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USAID-GEM funded road project inaugurated in Basilan

US Ambassador Kenney (left) leads the riboon cutting ceremony of the newly-finished USAID-GEM funded road project in Basilan. She is assisted by Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakkalahul (right) and Tuburan school pupils.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney has inaugurated the newly-completed Campo Uno-Tuburan upgrading road project in Basilan, funded by the United States Agency for International Development-Growth With Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM).

The new 13.4 km. road provides a primary connecting route for local residents from their municipalities to the Basilan Circumferential road that reaches the rest of the province. Its first 1.3 section starting from Campo Uno (Lamitan) up to Mamboring (Tuburan) has been upgraded by the DPWH-ARMM Basilan District to a concrete-paved road.

The next 1.2 section has been prioritized for improvement (concrete-paving) and is presently maintained by DPWH-ARMM. The GEM-funded part of the road improvements begins in Barangay Mamboring in Tuburan and ends in Languyan, Mohammad Ajul.

The GEM-improved" section of 10.88 km is composed of a few short sections concrete pavement and the rest are gravel or earth roadway. The US government alloted at least P46 million for the road project.

The old road was severely damaged in many sections, which made it difficult foa passenger jeepneys and other vehicles to pass, especially during the rainy season. Poor road conditions increased the cost of transporting goods to market and inhibited passenger travel.

"I see things improving here...this is a good sign...the people are increasingly interested in development," Kenney told reporters in an interview at the project site after the inaugural ceremony.

Prior to USAID's involvement, Tuburan and Akbar Municipalities were quite isolated. The new road will bring about easier access to local markets as well as contribute to the overall peace and security of the area.

To help spur and augment regional economic growth, USAID financed the construction of 40 regional infrastructure projects and 830 smaller barangay infrastructure projects in the ARMM and neighboring conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.

In addition to supporting economic growth, these infrastructure facilities demonstrated the continuing commitment of both the Philippine and US governments to fostering peace and development in Mindanao.

Under the Regional Impact Program, GEM designs and constructs vital projects such as ports, roads, and bridge improvements in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. These projects are undertaken in partnership with the regional and provincial government, local governments, and agencies.

Lamitan City and the municipalities of Akbar, Hadji Mohammad Ajul (two municipalities created out of tuburan in 2006) and Tuburan are located on the northeast quadrant of Basilan province southeast of Isabela City, the provincial capital.

The three municipalities are composed of thirty barangays with a total land area of 118 square kilometers and a total population of 42,550 (CY 2000 census). The majority of the residents are Yakans and Tausugs.

The difficulty of access contributed to slow economic growth, widespread overty and peace and order problems in the area. The municipalities witnessed multiple conflicts between the military and the Abu Sayyaf and rogue MILF elements in late 2001 and 2007.

Exclusive!

Tausugs march to demand independence of Sultanate of Sulu from Philippines
text & photos HADER GLANG


A contingent of United Tausug Citizens led by Datu Ladjamura Bin Datu Wasik (5th photo below, center) march through the main thoroughfares in the capital town of Jolo, Sulu to demand the independence of Sultanate of Sulu and its people from the Philippines.

About three thousand Tausugs, mostly dressed in their traditional attire, took part in a pro-independence march and rally in the capital town of Jolo, Sulu on Thursday as they vowed to restore the Sultanate of Sulu and to break away permanently from the Philippines.

The demonstration came few weeks after a group of Tausug international and local lawyers of North Borneo (Sabah), Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga Peninsula and Palawan submitted an international case demanding for independence of Sulu Sultanate and its citizens.

Waving the 1718th century flags of Sultanate of Sulu and carrying posters that read "Independence of Sultanate of Sulu", "We are Tausug not Filipino", the demonstrators marched through Jolo's main thoroughfares and gathered outside the capital town's mosque.

"Mabaya kami biyaun kumila in katan hulah kamuh. Mabaya kami mag independent na sin hulah," Datu Ladjamura Bin Datu Wasik, head of the United Tausug Citizens, told reporters in his vernacular, urging the international community to recognize the Tausugs and their sovereignty.

Datu Wasik, a legatee of the Sulu Sultanate's "Second Heir Apparent" Maharajah Adinda Raja Muda Bantilan, spearheaded the demonstration. He said although Tausugs respect the Philippine constitution, they still demand for full recognition of Sultanate of Sulu.

"We have created our flag to show to the whole world that we have government, territory, people and sovereignty. So we're not Filipinos neither Moros nor Malays, we are Tausugs, and our Sultanate is based on Islamic Shariah," he stressed.

Brazeem Bin Ladjaraji, senior member of United Tausug Citizens, explained that the red color in the Sultanate of Sulu flag symbolizes the heroism of Tausugs who depended their freedom while the blue, white, and yellow colors stand for progress, justice and unity, respectively.

The five stars symbolize, Sulu/Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan and North Borneo/Sabah. The Kalis sword symbolizes Al Marhom Sultan Alimuddin I - First Heir Apparent of Sultanate of Sulu while the Budjak sphere represents Al Marhom Sultan Maizzuddin - Second Heir Apparent of Sultanate of Sulu.

