HATAMAN LAUNCHES ARMM RUBBER NURSERY,

DISTRIBUTES AGRI-FISHERY INPUTS IN BASILAN

ARMM OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman delivers a speech during the launching of ARMM Central Rubber Nursery and Turn-Over of Agri Fishery Inputs at DAF - Basilan Provincial Office in Sta. Clara, Lamitan City, Basilan on Saturday, February 11, 2012 as ARMM Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Prof. Sangkula Tindick and Joint Task Force-Basilan Commander Col. Ricardo Visaya look on.

Regional Governor Hataman launches the ARMM Central Rubber Nursery and distributed various Agri Fishery Inputs in Barangay Sta. Clara, Lamitan City, Basilan.

RG Hataman performs a turnover of gill net fishing inputs together with Basilan Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul and ARMM Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Prof. Sangkula Tindick.

The 10-hectare rubber nursery project, the first of its kind in ARMM, located at Sta. Clara Breeding Station in Lamitan City, will enhance rubber seedlings and production with an expected output of 1,220,000 propagated rubber seedlings of 7 different clones.

"Its duration: March 2012 onwards; area; expected output: 1,220,000 propagated rubber Seedlings of 7 different clones; area to be planted: 2,440 hectares; proponent/implementor: DAF-ARMM, Basilan," said ARMM DAF Secretary Prof. Sangkula Tindick.

According to Tindick, the nursery project will benefit rubber farmers or growers in the island province and provide them livelihood "besides could augment the incomes of the rural folks and boosting the province's rubber industry."

DA-Central, DA-RFU IX, Philippine Rubber Board, USM, Office of the Congressman Lone District Basilan Jim Salliman, PLGU, MLGUs, NGOs, and POs of Basilan are the project coordinating agencies.

Budgetary requirement is P9.5 million (project cost - P6,750,000, administrative cost - P2,750,000) that is source from the ARMM Local Fund Office of the Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman.

"Expected: First year operation March, 2012 to February 2013 (seedlings produced: 610,000 hills, seedlings distributed: 604,000 hills, and rubbery clones propagated: 7 clones)," Tindick said.

Hataman also launched a 3.5 hectares coconut project as well as a 2 hectares mango-durian project and .5 hectares rambutan project.Likewise, the agro forest area with a total rubber area of 12 hectares and productive area of 6 hectares and the "Binhi Para sa Kapayapaan" nursery (10 hectares) as well as the future area for rubber production and research purposes.

Hataman's undertaking is the ARMM government's response to enhancing peace in the region by increasing agricultural productivity and the agriculture department's goal of opening new agri-business lands.

He stressed the need to transform the many unproductive and idle lands of the province into agri-business lands to help generate more jobs for the locals. The ARMM OIC Governor lauded Secretary Tindick for his sensitivity and responsiveness in improving the welfare of the people of Basilan. -- HG

Hataman meets Basilan LGU, AFP, PNP officials

for peace & development multi-sectoral forum

ARMM OIC Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman is escorted by Col. Ricardo Visaya, Joint Task Force-Basilan commander, during the arrival ceremony at the 104th Brigade Headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan Province before the Peace and Development Multi-Sectoral Forum on Saturday, February 11, 2012.

ARMM OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman shakes hand with the local police officials of Basilan headed by PNP Provincial Director of Basilan Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses at the Peace and Development Multi-Sectoral Forum

ARMM OIC Governor Mujiv Hataman presides the Peace and Development Multi-Sectoral Forum held at Headquarters of Joint Task Force Basilan, Camp Luis R. Biel II, Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City in Basilan Province on Saturday, February 11, 2012. With him are Basilan Governor Jum Akbar, Vice Governor Alrasheed Sakkalahul, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Western Mindanao Command Chief Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division Commander Brig. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, DIPO Commander for Western Mindanao Director Felicisimo Khu Jr., Joint Task Force-Basilan Commander Col. Ricardo Visaya, Police Regional Office 9 Regional Director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles and Police Provincial Director of Basilan Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses. All sides vow to further cooperation and strengthen unity for the peace and development in Basilan.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman met on Saturday with local government leaders of Basilan, Western Mindanao-based top military and police officials in Isabela City for peace and development multi-sectoral forum.

The ARMM OIC Governor discussed to Gov. Jum Akbar, Vice Gov. Alrasheed Sakkalahul, mayors, police and military officials the implementation and importance of reform thrusts for the ARMM bureaucracy, intended for Basilan's socio economic development, good governance, and improving peace and security.

Responding to the presentation of so-called "Comprehensive Development Plan - Executive & Legislative Agenda" by the Provincial Government of Basilan, Hataman stressed to local government leaders the convergence of effort and funding for development as the key to achieving the 3-year plan.

"We must have convergence to put the projects and programs in the proper perspective," Hataman said. "We won't allow anymore projects that have no significant impact in the community."

In terms of peace and security, the ARMM OIC Governor agreed with applying the tactics in counterinsurgency where 80 percent political and only 20 percent military.

"This is true. In our peace and security frame, our concept is human security where the big factor is the local government units," Hataman said.

In fact, he said they had discussions with President Benigno Aquino III and Secretary of Budget and Management Florencio Abad regarding the suspension of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the local government unit in ARMM if it will not properly function.

According to Hataman, he and ARMM's Police Regional Office under Director, Police Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, had organized "Task Force Monitoring" for Lanao and other areas in the autonomous region.

"We have a lot of funding in ARMM but the problem really is the improper and poor implementation of projects where the funds are wasted," said Hataman.

As this developed, Hataman pledged to give strategic basic infrastructures to the mayors who are serving in remote towns in Basilan and who do not have the benefit of Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) provided they will hold office regularly in their respective municipal seat of government.

