches multi-media arts at Asia Pacific College under Gerard Cadlum and Ariel Javines, he likewise made use of computer graphics and visual effects executed by several students chosen to work for the film as interns.
Zamboanga's very own. Sean Lim Lim, a 23-year old film director of the independent sci-fi movie called "Xenoa," poses with his movie poster during a press conference August 21, 2007 at Victory Studio along Climaco Avenue downtown Zamboanga City. Photo HADER GLANGA new independent digital film, called "Xenoa" is bound to make inroads in the local cinema circuits, especially at all SM Digital Cinemas nationwide, from August 22 to 28, 2007.
The science-fiction (sci-fi) movie offering from a 23-year old Zamboangueño film director Sean Lim Lim, gives the viewers a glimpse of the power struggle for the planet Xenoa.
Packed with incredible fight scenes and cutting-edge special effects, Xenoa is one action-filled visual-feast that promises to bust boundaries in the field of independent filmmaking in the Philippines.
The cast of Xenoa includes Isabel Granada, Paolo Ballesteros, Rafael Nanquil, Hiyasmin Neri, Clem Poblete, Lesley Leveriza, PJ Lanot, Alan Marasigan and Ronnie Martinez.
Sean, also a recording artist under Synergy Music (featuring the hits "Basta't Sabihin Mo Lang" by Vehnee Saturno and "Wonder Girl" by Trina Belamide), says "Xenoa" was shot in several locations in Metro Manila.
"Some shots were also filmed in Hong Kong along Tsim shat sul, Central, and Mongkok. There was even one scene shot inside the MTR train Central which was almost empty. Quite a rather isolated case for a busy place like Hong Kong."
Sean's debut movie, started out during a break in music video shoot, where together with some friends they thought of coming up with a short film. Eventually the story evolved into something bigger. Then came the birth of "Xenoa."
An avid fan of Steven Spielberg (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) and Georgia Lucas (Starwars), Sean always dreamt to produce his own. He admits that he came out with the title from nowhere. The concept of the story was based on the character of Darth Vader - how he became a bad character. In Xenoa, it's the opposite.
During the development of the script, Isabel Granada was the perfect choice for the character because of her almond-shaped eyes. Paolo Ballesteros came in naturally being an underated actor and friend of Sean way back in college. Rafael Nanquil, a fashion model takes a bigger challenge this time as he acts and not sashay on the catwalk.
For the information of Zamboangueños, Sean comes from Lim Shi Clan. He is the nephew of Rikki Lim, who manages Victory Studio along Climaco Ave., this city. His father, Robert Lim, is one of the stockholders of the Teen Squad, Bench and Extreme.
He finished his high school education at Zamboanga Chong Hua and took his multi-media arts from De La Salle - College of St. Benilde. He is presently an instructor of multimedia arts at the Asia Pacific College.
Aside from directing, he is also a singer, commercial model together with Mayor Celso Lobregat's son Marco in one of national television advertisement.
"I hope that 'Xenoa' will be one movie that would be recognized because of its good story, over all quality, and the ensemble acting of all the actors who contributed their talents to make this movie a reality," he says.
The production team of "Xenoa" are also Sean's friends in the industry namely Arnold Buena of HIT Productions (sound effects and musical scoring); advertising maverick Ruben dela Cruz (co-producer and director of photography).
Since Sean teaches multi-media arts at Asia Pacific College under Gerard Cadlum and Ariel Javines, he likewise made use of computer graphics and visual effects executed by several students chosen to work for the film as interns.
Monday, August 20, 2007
IMAGE OF THE DAY
Full military honors for 15 members of the Philippine Marines killed during a fierce clash with Abu Sayyaf militants in Basilan are given to fallen soldiers at the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) in Zamboanga City, August 20, 2007. Top military officials and personnels from the Western Mindanao Command, the Naval/Marine Forces South and the 3rd Tactical Operation Wing (TOW) salute to honor soldiers who have died in "Oplan Ultimatum 2" against the Al qaida-linked terror group in the southern Philippines.Saturday, August 18, 2007
IPZ condemns media 'swertres' payola
The Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ) issued a resolution Saturday condemning the most recent publicized "swertres" payola, implicating members of the media and high-ranking police officers in the city.
The resolution also stated that the organization reached a consensus to create a special body to probe the veracity of such media payola, starting with its own members, and shall seek relentlessly to ferret out the truth to avoid any recurrence or repetition of this highly irresponsible, malicious and grossly unprofessional act of maligning the media under the cloak of anonymity.
It assured the public that should any members of the organization heavily involved in such anomalous practice and cowardly act,immediate sanction shall be properly instituted against them.
"This alleged media payola has besmirched the integrity and reputation of members of the Fourth Estate in Zamboanga City. Due to none identity of the letter sender and its failure to identify, specifically the persons involved in the alleged payola, has adversely affected the entire media organization in the city, including that of the IPZ," according to the resolution.
The so-called poison letter, reportedly coming from a former policeman, claims that some high ranking police officers and two members of the media are getting payola from swertres operators.
The letter sender also claims that high-ranking police officers and chiefs of police were, respectively, getting P60,000, P2,000 while the mediamen were dividing the P13,000 weekly allowances.
"The IPZ strongly condemns the sender of the so-called poison letter on account of his failure to identify the members of media, who are allegedly receiving 'grease' money from the swertes operators," the IPZ said.
The resolution also urged the author of the letter to identify himself and come out in the open, believing that the letter's content is very damaging to the integrity of the media and the PNP as well.
It said the IPZ will highly appreciate some information of any member involved in questionable transaction, besmirching the good name of the media organization in Zamboanga City.
The Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ) issued a resolution Saturday condemning the most recent publicized "swertres" payola, implicating members of the media and high-ranking police officers in the city.
The resolution also stated that the organization reached a consensus to create a special body to probe the veracity of such media payola, starting with its own members, and shall seek relentlessly to ferret out the truth to avoid any recurrence or repetition of this highly irresponsible, malicious and grossly unprofessional act of maligning the media under the cloak of anonymity.
It assured the public that should any members of the organization heavily involved in such anomalous practice and cowardly act,immediate sanction shall be properly instituted against them.
"This alleged media payola has besmirched the integrity and reputation of members of the Fourth Estate in Zamboanga City. Due to none identity of the letter sender and its failure to identify, specifically the persons involved in the alleged payola, has adversely affected the entire media organization in the city, including that of the IPZ," according to the resolution.
The so-called poison letter, reportedly coming from a former policeman, claims that some high ranking police officers and two members of the media are getting payola from swertres operators.
The letter sender also claims that high-ranking police officers and chiefs of police were, respectively, getting P60,000, P2,000 while the mediamen were dividing the P13,000 weekly allowances.
"The IPZ strongly condemns the sender of the so-called poison letter on account of his failure to identify the members of media, who are allegedly receiving 'grease' money from the swertes operators," the IPZ said.
The resolution also urged the author of the letter to identify himself and come out in the open, believing that the letter's content is very damaging to the integrity of the media and the PNP as well.
It said the IPZ will highly appreciate some information of any member involved in questionable transaction, besmirching the good name of the media organization in Zamboanga City.
30 Abu Sayyaf militants, 17 government troops killed in renewed fighting in Basilan
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon face to face with Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo at the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) landing field in Zamboanga City.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon face to face with Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo at the Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) landing field in Zamboanga City.Fresh fighting erupted between the military and the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan Saturday morning, leaving 30 bandits and 17 soldiers dead while seven others wounded, local and military officials said.
This came two weeks after a series of clashes between Army troops and Abu Sayyaf, backed by rogue MNLF fighters in Sulu, where 27 soldiers and 31 bandits were killed and several others were wounded.
A local chief executive, who declined to be named due to news blackout on the situation in Basilan, confirmed the encounter which erupted at Sitio Kurellem, Barangay Silangkum, Ungkaya Pukan town at around 6:30 a.m.
Also a military official at the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCOm) confirmed that fighting had occured in Basilan, however, declined to divulge details of the fresh hostilities.
But the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo confirmed that two slain bodies of Abu Sayyaf bandits, involved in the beheading of members of the Philippine Marines, were recovered and accounted for by soldiers.
The two were identified as a certain Puruji Indama and his brother, Amirol.
The military also said that 15 members of the Philippine Marines and two Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were killed while seven others were wounded in a fierce clash with undetermined number of fully armed men.
Independent sources from Basilan said the firefight was ongoing with heavy mortar shelling and exchange of fire taking place in the hinterland village of Ungkaya Pukan town and that an estimated 30 militants died in the clashes.
The latest fighting was the bloodiest clash on Basilan since the July 10 ambush incident that left 14 Marines dead, 10 of whom were beheaded. Troops, tanks and helicopters were rushing to the area.
Unconfirmed report said an MG520 attack helicopter, providing cover for engaging troops, was shot down killing one pilot. It said the second pilot was rescued.
As of this writing, the military is still blank on whether the helicopter was hit with enemy fire or not.
More than 12,000 soldiers are in Basilan and Sulu hunting down Abu Sayyaf and moro rebels blamed for beheading and attacks on the government security forces.
The MILF, which signed a ceasefire with the Philippine government three years ago, admitted that their forces ambushed marines and killed more than 20 but denied beheading and mutilating soldiers.
