By Ronron
February 9, 2007
Three local officials of the Maoist New People’s Army (NPA) in Surigao del Sur were sentenced to imprisonment on Friday after pleading guilty to rebellion charges before the local court.
Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer, identified the convicts as Lucie Canda, alias Madie, Deputy Secretary/Financial Officer of the NPA’s Front Committee (FC) 14; Jocelyn Campus, alias Cecil, Medic Staff of FC 14; and, Victorino Segura, alias Diesel, Vice Team Leader of FC 14.
Bacarro said the three were among those charged of rebellion, led by Jose Ma. Sison, political consultant of the Communist Party of the Philippines, before the Bislig City Regional Trial Court, 11th Judicial Region, Branch 29.
The three were arrested in October 2006 during a military operation by the Philippine Army’s 36th Infantry Battalion at Sitio Greenfields in Sta. Juana, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur. The site was recently tagged by the AFP as the NPA’s biggest bomb-making factory and ammunition depot in Mindanao.
Bacarro said that during the court hearing at 9am, the three pleaded guilty immediately before Presiding Judge Merlyn Cañedo.
As a result, Cañedo sentenced them to 12-years, one-day to 14 years of imprisonment.
Bacarro said the judgment rendered on the three is another victory in the AFP’s continuing drive against the insurgency problem in the country, which is now in its 38th year.
The military official reported that just the other day (Thursday), at 1 pm, elements of the 36IB also recovered war materials believed to be left behind by the NPA at Sitio Anislagan, also in Sta. Juana.
Bacarro said the government troops recovered 11 pieces of claymore mines; one unit of Kenwood handheld radio; one caliber 38 pistol; one caliber 45 with silencer; 100-meter long wire roll (Diamond brand); 10-meter long hose; two pieces plumber tube; one chainsaw; one piece improvised ammunition; five spare parts of ammunition reloader; one motorcycle; and alleged subversive documents.
“This goes to show that we are serious in achieving our goal of neutralizing the communist movement by 2010, as directed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” Bacarro said./DMS
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Bacoor Mayor stripped of police powers
By Ronron
February 9, 2007
Mayor Jessie Castillo of Bacoor, Cavite was stripped of police powers by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) after he was found to have abused his authority when he ordered the closure of the entire police station in his town from Wednesday night until Thursday morning.
In a four-page resolution dated February 8, 2007, the Napolcom, chaired by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, said Castillo violated the Local Government Code since he rendered the police stations crippled as he also recalled the four Tamaraw FX mobile cars, two L-300 Mitsubishi vans, two Yamaha motorcycles, and one Yamaha motorcycle with sidecar.
“These actions of Mayor Castillo indubitably constitute abuse of authority that the Commission cannot tolerate nor condone. The recall of all the equipment, supplies, and padlocking the police station placed the peace, order and security of the Municipality of Bacoor in jeopardy and evidently crippled the operational function of the Bacoor Police Station,” the resolution wrote.
“The Mayor treated the logistical support extended to the PNP as his own,” it added.
The Napolcom cited Section 52 of Republic Act 6975 (Napolcom law) as basis for imposing the sanction of withdrawal of deputation against Castillo, which goes: “Unless reversed by the President, the Commission may, after consultation with the provincial governor and congressman concerned, suspend or withdraw the deputation of any local executive for any of the following grounds: a) Frequent unauthorized absences; b) abuse of authority; c) providing material support to criminal elements; or, d) engaging in acts inimical to national support or which negate the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign.”
The Commission said if indeed Castillo wants the PNP under him punished for failing in its duty to protect the locals, especially his family who, he claims, has been receiving death threats for the past few days, then the Mayor could have just have taken others actions such as suspension of the police force or a reshuffle.
The Napolcom said Castillo’s action “unnecessarily endangered the lives not only of his family but especially those of his constituents and opening his (town) to probable acts of anarchy.”
With the stripping of his police powers, the local police force will just have to follow orders from the Cavite Provincial Police Office.
Upon Castillo’s order, the Bacoor Police Station and its three sub-stations were closed starting 6:45 pm of Wednesday and were only reopened past lunch time of Thursday.
While he said in his memorandum to the local police that the reason for recalling their offices and equipment is their failure to protect his family and the local population, Castillo claimed in a radio interview that it is in protest to the planned relief of Bacoor Chief of Police Chief Insp. Alex Borja.
Castillo said Borja’s relief is being pushed by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. to place his wife at a disadvantage when the latter runs for the Mayoralty race this May against Revilla’s brother, Strike.
Revilla denied the allegation, and said instead that Borja is really due for relief because he is being investigated for the release from detention of an accused violator of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act last January.
The Senator was seconded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), but explained that the re-shuffle was in accordance with the Napolcom policy for the election season to ensure a “level playing field among all candidates.”/DMS
February 9, 2007
Mayor Jessie Castillo of Bacoor, Cavite was stripped of police powers by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) after he was found to have abused his authority when he ordered the closure of the entire police station in his town from Wednesday night until Thursday morning.
In a four-page resolution dated February 8, 2007, the Napolcom, chaired by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo Puno, said Castillo violated the Local Government Code since he rendered the police stations crippled as he also recalled the four Tamaraw FX mobile cars, two L-300 Mitsubishi vans, two Yamaha motorcycles, and one Yamaha motorcycle with sidecar.
“These actions of Mayor Castillo indubitably constitute abuse of authority that the Commission cannot tolerate nor condone. The recall of all the equipment, supplies, and padlocking the police station placed the peace, order and security of the Municipality of Bacoor in jeopardy and evidently crippled the operational function of the Bacoor Police Station,” the resolution wrote.
“The Mayor treated the logistical support extended to the PNP as his own,” it added.
The Napolcom cited Section 52 of Republic Act 6975 (Napolcom law) as basis for imposing the sanction of withdrawal of deputation against Castillo, which goes: “Unless reversed by the President, the Commission may, after consultation with the provincial governor and congressman concerned, suspend or withdraw the deputation of any local executive for any of the following grounds: a) Frequent unauthorized absences; b) abuse of authority; c) providing material support to criminal elements; or, d) engaging in acts inimical to national support or which negate the effectiveness of the peace and order campaign.”
The Commission said if indeed Castillo wants the PNP under him punished for failing in its duty to protect the locals, especially his family who, he claims, has been receiving death threats for the past few days, then the Mayor could have just have taken others actions such as suspension of the police force or a reshuffle.
The Napolcom said Castillo’s action “unnecessarily endangered the lives not only of his family but especially those of his constituents and opening his (town) to probable acts of anarchy.”
With the stripping of his police powers, the local police force will just have to follow orders from the Cavite Provincial Police Office.
Upon Castillo’s order, the Bacoor Police Station and its three sub-stations were closed starting 6:45 pm of Wednesday and were only reopened past lunch time of Thursday.