The Sultanate of Sulu was a Muslim state that ruled over many of the islands of the Sulu Sea in the southern Philippines. Shari'ful Hashem Syed Abu Bakr, an Arab born in Johore, arrived in Sulu from Malacca.

In 1457, he founded the Sultanate of Sulu; he then renamed himself "Paduka Maulana Mahasari Sharif Sultan Hashem Abu Bakr". Currently, the issue of who would be the legitimate Sultan of Sulu is disputed by several branches of the Royal Family.

Datu Wasik proposes that in order to resolve this issue, the Tausugs should restore first the Sultanate of Sulu and then the people would install later their Sultan.

"What we need now not the Sultan because right now, the Tausugs do not recognize the Sultanate, they must recognize it first. Then the people would decide later on who would be their Sultan after they have restored back their government," he said.

Attorney Meltino Jaujan Sibulan, who serves as lawyer for Sultanate of Sulu, its Court and people, said the march and rally spearheaded by the United Tausug Citizens signaled the start of its governance, which is dormant for 602 years.

Sibulan appealed to the governments of the Republic of the Philippines and the Federal States of Malaysia to talk or negotiate to the Sultanate of Sulu so that the issue of sovereignty would be resolved in perpetuity.

"We, the Tausug people of the Sultanate of Sulu are the same people, who like you during the British occupation of Malaysia, which like Filipinos during the occupation of Spain, America and Japan, who then wished for independence and national identity," he said.

"And now the Tausugs do the same, wish for independence and national identity. This is their sovereignty, which you exercise. We renounce war, denounce terrorism and adhere to the generally accepted principle of international law as part of the law of Sulu Sultanate," he said.

"We call on you and the international community, particularly the United Nation (UN), Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), European Union (EU) and all other bodies to help settle the issue on sovereignty with respect to the territory of the Sultanate of Sulu," he said.

Historically, according to him, the Tausug since November 17, 1405 started as a state, where no Moro and Filipino yet, and that the Sultanate of Sulu existed as an independent and sovereign state until 1578 when Spaniards attempted to conquer it.

As an independent, no country or other countries controlled this kingdom or empire. No Americans yet, no Spain yet, no Portugal yet, no British yet, no Holland yet, Netherland yet has ever conquered or controlled this empire of Sulu Sultanate, according to Sibulan.

He furthered "This is what we call historical right, the basis of the legal right of the Tausug and the evidence that is under the law; it is an established fact already. This is of judicial notice. The whole world knew that Sulu Sultanate existed 14th century ago and never been conquered."

Showing a birth certificate of Tausug citizen, Sibulan said the propriety or legality of issuing the document is recognition by the Tausug of their government and national identity that they are Tausug, not a Moro not Filipino or Sahabans of Sabah but a citizen of Sultanate of Sulu.

He explained: "This is an internal matter of the state which others states have no concerned or this is an internal matter which the Sultanate of Sulu has jurisdiction and the legality of this document is from the view point of internal law, the Sultanate of Sulu has never been vanished or lost."

"Because so long as there is a Tausug, this kingdom exists. The kingdom existed because there is still Tausug. If Tausug for instance, bringing this document to the State of Sabah, they could not be deported to the Philippines because they are not Filipino citizens," he said.

"So whether they will respect this or not it's up to them, but as far as the international law is concerned they should respect this legal document because this is not their citizens but people of the Sultanate of Sulu," he concluded. (HG)

Statement of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility on the Arrest of Members of the Media Covering the Peninsula Hotel Incident

Never in the turbulent recent history of the Philippines has any government, including that of Ferdinand Marcos, ever taken into custody members of the media who were on the scene to do their jobs.

But the arrest of the media people who were covering the take-over of the Peninsula Hotel by Senator Antonio Trillanes' Magdalo group is not only unprecedented. It is also an outrage, and a telling indication of the authoritarian depths into which the Arroyo regime has fallen in its obsession with political dominance. The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility condemns this latest attack on the Philippine press as an assault not only on its Constitutionally-protected freedom, but also on democracy itself.

The arrests took place when the crisis was over, and Trillanes and company were already in police custody. The arrests can only be interpreted as one more attempt, together with libel suits and other harassments, to intimidate the Philippine press into either minimal or less aggressive reporting of political events. Media practitioners will remember this incident well, and some are likely to be affected enough to soften future coverage.

The Defense Secretary's excuse that the police had to verify the identities of the media people covering the Peninsula Hotel crisis because there could be Magdalo members and sympathizers among them is totally unacceptable. Their identities were verifiable on-site, with some them being TV anchors well-known to millions of television viewers.

That members of the media, among them technical personnel and camerapersons as well as radio broadcasters and TV anchors, were being arrested at the very moment that Mrs. Arroyo was on the air describing her commitment to democracy was especially ironic. But it was also typical of the Arroyo regime's rhetorical and contrived adherence to democracy and the rule of law.

The regime's continuing assault on press freedom, free expression and freedom of assembly, of which this incident is only the latest, deserves condemnation. CMFR calls on all media, free expression and journalists' groups in this country as well as abroad to denounce this atrocity as a willful act to inflict collateral damage on the Philippine press for doing its mandated responsibility of providing the sovereign public the information it needs.