"We will establish the quality. We will give you municipal hall, public market, water system, your basic needs, and other basic infrastructures but we have to agree where to put up you government center and not to politicize this...let's think of the future of our place," Hataman said.

Stressing his aim for good governance, the ARMM OIC Governor said he wanted that before his term ends all the local government units will properly function. "You should regularly hold office or else you will be punished, although there is a transitional period to be considered."

Hataman ended with an appeal: "I live here (Basilan) I studied here I want to develop our place I want Basilan to become model in the future and I want all local government units here functional. It's our responsibility that we should bring peace and development into our province. All of the people of Basilan should take part."

Saturday's peace and development multi-sectoral forum saw the presence of Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Western Mindanao Command Chief Maj. Gen. Noel Coballes, 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division Commander Brig. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, DIPO Commander for Western Mindanao Director Felicisimo Khu Jr., Joint Task Force-Basilan Commander Col. Ricardo Visaya, Police Regional Office 9 Regional Director Chief Supt. Napoleon Estilles and Police Provincial Director of Basilan Sr. Supt. Alex Lineses. All sides vowed to further, enhance cooperation and strengthen unity for the peace and development in Basilan. -- Hader Glang

Advocacy to President Aquino's reform agenda in Mindanao has grown among different groups in southern Philippines.

Inviting MILF, ASG to harmony, peace
dialogue a big challenge, says Silsilah

Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra, Silsilah Dialogue Movement founder.

Inviting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, Abu Sayyaf, New Peoples Army and other insurgent groups to interfaith harmony and peace dialogue will be a big challenge, the Zamboanga City-based local organizers of the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIFHW) 2012 celebration said.

"It's an idea, a crazy idea, but this great idea can also to my mind on some other occasion. I think no matter how the things they (rebels) do they probably can tell us us why they are doing this," Silsilah Dialogue Movement founder Fr. Sebastiano D'Ambra said during a press conference with local media on Monday.

But D'Ambra doubts if they can easily achieve a harmony with the said rebel and militant groups "because that will be a miracle, only in the Philippines, this miracle can happen." He said in spite of this a reflection of something can be done together.

"Of course, no promises of any but just a kind of sincere sharing with some. If their real leaders can not come because they're afraid they can send somebody to tell us that this is their (of Abu Sayyaf, MILF and others) voice. We will see what will happen. That's a great challenge to us," he said.

For Professor Ali Yacub, Muslim convener of the Inter-Religious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP), the challenge to invite the Abu Sayyaf, MILF and other groups can be done but the challenge not to be arrested them especially those wanted and with warrant of arrest is a very impossible thing.

"We can guarantee the invitation but by not arresting, we can't guarantee," said Prof. Yacub, also the president of Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates (GCCPBA).

The United Nation General Assembly encourages all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world's churches, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during the week long celebration.

It is based on love of God and love of one's neighbor or on love of the good and love of one's neighbor, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions.

Former school superintendent Dr. Abdurrahman Keno of the Department Education explained that the purpose of celebrating WIFHW is to create awareness on all people of the world that there is such harmony through interfaith dialogue.

"I can say without any contradictions that if there are hundreds of Abu Sayyaf, there are 10 or 20 more of them who are real Muslims that subscribe to harmony and dialogue through interfaith dialogue," he said.

Prof. Alzad Sattar, another organizer of WIFHW, said the idea of inviting the rebels and others to interfaith harmony and peace is possible but in a different level. "This is a challenge for us. We should not stop until we die insha-Allah (in God's will)."

But a local human rights and peace advocate who specializes international humanitarian law and rules of engagement opposed the idea of inviting Abu Sayyaf and NPA to interfaith dialogue, saying that terrorists will not respond to the invitation and do not want to be recognized as a group.

He instead challenged the media to reaching out to rebels through radio, television and newspapers.

"We can not invite a group purely Abu Sayyaf, NPA or international terrorists under Bin Laden, although we can conduct a forum in a particular barangay, where they will join the masses, the group of people, without identifying themselves," he said. -- Hader Glang

ASFP, DSWD meet in Zambo to review

World Bank funded projects in ARMM

ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP) Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo (sitting extreme right) convenes his staff and their DSWD implementing project partners from provinces of Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi at Garden Orchid hotel in Zamboanga City. HG

Officials and project staffs of the ARMM Social Fund Project (ASFP)and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) ARMM gathered here for a three-day catch up-planning workshop on Program Implementation Agreement No. 009-AF.

ASFP Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo convened their project implementing partners from provinces of Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi headed by DSWD Secretary Hja. Pombaen Karon-Kader of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

"We are meeting our main project implementing partners to review the implementation plan of additional financing for ASFP under the Community Development Assistance (CDA) and to also make sure that the projects are implemented as per planned and completed on time," said Sinarimbo.

The ASFP has been carrying out community-based infrastructure projects and services through its two components, the CDA and the Institutional Strengthening and Governance (ISG).

"These are community-based infra like warehouses, dryers, water system, health stations and many others being implemented in partnership with DSWD ARMM Secretary Kader, where those targeted villages based on criteria and through the people's organization, are given the opportunities to implement the projects," he added.

To date, the project manager further said "Right now, ASFP is covering 240 barangays plus the 213 under the Phase 2... we also had project staffs recruitment in Lanao del Sur after the qualifying examination and we have more examinations for Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi."

Over a year ago, the World Bank approved a $30 million additional financing package for peace and development projects aimed at enhancing access to social and economic infrastructure and livelihood opportunities, improve local governance and institutional capacity in ARMM.