In Sulu, troops continue searching for hundreds of Abu Sayyaf gunmen and insurgents blamed for the killing of dozens of soldiers in the Muslim dominated island province.
WesMinCom military officials said pursuit operations are going on, forcing the terrorists to split into smaller groups.
Last week, Army troops clashed with combined forces of Gumbahali Jumdail and Indonesian Jemaah Islamiya militants Dulmatin and Umar Patek.
The Indon terrorists, tagged as behind the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people, and Jumdail, also known as Dr. Abu, were reported to have been wounded in the most recent fighting in Sulu.
This came two weeks after a series of clashes between Army troops and Abu Sayyaf, backed by rogue MNLF fighters in Sulu, where 27 soldiers and 31 bandits were killed and several others were wounded.
A local chief executive, who declined to be named due to news blackout on the situation in Basilan, confirmed the encounter which erupted at Sitio Kurellem, Barangay Silangkum, Ungkaya Pukan town at around 6:30 a.m.
Also a military official at the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCOm) confirmed that fighting had occured in Basilan, however, declined to divulge details of the fresh hostilities.
But the military headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo confirmed that two slain bodies of Abu Sayyaf bandits, involved in the beheading of members of the Philippine Marines, were recovered and accounted for by soldiers.
The two were identified as a certain Puruji Indama and his brother, Amirol.
The military also said that 15 members of the Philippine Marines and two Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were killed while seven others were wounded in a fierce clash with undetermined number of fully armed men.
Independent sources from Basilan said the firefight was ongoing with heavy mortar shelling and exchange of fire taking place in the hinterland village of Ungkaya Pukan town and that an estimated 30 militants died in the clashes.
The latest fighting was the bloodiest clash on Basilan since the July 10 ambush incident that left 14 Marines dead, 10 of whom were beheaded. Troops, tanks and helicopters were rushing to the area.
Unconfirmed report said an MG520 attack helicopter, providing cover for engaging troops, was shot down killing one pilot. It said the second pilot was rescued.
As of this writing, the military is still blank on whether the helicopter was hit with enemy fire or not.
More than 12,000 soldiers are in Basilan and Sulu hunting down Abu Sayyaf and moro rebels blamed for beheading and attacks on the government security forces.
The MILF, which signed a ceasefire with the Philippine government three years ago, admitted that their forces ambushed marines and killed more than 20 but denied beheading and mutilating soldiers.
In Sulu, troops continue searching for hundreds of Abu Sayyaf gunmen and insurgents blamed for the killing of dozens of soldiers in the Muslim dominated island province.
WesMinCom military officials said pursuit operations are going on, forcing the terrorists to split into smaller groups.
Last week, Army troops clashed with combined forces of Gumbahali Jumdail and Indonesian Jemaah Islamiya militants Dulmatin and Umar Patek.
The Indon terrorists, tagged as behind the 2002 Bali bombings that killed more than 200 people, and Jumdail, also known as Dr. Abu, were reported to have been wounded in the most recent fighting in Sulu.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Independent Press Zamboanga to hold 1st induction program in September 2
The newly-formed Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ) will hold its first induction ceremony on September 2, 2007 at A Taste of Asia (Atoa) Restaurant along Veterans Avenue in Tumaga at 6:00 p.m. with Commission on Human Rights Regional Director for Western Mindanao, lawyer Manuel Mamaoag, as its inducting officer and keynote speaker.
With the theme "The Role of the Press in Upholding Human Rights, Press Freedom and Democracy," the event includes IPZ rationale from its founding father, historical note from the secretary general, reading of the Journalists Code of Ethics, and signing of the IPZ Covenant.
It will also feature doxology from ZCHS main student representatives, national anthem from WMSU selected students, cultural presentation from Kabuhi Mindanao, acknowledgement of guests, welcome remarks, presentation of IPZ officers and members, oath-taking of officers, introduction of the inducting officer, keynote speech, inaugural speech of IPZ president, special number, closing remarks, dinner and fellowship.
During the meeting last August 13, officers and members chose unanimously lawyer Mamaoag to be the inducting officer and keynote speaker in recognition for his fearless advocacy and protection of human rights and press freedom in general.
IPZ maiden officers are: president -- Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat, Zamboanga Today columnist; internal vice president – Bernie F. Concepcion, DXMR-Radyo ng Bayan reporter; external vice president -- Hader Glang, Zamboanga Today reporter; secretary general – Mohammadnur Ajihil, freelance columnist; treasurer -- Henry Salac, editor-in-chief of Zamboanga Weekly Contact; auditor -- Ely Dumaboc, Net 25 and Eagle Broadcasting reporter. Directors are: radio – Mon Venegas, Radio Mindanao Network (RMN); print – Gertrudes Sienes, Mindanao Chronicle; television – Mark Natividad, ABS-CBN; R/D & New Media – Rey Banagudos, Business World; information officer – Ric Detuyato, freelance; documentation -- Rikkie Lim, freelance; domestic relations – Tony PE. Remando, Manila Bulletin; international relations – Roy Albretch, DXMR-Radyo ng Bayan; environment, infrastructure, agriculture & fisheries – Engr. Ramon Saavedra, Zamboanga Star; and liaison officer – John Magno, freelance.
Ajihil, also the organization spokesman, disclosed that a prominent US Embassy official and some businessmen from Malaysia, Singapore and London, as well as national media personalities, have been invited for the IPZ’s first induction program.
Commenting to speculations and innuendos by some quarters hurled against the IPZ, he said the officers and members decided to collectively ignore the criticisms.
"The IPZ will only entertain criticisms that are publicly leveled against us, otherwise it is just hearsays. Our organization exists and pursues its objectives as articulated in its constitution and by laws," he explained.
“The IPZ was not formed to malign and defame any public officials, but would engage anyone in a rational discussion on issues affecting the public interests and the welfare and security of all its members, including other members of the Forth Estate,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mangubat reiterated that the IPZ welcomes any independent-minded media practitioners and writers in the city who wishes to join and participate in the purpose of the organization.
“We are open to anyone, provided he or she is known for his independence of mind, objectivity, truthfulness, and unblemished integrity as a media practitioner and writer,” he said. (IPZ PRESS RELEASE)
With the theme "The Role of the Press in Upholding Human Rights, Press Freedom and Democracy," the event includes IPZ rationale from its founding father, historical note from the secretary general, reading of the Journalists Code of Ethics, and signing of the IPZ Covenant.
It will also feature doxology from ZCHS main student representatives, national anthem from WMSU selected students, cultural presentation from Kabuhi Mindanao, acknowledgement of guests, welcome remarks, presentation of IPZ officers and members, oath-taking of officers, introduction of the inducting officer, keynote speech, inaugural speech of IPZ president, special number, closing remarks, dinner and fellowship.
During the meeting last August 13, officers and members chose unanimously lawyer Mamaoag to be the inducting officer and keynote speaker in recognition for his fearless advocacy and protection of human rights and press freedom in general.
IPZ maiden officers are: president -- Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat, Zamboanga Today columnist; internal vice president – Bernie F. Concepcion, DXMR-Radyo ng Bayan reporter; external vice president -- Hader Glang, Zamboanga Today reporter; secretary general – Mohammadnur Ajihil, freelance columnist; treasurer -- Henry Salac, editor-in-chief of Zamboanga Weekly Contact; auditor -- Ely Dumaboc, Net 25 and Eagle Broadcasting reporter. Directors are: radio – Mon Venegas, Radio Mindanao Network (RMN); print – Gertrudes Sienes, Mindanao Chronicle; television – Mark Natividad, ABS-CBN; R/D & New Media – Rey Banagudos, Business World; information officer – Ric Detuyato, freelance; documentation -- Rikkie Lim, freelance; domestic relations – Tony PE. Remando, Manila Bulletin; international relations – Roy Albretch, DXMR-Radyo ng Bayan; environment, infrastructure, agriculture & fisheries – Engr. Ramon Saavedra, Zamboanga Star; and liaison officer – John Magno, freelance.
Ajihil, also the organization spokesman, disclosed that a prominent US Embassy official and some businessmen from Malaysia, Singapore and London, as well as national media personalities, have been invited for the IPZ’s first induction program.
Commenting to speculations and innuendos by some quarters hurled against the IPZ, he said the officers and members decided to collectively ignore the criticisms.
"The IPZ will only entertain criticisms that are publicly leveled against us, otherwise it is just hearsays. Our organization exists and pursues its objectives as articulated in its constitution and by laws," he explained.
“The IPZ was not formed to malign and defame any public officials, but would engage anyone in a rational discussion on issues affecting the public interests and the welfare and security of all its members, including other members of the Forth Estate,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mangubat reiterated that the IPZ welcomes any independent-minded media practitioners and writers in the city who wishes to join and participate in the purpose of the organization.
“We are open to anyone, provided he or she is known for his independence of mind, objectivity, truthfulness, and unblemished integrity as a media practitioner and writer,” he said. (IPZ PRESS RELEASE)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
English Handbook off the press
Veteran Journalist Felino M. Santos has released the third of his series of books on the technique of teaching reading in English.
Titled, "Read English the Easy Way Handbook," the fully illustrated 188- page book, uses simple and clear illustrations to facilitate understanding of the printed page and "mastery of the printed word."