Muslim Tausug lawyers want independence of Sulu Sultanate in Southern Philippines

Above photo shows the 1718 Flag of Sultanate of Sulu: 5 stars - Sulu (including Tawi-Tawi), Basilan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan & North Borneo (Sabah); Kalis (sword) - Al-Marhom Sultan Alimuddin I - First Heir Apparent of Sultanate of Sulu; and Budjak (sphere) - Al-MArhom Sultan Muizzudin - Second Heir Apparent of Sultanate of Sulu. Below photo shows the battlecry of the United Tausugs Sultanate of Sulu.

A team of Tausug international and local lawyers of North Borneo (Sabah), Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga Peninsula and Palawan want the Philippine government, United States of America, Spain, Malaysia and Great Britain to listen to their claims of independence of the Sultanate of Sulu.

The lawyers calling themselves "Tausug Lawyers of Stateless Tausug Ra'ayats are pushing for the restoration of sovereignty of the Tausugs over Sulu Sultanate territory (Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan North Borneo and Sulu Sea).

"We want them (Philippines, US, Spain, Malaysia and Great Britain) to bring back sovereignty of the Tausugs over the above-named territories of the Sultanate of Sulu," said Rajam Muharram, spokesperson of the United Tausugs Sultanate of Sulu.

"We want to tell them that Sulu Sultanate territory, dejure Sultanate government and absolute sovereignty still belong to sovereign Ra'ayat Tausugs of Sulu Sultanate and not to the Filipinos and the Sahabanas," Muharram added.

In a statement, the lawyers claimed that on November 17, 1405, Sulu Sultanate attained her being, as a "State" when Syed Abubakar Al-Marhom Sultan Shariful Hashim was enthroned and installed by sovereign Tausug Ra'ayats; inhabitants of Sulu Archipelago as their first Sultan.

The dominion of the Sulu Sultanate then expanded to Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan and North Borneo; hence Sulu Sea was named and owned by her, according to the group.

Ra'ayats means people, subjects or citizens. In the monarchial form of government, the people are called "Subjects", while in the democratic form of government, the people are called "Citizens."

A country can be called "State", under the international and municipal laws, when having the following elements: 1. people; 2. territory; 3. government; 4. sovereignty; and according to international law experts, and 5. recognition (by other states on international persons or entities).Thus, the Sulu Sultanate had been a perfect "State" for 173 years prior to the first arrival of the Spaniards in 1578 to Jolo.

The lawyers said Sulu Sultanate is still a perfect "State" during the failed attempts of Spaniards to colonize her for 321 years from 1578 to 1899 though sold to United States by Spain under the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898 and the Treaty on November 7, 1900, which were both illegal and null and void.

On the other hand, they said North Borneo (Sabah) was merely leased (padjak) by Al-Marhom Sultan Jamalul Alam to British North Borneo Company for 5,000 Malayan dollars. Furthermore, Sulu Sultanate had still been a perfect "State" under the Kiram-Bates Treaty and the Carpenter Agreement concluded between the Sultanate of Sulu as a State and the USA.

Later on, the USA illegally and militarily occupied the Sulu Sultanate: illegally usurped her territory, Sultanate government and the exercise of acts of sovereignty against the will of the sovereign Ra'ayat Tausugs.

When US had left in 1946, US illegally annexed, incorporated and given the "State" of Sulu Sultanate to the Filipinos of then Philippine Islands, a distinct country; hence, by inheritance, Sulu Sultanate had been illegally and militarily occupied too by the Filipinos for 60 years now since 1946.

Meanwhile, a group of Datus in Tanjung, Siasi, Sulu led by His Royal Highness Datu Rajamuda @ Ladjamura Bin Datu Wasik Aranan Puyo called on all stateless Tausugs to unite and assemble to decide the case peacefully.

Datu Wasik, who belongs to the Sulu Sultanate's "Second Heir Apparent" Maharajah Adinda Raja Muda Bantilan, also urged Sultan claimants that Sultanate throne should be "rotated" among the three branches of the Sultanate Royal Families under the protocol system of succession.

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Kapihan de Zamboanga
By Hader Glang

The perks of our House representatives

I think many people in Zamboanga City still are not aware about the enviable perks enjoyed by our House of representatives or congressmen. So let me just spread the information I found that is worth reading for the people to know and understand what these politicians are doing with the taxpayers money.

You know, during the 14th Congress orientation of the first-term legislators on the budgeting process, a former representative who once chaired the powerful House appropriations committee remarked, “How wonderful it is to be a congressman: You have flexible time. You may or may not go to work, yet still get your salary.”

Then, he warned them not to make the mistake of paying for meals and drinks at the Batasan Pambansa’s South Lounge as it is their privilege to be served free food. The former solon may have meant everything as a joke, only that speaking of the privileges that legislators enjoy in such manner was hardly amusing, especially given a quorum-challenged legislature that has been passing fewer and fewer laws each year despite the ever increasing budgetary allocation to lawmaking.