In the additional financing, five hundred ninety-six (596) barangays in 108 municipalities of ARMM such as Maguindanao, Lanao Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan shall be provided assistance which will be equitably allocated based on population.

ASFP has been consistently acknowledged by the World Bank for performing well and adopting the policies and guidelines set forth in project implementation. Its project life will be extended to May 31, 2013, with the additional financing. HG

2nd Week - January 11, 2012

AN OPEN LETTER FROM FR. SEBASTIANO D’AMBRA TO MUJIV HATAMAN, THE NEW OIC OF ARMM, AND A SILSILAH ALUMNUS 1997

Dear Mujiv,

Allow me to share my joy to know that you, one of the alumni of the Silsilah Summer Course, has reached this position as head of the ARMM. It is not the first time that a Muslim or Christian alumnus of Silsilah has occupied an important position in Philippine society in one of the institutions or universities. I wish to share with you in this open letter not only my joy but also my hope. Allow me to share as a father or a mentor to one alumnus and friend who is dear to me, and can help to move efforts in the same direction of dialogue and peace.

The last time we met was in Harmony Village few years ago and you reminded me that you are one of the Silsilah alumni. We are proud of this. You are now in one of the most difficult and challenging positions in the country. It is a position that can facilitate the peace process or continue the situation of violence and corruption in Mindanao. You can legitimately take pride in the notable achievements which are part of your “heritage” as a Muslim and a Mindanawon but this same heritage also has negative elements which includes violence that reached its highest level on the occasion of the Maguindanao Massacre.

Observing your first moves in your position as ARMM OIC I sense that you are doing your best. “Padayon!” (Move on!) This is the word of encouragement that you still remember for sure from the Silsilah experience.

Most of the time people believe that if we have more security structures and more money we can solve the problem of peace in Mindanao. This is only partially right. You know how much money has been given to ARMM over the years and how many thousands of soldiers have been assigned in Mindanao. But what have been the results? It is commonly believed that the National Government and the ARMM have to improve the “truth and sincerity” in their relations and make it the real foundation of peace and development.

We will support you in all the wise moves you will make to help the central government realize that only a real and genuine autonomy, or a similar form of governance, can be made as an example in Mindanao and hopefully applied in other regions as an appropriate form of “federalism” or similar system in the Philippines. You have the challenge to convince the people of ARMM to claim what is right, but with a realistic attitude that considers the real development of Mindanao , where the indigenous people and others who have reached Mindanao from other areas have rights too.

Dear Mujiv, you know better than I how complicated is the situation, but I know also that you have courage and determination. Use all your gifts and talents to become a model of a leader who is in the front line for the “common good” and not the “common corruption and violence “ that bring more poverty.

Remember the Silsilah commitment to promote the Culture of Dialogue, Path to Peace based on personal and social transformation. People around you have to learn how to be good Muslims or good Christians, living and promoting love and compassion. How many times we find hypocritical leaders who act as though they are good Muslims or good Christians, but their hearts are still full of hatred, violence and corruption. We need righteous people in society starting with the leaders. I hope and pray that you will be one model in Mindanao.

Dear Mujiv, I need not add more points in this open letter. You know what is best and I am sure you will continue to do the best.

Allow me to end this open letter with a suggestion. From 1977, the year I arrived in Mindanao, up to now I have seen the struggle of many good Muslims and Christians to overcome historical conflicts, new prejudices and forms of mistrust, among the two faith communities, including the lumads in Mindanao. But so far the results have been limited because many of them are part of the “silent majority” who are afraid to share their feelings on anomalies carried out by some leaders of sectors of society; illegal businesses; corruption, etc. Doing it in this way violence allows more violence and fear , which continue to perpetuate the “culture of silence and fear” . We have to overcome this critical situation in all possible ways.

One way to start can be to follow the encouragement coming from the United Nations to celebrate the first week of February every year as the “World Interfaith Harmony Week”. This move of the United Nations was inspired by the open letter of 138 Muslim scholars of the world to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christians leaders of the world to work together for peace, starting from the message of the love of God and the love of neighbor in Islam and Christianity as it is found in the teaching of the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an.

We in Zamboanga City and in the ZAMBASULTA sub-region are moving in this direction in partnership with the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines which is the lead group of this special Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration. I hope you will spread this celebration in the ARMM region as a good starting point to celebrate Harmony as the answer to the future peace of Mindanao.

Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, PIME (Sgd.)

Hataman to political rivals: 'Forget politics

first and help me fix ARMM problems'

ARMM officer-in-charge-Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman stresses a point at a Thanksgiving or Duwa'a held in Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan Province last Saturday. Behind him is Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakkalahul. Hader Glang

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman has asked his political rivals to forget politics first and help him to fix the problems hounding in the autonomous region.

Speaking at a Dua’a (Thanksgiving) held in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan Province on Saturday morning, Hataman told the crowd that ARMM is a broken region because of too much politicking.

"This is the challenge that must be fixed within 17 months, so I plead to you. We will only succeed in our quest for reform in ARMM if you are there and if there is cooperation from all sides," Hataman said.

He stressed that there is no room in his heart and thoughts for revenge on his political rivals because it will only divide the people and does not benefit anyone.

Citing the effect of excessive politicking which operates in DepEd ARMM, Hataman said it had greatly destroyed on the educational system in the region.

“DepEd is broken not because of teachers and educators but due to politics. All the projects are not properly implemented...no justice in our towns because of too much politicking," he added.

For this very reason, the ARMM chief caretaker said until now, he has not appointed regional secretary to the DepEd ARMM. “I do not need a doctor of education, though it’s needed later.

"What I need is a daring person and fearless who has a strong heart to change the system and trends within the DepEd,” he stressed.