Pattered after his earlier, Reading Made Easy Manual (1999) and a revised edition of the Manual (2003)., the handbook is anchored on the copyrighted "Start with 7 & and End with All" concept.
A public school teacher himself for 12 years before he started a career in Journalism some 30 years ago, he said the concept is simply the use of only seven selected letters of the alphabet to start the reading lessons.
The other letters of the alphabet are gradually introduced in the pages of the handbook. The introduction of the letters are not as they appear in the alphabet since some letters like b, d, p and q, m, w, n and u confuse the reader if introduced one after the other. The last letter of the alphabet "z" is introduced on page or lesson 135.
By that time, the beginning reader could have mastered hundreds of words , including the Dolch Basic Sight Words, an international standard for learning to read in English.
Unlike other English textbooks, where the greater portion of the material can be read only by the teacher, all the words introduced in the handbook are for reading mastery and within the capability level of the child.
The handbook has been in the making for the last ten years and the author said this could be the ultimate handbook for mastery of the printed word.
Details of the book are available at its website http://freewebs.com/readenglisheasyhandbook (PRESS RELEASE)
Titled, "Read English the Easy Way Handbook," the fully illustrated 188- page book, uses simple and clear illustrations to facilitate understanding of the printed page and "mastery of the printed word."
Pattered after his earlier, Reading Made Easy Manual (1999) and a revised edition of the Manual (2003)., the handbook is anchored on the copyrighted "Start with 7 & and End with All" concept.
A public school teacher himself for 12 years before he started a career in Journalism some 30 years ago, he said the concept is simply the use of only seven selected letters of the alphabet to start the reading lessons.
The other letters of the alphabet are gradually introduced in the pages of the handbook. The introduction of the letters are not as they appear in the alphabet since some letters like b, d, p and q, m, w, n and u confuse the reader if introduced one after the other. The last letter of the alphabet "z" is introduced on page or lesson 135.
By that time, the beginning reader could have mastered hundreds of words , including the Dolch Basic Sight Words, an international standard for learning to read in English.
Unlike other English textbooks, where the greater portion of the material can be read only by the teacher, all the words introduced in the handbook are for reading mastery and within the capability level of the child.
The handbook has been in the making for the last ten years and the author said this could be the ultimate handbook for mastery of the printed word.
Details of the book are available at its website http://freewebs.com/readenglisheasyhandbook (PRESS RELEASE)
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Military steps up offensive vs. Abu Sayyaf as int'l women mission calls for peace
Military and defense officials have intensified operations against the Abu Sayyaf terror group and its allies in Sulu and Basilan despite the call for suspension of offensive from the international women’s peace mission.
The International Women’s Peace and Solidarity Mission to Basilan and Mindanao asked for asked for cessation of hostilities in the south. Their call aims to help avert further the violence and de-escalate the tension in the troubled region.
There will be no let up in the pursuit operations for terrorists and their allies until they are neutralized, Army General Hermogenes Esperon, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told reporters in Zamboanga City on Sunday.
Esperon flew to Sulu and Basilan with Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro, Jr. and several military generals to inspect troops, battling the Abu Sayyaf group and its allies blamed for spate of killing of soldiers.
“I think everybody agrees with that whether there is war or none, it is important that we bring development to conflict areas,” the AFP chief said. “The operation is on-going.”
Teodoro, who assumed his post on Wednesday as the new chief czar replacing National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, told reporters that they have strengthened the dialogue process between local officials and military field commanders.
According to the secretary, both their offices with the military are being used to continue the dialogue, but there shall be no let up in the operations. “You have to have security and peace and order as a stable platform for development.”
The women leaders and representatives of the women from the Asia-Pacific region expressed their solidarity to the people of Basilan as the island-province is facing the biggest challenge to their collective community life especially to their peace and security condition.
They called on the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to immediately resume the stalled peace talks as the first significant step in resolving the Basilan crisis. They asked the political personalities in the island-province to help avert renewed outbreak of hostilities.
Fully aware of the need for the rule of law especially in crisis such as in Basilan, they also called on the authorities in the judiciary to exercise prudence in producing the list of suspects to be arrested in order to be brought to the bar of justice.
“As much as the people want to know the truth, we earnestly appeal to the media to help in averting the war and ease the tension by truth-telling, not just news telling. Instead of painting the images of war, the media community must help project what the people are doing in order to address the conflict situation.”
Cognizant of their role in helping alleviate the situation in Basilan, they committed to spread to their respective countries the real situation and its attendant issues on the ground, as they commended the NGOs in the island province led by women who are very visible in all peace-building initiatives.
“That as we conclude the Mission, we continue to hope that conflict will not escalate so that displaced people can return to their homes, pick up the pieces and resume their normal lives. We reiterate our unswerving commitment to the belief that in the face of raging armed conflicts, peace remains the braver option.”
But the grieving families of fallen soldiers met the call for the suspension of military offensives with mixed emotions.
Mutya Valdez, two-month old mother widowed by Private First Class Jeramil Valdez, who was killed in the ambush by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, said she really feels sad and grieves over the death of her husband.
“Paano na lang kami at kanyang mga anak…sinasabi niya sa amin, hindi kami iiwan…Mahal na mahal niya kami (what will happen to us and his children…He told us he will not leave us and that he loved us so much),” the widow said.
Numera Abato, poster parent of Pfc. Emerson Dumaual, who was also killed by suspected Abu Sayyaf in Sulu clash, said:”Giyera na iyan. Tama na…Wala silang mapapala (That is war. That’s enough. They wont gain anything).”
Mrs. Abato blamed her son’s death on his superior in the military, saying that it won’t happen to the latter if he was not ordered to go the operation. She said that Emerson had earlier wanted to quit from the military service and planned to work abroad.
At least 27 soldiers and 32 combined Abu Sayyaf-MNLF fighters had died and dozens of others wounded in this month’s fighting in Sulu, two months after the June 10 incident in Al Barka, Basilan, where 14 marines were killed, ten of them beheaded.
The two separate incidents forced thousands of families, mostly children, women and elderly in the two Muslim-dominated provinces, to flee their homes.
The International Women’s Peace and Solidarity Mission to Basilan and Mindanao asked for asked for cessation of hostilities in the south. Their call aims to help avert further the violence and de-escalate the tension in the troubled region.
There will be no let up in the pursuit operations for terrorists and their allies until they are neutralized, Army General Hermogenes Esperon, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told reporters in Zamboanga City on Sunday.
Esperon flew to Sulu and Basilan with Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro, Jr. and several military generals to inspect troops, battling the Abu Sayyaf group and its allies blamed for spate of killing of soldiers.
“I think everybody agrees with that whether there is war or none, it is important that we bring development to conflict areas,” the AFP chief said. “The operation is on-going.”
Teodoro, who assumed his post on Wednesday as the new chief czar replacing National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, told reporters that they have strengthened the dialogue process between local officials and military field commanders.
According to the secretary, both their offices with the military are being used to continue the dialogue, but there shall be no let up in the operations. “You have to have security and peace and order as a stable platform for development.”
The women leaders and representatives of the women from the Asia-Pacific region expressed their solidarity to the people of Basilan as the island-province is facing the biggest challenge to their collective community life especially to their peace and security condition.
They called on the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to immediately resume the stalled peace talks as the first significant step in resolving the Basilan crisis. They asked the political personalities in the island-province to help avert renewed outbreak of hostilities.
Fully aware of the need for the rule of law especially in crisis such as in Basilan, they also called on the authorities in the judiciary to exercise prudence in producing the list of suspects to be arrested in order to be brought to the bar of justice.
“As much as the people want to know the truth, we earnestly appeal to the media to help in averting the war and ease the tension by truth-telling, not just news telling. Instead of painting the images of war, the media community must help project what the people are doing in order to address the conflict situation.”
Cognizant of their role in helping alleviate the situation in Basilan, they committed to spread to their respective countries the real situation and its attendant issues on the ground, as they commended the NGOs in the island province led by women who are very visible in all peace-building initiatives.
“That as we conclude the Mission, we continue to hope that conflict will not escalate so that displaced people can return to their homes, pick up the pieces and resume their normal lives. We reiterate our unswerving commitment to the belief that in the face of raging armed conflicts, peace remains the braver option.”
But the grieving families of fallen soldiers met the call for the suspension of military offensives with mixed emotions.
Mutya Valdez, two-month old mother widowed by Private First Class Jeramil Valdez, who was killed in the ambush by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, said she really feels sad and grieves over the death of her husband.
“Paano na lang kami at kanyang mga anak…sinasabi niya sa amin, hindi kami iiwan…Mahal na mahal niya kami (what will happen to us and his children…He told us he will not leave us and that he loved us so much),” the widow said.
Numera Abato, poster parent of Pfc. Emerson Dumaual, who was also killed by suspected Abu Sayyaf in Sulu clash, said:”Giyera na iyan. Tama na…Wala silang mapapala (That is war. That’s enough. They wont gain anything).”
Mrs. Abato blamed her son’s death on his superior in the military, saying that it won’t happen to the latter if he was not ordered to go the operation. She said that Emerson had earlier wanted to quit from the military service and planned to work abroad.