Based on the information I gathered, when the 13th Congress formally closed last June 30, 2007 it managed to pass only 148 laws, setting a new record-low in the history of the Philippine legislature. That is no laughing matter. Yet, House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. announced even more entitlements for members of the Lower House, in particular, an annual P1-million foreign travel allotment, and allocations for additional staff and maintenance of their respective district offices as well as a new building to house new offices for the neophyte congressmen.

What the public commonly knows is that his or her district representative gets a monthly salary of P35, 000, plus, of course, yearly pork-barrel allocations amounting to P70 million — P20 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and P50 million as congressional allocation for public works projects. What is seldom known are the amounts corresponding to their other entitlements, apart from salary and pork barrel.

As gleaned from the Commission on Audit’s annual published itemized lists, include expenses for district staff allocation, contractual consultants, research, consultative local travel, communication, and supplies. There are also allocations for a public affairs fund, central office staff, equipment/furniture and fixtures, and other maintenance and operating expenses (MOE).

Data from the PCIJ book, The Rulemakers, shows that the annual upkeep of each congressman had almost doubled from P2.83 million in 1994 to P5.16 million in 2002. Latest data culled from the published expenses of the 13th House point to a continuing trend, with the annual upkeep pegged at P5.7 million each congressman in 2005, or P480,880.36 a month — the highest to date.

While there has not been any increase in their basic salary since 1999, and most of the other entitlements have remained at their 2001 levels, each House member’s district staff allocation has been increased to P650,000 annually. MOE also ballooned to P600,000 in 2005 from the previous year’s P411,000. Meanwhile, expenses on consultative local travel and central office staff were at their highest in the same year at over P788,000 and close to P2 million, respectively, per congressman.

Foreign travel expenses in 2005 also was doubled compared to the 2004 amount at an average of P221,000 each House member. The total bill paid for by the government for the overseas trips of 170 congressmen was P59,413,412.

What’s more, as reported in The Rulemakers: “They are not expected to submit a payroll of their district staff or report their function, salaries and withholding taxes. No one starts asking if they do not produce a report on the research their offices should supposedly undertake. There is no demand for them to produce the list of consultants they have hired, as well as the contracts they draw up for those whose services they need. As far as the current (lack of) rules go, how the legislators spend their public affairs fund is their business and business alone.”

The generous perks do not end there. The House Speaker is himself a source of funds with a vast discretionary largesse at his disposal. From this are mostly drawn the representatives’ monthly allowances (which can range from P50,000 to P100,000), Christmas bonuses (P100,000 to 200,000), as well as the “payoffs” for votes during speakership contests and “appearance fees” (P50,000 as minimum) for attending plenary sessions to vote on crucial national bills.

The question now: “Isn’t it high time that the public demanded greater financial accountability from their representatives?” Tell this to other people you know. So the public should be informed of what our congressmen are doing to our lives!

I understand that our two House representatives (I’m referring to 1st District Congresswoman Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco and 2nd District Congressman Erbie Fabian) are pushing for the creation of a third legislative district. But what for the milking cow of the few? It is not a realistic move because it does not benefit the whole people of Zamboanga City, it only expands the power and influence of the “dynasts.”

Why should our two representatives not consider the proposal of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) ZambaSulTa Chapter for the creation of a new province? This has been the issue that the people want them to act on and it is more viable than pushing for a third legislative district, where we are not even sure if the city’s population is qualified for. As what our lady representative said earlier “let’s wait and see” because the National Statistic Office (NSO) has not released yet the result of the 2007 census.

The IBP proposes the creation of a province by converting some of the 98 barangays outside the radius of 13 kilometers in the east coast and 7 kilometers in the west into municipalities with Zamboanga City remaining as charter city. I don’t believe that the IBP’s move will stall the city’s development. It will even transform the city into a highly urbanized one and speed up its development and delivery of essential services and construction of facilities.

Misuari, MNLF, ARMM officials travel to Saudi Arabia for peace pact review

Key leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and top officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) left to Saudi Arabia to review the September 1996 peace agreement signed with the Philippine government under the auspices of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

The meeting set from November 10 to 12 in Jeddah is attended by detained MNLF chairman Nur Misuari himself and ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Maguindanao Governor Datu Andal Ampatuan, as well as Undersecretary Nabil Tan, who will lead the Philippine government delegation.

According to report, about 50 other MNLF leaders like Habib Sharif Zain Jali, Ustadz Abdulbaki Abubakar, and Abdulbaset Usman, accompanied Misuari. It also said the detained MNLF leader was earlier allowed by the court to travel to Saudi for the said meeting in preparation for another tripartite meeting.

It is not clear whether the Saudi Arabian government has already given the sovereign guarantee for Misuari's return to the Philippines. But a source said that the meeting in Jeddah is just an opening program, where speeches are to be made. The actual review would most probably take place either in Manila or Jakarta.

The government said the review would include the extent of the agreement's implementation under the expanded ARMM law even as the MNLF and other critics claimed there were disparities in the interpretation of the agreement between the MNLF and the Philippine government.