Hataman further said he is determined to eliminate corruption prevalent in DepEd within 100 days of his administration and to do significantly to improve the quality in education in 17 months.

He noted that good governance, socio-economic development, and peace and security are the main thrusts of his administration under the “matuwid na daan” or right path campaign of President Benigno Aquino III.

“We will not disarm that is not the solution, but the question is how to regulate the firearms which is the solution,” Hataman said, referring to his proposed general amnesty on loose firearms.

“This is what we will do. I will ask our President to have a general amnesty on firearms within ARMM,” he added.

On the first marching order from President Aquino to stop illegal loggers operating in the region, Hataman said the investigation involving the shutting down of seven sawmills in Kapai town, Lanao de Sur is ongoing.

He said he poured in enough funds to the newly reinforced Task Force Ranao headed by Brig. General Daniel Lucero to engage in an all-out offensive against illegal logging in the province.

He expressed confidence that many positive things will happen in the region. He continued saying that he just wanted to lead by example in ARMM, where a completely peaceful and prosperous region, was his dream.

“But I’m not dreaming this much, simply just wanted to regain the honor and dignity of Muslims," he said. “If we can't change the structure of ARMM, at least, we can change the perception from outside ARMM. I promised you that I am determined to reform ARMM. Join me to achieve this goal,” he concluded. HG

Thanksgiving Day in Basilan

Former Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist Representative Mujiv S. Hataman's appointment as officer-in-charge (OIC) regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) gave hope and a feeling of optimism to the people of Basilan Province. On Saturday, thousands of people from all walks of life including religious leaders, local government officials, civil society members and teachers of Basilan and its towns flocked to Tabiawan in Isabela City to hold Thanksgiving or Dua for the newly installed ARMM chief caretaker. Hader Glang

Mujiv Hataman assumes ARMM's OIC Governorship
Promises reforms in 17 months

A determined newly appointed officer-in-charge (OIC) regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Mujiv Hataman has been installed and promised during his tenure to put an end to wrongdoing and bad practices within the autonomous region in 21 months.

During last Thursday’s turnover ceremony inside a conference room at ARMM Regional Governor Complex in Cotabato City in front of more than 100 local officials including governors, assemblymen and mayors, Hataman used his speech to send a strong message to people who tried to unseat him.

"I know that while many are glad of my appointment, others are raged. I see one reason of this anger because they know this is the end of their happy days, their wrong practices in the past," he stressed.

The new chief executive of ARMM thanked those who rejoiced his appointment, saying that he will sincerely struggle. He vowed not to fail them.

To others, Hataman said “if indeed our objective is to serve the people for the sake of the majority and prosperity of the region, then we are not enemies we are allies and we should work together.”

He warned those who will create trouble and enrich themselves through plunder “I will make sure they have placement because this is the mandate of our president."

As the audience applauded, Hataman said he accepted the mandate, the challenge and dictate of President Aquino, stressing that he does not consider the position of ARMM OIC regional as license to be king as it is a position to serve the local people.

Hataman continued "we will create a new culture in the ARMM, a good governance based on transparency and accountability, a culture of management that the foundation is anchored on democracy, citizens' participation and broad empowering our people and pragmatic but principled leadership."

He further said that ARMM had passed in the darkness "when you say ARMM, immediately the adjacent term is corruption, chaos, and continued poverty of the people. It seems very impossible to erase this impression for a long time now, almost never the sunsets of prosperity and peace in the ARMM.”

The new ARMM governor proclaimed "this time the challenge for us all is how to address the reform of the ARMM in a short time. How to give sense to the two decades existence of ARMM in just seventeen months? Is this simple? I strongly believe that if we are all together, united and act on real change and we trust our own strength and abilities, a new and progressive ARMM is possible."

Admitting the critics comment that it is very impossible to achieve reform in ARMM in a short span of period, he said it is true that "not we all desired reforms in the ARMM will be completely or achieved in a moment. We are not magician that in just a moment we instantly change something. We are not also politicians who always flatter people and even promise us the moon and the stars."

Using a classic story of an old man, who walked very far away amid the warm and heat of the day to seek shelter in the a shade of a tree because he thought the planting of trees in the wide field, ridiculed by people because how he could take shelter in the shade of the trees he planted when he is already dead by that time.

"But the old man did no matter it because what matters to him even he is already not there it would be the shelter of another next to him or new generation. This is the basis that we wil do. This is our desire if we will not totally achieve the reform, our goal, at least within seventeen months we will ensure reform, lay down the foundation of good governance, pure culture for serving our countrymen. We do this for the masses we are serving that put us in power and truly public service."

"Today this signal the opening of a new page in the history of ARMM. Today starts the first step to pursue our course for significant reform and change in ARMM. We will not not let allow this only a turnover ceremony we will give this meaning and life right now because we owe this to the people who offered their life and the generations yet to come."

"We will begin the reform by clearing first the bureaucracy and its management. In our administration, influence peddling is prohibited, the applicants must be all qualified, and we will reduce the violence to have an encouraging state of peace and stability."

That's is why, Hataman, said they agreed with DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo the convening of the regional peace and order council with the respective governors of five provinces in the ARMM next year of January.

"And above all, delivering to the people and carrying out the basic services and programs for their development," he said. "We also know that there is P8.5 million stimulus fund which was given by the government and we will ensure that this fund will reach on our people."

In this framework, we build a strong pillar of our office with sensible management, good governance, peace security, socio-economic development, all these are guided by principles to strengthen the foundations of democracy, and empowerment of citizens.