At least 27 soldiers and 32 combined Abu Sayyaf-MNLF fighters had died and dozens of others wounded in this month’s fighting in Sulu, two months after the June 10 incident in Al Barka, Basilan, where 14 marines were killed, ten of them beheaded.
The two separate incidents forced thousands of families, mostly children, women and elderly in the two Muslim-dominated provinces, to flee their homes.
Monday, August 13, 2007
From job seekers to employers: DOST-ARMM promotes entrepreneurship among youths
It has been the common practice among Filipinos to finish school to be able to secure employment. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), however, wants to do away with this perspective by enabling Filipino youths become employer themselves by starting their own enterprise.
The DOST-Academe Technology-based Enterprise Development (DATBED) Program “aims to develop entrepreneurial competencies among students, young professionals including out of school youths in selected academic institutions and non-government organizations while at the same time creating income generating projects for the involved institutions.”
DOST will provide funds to support the development of potential projects that can be expanded into an enterprise.
Dr. Estrella Alabastro, DOST Secretary, cited a thriving cultured-crab business that was developed by then students under a DATBED supported institution. “After graduating, the students that were involved did no longer need to seek employment, they already have a business to run,” she said.
In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the program will be initially introduced in the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi City.
DOST-ARMM is banking on the potential of the region’s youths to improve socio-economic condition in the region. The department will assist college students turn their fresh and innovative ideas into a profitable enterprise.
“I hope that thru this new program we will be able to encourage further economic activities in the region. We should like to see more small and medium enterprise in ARMM,” said DOST-ARMM Regional Secretary Macacuna Pangandaman.
DATBED was officially launched during the regional celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in Marawi City last August 10, 2007.
Sec. Albastro was truly impressed with the warm and colorful celebration prepared by the regional science and technology office. “This is the most awesome celebration I’ve witnessed,” she said.
DATBED is intended to further stimulate entrepreneurship in the ARMM considering that the region has considerably lesser enterprise in comparison to most of the other regions in the country.
Small and medium enterprises are main drivers of a vibrant and thriving economy.
“We acknowledge for a fact that the use of and advances in science and technology can transform ARMM into an economically vibrant and competitive region. The regional government is relentless in making this happen the soonest possible – increase in agricultural production, the introduction of ingenious business opportunities as well as progress in terms of addressing the region’s existing problems on health and other emerging threats,” said ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan. (BPI-ARMM)
The DOST-Academe Technology-based Enterprise Development (DATBED) Program “aims to develop entrepreneurial competencies among students, young professionals including out of school youths in selected academic institutions and non-government organizations while at the same time creating income generating projects for the involved institutions.”
DOST will provide funds to support the development of potential projects that can be expanded into an enterprise.
Dr. Estrella Alabastro, DOST Secretary, cited a thriving cultured-crab business that was developed by then students under a DATBED supported institution. “After graduating, the students that were involved did no longer need to seek employment, they already have a business to run,” she said.
In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the program will be initially introduced in the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi City.
DOST-ARMM is banking on the potential of the region’s youths to improve socio-economic condition in the region. The department will assist college students turn their fresh and innovative ideas into a profitable enterprise.
“I hope that thru this new program we will be able to encourage further economic activities in the region. We should like to see more small and medium enterprise in ARMM,” said DOST-ARMM Regional Secretary Macacuna Pangandaman.
DATBED was officially launched during the regional celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in Marawi City last August 10, 2007.
Sec. Albastro was truly impressed with the warm and colorful celebration prepared by the regional science and technology office. “This is the most awesome celebration I’ve witnessed,” she said.
DATBED is intended to further stimulate entrepreneurship in the ARMM considering that the region has considerably lesser enterprise in comparison to most of the other regions in the country.
Small and medium enterprises are main drivers of a vibrant and thriving economy.
“We acknowledge for a fact that the use of and advances in science and technology can transform ARMM into an economically vibrant and competitive region. The regional government is relentless in making this happen the soonest possible – increase in agricultural production, the introduction of ingenious business opportunities as well as progress in terms of addressing the region’s existing problems on health and other emerging threats,” said ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan. (BPI-ARMM)
Friday, August 10, 2007
Sulu fighting death toll rises to 57
Casualties of war in Sulu. Killed and wounded soldiers from the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion who were taken to the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao (WesMinCom) headquarters in Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City.
The number of soldiers and combined Abu Sayyaf-Moro National Liberation Front militants killed in clashes in Sulu provincie has risen to 57 and 17 others wounded, military officials said on Friday.
Information gathered from the field revealed that the fighting Friday left 15 soldiers dead and 10 others wounded. At least 27 were reportedly killed on the side of combined Abu Sayyaf-MNLF militants.
Since the fighting erupted in Sulu, military sources that 26 Army troops from the 33rd Army's Infantry Battalion and 31 rebels had been killed in a series of clashes in the restive region.
The fighting started on Tuesday when two members of the Philippine Marines were wounded in a firefight with gunmen near Mount Tubora in Indanan town.
On Wednesday early morning, troops from the 33rd IB clashed with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits near the hinterland village of Upper Sampunay in Parang town. One soldier was killed and five other troops wounded.
The slain soldiers from the same Army unit were onboard a military truck on an administrative assignment when they were ambushed by the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron alias Commander Putol.
The military said the ambushers were rogue members of the MNLF, a Moro rebel group which signed a peace agreement with Philippine government in September 1996.
Five of the 57 slain soldiers in Sulu, mostly former MNLF rebels who were integrated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), were accorded military honors at Western Mindanao Command headquartes.
Meanwhile, more than 4,000 people in Sulu have fled their homes since fighting started, the Department of Social Work and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) said.
DSWD-ARMM Secretary Bai Racma Imam said the number of evacuees may increase as tension in the different towns heightens.
It was learned the evacuees included 775 families from the towns of Parang and Indanan, respectively. Local officials asked national government for relief assistance including foods and medicines.
Casualties of war in Sulu. Killed and wounded soldiers from the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion who were taken to the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao (WesMinCom) headquarters in Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City.The number of soldiers and combined Abu Sayyaf-Moro National Liberation Front militants killed in clashes in Sulu provincie has risen to 57 and 17 others wounded, military officials said on Friday.
Information gathered from the field revealed that the fighting Friday left 15 soldiers dead and 10 others wounded. At least 27 were reportedly killed on the side of combined Abu Sayyaf-MNLF militants.
Since the fighting erupted in Sulu, military sources that 26 Army troops from the 33rd Army's Infantry Battalion and 31 rebels had been killed in a series of clashes in the restive region.
The fighting started on Tuesday when two members of the Philippine Marines were wounded in a firefight with gunmen near Mount Tubora in Indanan town.
On Wednesday early morning, troops from the 33rd IB clashed with suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits near the hinterland village of Upper Sampunay in Parang town. One soldier was killed and five other troops wounded.
The slain soldiers from the same Army unit were onboard a military truck on an administrative assignment when they were ambushed by the group of Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron alias Commander Putol.
The military said the ambushers were rogue members of the MNLF, a Moro rebel group which signed a peace agreement with Philippine government in September 1996.
Five of the 57 slain soldiers in Sulu, mostly former MNLF rebels who were integrated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), were accorded military honors at Western Mindanao Command headquartes.
Meanwhile, more than 4,000 people in Sulu have fled their homes since fighting started, the Department of Social Work and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DSWD-ARMM) said.
DSWD-ARMM Secretary Bai Racma Imam said the number of evacuees may increase as tension in the different towns heightens.
It was learned the evacuees included 775 families from the towns of Parang and Indanan, respectively. Local officials asked national government for relief assistance including foods and medicines.
Women international peace advocates go to Basilan
Organizers and members of the International Women's Peace and Solidarity Mission To Basilan and Mindanao arrive Friday morning, August 10, 2007, at the Zamboanga City International Airport.
The peace mission team will stay in Basilan province from August 10-14.
The visit dubbed as the "International Women's Peace Mission to Basilan", is aimed at checking the well being of women and children in the province who are affected by the on and off conflict between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The mission also aims to prevent further escalation of the conflict in the province.
The mission's organizers are members of the South Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict and the Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition.
The mission is composed of a 12-member team coming from the countries of East Temor, Thailand, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
While in Basilan, the women's group will hold a dialogue with their local counterparts in the local government units and interview some military top officials.
The team will also conduct a forum with representatives of Peace Advocates Zamboanga, Inter-religious Solidarity for Peace Movement and different government agencies on Aug. 10 at the Magbasa Kita Foundation building along R.T Lim Boulevard.
The group described the peace mission as a concrete expression of their women's assertion of their rights to live with dignity in a peaceful environment, with their sense of security intact by showing that women are against all forms of violence and war and that they a very important role in resolving conflicts.
The group stressed the peace mission in Basilan is in line with the United Nation Security Council Resolution no. 1325 on women, peace and security. It is expected the group will release an official statement after their visit in Basilan.
Press Release
The Southeast Asia Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict(GPPAC-SEA) and the Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) is organizing an international peace mission as a quick-response initiative to the critical peace and security conditions prevailing in Basilan.
The Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), an international solidarity organization based in Davao City, is the secretariat of both the GPPAC-SEA and APSOC.
Scheduled for four days, August 10-13, the international peace mission will be conducted in collaboration with the Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW), the umbrella organization of nine peace networks all over Mindanao.