OIC officials had earlier complained about the slow implementation of the 1996 agreement and the MNLF has accused the government of not fulfilling its end of the deal.

However, the government insisted that it did its part of the agreement by appointing several Muslims in key positions such as in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Court of Appeals. Some Shariah courts had also been established as part of the agreement.

The government also said the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) had also been revived as part of the agreement. The SPDA, which was created during the Ramos administration, is under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

ARMM observes Nov. 7 as Sheik Makhdum Day

The regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) declared Wednesday, November 7, 2007 as special public holiday in observance of Sheik Karimul Makhdum Day.

ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy Ampatuan enjoined his constituency to observe the holiday. He issued Memorandum No. 266 on Tuesday in reference to Executive Order No. 40 dated November 4, 1991 declaring November 7 of every year as Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Day.

"I am directing all officials and employees to observe this holiday. Let us join our Muslim brethren in commemorating the dignified days of a noble missionary who determinedly proliferated the great teachings of Allah," the ARMM governor stressed.

The observance was celebrated in honor and recognition of Sheikh Makdum, the earliest missionary who propagated Islamic faith in the country.

Sheik Makhdum was credited for building the first ever mosque on the Philippines soil located in Tubig Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi in 1380 A.D. The Philippine Senate declared early last year the mosque as a national shrine.

3 people die, thousands left homeless in major fire in Siasi, Sulu

A major fire broke out in the town proper of Siasi, Sulu on Saturday, leaving three persons dead and about 7,000 families homeless, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Center (PDCC) officials of Sulu reported Sunday.

The fire took place Saturday afternoon at about 4:00 p.m. on Barangay Poblacion of Siasi and was extinguished by late in the evening, said Jainab Abdulmajid, PDCC provincial head.

She said many people, including two soldiers, were also injured in a 5-hour fire that razed hundreds of houses and a gasoline station in that island municipality.

Investigators said the fire started at a stall selling gasoline and spread so fast to a congested area in the town proper, North Laud and South Laud.

Firemen and a rescue team were dispatched to the area, but the flames had already began out of control due to lack of water.

The major fire in Siasi town was the second to hit in Sulu province in less than two months. Last September 24, a major fire also broke out in the capital town of Jolo, where nine people were reportedly injured and thousands left homeless.

Subanon farmers protest Ecozone 'encorachment' on ancestral domain

"Our ancestral domain is a matter of life, heritage and history which was taken away from us, cuts away the heart of our existence," this was the statement of a group of Subanon people here during a protest against different agencies in the city Wednesday.

The statement, signed by Timuay Tuno Bernardo, Timuay Rafael Pandalan and Timuay Bakil Gumandao, furthered that “Reclaiming what is left remains to be our toughest struggles because it is continuously denied and deprived (from) us."

The protest-rally, dubbed as “peaceful assembly and cultural presentation,” collectively brought the sentiments of the Subanon people in the city against their so-called “toughest struggle on their claim for the ancestral domains.”

The protesters, composed of farmers, women and youth staged a protest infront of the Zamboanga City Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Ecozone) at Barangay San Ramon then trooped to the regional office of NCIP and the City Council.

They claimed that their ancetral lands totalling 9,000 hectares located in the mountain barangays (villages) of Patalon, Labuan and Limpapa were allegedly encroached by the Ecozone.

One of the protesters said their mass action is their way of expressing the realities, hope and aspirations, and their assertion of their rights as Indigenous Peoples toward their ancestral lands.

Meanwhile, Georgina Yu, Ecozone Chair and Administrator, was quoted by media as denying the protesters' claim, saying that the areas the Subanon group are claiming had been legally designated to Ecozone through Presidential Proclamation 1099 signed by former President Joseph Estrada.

Yu explained that as far as they are concerned, they are simply abiding by the law and that they observe the rule of law and the legal basis of it is through that Presidential Proclamation.

But the group denounced what they claim to be the “unreliability” of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) to protect their rights.

NCIP was created under IPRA, which is supposed to be responsible for formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs of government to recognize, promote and protect the right of the IPs.

Among these rights are the controversial Right to Ancestral Domain and Lands; Right to Self-Governance and Empowerment; Social Justice and Human Rights; and the Right to Cultural Integrity.

Kapihan de Zamboanga
By Hader Glang

Voting unworthy candidates a major sin in Islam

Election fever can be felt now everywhere you go. That's because of the campaign period, which will run from October 19, 2007 until October 27, 2007. But what I observe right now, many candidates both for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) are violating election policies.

In the urban barangays in the City of Flowers, not Asia's Latin City, it is observed that many candidates seeking re-election have not spared a single electric post with their campaign posters illegally hung, and believe it or not, other election propaganda are put up outside the Comelec-designated common poster areas.

The question now: what the Comelec officials are doing about these posters hung and pasted illegally? Will they just tolerate it? What about doing their job and start disqualifying the violators? I think they should not just ask candidates to minimize litter but they should take down all these illegal posters now and punish those unscrupulous politicians.

It's very sad to note that aside from illegal postings, most of the Barangay and SK candidates at the present time are subservient or beholden to incumbent influential politicians. Worse is that they receive bribery from these corrupted leaders, who style themselves as pro-poor and pro-people but in reality these are deception for favors later and for their own political future.