"We will restore the trust of the people to the ARMM, we will show to the whole world that the Muslim 'ummah', the Bangsamoro, has the ability to lead and run the government and set its future," Hataman vowed.

"Now do we have the capability to change ARMM within seventeen months?" he asked. "This is my my answer. If you want, then there is a way; if you don't there is always reason. Let's do the rigth thing because we can do this and because we believe in our only strength to build a new, progressive and peaceful ARMM," he concluded. – Hader Glang

Philippines' first peace monument unveiled in Zamboanga City, Mindanao

Individuals, groups and institutions led by Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ) and Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (IRSMP) gathered yesterday infront of Edwin Andrews Air Base in Barangay Sta. Maria, in this city, to unveil a peace monument.

Fr. Angel Calvo, PAZ president, accompanied by Dr. Grace Rebollos, president of Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), and Prof. Ali Yacub, chairman of Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates (GCCPBA) officially unveiled the first ever peace monument in the country.

An indigenous offerings and ceremonial ritual with smoke and incense as well as thanksgiving, flowers offering, and a prayer for peace were also held. Organizers said the offerings were giving themselves to Almighty God as the over all Peace Weaver of our time.

"As we cleanse ourselves, we commit to live in a new space for peace, peace within ourselves, peace among our neighbors, peace with nature and peace with our Great Provider," one of the organizers, Ms. Pangilinan, said in a prepared statement.

The statement further states, "In this symbolic gathering, we share flowers among ourselves to show love and respect of the individual; the smoke and the incense is the symbol of cleansing and driving away negative forces...and salt as it spread around the area drive away negative forces that may cause indiferrence or misunderstanding...let all symbols remind us to preserve and promote peace to all mankind."

Father Calvo told a crowd which included Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) Secretary Teresita Deles who graced the peace monument unveiling ceremony, Councilors Al Jihan Edding, Myra Paz Abubakar, as well as high ranking military and police officials and PAZ/IRSMP members: "This (monument) is reminder for all of us and the future generation of our aspiration of harmony among the people of Zamboanga."

Calvo said: "This is anchoring the reality of our hands. We proclaim peace in our hands...the mosaic represents the Muslims, Lumads and other tribes of Christians in the area that is our symbol to be a reminder to preserve and a symbol for all for us living in Zamboanga, coming to Zamboanga together or nearby the airbase with our aspiration of peace anchoring with the reality. We hope that the monument will be a monument to remind us all of our common commitment to peace."

The "First Peace Monument" was created by Tausug artist Rameer Tawasil. It is shaped like a peace dove and hand extending peace.

Secretary Deles congratulated and thanked Tawasil for contributing his talent in creating the peace monument that they have unveiled. "I will wish to return to this monument everytime I am in Zamboanga."

She said: "We build monuments and markers of remembrance to maintain to a past that we want future generations remember...we build monuments because remembering is a part of healing and a necessary step for moving on and forward."

She mentioned the "Social Contract with the Filipino People" of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. "It is not called a promise. Of the 16 provisions in the contract, number 14 focuses on the issue of peace in Mindanao. It said from a disjointed, short-sighted Mindanao policy that merely reacts to events and incidents to one that seeks a broadly supported just peace and will redress decades of neglect of the Moro and other peoples of Mindanao." - HG

Maguindanao massacre victims' kin urge for speedy prosecution of Ampatuans

Prayers, offering of flowers, lighting of candles, and demonstrations in remembering the 57 victims of Maguindanao massacre were held Tuesday in the remote town of Ampatuan to mark the first anniversary of the carnage.

A huge crowd, including local journalists from the different regions and foreign countries as well as multi-sectoral group leaders and non governmental organizations, gathered in a remote hill at Barangay Salman, where the slaughter occured Nov. 23, 2009.

Tuesday's ceremony in Ampatuan town began at 8:00 a.m., the country’s worst political massacre that shocked the world and gained media international and United Nation attention.

Military and police security forces backed by combat vehicles along the road towards the hilly site, where the massacre took place, had a very sizable size presence to secure the area.

The families and relatives of massacre victims led by Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, whose wife Jenalyn was among those killed in the slaughter, called for a speedy prosecution of the accused.

"A year has passed but justice still remains unserved. I have mixed emotions as I stand before you today. I wish I could tell you that after one year, the case is about to be concluded," Mangudadatu said in a prepared statement.

The Ampatuans, their conspirators and accomplices shall in no time be convicted. However, that is not the case here. It pains me to think that despite the evidence presented by the prosecution, the major suspects in the case are yet to be arraigned."

Considering that the number of victims involved in the masssacre, Mangudadatu said its negative impact to the country and the media attention it received internationally as well as the slow progress of the case is to say disappointing.

Despite having been put behind bars, the Ampatuans remain influential through their allies who are powered by their ill-gotten wealth and weapons, according to Mangudadatu.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who was present at the commemoration, vowed to focus her attention on the prosecution of those implicated in the massacre.

Reading the statement of President Benigno Aquino III, De Lima says: "Today the wheels of justice grind on. 57 cases are pending before the Regional Trial Court 221 of Quezon City. 49 of the 196 accused in the case have been arraigned and 81 have been arrested. One alleged victim remains missing. His body was never found."

The President's statement furthers, "The resolution of these cases has become the litmus test of our justice system. It in one of the top priorities of the Justice Department. We will not rest until justice has been served. Today we agai offer our condolences to the families of the victims and vow to do everything in our power to achieve a timely resolution of this case and esnure that this does not happen again."

Relatives of the victims also made emotional appeals for justice.

Journalists placed flowers and lit candles on the area, where many of the media colleagues were dugged up. They also released white doves and white baloons in memory of the victims.