Basilan grabbed international attention again when some 14 Marines of the Philippine military were killed in an encounter with the forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), 10 of them were beheaded and mutilated, last July 10.
The MILF admitted the killing of the Marines in what it claimed as "a legitimate encounter" but denied the beheading and mutilation of the slain soldiers. The government maintained that the Marines who were on patrol in search for the kidnapped Italian missionary Fr. Giancarlo Bossi and his abductors were "ambushed" by the combined forces of MILF and the notorious Abu Sayyaf.
After the MILF refused to surrender those responsible of the deaths of the 14 Marines, the government gave the go-signal to the military to launch "punitive actions" against the Moro rebels suspected to the killings and subsequent "barbaric acts."
Peace advocates throughout Mindanao and the international community urged government to suspend the military offensives to give way to an international fact-finding body to determine what really happened.
In a command conference held in Zamboanga City last July 27, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the suspension of the military offensives in Basilan for three days in order to give the joint government and MILF team enough time to conduct investigations in Basilan.
As the clouds of war become imminent, the people of Basilan are worried about their situation. Reports coming from the Bantay Ceasefire, a grassroots ceasefire monitor, indicated that around 7,000 persons are now being displaced due to the uncertain peace and security situation in Basilan.
As a rapid response mechanism, according to Solidarity and Networking Program Coordinator Memen Lauzon-Gatmaytan of IID, the women peace mission is an expression of solidarity to the Basilenos and hopefully helps avert the looming war in the island-province.
The mission will be led by women peace advocates and women members of civil society organizations in the Asia-Pacific region to highlight the important contribution women play in the resolution and prevention of violent conflicts and emphasize the solidarity of women to fellow women and children victims of the current violence in Basilan.
Lauzon-Gatmaytan pointed out that it is a given fact that women and children are the most vulnerable sector in conflict situations. Data have shown that countless women and children all over the world suffer the trauma of war. For the most part they are civilians caught in the crossfire and are eventually left alone to care for the needs of the family and the community.
It is in this context that the Women's Peace Mission to Basilan is being conceived for women to insist that war or any armed conflict and violence is most damaging to them, Lauzon-Gatmaytan explained, adding that "the all-women peace mission is a concrete expression of the women's assertion of their right to live with dignity in a peaceful environment, with their sense of security intact."
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security that reaffirms "the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building.
The Resolution stresses the importance of women's equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution."
As studies have shown, in all conflict situations women have demonstrated astonishing resourcefulness and resilience in coping with the difficulties. They have shown remarkable strength in adversity and ingenuity in such situations.
Obviously, war had changed the status of women, whether within the family or in the community, as the situation obliges them to take on different functions and play different roles.
Therefore, it is important for women to act in solidarity with other women who are in conflict situation, Lauzon-Gatmaytan concluded.
Organizers and members of the International Women's Peace and Solidarity Mission To Basilan and Mindanao arrive Friday morning, August 10, 2007, at the Zamboanga City International Airport.A peace group, called an International Women's Peace Mission, arrived in Zamboanga City Friday to personally see the prevailing peace and security situation in Basilan, one of the five provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) affected by conflict.
The peace mission team will stay in Basilan province from August 10-14.
The visit dubbed as the "International Women's Peace Mission to Basilan", is aimed at checking the well being of women and children in the province who are affected by the on and off conflict between the military and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The mission also aims to prevent further escalation of the conflict in the province.
The mission's organizers are members of the South Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict and the Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition.
The mission is composed of a 12-member team coming from the countries of East Temor, Thailand, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
While in Basilan, the women's group will hold a dialogue with their local counterparts in the local government units and interview some military top officials.
The team will also conduct a forum with representatives of Peace Advocates Zamboanga, Inter-religious Solidarity for Peace Movement and different government agencies on Aug. 10 at the Magbasa Kita Foundation building along R.T Lim Boulevard.
The group described the peace mission as a concrete expression of their women's assertion of their rights to live with dignity in a peaceful environment, with their sense of security intact by showing that women are against all forms of violence and war and that they a very important role in resolving conflicts.
The group stressed the peace mission in Basilan is in line with the United Nation Security Council Resolution no. 1325 on women, peace and security. It is expected the group will release an official statement after their visit in Basilan.
Press Release
The Southeast Asia Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict(GPPAC-SEA) and the Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) is organizing an international peace mission as a quick-response initiative to the critical peace and security conditions prevailing in Basilan.
The Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), an international solidarity organization based in Davao City, is the secretariat of both the GPPAC-SEA and APSOC.
Scheduled for four days, August 10-13, the international peace mission will be conducted in collaboration with the Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW), the umbrella organization of nine peace networks all over Mindanao.
Basilan grabbed international attention again when some 14 Marines of the Philippine military were killed in an encounter with the forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), 10 of them were beheaded and mutilated, last July 10.
The MILF admitted the killing of the Marines in what it claimed as "a legitimate encounter" but denied the beheading and mutilation of the slain soldiers. The government maintained that the Marines who were on patrol in search for the kidnapped Italian missionary Fr. Giancarlo Bossi and his abductors were "ambushed" by the combined forces of MILF and the notorious Abu Sayyaf.
After the MILF refused to surrender those responsible of the deaths of the 14 Marines, the government gave the go-signal to the military to launch "punitive actions" against the Moro rebels suspected to the killings and subsequent "barbaric acts."
Peace advocates throughout Mindanao and the international community urged government to suspend the military offensives to give way to an international fact-finding body to determine what really happened.
In a command conference held in Zamboanga City last July 27, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the suspension of the military offensives in Basilan for three days in order to give the joint government and MILF team enough time to conduct investigations in Basilan.
As the clouds of war become imminent, the people of Basilan are worried about their situation. Reports coming from the Bantay Ceasefire, a grassroots ceasefire monitor, indicated that around 7,000 persons are now being displaced due to the uncertain peace and security situation in Basilan.
As a rapid response mechanism, according to Solidarity and Networking Program Coordinator Memen Lauzon-Gatmaytan of IID, the women peace mission is an expression of solidarity to the Basilenos and hopefully helps avert the looming war in the island-province.
The mission will be led by women peace advocates and women members of civil society organizations in the Asia-Pacific region to highlight the important contribution women play in the resolution and prevention of violent conflicts and emphasize the solidarity of women to fellow women and children victims of the current violence in Basilan.
Lauzon-Gatmaytan pointed out that it is a given fact that women and children are the most vulnerable sector in conflict situations. Data have shown that countless women and children all over the world suffer the trauma of war. For the most part they are civilians caught in the crossfire and are eventually left alone to care for the needs of the family and the community.
It is in this context that the Women's Peace Mission to Basilan is being conceived for women to insist that war or any armed conflict and violence is most damaging to them, Lauzon-Gatmaytan explained, adding that "the all-women peace mission is a concrete expression of the women's assertion of their right to live with dignity in a peaceful environment, with their sense of security intact."
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security that reaffirms "the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building.
The Resolution stresses the importance of women's equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution."
As studies have shown, in all conflict situations women have demonstrated astonishing resourcefulness and resilience in coping with the difficulties. They have shown remarkable strength in adversity and ingenuity in such situations.
Obviously, war had changed the status of women, whether within the family or in the community, as the situation obliges them to take on different functions and play different roles.
Therefore, it is important for women to act in solidarity with other women who are in conflict situation, Lauzon-Gatmaytan concluded.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
9 soldiers killed, 2 more wounded in Sulu attack by Abu Sayyaf
Anti-terror drill. Police and military security forces led by members of the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) conduct a bomb detection exercise on Wednesday at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Upper Calarian.
Anti-terror drill. Police and military security forces led by members of the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) conduct a bomb detection exercise on Wednesday at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Upper Calarian.Suspected Al-Qaida-linked terror group ambushed members of the Philippine Army in Sulu on Thursday, killing at least nine soldiers and wounding two others.
Undetermined number of fully armed men of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) attacked soldiers from the 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) on board a 6x6 military truck in crossing Maimbung town at around 7:45 a.m.
According to military sources, soldiers were on their way to the market when the bandits ambushed them.
The attack happened a day after an encounter between government troops and Abu Sayyaf bandits at Upper Sampunay in Parang town on Wednesday.
An Army soldier, three bandits were killed while five other soldiers were wounded in that incident.
Military sources believe Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron alias Kumander Putol, who escaped shortly after the ambush, led the attackers.
Aside from the Abu Sayyaf members, renegade members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were reportedly involved in the attack.
Army Lieutenant General Eugenio Cedo, chief of the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, immediately launched an aggressive pursuit operation against the attackers.
Last Thursday's ambush on soldiers in Sulu was said to be the military's third major set-back since the July 10 incident in Al Barka, Basilan, where 14 marines were killed, 10 of them beheaded.
Thousands of troops were deployed to Basilan and Sulu to hunt down Moro rebels blamed for beheading soldiers, and Abu Sayyaf gunmen, which the military said have links with the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants.
Undetermined number of fully armed men of the Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) attacked soldiers from the 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB) on board a 6x6 military truck in crossing Maimbung town at around 7:45 a.m.
According to military sources, soldiers were on their way to the market when the bandits ambushed them.