In my column recently, I said that corruption in politics is truly widespread that often the person elected to office is not the most qualified. I, therefore, urge the electorates to know and reflect upon the qualities or traits of candidates that deserve our votes. We should realize that each and every one of us has its own share of responsibilities toward our community.

We don't need these personality-oriented politicians anymore whose motivations and activities are directed towards the benefit of their persons and who are only seeking public office for the interest of their friends, masters and relatives.

What we need today are leaders who have their stand on barangay issues, as well as their competence. We should select honest and generous those who pass resolutions beneficial for the whole and use barangay resources for the good of the people.

Don't join these personality-oriented politicians. You know who the deserving candidates are. Vote accordingly and choose candidates, who attend to basic services like collection of garbage, etc., and disregard projects that are short term but give more focus on important projects like improvement of barangay roads.

But most we should support candidates who have integrity, ability and competence to hold public office and most importantly, a platform or political agenda that would tell us what direction he wants to lead our barangay towards.

In Islam, voting in favor of a candidate that one knows is not worthy will be unlawful and a major sin. Allah, Most High, says: "Surely Allah commands you to render back your trusts to those to whom they are due and that when you judge between people you judge with justice; surely Allah admonishes you with what is excellent; surely Allah is Seeing, Hearing." (Qur'an, Surah An-Nisa, 58).

One Muslim, Muhammad ibn Adam, Darul Iftah, explains: "In a situation where there is no worthy candidate (as in non-Muslim countries, where at least the ideologies and beliefs of the relevant parties are contrary to the teachings of Islam), then the vote should be given to the one who is the better and more trustworthy than the other candidates."

Therefore, he said, to give a vote on the purely basis of personal connections, family relationship, and the like (when one is aware that the one given the vote is not worthy) will be considered impermissible. Vote should be given to the candidate that one believes will give people their rights, prevent oppression, and so on.

If we really want development in our respective barangays then we should vote those who possess a holistic character – those who have the capacity, knowledge, and the heart to serve, not those who keep on promoting themselves in the media and always lifting their own chairs. We should vote for a candidate based on the qualifications, platform of government and track record – not based on selfish and myopic considerations.

For your comments and suggestions, please e-mail at hader.glang@gmail.com or contact/text at mobile phone # 09203145750

3 NPA rebels killed in Zamboanga del Sur encounter with gov't troops

Three suspected communist rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, the military reported Monday.

A delayed report said a combined elements from the 53rd Infantry Battalion and 5th Infantry Battalion backed by militiamen while on combat patrol encountered with the group of a certain Guzman and Pardillo at barangay Lucuan.

The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes, leaving three New People's Army (NPA) rebels dead. Government troops recovered two M16 armalite rifles and various personal belongings from the encounter site after the rebels fled to unknown direction.

Major Eugene Batara, information officer of the Western Mindanao Command, said the communist terrorists are frequently sighted in the said area foraging and extorting residents and farmers.

"They use the barrel of the gun to force our innocent farmers to give a portion of their products as tax. With the poor situation of the people in the countryside, they are really making the economic situation and livelihood of the people miserable," he said.

"They also pose a great danger to the civilians in instances when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) troops chance upon them putting the civilians in cross fire."

He reminded the people in the area, saying they must be aware of the communists are engaged and must cooperate in their own little way to help government troops get rid of them.

"They are considered hindrance to peace and prosperity because basic services could not be delivered for fear of their presence. Peace and security is also greatly affected which causes investors to shy away from Communist Terrorists affected areas."

Troops killed 1 pirate, seized 2 boats in Tawi-Tawi

Government troops raided Sunday night a suspected lair of local pirates, killing one suspect and seizing two watercrafts with personal belongings in Batu Pantan, Tawi-Tawi, the military reported Monday.

The report said troopers from joint Naval Task Force (NFT62) and Marine Battalion Landing Team 2 (MBLT2) raided an hideout of pirates following persistent reports from local residence on the presence of gunmen at Lagayas.

Major Eugene Batara, Western Mindanao Command public information officer, said the troops took advantage of the cover of darness but were fired upon by the suspected pirates upon detection.

"After two brief encounters, the enemy fled leaving their slain companion, assorted personal belongings and two junkong watercrafts believed to be used in their illegal activities," Batara said.

Authorities monitored local pirates operating in the seawaters of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and victimizing traders and fishermen in the area. These lawless elements are heavily armed and are reported to be wreaking fear to the populace where they decide to harbor or stay.

The people in the area are secretly passing information to the AFP troops and the police which prompted the WesMinCom troops to conduct the raid, according to Batara.

With this operation, he said the government troops assures the residents in the area that the military remains steadfast in its mandate to protect the people against lawless elements.

"This operation is also expected to serve as a warning to all lawless elements and organized crime syndicates, who are doing illegal activities to stop harassing and taking undue advantage of innocent civilians," he said.

Adding that, "the WesMinCom through its various operating units is calling out to all law-abiding citizens to report such kinds of individual and organizations."