A foreign journalist Deborah Muir, who is senior member of the Australia-based International Federation of Journalists, called for a speedy and comprehensive justice for all the Maguindanao massacre victims.

Meanwhile, Governor Mangudadatu asked the people to be cautious against the influences of the Ampatuans.

"Let us be vigilant so that we may restore not only peace and order in the province of Maguindanao but also the wealth ill gotten by them from the people. We should remain hopeful despite the slow progress of the case. Let us pray that justice shall be served in an inexpensive and expeditious manner. Let us pray that such event, one of the darkest moments in 21st century will never be repeated."

The Mindanao Human Rights Action Center, Inc. also issued statament wishing to express its solidarity with the families of the victims and support for their unwavering determination to seek justice.

"The quest for justice and peace must continue...justice is sought. Justice must be delivered. No ifs,not buts...our calls for justice for the victims of the November 23 massacre is ther same call we make for ALL victims of human rights violations throughout the conflict affected areas of Mindanao," the statement said.

Let our commemoration of the martyrdom of the November 23 victims be a moment for all of us to: reflect of the nexus between the conflict and human rights violations; strengthen our resolve to seek a just and negotiated end to the conflict; and strengthen our commitment to pursue justice for all victims of human rights violations. No peace without human rights. No human rights without peace."

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Tragic incident in Zamboanga: 3 killed, 6 injured

Fate intervened in the cruelest way possible, a Muslim public school teacher was stabbed to death by an ex-convict few days before she was to get married.

One witness, a 12-year old girl who was in a state of trauma, recounted the stabbing spree inside their classroom at Talisayan Elementary School in the city's westcoast.

It was Friday afternoon, October 22, 2010, a knife-wielding ex-convict who ran amok barged into the classroom and stabbed teachers and students one by one.

Six other people were also wounded in the attack that occurred at 1:45 in the afternoon inside the classrooms, where teachers were holding their classes.

The suspect, who was identified as Feli Mateo, was also killed after angry villagers, overpowered, mauled and beat him to death with stones.

The motive of the attack was unknown, but village officials confirmed that the attacker was an ex-convict.

It was learned from police officials, the suspect was the caretaker of a fighting cock farm owned by Leonito Narvaez.

The suspect was convicted for rape in 1981 and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, his sentence was commuted and later released in 2008.

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ASFP, JICA perform groundbreaking/turnover of over P25 million projects in Lamitan, Basilan

The ARMM seeks to improve the current socio-economic condition of Lamitan, Basilan in support of its current developmental thrusts that include among others the establishment of vital transport infrastructure facilities (roads, bridges, ports and other support facilities).

ARMM Social Fund Project Manager Nasser Sinarimbo on Friday, October 15, 2010, perfomed the groundbreaking of the improvement of Lamitan Port (construction of passenger terminal building) and concreting of Parangbasak- Bolehebong road in Lamitan, Basilan Province.

Japan International Cooperation Agency expert Tito Oria Sr. who represented JICA Chief Representative Norio Matsuda and Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay accompanied Engr. Sinarimbo in the two groundbreaking of ASFP projects in Barangay Kulay Bato and Barangay Parangbasak, as well as turnover of completed health and multi-purpose centers in Barangay Baungos.

In an interview, Sinarimbo said the local government of Basilan identified the projects through Lamitan Mayor Furigay whose effort was approved by ARMM Social Fund's Regional Economic Development Planning Board, and positively reciprocated by the administration of ARMM Regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong with fundings from JICA.

According to Sinarimbo, the cost of the improvement of Lamitan port project is estimated at P15,808,302.39 million and the concreting of Parangbasak and the cost of Bolehebong road project is estimated at P9.791,229.07 million.

The said projects are also in line with the socio-economic-political agenda of the national government.

The officials believe the projects will bring progress to Lamitan benefits as far as socio-economic development, revenue, and all maritime interests and easy accessibility, reduce travel time, as well as peace and order stability, respectively, are concerned.

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A MUST WATCH VIDEOS: MNLF-MILF CONFLICT PART 1 & 2

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Police show CCTV video on airport bombing in Zamboanga

Local authorities here on Sunday showed to media a video taken from CCTV security camera footage that justifies the linkages of suspected bombers in Thursday's bombing near the arrival area of Zamboanga City International Airport.

In a press conference at City Hall, the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) chaired by Mayor Celso Lobregat presented pieces of evidence captured from the CCTV video footage establishing the linkages of Reynaldo Apilado and Hatimil Yacub Harun.

The authorities also showed a CCTV video footage of some scenes, including Apilado and Harun who were waiting near the arrival area when the explosion occurred.

Based on the CCTV footage, Saipudin together with a companion checked at Imperial Hotel on July 27, 20010 and the next day Apilado, Harun and a companion took over the said hotel room and continued until July 31, 2010.

The video footage showed that on August 1, 2010, the three persons transferred to a bigger room at the same floor in room 203 and until August 5, 2010, the day of the bomb explosion at the city airport.

It furthered that at about 3:15 in the afternoon on August 5, Apilado together with Harun and other companions left the Imperial Hotel. It showed Apilado returning a hotel key in the counter.

It also showed the suspects suspect were in the stairway going down and walking away outside the hotel.

Police Regional Office 9 (PRO 9) chief Edwin Corvera told reporters that in their investigation those finger prints taken from the hotel and the identification cards match with the finger prints of Apilado.

Meanwhile, Directorate for Integrated Police Operations Western Mindanao (DIPO WesMin) director Angelo Sunglao said they are looking into on whether a backbag was given to Apilado at the airport.