The attack happened a day after an encounter between government troops and Abu Sayyaf bandits at Upper Sampunay in Parang town on Wednesday.
An Army soldier, three bandits were killed while five other soldiers were wounded in that incident.
Military sources believe Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader Radullan Sahiron alias Kumander Putol, who escaped shortly after the ambush, led the attackers.
Aside from the Abu Sayyaf members, renegade members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were reportedly involved in the attack.
Army Lieutenant General Eugenio Cedo, chief of the Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command, immediately launched an aggressive pursuit operation against the attackers.
Last Thursday's ambush on soldiers in Sulu was said to be the military's third major set-back since the July 10 incident in Al Barka, Basilan, where 14 marines were killed, 10 of them beheaded.
Thousands of troops were deployed to Basilan and Sulu to hunt down Moro rebels blamed for beheading soldiers, and Abu Sayyaf gunmen, which the military said have links with the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants.
PGMA Arroyo medical mission arrives in Basilan
Members of medical mission team deployed by President Arroyo from Manila to Basilan embark on a Navy seacraft Wednesday at Majini pier, Western Mindanao Naval Forces South in Camp Navarro, Upper Calarian.
A 22-member medical team from Manila arrived at the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) and proceeded to Basilan Wednesday as part of government’s medical mission who will attend to the needs of the folks in the troubled island province.
The team, which includes three military doctors and 19 personnel, will conduct free clinics in Tipo-Tipo, where the fresh fighting between marines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels occurred, as well as in Al Barka town and cities of Lamitan and Isabela.
It was learned from a military official at the WesMinCom headquarters, the medical team is headed by Captain Jeffrey Pisaro, a physician of the Philippine Marines, and his comrade Lt. Col. Marjorie Filoteo.
Some of the team members, who arrived Tuesday night at majini pier on board a Navy ship, are doctors assigned from V. Luna Medical Center. They were deployed to Mindanao after the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) drew up contingency plans for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region.
The arrival of the doctors marks the start of government’s medical mission in Basilan, where 12,000 residents have fled their homes, fearing an escalation of violence as the military amassed thousands of troops in the Muslim dominated province.
President Arroyo had ordered earlier the deployment of doctors to Basilan amid pending war between government forces and MILF rebels, blamed for beheadings of 10 members of the Philippine Marines in the hinterland village of Al Barka town.
She warned lawless groups that would harm members of the medical mission bound for Basilan will suffer dire consequences.
Meanwhile, government troops and Abu Sayyaf group clashed on Wednesday morning in Sulu, leaving three bandits, one soldier dead and wounding five others.
A report reaching Zamboanga Southwall said the latest fighting occurred in the hinterland village of Lanao Dakula in Parang town after Army soldiers attacked an Abu Sayyaf lair.
The report disclosed troops clashed with about 70 heavily armed men led by Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron. It said the encounter sent a thousand villagers to flee their homes.
A 22-member medical team from Manila arrived at the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) and proceeded to Basilan Wednesday as part of government’s medical mission who will attend to the needs of the folks in the troubled island province.
The team, which includes three military doctors and 19 personnel, will conduct free clinics in Tipo-Tipo, where the fresh fighting between marines and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels occurred, as well as in Al Barka town and cities of Lamitan and Isabela.
It was learned from a military official at the WesMinCom headquarters, the medical team is headed by Captain Jeffrey Pisaro, a physician of the Philippine Marines, and his comrade Lt. Col. Marjorie Filoteo.
Some of the team members, who arrived Tuesday night at majini pier on board a Navy ship, are doctors assigned from V. Luna Medical Center. They were deployed to Mindanao after the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) drew up contingency plans for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region.
The arrival of the doctors marks the start of government’s medical mission in Basilan, where 12,000 residents have fled their homes, fearing an escalation of violence as the military amassed thousands of troops in the Muslim dominated province.
President Arroyo had ordered earlier the deployment of doctors to Basilan amid pending war between government forces and MILF rebels, blamed for beheadings of 10 members of the Philippine Marines in the hinterland village of Al Barka town.
She warned lawless groups that would harm members of the medical mission bound for Basilan will suffer dire consequences.
Meanwhile, government troops and Abu Sayyaf group clashed on Wednesday morning in Sulu, leaving three bandits, one soldier dead and wounding five others.
A report reaching Zamboanga Southwall said the latest fighting occurred in the hinterland village of Lanao Dakula in Parang town after Army soldiers attacked an Abu Sayyaf lair.
The report disclosed troops clashed with about 70 heavily armed men led by Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf leader Radulan Sahiron. It said the encounter sent a thousand villagers to flee their homes.
Tension grips anew in Basilan forcing 3,000 villagers to flee
Tension again gripped the Province of Basilan as fresh fighting between government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels erupted in Ungkaya Pukan town on Monday.
Unconfirmed reports said more than 3,000 villagers from Barangay Sungkayot started vacating their homes when marines-backed government militiamen clashed with heavily armed men.
It said suspected MILF and Abu Sayyaf group members allegedly opened fire at the government forces, triggering a 15-minute gunbattle.
Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon told media in Manila that there was no direct fighting with the rebels. He said it was an incident of harassment.
"There was an M-203 round that was fired at our forward position and so our troops had to respond but after that, the would-be harrassers disengaged," he said.
But sources from MILF disclosed that more than 40 rounds of 105mm howitzers and 80mm mortars shook a Moro village in Basilan as marines backed police in serving the warrant of arrest to ten Abu Sayyaf militants.
A report posted at Luwaran.com website said the powerful pounding followed a late Monday afternoon clash between Marines and still unidentified armed group in Barangay Sungkayot, Pukan Ungkaya municipality.
It said the fighting sent fresh number of civilians to flee from the battle scene. The main brunt of the bombardment is sitio Boheh Marang, populated mostly by ethnic Yakans.
The report also said the Marines were conducted aggressive ground patrol when they chanced upon a group of armed men in said village, also moving head-on collision.
Earlier, reports from Luwaran.com said the MILF had urged has urged the government to lift immediately the food blockade around Basilan, saying this will starve to death civilians instead of members of the Abu Sayyaf.
Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, was quoted by Luwaran.com as saying that the food blockade is a violation of human rights and should be lifted immediately.
"The civilians are the victims here. It is an unethical approach," he lamented.
Last month, more than 6,000 people, mostly Moro women, children and elderly in Al-Barka fled their homes for fear they might be trapped if fighting erupts in the area.
Unconfirmed reports said more than 3,000 villagers from Barangay Sungkayot started vacating their homes when marines-backed government militiamen clashed with heavily armed men.
It said suspected MILF and Abu Sayyaf group members allegedly opened fire at the government forces, triggering a 15-minute gunbattle.
Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon told media in Manila that there was no direct fighting with the rebels. He said it was an incident of harassment.
"There was an M-203 round that was fired at our forward position and so our troops had to respond but after that, the would-be harrassers disengaged," he said.
But sources from MILF disclosed that more than 40 rounds of 105mm howitzers and 80mm mortars shook a Moro village in Basilan as marines backed police in serving the warrant of arrest to ten Abu Sayyaf militants.
A report posted at Luwaran.com website said the powerful pounding followed a late Monday afternoon clash between Marines and still unidentified armed group in Barangay Sungkayot, Pukan Ungkaya municipality.
It said the fighting sent fresh number of civilians to flee from the battle scene. The main brunt of the bombardment is sitio Boheh Marang, populated mostly by ethnic Yakans.
The report also said the Marines were conducted aggressive ground patrol when they chanced upon a group of armed men in said village, also moving head-on collision.
Earlier, reports from Luwaran.com said the MILF had urged has urged the government to lift immediately the food blockade around Basilan, saying this will starve to death civilians instead of members of the Abu Sayyaf.
Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, was quoted by Luwaran.com as saying that the food blockade is a violation of human rights and should be lifted immediately.
"The civilians are the victims here. It is an unethical approach," he lamented.
Last month, more than 6,000 people, mostly Moro women, children and elderly in Al-Barka fled their homes for fear they might be trapped if fighting erupts in the area.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
NDCC, LGU officials draw up contingency measures for IDPs in Basilan
Officials of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and chief executives of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in Western Mindanao gathered here Monday to draw up emergency plans for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region.
NDCC chief retired General Glenn Rabonza and Usec. Ernesto Carolina met behind closed doors with chairs of the Provincial Disaster Council (PDC) from Basilan, Sulu and provinces of Zamboanga on IDPs situation in their respective area of responsibility.
“We are preparing for something that will not even happen, but if it happened then government is ready to response to save life and to avert losses and to reduce human sufferings,” Rabonza told reporters after the NDCC meeting at Western Mindanao Command headquarters.
He said they assisted PDCs in drawing up their preparedness plans and were briefed by the frontline agencies of humanitarian assistance – the DILG, DSWD, DOH and Red Cross – on their contingency plans for IDPs in Basilan.
The moves came amid heightened tension in Basilan between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following the clash Monday in the hinterland of Sungkayat, Ungkaya Pukan town.
Troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 (MBLT-8) attacked the hideout of Abu Sayyaf militants, blamed for the beheading of 10 members of the Philippine Marines in the July 10 incident in Guinanta, Al Barka town.