While he said in his memorandum to the local police that the reason for recalling their offices and equipment is their failure to protect his family and the local population, Castillo claimed in a radio interview that it is in protest to the planned relief of Bacoor Chief of Police Chief Insp. Alex Borja.
Castillo said Borja’s relief is being pushed by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. to place his wife at a disadvantage when the latter runs for the Mayoralty race this May against Revilla’s brother, Strike.
Revilla denied the allegation, and said instead that Borja is really due for relief because he is being investigated for the release from detention of an accused violator of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act last January.
The Senator was seconded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), but explained that the re-shuffle was in accordance with the Napolcom policy for the election season to ensure a “level playing field among all candidates.”/DMS
Militant leader killed in Misamis Oriental
By Ronron
February 9, 2007
A militant leader was killed on Thursday night inside his residence in Misamis Oriental while having dinner with his family by unidentified armed men.
Police and militant officials identified the victim as Dalmacio Gandinao, 73, chairman of Bayan Muna – Misamis Oriental chapter and of the Misamis Oriental Farmers Association (MOFA), an affiliate of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
Gandinao, whom militants call as Tatay Daki, was having dinner with his wife and three grandchildren inside their hut at Purok 7, Barangay Tagongtong, Salay, Misamis Oriental when he was shot by one of the seven suspects at around 7pm.
Police said Gandinao sustained at least one fatal gunshot wound, although three empty shells of caliber 45 pistol were recovered from the crime scene.
The gunman joined the six other suspects in a van after the incident and escaped thereafter to unknown direction.
KMP spokesman Carl Ala accused the military of being behind the killing when he said: “It is obvious that Oplan Bantay Laya II is in full swing and the signing of the terrorism bill has further emboldened the death squads.”
Ala said Gandinao is the 58th leader of the KMP who was killed since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in 2001.
“The KMP denounced this political killing and demands justice for the victim,” said Ala.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG commander Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr. said he is sending investigators to Salay for a speedy resolution of the case.
Task Force USIG was created last year to address the series of political killings in the country, which has reached to an alarming level that even international organizations and governments have criticized the Philippine government for failing to address the problem./DMS
February 9, 2007
A militant leader was killed on Thursday night inside his residence in Misamis Oriental while having dinner with his family by unidentified armed men.
Police and militant officials identified the victim as Dalmacio Gandinao, 73, chairman of Bayan Muna – Misamis Oriental chapter and of the Misamis Oriental Farmers Association (MOFA), an affiliate of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
Gandinao, whom militants call as Tatay Daki, was having dinner with his wife and three grandchildren inside their hut at Purok 7, Barangay Tagongtong, Salay, Misamis Oriental when he was shot by one of the seven suspects at around 7pm.
Police said Gandinao sustained at least one fatal gunshot wound, although three empty shells of caliber 45 pistol were recovered from the crime scene.
The gunman joined the six other suspects in a van after the incident and escaped thereafter to unknown direction.
KMP spokesman Carl Ala accused the military of being behind the killing when he said: “It is obvious that Oplan Bantay Laya II is in full swing and the signing of the terrorism bill has further emboldened the death squads.”
Ala said Gandinao is the 58th leader of the KMP who was killed since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in 2001.
“The KMP denounced this political killing and demands justice for the victim,” said Ala.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Task Force USIG commander Deputy Director General Avelino Razon, Jr. said he is sending investigators to Salay for a speedy resolution of the case.
Task Force USIG was created last year to address the series of political killings in the country, which has reached to an alarming level that even international organizations and governments have criticized the Philippine government for failing to address the problem./DMS
Japanese dies during happy hour inside Antipolo club
By Ronron
February 9, 2007
A Japanese national died on Thursday night while inside a club in Antipolo City, Rizal after engaging her guest relation officer (GRO) in a squabble, police said.
A report from the Antipolo City Police identified the victim as Oikawa Masahiko, 48, from Tokyo, Japan, but now residing at Lot 36, Block 37, Orchids St., Phase III, Grand Valley Subdivision, Barangay Mahabang Parang, Angono town in Rizal.
Police said the victim’s carotid ruptured after he fought with the GRO she hired at WRL Disco Pub, located along Circumferential Road in Barangay San Roque, Antipolo City, the other night (Thursday).
“His blood pressure shot up. And this resulted to his carotid being ruptured,” a police officer said, quoting a medical report.
“There is no foul play here,” he added.
The police report disclosed that Masahiko went to the club with the brother of his live-in partner, identified as Eduardo Lacsamana, at around 10:30 pm. The two first settled on a table in front of the stage and consumed two bottles of beer each.
They then transferred to the VIP room separately – Masahiko to VIP Room #1, and Lacsamana to Room #2.
The report said Masahiko was first joined in the room by GRO Trixie Gonzales, 26, and then followed later by another GRO, Maureen Manalo, 25.
While drinking beer, Masahiko allegedly forced Gonzales to have sex with him, which the GRO denied, ensuing a scuffle.
Masahiko allegedly got mad and went berserk by throwing glasses on the floor and hitting Gonzales in the head.
Gonzales retaliated by also hitting Masahiko, leaving a scratch on the left side of the latter’s face by her fingernails. After that, the two GRO’s immediately left the room.
Masahiko followed outside and proceeded to the rest room where he would be found later dead, in a prone position, the report said.
Masahiko was still rushed to the nearby Unciano Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician, identified as Dr. Marcel Aquallo./DMS
February 9, 2007
A Japanese national died on Thursday night while inside a club in Antipolo City, Rizal after engaging her guest relation officer (GRO) in a squabble, police said.
A report from the Antipolo City Police identified the victim as Oikawa Masahiko, 48, from Tokyo, Japan, but now residing at Lot 36, Block 37, Orchids St., Phase III, Grand Valley Subdivision, Barangay Mahabang Parang, Angono town in Rizal.
Police said the victim’s carotid ruptured after he fought with the GRO she hired at WRL Disco Pub, located along Circumferential Road in Barangay San Roque, Antipolo City, the other night (Thursday).
“His blood pressure shot up. And this resulted to his carotid being ruptured,” a police officer said, quoting a medical report.
“There is no foul play here,” he added.
The police report disclosed that Masahiko went to the club with the brother of his live-in partner, identified as Eduardo Lacsamana, at around 10:30 pm. The two first settled on a table in front of the stage and consumed two bottles of beer each.
They then transferred to the VIP room separately – Masahiko to VIP Room #1, and Lacsamana to Room #2.
The report said Masahiko was first joined in the room by GRO Trixie Gonzales, 26, and then followed later by another GRO, Maureen Manalo, 25.
While drinking beer, Masahiko allegedly forced Gonzales to have sex with him, which the GRO denied, ensuing a scuffle.