"Because based on the CCTV footage, when they (suspects) checked out from the hotel apparently they had no carried a bag...so we are investigating who carried the bag that was used," he added.

Sunglao said they are open to all the possible motives, one of which is the political, but said they are not discounting other motives.

But he said that, "with the development linking the pieces of evidence is leading to that point (more or less political)."

Earlier, during questioning by Philippine National Police chief Jesus Versoza with Governor Sakur Tan of Sulu, the latter told authorities that the the bomb attack was intended for him.

Tan also told General Versoza that Cocoy Tulawie, the main suspect in the first bomb attack on the Sulu governor a year ago in Patikul, was behind the Zamboanga City airport bombing last Thursday.

Tulawie, a former councilor of Jolo, Sulu and a leader of Bangsamoro Consortium of Civil Society, is facing warrant of arrest together with three companions for the first bomb attack on Governor Tan's convoy in Sulu.

He remains at large as of this report and he is now the subject of manhunt operation by police and military authorities.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lobregat clarified certain publication about the identification of the mastermind of the bombing who attempted on the life of Governor Tan of Sulu.

He said the authorities are looking at past attempts on the life of Governor Tan, wherein there were several suspects who have warrants of arrest.

"So the instructions of the PNP chief (General Jesus Versoza) is to make sure that there is a manhunt for those that have warrants of arrest," the mayor explained.

He said: "It does not necessarily mean that those suspects are the masterminds that cannot be more or less made very definite at this point in time."

Authorities identify suspected bomber at Zamboanga City international airport

Chief Supt. Edwin Corvera, director of the Police Region Office 9 (PRO 9), shows to journalists the photo of Reynaldo Apilado, whom the authorities suspected as the bomb carrier who blew himself Thursday night at the Zamboanga City International Airport. Also in photo are PNP chief Jesus Verzosa (left) and Mayor Celso Lobregat.

Police and military authorities announced the identity of a suspected suicide bomber who blew himself up targeting a governor of Sulu on the Zamboanga City international airport on Thursday night.

Security sources said that authorities are still conducting thorough investigation of the alleged suicide bombing which if confirmed could be the first of such attack carried out by a Filipino.

A police investigator described the video footage from a surveillance camera at the airport saying that they have seen the suspect (Reynaldo Apilado) who was standing infront of the arrival area and stayed there for almost four minutes."

"Then the passengers started to come out from the airplane. Perhaps, 3 to 4 passengers until such time the escort (vehicle) of Governor Sakur Tan passed when the explosion occured...the suspect has a bagpack at his back," he said.

The suspected bomber was identified as Reynaldo Apilado of Barangay Maasin, Zamboanga City. He was in his 30s and had been living at a local housing project for the past 3-4 years.

Authorities are investigating reports that Reynaldo Apilado came from Siocon town in Zamboanga del Norte and had stayed in Cotabato City sometime ago.

Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said that a surveillance footage at the airport showed that the alleged bomber made no move to detonate the bomb that he was carrying in his backpack.

"So I would be very very hesitant to use the word suicide bomber because first of all there is no evidence that Reynaldo Apilado was the one who triggered the bomb. There was no triggering mechanism that was found within the vicinity."

Lobregat added that it is very possible that there was a remote triggering device that was triggered by somebody else. Aside from that, he said there is another angle that Reynaldo Apilado did not know that what he was carrying.

"Perhaps, somebody just asked him to carry the bag and to meet somebody in the airport. So all these angles are being looked into and we really should refrain from using the word suicide bomber because it is not verified," he said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Versoza, in a press conference in Zamboanga City, told reporters that the motive of the bombing incident appears to be a "politically motivated terrorist act."

"That is a possible attack on Governor Tan by a person through the used of bomb," Versoza said.

He said they are now looking also on previous incidents that might have some relations with the attack on Governor Tan before because there was an attempt on his life before also through the used of bomb.

"Our investigators are assessing and interfacing the other terror attacks which are polically motivated. In the initial finding, the bomb carrier itself that was a victim in the bomb blast," the PNP chief said.

Bombing at Zamboanga City airport

Two persons including a suspected bomber were killed and twenty two others wounded in a bombing Thursday evening outside the arrival area of Zamboanga International Airport in Mindanao.

2 people killed, 22 others injured

Suspected bomber blew himself

At least five people including a suspected bomber were killed and 22 others injured when a bomb exploded outside the arrival area of the Zamboanga City International Airport on Thursday evening.

Mayor Celso Lobregat told local reporters the explosion occurred at about 6:15 p.m. outside the city airport's arrival area.

"It appears that the person holding the explosive device (was the bomber). We can not determine yet what the explosive device used in the attack. The body (suspected bomber) was mangled," he said.

The mayor said one of those injured victims was Sulu Governor Sakur Tan who was among the passengers of a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila that landed in Zamboanga at 6:10 p.m.

"I was able to talk with Governor Sakur Tan of Sulu...he went inside the arrival area. He was there with his son (Mayor Tan)...the governor had a slight wound because he was outside the airport when the incident happened," he said.

Governor Tan was one of the passengers going out of the airport when the bomb exploded.

When asked if the bomb was intended for the Sulu governor, Lobregat replied. "He (Governor Tan) told me that the bomb was intended for him. He thinks so."

According to Mayor Lobregat, the Sulu governor told him that the bomb exploded a few feet away from him. "In fact, he showed me his shirt was full of blood stains and the t-shirt of his son Mayor Tan was also full of blood stain."

Tan's spokesman, Sonny Abing, said the governor suffered a scratch at the right abdomen, but the injury did not require Tan to be confined at the hospital. As of posting, Tan was in his residence in Zamboanga City near the airport.