Military said marines engaged a 15-minute sporadic gunbattle with the group of Indama Puruji, one of the four Abu Sayyaf militants implicated in the beheading and mutilation of 10 marines, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Numbers of IDPs, mostly children, women and elderly persons and some families of MILF have swelled now to 6,000 since last week’s police serving of arrest warrants to 130 members of the MILF and the ASG.
Heavy gun battle occurred early last month when Abu Sayyaf bandits allegedly backed by MILF rebels ambushed the troops of the 1st Marine Brigade in barangay Ginanta, Al-Barka town.
The marine troops were ambushed while they were returning to their base after checking the veracity of the information that Italian Catholic priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, 57, was sighted in Tipo-Tipo, which is adjacent to Al-Barka.
Rabonza disclosed that Basilan Province, which is currently most affected by conflict, has no established evacuation centers have been established yet, and the thousands of IDPs are still staying in the houses of their relatives and neighbors.
He said the government is readying to take proactive action in anticipation of possible problems because of police actions.
Among the anticipated problems is a possible spillover of violence should fighting break as police units, backed up by the military, serve warrants of arrest against behind the beheading, according to the retired general.
The office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the ARMM declined to comment on whether there were families of MILF in the IDPs, saying identifying the enemy of the state or enemy of anybody is not their job.
“Identifying them is already police matter. Our job is to help evacuees, not to identify and what I know if they need our help, we are there to help them,” said DSWD-ARMM Secretary Hadja Bai Racma Ambolodto.
Meanwhile, PNP-ARMM director, chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, called on the evacuees in Basilan to return to their homes as Usec. Carolina assured them of their safety in the areas.
“They are safe to go back to their respective places because there is no military operations,” said Goltiao. “It is advisable for them to go back to their houses as there is no all out war in their areas.”
Officials of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and chief executives of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in Western Mindanao gathered here Monday to draw up emergency plans for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region.NDCC chief retired General Glenn Rabonza and Usec. Ernesto Carolina met behind closed doors with chairs of the Provincial Disaster Council (PDC) from Basilan, Sulu and provinces of Zamboanga on IDPs situation in their respective area of responsibility.
“We are preparing for something that will not even happen, but if it happened then government is ready to response to save life and to avert losses and to reduce human sufferings,” Rabonza told reporters after the NDCC meeting at Western Mindanao Command headquarters.
He said they assisted PDCs in drawing up their preparedness plans and were briefed by the frontline agencies of humanitarian assistance – the DILG, DSWD, DOH and Red Cross – on their contingency plans for IDPs in Basilan.
The moves came amid heightened tension in Basilan between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) following the clash Monday in the hinterland of Sungkayat, Ungkaya Pukan town.
Troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-8 (MBLT-8) attacked the hideout of Abu Sayyaf militants, blamed for the beheading of 10 members of the Philippine Marines in the July 10 incident in Guinanta, Al Barka town.
Military said marines engaged a 15-minute sporadic gunbattle with the group of Indama Puruji, one of the four Abu Sayyaf militants implicated in the beheading and mutilation of 10 marines, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Numbers of IDPs, mostly children, women and elderly persons and some families of MILF have swelled now to 6,000 since last week’s police serving of arrest warrants to 130 members of the MILF and the ASG.
Heavy gun battle occurred early last month when Abu Sayyaf bandits allegedly backed by MILF rebels ambushed the troops of the 1st Marine Brigade in barangay Ginanta, Al-Barka town.
The marine troops were ambushed while they were returning to their base after checking the veracity of the information that Italian Catholic priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi, 57, was sighted in Tipo-Tipo, which is adjacent to Al-Barka.
Rabonza disclosed that Basilan Province, which is currently most affected by conflict, has no established evacuation centers have been established yet, and the thousands of IDPs are still staying in the houses of their relatives and neighbors.
He said the government is readying to take proactive action in anticipation of possible problems because of police actions.
Among the anticipated problems is a possible spillover of violence should fighting break as police units, backed up by the military, serve warrants of arrest against behind the beheading, according to the retired general.
The office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the ARMM declined to comment on whether there were families of MILF in the IDPs, saying identifying the enemy of the state or enemy of anybody is not their job.
“Identifying them is already police matter. Our job is to help evacuees, not to identify and what I know if they need our help, we are there to help them,” said DSWD-ARMM Secretary Hadja Bai Racma Ambolodto.
Meanwhile, PNP-ARMM director, chief Supt. Joel Goltiao, called on the evacuees in Basilan to return to their homes as Usec. Carolina assured them of their safety in the areas.
“They are safe to go back to their respective places because there is no military operations,” said Goltiao. “It is advisable for them to go back to their houses as there is no all out war in their areas.”
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Mediamen, writers formed Independent Press Zamboanga
Professor Emmanuel Mangubat (in green shirt), freelance journalist Hader Glang (in orange t-shirt), government radio station anchorman Bernie Concepcion (with cap) and freelance columnist Nung Ajihil (in yellow t-shirt) are the core group members during the founding of Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ) on July 5, 2007 At Atoa Restaurant in Tumaga.
A group of independent-minded writers and media practitioners in Zamboanga City has formed a new organization dedicated to pursue the ideals and tenets of responsible journalism and press freedom.
Close to 30 participants from the different media outfits and organizations met at Atoa Restaurant in Tumaga Sunday (August 5, 2007) and formally adopted a founding charter for the Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ).
Participants mandated Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat, columnist of Zamboanga Today, as the first IPZ president, while Hader Glang of Zamboanga Southwall and Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) World and Bernie Concepcion of DXMR-Radyo ng Bayan as vice presidents for external and internal affairs, respectively.
They also chose freelance columnist Nung Ajihil, secretary general; Henry Salac of Zamboanga Weekly Contact, treasurer; Ely Dumaboc of Net 25 and Eagle Broadcasting, auditor; Mon Venegas of Radio Mindanao Work-Radyo Agong, director for broadcasting; and Mahal Sienes of Mindanao Chronicle, director for print.
The new group says it hopes to pursue the following objectives:
a. To uphold the tenets, principles and ethics of journalism; b. To safeguard and protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of its members and the general public; c. To advance the professional interest and welfare of its members and colleagues; d. To establish harmonious relations among its members, colleagues, and general prublic; e. To uphold fairness, objectivity, responsibility and integrity in the exercise of press freedom; f. And to mold public opinion and crystallize issues affecting public interest.
Mangubat said other objectives of IPZ are also to train future writers and columnists involving mass communication students of Western Mindanao State University and Ateneo de Zamboanga University to establish linkeages with national and international press/media organizations.
"Let me point out that just because we are an indepent media, we will always criticize and criticize...we will give credit where credit is due...we are not against anyone...but we are against of its stand on issues," he said.
For Ajihil, the new organization was formed because it is high time that Zamboanga City should have a real independent media. He said there are many things that the media can get involved with.
"Like political and socio-economic development issues wherein these things should be well presented in its proper perspective without any fear or favor," he said.
"So this group will look into all of these things as we believe that we should truly reflect the sentiment of the people on issues affecting everybody," he added.
The IPZ is planning to hold its induction before the end of this month. It also invites all independent minded journalists in the city to join and participate. Prof. Clem Bascar and businessman Manny Tan are the group founding fathers.
Professor Emmanuel Mangubat (in green shirt), freelance journalist Hader Glang (in orange t-shirt), government radio station anchorman Bernie Concepcion (with cap) and freelance columnist Nung Ajihil (in yellow t-shirt) are the core group members during the founding of Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ) on July 5, 2007 At Atoa Restaurant in Tumaga.A group of independent-minded writers and media practitioners in Zamboanga City has formed a new organization dedicated to pursue the ideals and tenets of responsible journalism and press freedom.
Close to 30 participants from the different media outfits and organizations met at Atoa Restaurant in Tumaga Sunday (August 5, 2007) and formally adopted a founding charter for the Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ).
Participants mandated Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat, columnist of Zamboanga Today, as the first IPZ president, while Hader Glang of Zamboanga Southwall and Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) World and Bernie Concepcion of DXMR-Radyo ng Bayan as vice presidents for external and internal affairs, respectively.
They also chose freelance columnist Nung Ajihil, secretary general; Henry Salac of Zamboanga Weekly Contact, treasurer; Ely Dumaboc of Net 25 and Eagle Broadcasting, auditor; Mon Venegas of Radio Mindanao Work-Radyo Agong, director for broadcasting; and Mahal Sienes of Mindanao Chronicle, director for print.
The new group says it hopes to pursue the following objectives:
a. To uphold the tenets, principles and ethics of journalism; b. To safeguard and protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of its members and the general public; c. To advance the professional interest and welfare of its members and colleagues; d. To establish harmonious relations among its members, colleagues, and general prublic; e. To uphold fairness, objectivity, responsibility and integrity in the exercise of press freedom; f. And to mold public opinion and crystallize issues affecting public interest.
Mangubat said other objectives of IPZ are also to train future writers and columnists involving mass communication students of Western Mindanao State University and Ateneo de Zamboanga University to establish linkeages with national and international press/media organizations.
"Let me point out that just because we are an indepent media, we will always criticize and criticize...we will give credit where credit is due...we are not against anyone...but we are against of its stand on issues," he said.
For Ajihil, the new organization was formed because it is high time that Zamboanga City should have a real independent media. He said there are many things that the media can get involved with.