Masahiko allegedly got mad and went berserk by throwing glasses on the floor and hitting Gonzales in the head.
Gonzales retaliated by also hitting Masahiko, leaving a scratch on the left side of the latter’s face by her fingernails. After that, the two GRO’s immediately left the room.
Masahiko followed outside and proceeded to the rest room where he would be found later dead, in a prone position, the report said.
Masahiko was still rushed to the nearby Unciano Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician, identified as Dr. Marcel Aquallo./DMS
Friday, February 9, 2007
AFP constrained against allowing ROTC cadets to serve in May elections
By Ronron
February 8, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is constrained against allowing the cadets of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) from all colleges and universities in the country to serve in the upcoming May elections because of the existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Defense department and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Retirees and Reservist Affairs Maj. Gen. Jose Angel Honrado said in separate interviews Thursday that deployment of ROTC cadets to do election duties would require military supervisors.
The October 12, 2006 MOA of the DND and the Comelec, however, prohibits AFP personnel from taking active role in the elections to avoid being accused of engaging in partisan politics. The agreement was an off-shoot of the fraud-tainted May 2004 national polls where the military was accused of helping ensure the victory of then Presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“That (military’s active role in the conduct of elections) is prohibited… In so far as we are concerned, since it is part of the MOA, I say, we cannot allow that (deployment of ROTC cadets),” Ebdane said.
He said that even if the ROTC cadets are tapped as volunteers, “they cannot be deployed without supervisor.”
Honrado disclosed that there are about 150,000 ROTC cadets all over the country this year. The ROTC is a two-year military training course that college students are required to take alternate to the two-year National Service Training Program (NSTP), which is socio-civic in nature.
Honrado said that in past elections, the Comelec always requests the AFP for the use of ROTC cadets to assist in the holding of the elections. And it is always granted because nothing prohibits AFP personnel from doing such.
“They serve as deputized poll watchers and as peace officers,” he said when asked about the specific roles of ROTC cadets.
Ebdane and Honrado said the final decision on the utilization of ROTC cadets for the May 14, 2007 elections still lies with the Comelec.
“Perhaps there is a need to discuss this at the Comelec level and define. But as of now, we have to stick with the memo of understanding,” Ebdane said./DMS
February 8, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is constrained against allowing the cadets of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) from all colleges and universities in the country to serve in the upcoming May elections because of the existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Defense department and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Retirees and Reservist Affairs Maj. Gen. Jose Angel Honrado said in separate interviews Thursday that deployment of ROTC cadets to do election duties would require military supervisors.
The October 12, 2006 MOA of the DND and the Comelec, however, prohibits AFP personnel from taking active role in the elections to avoid being accused of engaging in partisan politics. The agreement was an off-shoot of the fraud-tainted May 2004 national polls where the military was accused of helping ensure the victory of then Presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“That (military’s active role in the conduct of elections) is prohibited… In so far as we are concerned, since it is part of the MOA, I say, we cannot allow that (deployment of ROTC cadets),” Ebdane said.
He said that even if the ROTC cadets are tapped as volunteers, “they cannot be deployed without supervisor.”
Honrado disclosed that there are about 150,000 ROTC cadets all over the country this year. The ROTC is a two-year military training course that college students are required to take alternate to the two-year National Service Training Program (NSTP), which is socio-civic in nature.
Honrado said that in past elections, the Comelec always requests the AFP for the use of ROTC cadets to assist in the holding of the elections. And it is always granted because nothing prohibits AFP personnel from doing such.
“They serve as deputized poll watchers and as peace officers,” he said when asked about the specific roles of ROTC cadets.
Ebdane and Honrado said the final decision on the utilization of ROTC cadets for the May 14, 2007 elections still lies with the Comelec.
“Perhaps there is a need to discuss this at the Comelec level and define. But as of now, we have to stick with the memo of understanding,” Ebdane said./DMS
Senate passage of anti-terror bill seen to boost fight vs. terrorism
By Ronron
February 8, 2007
Authorities are looking forward to the enactment into law of the Anti-terror bill passed recently by the Senate and earlier on by the House of Representatives as it is seen to boost the country’s fight against terrorism.
“Despite the successes we have, once this (bill) is approved, we look forward to having more successes in the fight against terrorism,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said.
Bacarro said an anti-terror law will provide the military “the teeth” in their counter-terrorism operations, which, since the last quarter of 2006, have resulted in the neutralization of top Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders Khadaffy Janjalani and Jainal Antel Sali, Jr., alias Abu Solaiman, who each have a $5 million bounty on their heads.
The Philippine military and police have long called for an adoption of an anti-terrorism law to deny arrested suspected terrorists of chances of gaining temporary liberty or absolution, which they usually get from charges lifted only from revised penal code.
Since 2001, the Philippines has committed to be a partner of the United States in the global war on terror after the latter was boldly attacked by Osama Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network that year.
“The passage of the (anti-terrorism bill) is an integral component of the Philippine campaign against terrorism,” said Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, the Director for Legal, Public Information and Advocacy of the Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF), in a separate statement.
Blancaflor expressed optimism that even if the Senate version, known as the Human Security Act of 2007, is substantially different from the House version, the “distinctions would be easily ironed out during the bi-cameral meeting” in June.
The Senate approved its version of the bill on third reading late Wednesday evening while the House version was approved last April 4, 2006.
Blancaflor noted that among the new features in the Senate bill include further protection of human rights thru an enlarged role of the Commission on Human Rights, proper observance of due process, the need for a custodial logbook, no specific definition of terrorism, and 40-year incarceration penalty.
He credited the initiative of crafting an ant-terror law for the country to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who filed the first version of the proposed law on June 17, 1996.
But the bill was strongly opposed by some sectors, especially cause-oriented and militant groups, for fear that it would result to abuse of power, and curtailment of some basic human rights, such as that to expression.
“The ATTF Technical Working Group lauds the effort and commitment of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile in ensuring the passage of the 2007 Human Security Act,” Blancaflor said./DMS
February 8, 2007
Authorities are looking forward to the enactment into law of the Anti-terror bill passed recently by the Senate and earlier on by the House of Representatives as it is seen to boost the country’s fight against terrorism.
“Despite the successes we have, once this (bill) is approved, we look forward to having more successes in the fight against terrorism,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said.
Bacarro said an anti-terror law will provide the military “the teeth” in their counter-terrorism operations, which, since the last quarter of 2006, have resulted in the neutralization of top Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders Khadaffy Janjalani and Jainal Antel Sali, Jr., alias Abu Solaiman, who each have a $5 million bounty on their heads.
The Philippine military and police have long called for an adoption of an anti-terrorism law to deny arrested suspected terrorists of chances of gaining temporary liberty or absolution, which they usually get from charges lifted only from revised penal code.