Mayor Lobregat considered the bomb attack as a terrorist act, saying that "definitely, this is a terrorist act. How else can you describe it? This is an act of terrorist."

Also asked whether the attack was a suicide attack, he said the person who carried the bomb could have exploded prematurely or it could have been that the person did not know that he was carrying the bomb and somebody had a triggering device.

The mayor confirmed that one of the injured blast victims is a British national. "He is in the operating room. He is 69 years old I think he was just waiting a passenger."

Lobregat also said that US ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas canceled his trip to Zamboanga City due to the bombing incident at the airport.

"I was just informed by General Dolorfino that the trip or visit of the US ambassador has been cancelled definitely because of the incident."

Thomas was scheduled to fly to Zamboanga on Friday to inspect local projects funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The US military has had about 500 soldiers stationed in the southern Philippines since early 2002 to train local troops in how to combat Al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf militants.

Mayor Lobregat convened the city's Crisis Management Committee to assess the situation. He said the measures they adopted to address the incident include a much higher police and military visibility.

"We have also raised the level of alertness. We have asked augmentation of troops both from the regional police and the military’s WesMinCom. The police and military top officials here assured that they will put all the possible resources that they can put to secure the City of Zamboanga," Lobregat said.

Escalation of Sultan Kudarat hostilities

between 2 MNL-MILF faction leaders feared

Abandoned houses of the civilians in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat that are affected by the armed conflict of two Moro commanders Randy Karon of MNLF vs. Jing Caludtiag of MILF.

An armed conflict between a top commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) against a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat province is feared to escalate as hostilities between the two camps continue to claim lives.

Muslim leaders of Mindanao have tried but failed to pacify Datu Randy Karon, a top MNLF commander, and Jing Caludtiag, commander of the 104th Base Command of the MILF in the town of Lebak.Karon is a close ally and one of the trusted men of Chairman Nur Misuari during the MNLF-led armed struggle during the 70s and 80s in Central Mindanao.

When Misuari became the regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in 1996 and until 2001, Karon was appointed as the regional secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

After the failure of the traditional leaders, local government units and non governmental organizations to bring peace to Lebak, the International Monitoring Team (IMT) overseeing the cessation of hostilities between the government and the MILF has stepped in with the hope of ending the armed feud between two commanders.

Battle of supremacy

The said feud started last year and has already claimed several lives and displaced thousands of civilians who fled their homes to safer grounds in the towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat, and its adjacent towns in Maguindanao.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the ARMM headed by Acting Secretary Pombaen Karon-Kadir reported that the displaced families have around 17,000 individuals affected by the MNLF-MILF commanders’ armed conflict.

They are temporarily housed in nearby villages and village halls while some of the evacuees are taking refuge at the houses of their relatives in neigh-boring villages.

A source of The Manila Times noted that the root cause of the armed conflict between the two Moro commanders was a reported “battle of supremacy” on who should control the strategic patches of lands along the coasts connecting the towns of Datu Blah Sinsuat and Lebak in Sultan Kudarat.

The two commanders, with their own armed followers in tow, engaged in gun battles several times last year, causing the dislocation of thousands of villagers who rely mainly on fishing and farming for their livelihood.

Protecting civiliansKaron told the members of the media that visited his lair that the MNLF forces loyal to him were just out to defend the civilian populace of Lebak who were reportedly harassed by the men of Caludtiag.

Karon claimed that the town of Lebak became a peaceful coastal municipality after the MNLF and the government signed the Final Peace Agreement in 1996.

He said the MNLF forces in the area including him have already reverted to their civilian lives after the signing of the peace accord that was brokered also by the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

According to Karon, after the failed signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the government and the MILF peace panel, some MILF commanders attacked certain towns in Mindanao to get the attention of both the local and international communities. Karon accused the MILF forces headed by Caludtiag, which according to him attacked also civilian installations.

“They attacked the power plant situated in Calamansig, Sultan Kudarat that included a power barge situated in the commercial port of Calamansig that eventually brought havocs into our civilian populace,” Karon complained.

Karon said because of the atrocity of the MILF forces under the control of Caludtiag, he was forced to recall his former MNLF combatants and regroup themselves into one fighting army.“I came to the point of recalling my old troops and regroup ourselves to counter act the terrorist activities of Caludtiag and his men,” Karon said.

Not sanctioned

Meanwhile, the MILF admitted that Caludtiag is one of their commanders, but claimed that he was not taking orders from the MILF central command. The group maintained that Caludtiag’s acts were not sanctioned by the MILF.

Ghazali Jaafar, the MILF chairman for political affairs, in a statement, said that while the trouble in Sultan Kudarat province involves an MILF commander, the MILF as an organization is not involved at all.

Jaafar also said that the armed conflict between the two commanders is an isolated case and should not affect the resumption of the peace talks between the government and the MILF scheduled after the observance of the Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan.

“Caludtiag’s involvement in the fighting is not sanctioned by the MILF. So it does not affect the peace talks between the GRP [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] and the MILF. This has nothing to do with it,” Jaafar said.

Appeal for peaceJaafar had sent a message addressed to both Karon and Ca-ludtiag, whom he advised to amicably settle their differences in order to bring back normalcy and peace and order in the towns of Lebak and nearby towns in Sultan Kudarat.

“I believe brother Karon, being a Muslim, and brother Caludtiag, being a Muslim too, must stop fighting because this is un-Islamic. You know, when one Muslim fights against his brother and the intention is to kill him, this is forbidden in Islam. Our hope is that both of them will agree to the proposed settlement initiated now by the IMT because many of their Muslim relatives and brothers are affected by their fighting,” Jaafar further said.