"Like political and socio-economic development issues wherein these things should be well presented in its proper perspective without any fear or favor," he said.
"So this group will look into all of these things as we believe that we should truly reflect the sentiment of the people on issues affecting everybody," he added.
The IPZ is planning to hold its induction before the end of this month. It also invites all independent minded journalists in the city to join and participate. Prof. Clem Bascar and businessman Manny Tan are the group founding fathers.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Police nabbed 2 gun for hire suspects in killing of lady regional audit lawyer in Zamboanga
Two suspects in the killing of Atty. Vilma Rosilio Agias, Commission on Audit (COA) regional cluster director in Zamboanga City, arrested by policemen. They were presented to Mayor Celso Lobregat at City Hall Friday.
Two suspects in the killing of Atty. Vilma Rosilio Agias, Commission on Audit (COA) regional cluster director in Zamboanga City, arrested by policemen. They were presented to Mayor Celso Lobregat at City Hall Friday.Police security forces on Friday arrested two suspects for killing a regional audit executive along Cabato Road in Barangay Tetuan last Thursday, officials said yesterday.
Eduardo Seriales and his companion Jonathan Omadan were arrested at dawn Friday during a pursuit operation by policemen at Upper Cabatangan, according to Police Inspector Hado Edding.
Atty. Vilma Rosilio Agias, Commission on Audit (COA) regional cluster director, was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle. She was on her vehicle on way to work when she was gunned down.
"The suspects are known gun for hire operating in the city. They were caught while about to leave the house of a certain Jun Caballo," Edding said in a press statement.
Police Supt. Manuel Barcena, city police chief, congratulated the arresting police team for the speedy arrest of alleged gunmen that came less than 48 hours after Thursday's incident.
Barcena and Edding presented the two suspects to Mayor Celso Lobregat at City Hall after undergoing a paraphen test at Camp Abendan crime laboratory, R.T. Lim Boulevard.
Eduardo Seriales and his companion Jonathan Omadan were arrested at dawn Friday during a pursuit operation by policemen at Upper Cabatangan, according to Police Inspector Hado Edding.
Atty. Vilma Rosilio Agias, Commission on Audit (COA) regional cluster director, was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle. She was on her vehicle on way to work when she was gunned down.
"The suspects are known gun for hire operating in the city. They were caught while about to leave the house of a certain Jun Caballo," Edding said in a press statement.
Police Supt. Manuel Barcena, city police chief, congratulated the arresting police team for the speedy arrest of alleged gunmen that came less than 48 hours after Thursday's incident.
Barcena and Edding presented the two suspects to Mayor Celso Lobregat at City Hall after undergoing a paraphen test at Camp Abendan crime laboratory, R.T. Lim Boulevard.
At City Hall, the suspects denied having perpetrated the killing of lawyer Agias.
"Gidakup lang mi didtu nga wala...tingala mga tawo didtu (we were just arrested without...the people there wondered)," Omadan told reporters.
"Tiene iyo trabaho, pakimodo man iyo tira (I have work, how can I shot)," Seriales reacted when told by a reporter that he was the triggerman.
But a witness said Seriales is the man depicted in the artist's cartographic sketch.
It was not immediately known when the suspects would be put on trial and if they had lawyers.
"Gidakup lang mi didtu nga wala...tingala mga tawo didtu (we were just arrested without...the people there wondered)," Omadan told reporters.
"Tiene iyo trabaho, pakimodo man iyo tira (I have work, how can I shot)," Seriales reacted when told by a reporter that he was the triggerman.
But a witness said Seriales is the man depicted in the artist's cartographic sketch.
It was not immediately known when the suspects would be put on trial and if they had lawyers.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
MILF, Abu Sayyaf suspects in killing 14 marines escaped Basilan
About 130 Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Abu Sayyaf militants accused of beheading 10 members of the Philippine Marines earlier this month in Basilan have escaped from arresting policemen, officials said Wednesday.
The suspects fled of their lairs on the outskirts of Al-Barka town, particularly in Ginanta, while policemen were serving arrest warrants to them on Tuesday, said Al-Barka Municipality Mayor Karam Jakilan.
"Tumakas na sila. Wala na sila doon…nagtatago sa ibang lugar…Palagay ko watak-watak na sila pero sa Basilan pa rin (they have escaped there...they're no longer in the area...hiding in another location. I think they have split but they're still in Basilan)," he told Zamboanga Southwall.
Senior Superintendent Salik Macapantar, Basilan police provincial chief, led 300 of military-backed policemen who swept into far-flung areas in Al-Barka town but MILF rebels, including suspects listed in the warrants of arrest, were gone.
Macapantar said they knocked on houses and went to an MILF known bailiwick but found no one in the area. "The suspects might have left Basilan while others were given sanctuary by their relatives."
On Tuesday, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police chief Supt. Joel Goltiao deferred the arrest of some MILF rebels, blamed for the July 10 incident in Al-Barka, after the joint GRP-MILF fact finding team asked for extension.
In an interview, Von Al Haq, MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) chief, told this reporter the joint fact finding team was expected to conclude its extended investigation and submit full report on Wednesday.
The full report of the joint GRP-MILF CCCH fact finding team and the Bantay Ceasefire was submitted to acting Defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza and to the MILF Central Committee.
"We will make our official report based on our findings. Definitely, we are going to submit to our principal, both in MILF and government, and then decide on what appropriate move to be done that is less expensive and less damage."
Al Haq said he is hopeful through their findings, the arrest warrants to 130 suspects will be trimmed down as there are innocents, like elderly Muslim religious leaders and police chief of Al-Barka town, included in the warrants of arrest.
Asked to comment on the reported escape of MILF suspects from arresting policemen, Al Haq said: "It's natural for those suspects. If you were in their shoes you will either resist or escape, but we have no hand in their escape."
Government officials tasked to oversee the implementation of police punitive action against those who killed the 14 marines believe there is big possibility that the perpetrators are still in the area.
"The police and the military have beefed up their troops in neighboring areas to prevent the suspects from slipping out of Basilan," said Secretary Gonzales, also National Security adviser.
OPPAP Secretary Dureza hailed the town mayors of Basilan province for their efforts in providing the government credible witnesses in identifying those actual perpetrators of the beheading.
"We can pinpoint now who the marines' killers, but it's a long arduous task of getting those guys. We're still cross checking their (mayors) information that they're giving to us from other sources."
He said the mayors' active participation plus the independent investigation of the joint GRP-MILF CCCH and Bantay Ceasefire would definitely help resolve the conflict between the military and the MILF in Basilan.
The suspects fled of their lairs on the outskirts of Al-Barka town, particularly in Ginanta, while policemen were serving arrest warrants to them on Tuesday, said Al-Barka Municipality Mayor Karam Jakilan.
"Tumakas na sila. Wala na sila doon…nagtatago sa ibang lugar…Palagay ko watak-watak na sila pero sa Basilan pa rin (they have escaped there...they're no longer in the area...hiding in another location. I think they have split but they're still in Basilan)," he told Zamboanga Southwall.
Senior Superintendent Salik Macapantar, Basilan police provincial chief, led 300 of military-backed policemen who swept into far-flung areas in Al-Barka town but MILF rebels, including suspects listed in the warrants of arrest, were gone.
Macapantar said they knocked on houses and went to an MILF known bailiwick but found no one in the area. "The suspects might have left Basilan while others were given sanctuary by their relatives."
On Tuesday, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police chief Supt. Joel Goltiao deferred the arrest of some MILF rebels, blamed for the July 10 incident in Al-Barka, after the joint GRP-MILF fact finding team asked for extension.
In an interview, Von Al Haq, MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) chief, told this reporter the joint fact finding team was expected to conclude its extended investigation and submit full report on Wednesday.
The full report of the joint GRP-MILF CCCH fact finding team and the Bantay Ceasefire was submitted to acting Defense chief Norberto Gonzales, Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza and to the MILF Central Committee.
"We will make our official report based on our findings. Definitely, we are going to submit to our principal, both in MILF and government, and then decide on what appropriate move to be done that is less expensive and less damage."
Al Haq said he is hopeful through their findings, the arrest warrants to 130 suspects will be trimmed down as there are innocents, like elderly Muslim religious leaders and police chief of Al-Barka town, included in the warrants of arrest.
Asked to comment on the reported escape of MILF suspects from arresting policemen, Al Haq said: "It's natural for those suspects. If you were in their shoes you will either resist or escape, but we have no hand in their escape."
Government officials tasked to oversee the implementation of police punitive action against those who killed the 14 marines believe there is big possibility that the perpetrators are still in the area.
"The police and the military have beefed up their troops in neighboring areas to prevent the suspects from slipping out of Basilan," said Secretary Gonzales, also National Security adviser.
OPPAP Secretary Dureza hailed the town mayors of Basilan province for their efforts in providing the government credible witnesses in identifying those actual perpetrators of the beheading.
"We can pinpoint now who the marines' killers, but it's a long arduous task of getting those guys. We're still cross checking their (mayors) information that they're giving to us from other sources."
He said the mayors' active participation plus the independent investigation of the joint GRP-MILF CCCH and Bantay Ceasefire would definitely help resolve the conflict between the military and the MILF in Basilan.
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