Since 2001, the Philippines has committed to be a partner of the United States in the global war on terror after the latter was boldly attacked by Osama Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network that year.
“The passage of the (anti-terrorism bill) is an integral component of the Philippine campaign against terrorism,” said Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, the Director for Legal, Public Information and Advocacy of the Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF), in a separate statement.
Blancaflor expressed optimism that even if the Senate version, known as the Human Security Act of 2007, is substantially different from the House version, the “distinctions would be easily ironed out during the bi-cameral meeting” in June.
The Senate approved its version of the bill on third reading late Wednesday evening while the House version was approved last April 4, 2006.
Blancaflor noted that among the new features in the Senate bill include further protection of human rights thru an enlarged role of the Commission on Human Rights, proper observance of due process, the need for a custodial logbook, no specific definition of terrorism, and 40-year incarceration penalty.
He credited the initiative of crafting an ant-terror law for the country to Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who filed the first version of the proposed law on June 17, 1996.
But the bill was strongly opposed by some sectors, especially cause-oriented and militant groups, for fear that it would result to abuse of power, and curtailment of some basic human rights, such as that to expression.
“The ATTF Technical Working Group lauds the effort and commitment of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile in ensuring the passage of the 2007 Human Security Act,” Blancaflor said./DMS
Thursday, February 8, 2007
NDCC holds national earthquake drill
By Ronron
February 7, 2007
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is initiating today (Thursday) another nationwide earthquake drill, the center of which will be at the Dolores Elementary School in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
In a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo, NDCC Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza (retired Maj. Gen. from the Armed Forces of the Philippines) said the activity, which intends to involve all elementary schools all over the country, will start at 9am.
Rabonza said leading the event at the Dolores Elementary School is newly-installed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., and other top officials of the NDCC-attached agencies and local government officials.
Dr. Renato Solidum, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), said in the same news conference that the drill is important to keep elementary pupils prepared and alert when the calamity strikes.
He noted that in the past 400 years, about 90 destructive earthquakes were already felt all over the world. And in the Philippines, 16 earthquakes were already felt from January 1st until yesterday.
Solidum disclosed also that the entire archipelago, except Palawan, is prone to quakes.
“We want our preparedness to reach down the younger population,” Defense Undersecretary and spokesman Ernesto Carolina said in the same briefing when asked why the elementary schools is the target this time.
Rabonza pointed out that the last two national simultaneous earthquake drills held in June and September last year in Marikina City and Manila City, respectively were conducted in high schools.
And he said that based on those exercises, students were found to be prepared for earthquakes.
“We conducted trainings sessions for schools. And we gave them primers on how to conduct earthquake drills in schools,” explained Rabonza.
“We would like to have more participants for this (third) earthquake drill… Ideally, we really want all schools to participate,” he added.
He disclosed that because of the “overwhelming success” of the first two nationwide earthquake drills, the activity will now be conducted regularly on a quarterly basis, nationwide, with the participation of private and public schools, to include government offices./DMS
February 7, 2007
The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is initiating today (Thursday) another nationwide earthquake drill, the center of which will be at the Dolores Elementary School in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
In a news conference at Camp Aguinaldo, NDCC Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza (retired Maj. Gen. from the Armed Forces of the Philippines) said the activity, which intends to involve all elementary schools all over the country, will start at 9am.
Rabonza said leading the event at the Dolores Elementary School is newly-installed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., and other top officials of the NDCC-attached agencies and local government officials.
Dr. Renato Solidum, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), said in the same news conference that the drill is important to keep elementary pupils prepared and alert when the calamity strikes.
He noted that in the past 400 years, about 90 destructive earthquakes were already felt all over the world. And in the Philippines, 16 earthquakes were already felt from January 1st until yesterday.
Solidum disclosed also that the entire archipelago, except Palawan, is prone to quakes.
“We want our preparedness to reach down the younger population,” Defense Undersecretary and spokesman Ernesto Carolina said in the same briefing when asked why the elementary schools is the target this time.
Rabonza pointed out that the last two national simultaneous earthquake drills held in June and September last year in Marikina City and Manila City, respectively were conducted in high schools.
And he said that based on those exercises, students were found to be prepared for earthquakes.
“We conducted trainings sessions for schools. And we gave them primers on how to conduct earthquake drills in schools,” explained Rabonza.
“We would like to have more participants for this (third) earthquake drill… Ideally, we really want all schools to participate,” he added.
He disclosed that because of the “overwhelming success” of the first two nationwide earthquake drills, the activity will now be conducted regularly on a quarterly basis, nationwide, with the participation of private and public schools, to include government offices./DMS
Bunker fuel in Guimaras to be siphoned on March 8
By Ronron
February 7, 2007
The remaining bunker fuel in the sunken MT Solar 1 vessel in Guimaras province will be siphoned starting March 8, officials said.
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza and Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Rafael Coscolluela said in separate interviews Wednesday that the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) fund has already approved the hiring of SONSUD salvage company, based in Singapore, to execute the operations.
“We are working towards the siphoning of the remaining oil from the sunken Solar 1. The date is on March 8. That was the window where there will be calmer weather and we don’t expect typhoons,” Rabonza told reporters in a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday afternoon.
The officials said the siphoning operations will last within three to four weeks, and will cost at least $8 million. The IOPC, an organization of oil-consuming countries the world over, including the Philippines, will shoulder the expenses.
MT Solar 1 was sailing towards Zamboanga City from Bataan, loaded with 2.1 million liters of Petron oil products, when it sank off Guimaras in the afternoon of August 11, 2006 after it was hit by strong waves.
Coscolluela said some 400,000 liters of the oil leaked into the sea, damaging 1,143.45 hectares of Marine Reserves of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 234.84 kilometers of coastline, 15.8 square kilometers of coral reef, 478.48 hectares of mangrove, 107 hectares of seaweed farms, and 974 hectares of fishpond.
A total of 8,580 families or 42,109 individuals from 65 barangays of Guimaras and Iloilo were affected by the tragedy.
“For the residents, this (siphoning) will be a big relief. That has always really been their demand because their apprehension about the spillage of the remaining fuel was very strong,” Coscolluela said.
He disclosed that the people have long gone back to their residences, particularly those living along the shorelines, and the fisherfolks have been back to fishing already.
“By and large, we’re seeing normalization. They have gone back to fishing,” said Coscolluela.
There are complaints, however, by some fisherman of a reduced fish catch. But it could not yet be ascertained if it is an effect of the oil spill.
Coscolluela said the IOPC also has already released some P120 million in compensation to some of the 11,000 approved claims, mostly by fisherfolks, and more are expected to follow.
“It’s possible that (the compensation cost) will even exceed P250 million because they are still reviewing the rest of the claims. The IOPC received more than 18,000 claims,” Coscolluela said.