"We can only do so much without your help. Be also extra aware of the Abu Sayyaf who have allied themselves with these lawless elements. Let us all cooperate in order to make a psychologically secured and peaceful environment conducive to development."

Misuari's close aide with buddy killed In Sulu

Unidentified armed men shot dead a close aide of jailed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari in an ambush in Indanan, Sulu on Friday morning.

Reports reaching Zamboanga Southwall said Abdurahman Jamasali, a spokesperson of Misuari, together with an unidentified companion were shot at Barangay Buanza around 6:30 a.m.

It was not clear how the crime committed. But one report said that Jamasali and his companion were walking along Buanza road when ambushed. Another information said the two were riding when attacked by gunmen.

Sulu provincial police chief Ahiron Ajirim was quoted by national media as saying that they are still investigating the incident and who is behind the ambush. "We have yet determine the motive for the attack."

Indanan, where the killing of Jamasali occured, is a known stronghold of the MNLF.

Philippine Marine Corps commandant Major General Mohammand Dolorfino said the death of Jamasali was a big lost to the peace efforts with MNLF in Sulu.

"He is a big lost to our peace efforts in Sulu but I'm sure somebody will replace him," Dolorfino said in an interview over a Zamboanga-based regional television station.

Jamasali helped in the negotiation for the release of General Dolorfino and a top Defense official who were held hostage by a group of rogue MNLF rebels led by Habier Malik early this year in Sulu.

In the last May elections this year, Jamasali, also a former Interior Local Government secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), ran for congress of the 1st District of Sulu but lost in his bid.

He had frequently defended Misuari's actions and had assailed the peace agreement signed between the Philippine Govenment and the MNLF in Septemebr 2, 1996. He had also actively helped in negotiations to free 21 hostages seized by Abu Sayyaf from the Sipadan island in Malaysia and taken to Sulu sometime in 2000.

US forces rotation in Mindanao next month

The Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) announced Wednesday that a number of US troops assigned in Central and Western Mindanao will be transitioning over the next month as part of the standard rotation of US military personnel deployed in the Southern Philippines.

Major General Nelso Allaga, WesMinCom chief, said the transitioning is part of the standard rotation of US military personnel deployed in Mindanao and it is necessary due to the temporary nature of the US presence in Mindanao, confirming the fact that the US does not maintain any permanent bases in the Philippines.

He said during this time there will be a temporary increase in the number of US military aircraft flying in and out of the airports specifically in Cotabato and Zamboanga City. "This rotation however will not affect the overall number of US troops in the Philippines as the rotation will be on 'ONE on ONE' basis," the general added.

US forces in the Philippines are here at the invitation of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to provide advice and assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines which is currently conducting operations against terrorist organizations in the Southern Philippines.

The United States had been supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines to defeat the Terrorist Organizations in this part of the country and they had been constantly involved in Humanitarian Assistance and Civic Action programs of the government in order to deliver basic services to our less privileged brothers in Mindanao, be it Christians and Muslims alike.

"We just want our people to know about these things so that they will not be alarmed about so many US military aircrafts landing and taking off our airports in the above mentioned places. Let us therefore welcome it so that we could avail of the help that our American brothers are extending to us," Allaga said.

Kapihan de Zamboanga
By Hader Glang

So that the people may know: A statement on
"Zamboanga City as Asia's Latin City" moniker issue

The Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ) collectively manifests its objection to the branding of Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City" for the following reasons:

1. Zamboanga was never colonized by the Roman Empire whose citizens were predominantly composed of the Latins, the original inhabitants of the ancient place known historically as Latium, in Central Italy (not Latin America).

2. The dialect Chabacano is not Latin. Latin was the language of the ancient inhabitants of Latium which later on became the language of the Roman Empire and subsequently the liturgical language of the Catholic Church. While Chabacano, according to a published research project, is composed of about 70% Spanish and the rest, a combination of several native dialects. It is a term given to Spanish without grammar and other qualifying characteristics of a language. Spanish and the other languages which evolved from Latin such as, Italian, French, Romanian, Catalan, Rhaeto-Romanic, Sardinian, Provencal and Portuguese are classified as Romance Languages not Latin although they evolved from this Italic language.

3. As stated above, Chabacano which is about 70% Spanish is not linguistically classified Spanish or Latin and should not be used as the primary justification for the branding of Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City." Chabacano is just like a dialect not a language and therefore, can't be raised to the linguistic status of Latin for purposes of systematic comparison and analysis.

4. Latin can't be generally applied linguistically to the multi-cultural and multi-sectarian inhabitants of Zamboanga City who are composed of the native Sama, Subanen, Tausug, and others ethnic inhabitants and migrants coming from different parts of our country. Latin although, linguistically considered dead, remains to be the official language of the Holy See and still used as scientific names in Biology and Astronomy at present.

5. The Latins were not the native inhabitants of Latin America which was discovered by Italian voyager Christopher Columbus for the Crown of Spain. The Latins were a tribe of people who settled on the hilltops above the banks of the Tiber River in the land now called Italy, specifically Latium known today as modern Lazio. The indigenous inhabitants of Latin America, on the other hand, are the Incas, Mayans, and Aztecs who are very different and distinct from the native Zamboangueños in terms of dialects, culture, and history.