As of now, he said only four mangrove areas in Guimaras, one in Ajuy town in Iloilo, and one in Concepcion, Iloilo, remain to be regarded as problem areas that require clean up activities.
Coscolluela and Rabonza said the NDCC, IOPC, SONSUD representatives and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will meet on February 20 at Camp Aguinaldo to brief newly-appointed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. about the siphoning operations, and to finalize the plan as well.
Coscolluela said the PCG is particularly tasked to come up with contingency measures when it assists SONSUD in the siphoning operations in case of unexpected undesired eventualities, like a damage of the pipe that will suck the bunker oil./DMS
February 7, 2007
The remaining bunker fuel in the sunken MT Solar 1 vessel in Guimaras province will be siphoned starting March 8, officials said.
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza and Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Rafael Coscolluela said in separate interviews Wednesday that the International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) fund has already approved the hiring of SONSUD salvage company, based in Singapore, to execute the operations.
“We are working towards the siphoning of the remaining oil from the sunken Solar 1. The date is on March 8. That was the window where there will be calmer weather and we don’t expect typhoons,” Rabonza told reporters in a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday afternoon.
The officials said the siphoning operations will last within three to four weeks, and will cost at least $8 million. The IOPC, an organization of oil-consuming countries the world over, including the Philippines, will shoulder the expenses.
MT Solar 1 was sailing towards Zamboanga City from Bataan, loaded with 2.1 million liters of Petron oil products, when it sank off Guimaras in the afternoon of August 11, 2006 after it was hit by strong waves.
Coscolluela said some 400,000 liters of the oil leaked into the sea, damaging 1,143.45 hectares of Marine Reserves of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 234.84 kilometers of coastline, 15.8 square kilometers of coral reef, 478.48 hectares of mangrove, 107 hectares of seaweed farms, and 974 hectares of fishpond.
A total of 8,580 families or 42,109 individuals from 65 barangays of Guimaras and Iloilo were affected by the tragedy.
“For the residents, this (siphoning) will be a big relief. That has always really been their demand because their apprehension about the spillage of the remaining fuel was very strong,” Coscolluela said.
He disclosed that the people have long gone back to their residences, particularly those living along the shorelines, and the fisherfolks have been back to fishing already.
“By and large, we’re seeing normalization. They have gone back to fishing,” said Coscolluela.
There are complaints, however, by some fisherman of a reduced fish catch. But it could not yet be ascertained if it is an effect of the oil spill.
Coscolluela said the IOPC also has already released some P120 million in compensation to some of the 11,000 approved claims, mostly by fisherfolks, and more are expected to follow.
“It’s possible that (the compensation cost) will even exceed P250 million because they are still reviewing the rest of the claims. The IOPC received more than 18,000 claims,” Coscolluela said.
As of now, he said only four mangrove areas in Guimaras, one in Ajuy town in Iloilo, and one in Concepcion, Iloilo, remain to be regarded as problem areas that require clean up activities.
Coscolluela and Rabonza said the NDCC, IOPC, SONSUD representatives and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will meet on February 20 at Camp Aguinaldo to brief newly-appointed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. about the siphoning operations, and to finalize the plan as well.
Coscolluela said the PCG is particularly tasked to come up with contingency measures when it assists SONSUD in the siphoning operations in case of unexpected undesired eventualities, like a damage of the pipe that will suck the bunker oil./DMS
Honasan files candidacy for Senator
By Ronron
February 7, 2007
Popular Philippine coup leader and former Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II filed on Wednesday his candidacy for the Senatorial race this May even as he remains in jail for allegedly leading the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny in Makati City.
In barong tagalog and in the company of his wife, son, daughter and lawyers, Honasan arrived at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila past 8:30 am yesterday under heavy escort by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and became the 28th individual to file candidacy for the position of Senator.
The 58-year-old Honasan came from Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna where he is detained as he stands on trial at the Makati City Region Trial Court Branch 148 for coup d’ etat charges filed against him in relation to the Oakwood mutiny incident.
“I’m going to continue my programs that I started in the Senate. I will try to serve the purpose of my generation for the benefit of the next generation,” he told reporters in a brief media interview after submitting his certificate of candidacy.
Honasan said he is running as an independent candidate, as he always did, although he welcomes “any expression of support from any group – from the administration, opposition and individuals.”
The two-time former Senator said his political platform would rest on the “peace, unity and reconciliation” theme.
Asked if it is highly likely for him to run under the administration ticket, Honasan said: “We are open to endorse common programs (with the administration).”
His lawyers said Honasan would campaign through his family and supporters – both private, and those who belong to the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc. (PGBI) which he heads.
“We will try to campaign our best, to reach as many people as possible,” Honasan said.
Before leaving the Comelec, Honasan paid a brief courtesy call to Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra. Then, he was whisked away shortly past 9:30 am, back to Fort Sto. Domingo, without any chance of addressing the more than 100 PGBI members who gathered in front of the Comelec building to express support.
The crowd of supporters voluntarily dispersed at around 9:40 am.
Makati City Judge Oscar Pimentel had allowed Honasan to leave detention from 8:30 am until 12 noon yesterday so he could file his candidacy.
Honasan’s police security escort from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Special Action Force (SAF) numbered to about 80./DMS
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Dolorfino wouldn’t say if he was a hostage
By Ronron
February 6, 2007
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino refuses to say categorically whether or not he and his companions were held hostage last weekend by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in its camp in Panamao, Sulu.
In a television interview yesterday noon, Dolorfino belied earlier reports that he admitted during a hearing at the Senate’s Commission on Appointment that they were held hostage by the rebel group.
“I myself could not say what really happened to us because this is a very special case,” said Dolorfino, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) and co-chairman of the GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Joint Action Group.
Dolorfino, Undersecretary Ramon Santos and 13 other government officials and military escorts spent two nights at the MNLF camp in Bitan-ag Complex since Friday after they were asked to stay until a date for the resumption of the tripartite meeting among the MNLF, the GRP and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is finalized.
The meeting, to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, seeks to review the implementation of the 1996 peace accord between the MNLF and the Philippine government.
The group’s main purpose in going to the MNLF camp was to finally resolve the misencounter between the AFP and the MNLF in Patikul town last January 18 that left nine rebels and three soldiers killed.
While Dolorino admitted that they were prevented from leaving the camp, he disclosed their movements inside, on the other hand, were not restricted. In fact, their escorts were not even disarmed, and they themselves were allowed to use their cellular phones.
“My point is it really depends upon the one who would like to judge what really happened. The best thing to do is, we will leave the issue behind. It is up to the people to describe how they saw the incident,” Dolorfino said.
He said that what he told the CA hearing earlier in the day was that if people will “take the strictest sense of the word HOSTAGE,” they could say “that we were (held) hostage.”
Or, “they can say we were held against our will and we were in a situation that we had to adhere to, to stay and cooperate,” he added.
But, others could also say that “we were hosted because I have said that we were treated properly, my security men were not disarmed, we were allowed to use our cellphones, and we were allowed to roam around their camp without any restriction,” Dolorfino said.
In a news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the organization officially does not regard the incident as “hostage-taking.”
He said the AFP is not also aware of any move or plan to file a formal complaint against the MNLF in relation to the incident.
Nevertheless, Dolorfino still pushes for the continuation of the peace process with the group. “I believe that we should always give the peace process the chance to prosper. All of us should see it this way,” he said./DMS
February 6, 2007
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino refuses to say categorically whether or not he and his companions were held hostage last weekend by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in its camp in Panamao, Sulu.
In a television interview yesterday noon, Dolorfino belied earlier reports that he admitted during a hearing at the Senate’s Commission on Appointment that they were held hostage by the rebel group.
“I myself could not say what really happened to us because this is a very special case,” said Dolorfino, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) and co-chairman of the GRP-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Joint Action Group.
Dolorfino, Undersecretary Ramon Santos and 13 other government officials and military escorts spent two nights at the MNLF camp in Bitan-ag Complex since Friday after they were asked to stay until a date for the resumption of the tripartite meeting among the MNLF, the GRP and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is finalized.
The meeting, to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, seeks to review the implementation of the 1996 peace accord between the MNLF and the Philippine government.
The group’s main purpose in going to the MNLF camp was to finally resolve the misencounter between the AFP and the MNLF in Patikul town last January 18 that left nine rebels and three soldiers killed.
While Dolorino admitted that they were prevented from leaving the camp, he disclosed their movements inside, on the other hand, were not restricted. In fact, their escorts were not even disarmed, and they themselves were allowed to use their cellular phones.
“My point is it really depends upon the one who would like to judge what really happened. The best thing to do is, we will leave the issue behind. It is up to the people to describe how they saw the incident,” Dolorfino said.
He said that what he told the CA hearing earlier in the day was that if people will “take the strictest sense of the word HOSTAGE,” they could say “that we were (held) hostage.”
Or, “they can say we were held against our will and we were in a situation that we had to adhere to, to stay and cooperate,” he added.
But, others could also say that “we were hosted because I have said that we were treated properly, my security men were not disarmed, we were allowed to use our cellphones, and we were allowed to roam around their camp without any restriction,” Dolorfino said.
In a news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the organization officially does not regard the incident as “hostage-taking.”
He said the AFP is not also aware of any move or plan to file a formal complaint against the MNLF in relation to the incident.
Nevertheless, Dolorfino still pushes for the continuation of the peace process with the group. “I believe that we should always give the peace process the chance to prosper. All of us should see it this way,” he said./DMS
Trillanes deemed separated from AFP upon filing of candidacy
By Ronron
February 6, 2007
Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV, the leader of the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, is already deemed resigned from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) upon his filing Tuesday of candidacy for the Senatorial race this May.
AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the separation from the service of the Navy officer is sanctioned by law among government employees who wish to seek elective positions.
But Bacarro said the AFP will continue to have jurisdiction over Trillanes because there is an ongoing case against him before the General Court Martial.
Trillanes is currently being tried for alleged violation of Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman), along with 28 other officers who are tagged as the core leaders of the failed mutiny.
A separate coup d’ etat case was filed against him and is currently being heard at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 for the same incident.
“The military has established jurisdiction over the person of Lt. Trillanes. So, even if we say that he is already separated from the service, we can still subject him to detention,” Bacarro said.
He said the same is true even if Trillanes wins, saying: “Winning an elective position would not exonerate you from any criminal liability.”
Asked if Trillanes has a following from the AFP, Bacarro replied in the negative.
“Me, personally, no,” said Bacarro when asked if he will vote for Trillanes.
Bacarro belittled the warm welcome Trillanes got from the employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) when the latter filed his candidacy yesterday.
“That is only a miniscule in the total population of the Philippines,” Bacarro said of the crowd that swarmed Trillanes at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.
The 35-year-old officer is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy in 1995./DMS
February 6, 2007
Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV, the leader of the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, is already deemed resigned from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) upon his filing Tuesday of candidacy for the Senatorial race this May.
AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the separation from the service of the Navy officer is sanctioned by law among government employees who wish to seek elective positions.
But Bacarro said the AFP will continue to have jurisdiction over Trillanes because there is an ongoing case against him before the General Court Martial.
Trillanes is currently being tried for alleged violation of Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman), along with 28 other officers who are tagged as the core leaders of the failed mutiny.
A separate coup d’ etat case was filed against him and is currently being heard at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 for the same incident.
“The military has established jurisdiction over the person of Lt. Trillanes. So, even if we say that he is already separated from the service, we can still subject him to detention,” Bacarro said.
He said the same is true even if Trillanes wins, saying: “Winning an elective position would not exonerate you from any criminal liability.”
Asked if Trillanes has a following from the AFP, Bacarro replied in the negative.
“Me, personally, no,” said Bacarro when asked if he will vote for Trillanes.
Bacarro belittled the warm welcome Trillanes got from the employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) when the latter filed his candidacy yesterday.
“That is only a miniscule in the total population of the Philippines,” Bacarro said of the crowd that swarmed Trillanes at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.
The 35-year-old officer is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy in 1995./DMS
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Dolorfino’s party gave more than P400,000 as compensation for slain MNLF members, not as ransom money
By Ronron
February 5, 2007
The party of Maj. Gen. Mohhamad Ben Dolorfino and Undersecretary Ramon Santos gave the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) more than P400,000 to compensate for the lives of the nine MNLF rebels killed last January 18 in Sulu, and not in exchange for their freedom over the weekend.
The clarification came after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) admitted that those killed were indeed MNLF members, as claimed by their leaders, and not Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members as initially reported by the military.
Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong and AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said Monday that in fact, Dolorfino and Santos already had that money when they went to the MNLF camp in Bitan-ag Complex in Panamao town last Friday morning.
“That was their primary mission in going there. All concerned agencies gave contributions to make the family (of the slain MNLF rebels) at peace,” Loong said in a phone interview.
Cedo said a huge chunk of the money came from the AFP, which allotted P30,000 for each of the nine concerned families. The rest came from the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Sulu provincial government.
“Before they (Dolorfino’s party) went there, the families already agreed with the amount (of compensation due them),” Loong said.
Cedo admitted that indeed the slain rebels were mistaken to be ASG members because before the members of the Philippine Marines were deployed to the encounter site in Barangay Timpook, Patikul town, the information the military received was that armed ASG rebels were the ones present in the area.
The AFP initially maintained that the slain rebels were ASG bandits, and reiterated the same even if an MNLF official already claimed a few days later that they were MNLF members.