6. Chabacano is not only spoken in Zamboanga City, but also in Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian City, Cotabato City, Basilan, Dipolog City, and even in Cavite City in Luzon, debunking the claim that Chabacano is unique to Zamboanga City.

7. The most objectionable part of this act of branding Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City," was the fact that it was launched first and later on legalized by the passage of Resolution No. 760, without barangay-to-barangay or sectoral public consultation and serious scholarly discussion as to its appropriateness and relevance to our culture and history. Idiomatically, it was a classic legislative case of "putting the cart before the horse."

In view of these foregoing reasons, the IPZ respectfully request the Honorable Members of the City Council of Zamboanga to conduct a legislative review of Resolution No. 760, to determine the historical and cultural relevance and appropriateness of this new moniker for Zamboanga City as "Asia's Latin City."

The IPZ look forward to the favorable consideration of the request by the Honorable Councilors of Zamboanga City, traditionally and endearingly called since time immemorial as the "City of Flowers," derived from the Malayan word "Jambangan" according to noted historians.

For comments and suggestions, please e-mail at hader.glang@gmail.com or contact/text at mobile phone # 09203145750

Muslims celebrate Eid'l Fitr

Muslims around the world celebrate today Eid'l Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

In the Philippines, especially in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the observance of Eid'l Fitr, October 12, Friday, has been declared as a regular holiday through Presidential Proclamation 1397 issued on October 1, 2007.

Muslim scholars and faithfuls call the end of Ramadan as "the day of the prize and compassion" after a 30-day fast, spiritual development and worship of Allah (God), as well as the doing of good deeds, and development of positive relations with all.

In Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Palestine, it is customary in `Eid to eat dates or kahk (Arabic for "cookies") and then visit families, relatives, and friends. During these visits, people exchange greetings that differ from one country to another.

The observance of Ramadan, a time when Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, having sex and talking nonsense and backfighting from sunrise to sunset, is considered one of the main religious obligations for Muslims or one of the five pillars of Islam.

According to Islam tradition, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) received the Holy Qur'an during the month of Ramadan. And the Qur'an says: "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so you can learn taqwa (God consciousness, fear of Allah, righteousness).

"Shortly after sunrise on the morning on the first day of Shawwal, Muslims go to mosque to perform the congregational `Eid Prayer, gathering the rich and poor, the young and old, in a state of unity and harmony," said an Ustadz at Barangay Sta. Barbara mosque.

Another Muslim scholar asked: "Now Ramadan has passed on. We should all seriously ask ourselves, 'Have we accomplished our spiritual objectives this Ramadan?'"

He said: "Eid is an occasion to increase in good deeds. Each `Eid marks the conclusion of an important worship, and the determination to continue in obedience and submission to Allah. Yes, blessed Ramadan has ended. However, its passing should not witness the end of our exertion in worship."

"We should continue our Night Prayers, and we should fast voluntarily, at least three days each month, after the six days of Shawwal. This religion is the embodiment of all virtue, the epitome of all goodness. Don't let your share of this good be that it begins and ends with Ramadan."

New Lamitan City Hall in Basilan inaugurated

Former House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin (in suit) led the inauguration and blessing Monday, October 8, 2007, of the new four-storey Lamitan City Hall worth P20 million in the island province of Basilan.

The former Basilan solon was assisted by Mayor Roderick Furigay (left) and other top Lamitan government officials in the ribbon cutting and blessing ceremonies of the new building located in Barangay Fayugan.

Salapuddin allocated P16 million from Country Development Funds (CDF) and P4 million counterpart of Lamitan City government for the construction of the new city hall building which was completed last month.

The beautiful edifice stands on a 2-hectare lot donated by Ret. Court Justice Regino Hermosisima Jr. Its construction started late last year following the ratification of the law converting Lamitan into a city.

Mayor Furigay, in his welcome remarks, said that with all humility, the new city hall is a milestone in the history governance, not only in their locality but in the entire province of Basilan.

“We showed our enduring commitment to finish this city hall for the people of Lamitan,” said Furigay.

The mayor also thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Congressman Salapuddin and Ret. Justice Hermosisima and the late Lamitan mayor Inocente Ramos for the completion of the new city hall.

In his inspirational message, Salapuddin said the inauguration and blessing of the new city hall is a symbol of the coming aid of the town from being a mere municipality to a component city of Basilan.

“I firmly believe that this cityhood of Lamitan is a long dream come true. I may not be in government service temporarily but I’m sure deep in your hearts, you treasure the memory of leadership and my representation in Congress,” he said.

The former deputy speaker for Mindanao and Basilan lawmaker authored both the cityhood of Isabela and Lamitan during his three terms in the House of Representatives.

He said the tale of the two cities will go down in their history and will be remembered as the new beginning for a brighter Basilan.

“I have always believed that the two cities will be the primary engines of economic growth. It will be the sparkplug that will ignite the economic advancement of our people. It will also be the magnate for tourism and investments,” Salapuddin said.