But, in today’s interview with Cedo, the official said the payment was in observance of an Islamic tradition to compensate for the lost life “just to appease the family,” and as part of the AFP’s “responsibility to correct the wrong it has done.”
“The money was to compensate the MNLF people who figured in the misencounter,” Cedo said.
Aside from killing nine rebels, the government troops also captured four others but released the three later. The military also suffered three fatalities in that January 18 encounter.
In separate interviews, however, AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro and Philippine Marines spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan maintained that the incident was a legitimate encounter, only that the government troops clashed with the wrong group as discovered later.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines stands firm that it was a legitimate encounter in the sense that three Marines personnel also died actually… and that the information received was about the presence of ASG at that time,” Bacarro explained to reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
Caculitan reiterated his earlier pronouncement that the rebels involved in that encounter were ASG members who were seeking membership with the MNLF following the death of top Abu Sayyaf leaders.
“The MNLF leadership should investigate if there are ASG members applying for membership with them. They should make sure that from the lowest level, their organization will not be infiltrated by the ASG,” Caculitan said.
“And if the MNLF has some movements, they should coordinate with the military commander in the area to avoid misencounters,” he added.
Dolorfino and Santos had said their primary purpose in going to the MNLF camp was to iron out the misencounter incident. But in the course of the meeting, the MNLF leadership brought up their demand for the resumption of the tripartite meeting of the MNLF, the government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to re-assess the implementation of the 1996 GRP-MNLF peace accord.
It was on this agendum that Dolorfino and company were asked to stay at the MNLF camp until the latter gets an assurance of the resumption of the tripartite meeting.
The group was only allowed to leave on Sunday afternoon./DMS
February 5, 2007
The party of Maj. Gen. Mohhamad Ben Dolorfino and Undersecretary Ramon Santos gave the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) more than P400,000 to compensate for the lives of the nine MNLF rebels killed last January 18 in Sulu, and not in exchange for their freedom over the weekend.
The clarification came after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) admitted that those killed were indeed MNLF members, as claimed by their leaders, and not Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members as initially reported by the military.
Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong and AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said Monday that in fact, Dolorfino and Santos already had that money when they went to the MNLF camp in Bitan-ag Complex in Panamao town last Friday morning.
“That was their primary mission in going there. All concerned agencies gave contributions to make the family (of the slain MNLF rebels) at peace,” Loong said in a phone interview.
Cedo said a huge chunk of the money came from the AFP, which allotted P30,000 for each of the nine concerned families. The rest came from the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Sulu provincial government.
“Before they (Dolorfino’s party) went there, the families already agreed with the amount (of compensation due them),” Loong said.
Cedo admitted that indeed the slain rebels were mistaken to be ASG members because before the members of the Philippine Marines were deployed to the encounter site in Barangay Timpook, Patikul town, the information the military received was that armed ASG rebels were the ones present in the area.
The AFP initially maintained that the slain rebels were ASG bandits, and reiterated the same even if an MNLF official already claimed a few days later that they were MNLF members.
But, in today’s interview with Cedo, the official said the payment was in observance of an Islamic tradition to compensate for the lost life “just to appease the family,” and as part of the AFP’s “responsibility to correct the wrong it has done.”
“The money was to compensate the MNLF people who figured in the misencounter,” Cedo said.
Aside from killing nine rebels, the government troops also captured four others but released the three later. The military also suffered three fatalities in that January 18 encounter.
In separate interviews, however, AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro and Philippine Marines spokesman Lt. Col. Ariel Caculitan maintained that the incident was a legitimate encounter, only that the government troops clashed with the wrong group as discovered later.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines stands firm that it was a legitimate encounter in the sense that three Marines personnel also died actually… and that the information received was about the presence of ASG at that time,” Bacarro explained to reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
Caculitan reiterated his earlier pronouncement that the rebels involved in that encounter were ASG members who were seeking membership with the MNLF following the death of top Abu Sayyaf leaders.
“The MNLF leadership should investigate if there are ASG members applying for membership with them. They should make sure that from the lowest level, their organization will not be infiltrated by the ASG,” Caculitan said.
“And if the MNLF has some movements, they should coordinate with the military commander in the area to avoid misencounters,” he added.
Dolorfino and Santos had said their primary purpose in going to the MNLF camp was to iron out the misencounter incident. But in the course of the meeting, the MNLF leadership brought up their demand for the resumption of the tripartite meeting of the MNLF, the government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to re-assess the implementation of the 1996 GRP-MNLF peace accord.
It was on this agendum that Dolorfino and company were asked to stay at the MNLF camp until the latter gets an assurance of the resumption of the tripartite meeting.
The group was only allowed to leave on Sunday afternoon./DMS
AFP resumes operations against ASG-JI in Sulu
By Ronron
February 5, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) resumed on Monday its operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jeemah Islamiyah (JI) in Sulu after it was postponed on Sunday to prevent the crisis between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) from getting worse.
In a phone interview, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said the military decided to stop its operations for a day as the MNLF held Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, Undersecretary Ramon Santos, and other officials inside its camp in Panamao, Sulu.
“We don’t want to complicate that incident (alleged hostage-taking) with our operations. But that (suspension of operations) was only for yesterday (Sunday). We resumed already today,” Cedo told Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday.
The party of Dolorfino went to the MNLF camp in Bitan-ag Complex on Friday morning primarily to hold talks about the alleged misencounter between government troops and MNLF fighters last January 18 in Patikul town, which the military claimed was an operation against the ASG.
The AFP, in fact, said the nine killed rebels belong to the ASG, and reiterated the same when an MILF official said otherwise later.
But Cedo yesterday admitted that indeed those killed were MNLF members, as claimed by the leadership of the group. “Actually, they (slain rebels) were mistaken to be ASG members,” he said.
The issue was already resolved during Dolorfino and Santos’ meeting with the MNLF over the weekend.
Cedo said government soldiers went back to the fields of Sulu yesterday so as not to waste the chance of catching the ASG and JI operatives.
Since the AFP launched its Operation Plan (OPLAN) Ultimatum last August 1, 2006, it has already neutralized key ASG leaders Khadaffy Janjalani and Jainal Antel Sali, Jr., alias Abu Solaiman./DMS
February 5, 2007
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) resumed on Monday its operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jeemah Islamiyah (JI) in Sulu after it was postponed on Sunday to prevent the crisis between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) from getting worse.
In a phone interview, AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo said the military decided to stop its operations for a day as the MNLF held Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, Undersecretary Ramon Santos, and other officials inside its camp in Panamao, Sulu.
“We don’t want to complicate that incident (alleged hostage-taking) with our operations. But that (suspension of operations) was only for yesterday (Sunday). We resumed already today,” Cedo told Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday.
The party of Dolorfino went to the MNLF camp in Bitan-ag Complex on Friday morning primarily to hold talks about the alleged misencounter between government troops and MNLF fighters last January 18 in Patikul town, which the military claimed was an operation against the ASG.
The AFP, in fact, said the nine killed rebels belong to the ASG, and reiterated the same when an MILF official said otherwise later.
But Cedo yesterday admitted that indeed those killed were MNLF members, as claimed by the leadership of the group. “Actually, they (slain rebels) were mistaken to be ASG members,” he said.
The issue was already resolved during Dolorfino and Santos’ meeting with the MNLF over the weekend.
Cedo said government soldiers went back to the fields of Sulu yesterday so as not to waste the chance of catching the ASG and JI operatives.
Since the AFP launched its Operation Plan (OPLAN) Ultimatum last August 1, 2006, it has already neutralized key ASG leaders Khadaffy Janjalani and Jainal Antel Sali, Jr., alias Abu Solaiman./DMS
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Ultra stampede victims still cry for justice on first anniversary of the tragedy
By Ronron
February 3, 2007
“It’s already one year since the tragedy and it seems like nothing has happened. There is no justice yet.”
These were the words of Rizal Javierto, 44, of Caloocan City, when Manila Shimbun talked to him three days before the so-called “Ultra Stampede” incident, one of the many tragedies to hit the Philippines in 2006, marks its first anniversary Sunday.
Javierto lost his 83-year-old mother, Virginia, and 53-year-old sister, Josephine, in that tragedy that claimed over 70 lives and wounded over 500 others out of the estimated 30,000 crowd that was seeking to gain entry inside the Philippine Sports Arena, popularly known as Ultra, on February 4, 2006 to watch the first anniversary special of ABS-CBN’s “Wowowee” noontime show, and at the same time, take a chance of winning prizes at stake.
Javierto and a few other victims expressed dismay at the slow progress of the case against the management of ABS-CBN Corporation, and at the company’s alleged failure to provide assistance due them.
“The court should not be pressured by ABS-CBN, just because it is a powerful and rich company. It’s just a preliminary investigation and yet, it’s taking a year. Maybe if I was the one who committed the crime, even against just one person, I have long been in jail already,” Javierto said in Filipino.
Javierto said justice to him means making the executives of ABS-CBN held liable for the death and wounding of many people.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has yet to file before the court the “reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries” case against 12 ABS-CBN executives and personalities, two Ultra employees, and three others from the security agency of ABS-CBN because of motions for reconsideration and similar petitions filed by the media company to higher courts.
Recommended charged are ABS-CBN Vice President for Entertainment Ma. Rosario Santos-Concio; Senior Vice President for Television Production Ma. Socorro Vidanes; Executive Producer Marilou Almaden; Cipriano Luspo, assistant Vice President and head of security; Morley Stuart Nueva, executive producer and manager; host Willie Revillame; Harold James Nueva, associate producer for sets and technical; Norbert Vidanes, show director; Ray Cayabyab, assistant location manager and security coordinator; Francisco Rivera, ABS-CBN’s location manager; Jean Owen Garcia, segment producer and floor director; and Mel Feliciano, assistant director and floor Director.
From the Ultra management, implicated were Engineer Jess Belardo, the building administrator, and Erlinda Reis, booking and events coordinator.
And from Goldlink Security Agency, recommended for charging are Rosenbar Viloria, staff director for operations; and securities in charge Wilfron Onanad and Chito Payumo.
Just last January 18, ABS-CBN elevated its appeal for the nullification of the DOJ resolution to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeals denied the same last year. The SC is yet to resolve the matter.
ABS-CBN argues that the October 9, 2006 resolution of the DOJ was tainted with bias and impartiality since no less than Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez made early pronouncements to the media about ABS-CBN’s liability.
“Yes, it (ABS-CBN) is following the law (by making appeals). But that is a very long process. I think filing those motions for reconsideration is just a delaying tactic of ABS-CBN,” lamented Javierto.
To make things worse, he said ABS-CBN continues to deny them of the assistance it has promised them after the incident struck.
“I asked for a vehicle like jeepney or taxi, or a grocery store for my livelihood. But they said they cannot give that. They cannot make us instant millionaires,” Javierto said.
He acknowledged though that ABS-CBN gave P70,000 each for the deaths of his mother and sister for the burial and funeral expenses. The same is true with Alfredo Narvaez, 74, whose 69-year-old wife, Ester, was also among those killed.
“I think that amount was not enough for the funeral and burial. In fact, we took charge of the burial expenses already,” Narvaez told Manila Shimbun in Filipino in a separate interview.
Asked how much should ABS-CBN pay them for the lost lives of their relatives, both said it is up to the court to determine that. Almost all who died are adult women.
But Javierto was particularly demanding P1 million from ABS-CBN since he claims that his mother was receiving a monthly pension of P50,000 from the US government until she died.
“Come to think of it, P1 million is just too little an amount to compensate for the death of my mother,” he said.
A few survivors of the tragedy are also complaining about their being marginalized by ABS-CBN, as if they are not suffering from any ailments to this day brought about by the initial injuries they incurred.
“We did not receive any assistance… They must also give us assistance because without our testimony, nobody would have known the incident,” said Evelyn Logon, 54, of Caloocan City, one of the injured victims.
“As for me, I just need a medical assistance. I’ve been seeking medical attention using my own money because a few days after the incident, when I went to ABS-CBN, all they could give us was a massage,” added Juanita Amorin, 36, from Sta. Mesa, Manila City.
Both Logon and Amorin complained of occasional recurrence of pain in the bones, particularly on their legs and back, caused by the stampede. Both said they were pinned hard during the scuffle, they even thought they would not come out alive after seeing those immediately above, below and beside them dead already.
But the ABS-CBN-created 71 Dreams Foundation said theirs is to provide extended assistance only to families of the killed victims whose dreams of living a better life were crushed during that tragedy.
ABS-CBN Public Relations chief Manoli Manalastas maintained that the injured victims were given first aid and hospitalization needs after the incident.
“The goal of the partnership is to make beneficiaries self-sufficient, with a sense of autonomy, freedom, and most especially, gratitude – teach them to fish rather than giving them fish,” said Fr. Carmelo Caluag II of the 71 Dreams Foundation in an interview with Manila Shimbun.
He said the foundation seeks to compensate for the lost economic capability of the killed victims by providing livelihood assistance, educational support, and referrals for employment.
This is on top of the intensive counseling, family conference and medical assistance they extend to some of the families.
Caluag disclosed that a total of 43 persons from 36 families already received livelihood assistance after they completed a one-month training course, and their proposed business ventures were approved for being viable ones.
Most of these are sari-sari stores (including rice), while the rest are carenderia, manicure/pedicure, noodle house, fruit stand, auto surplus shop, tire recapping, cellphone repair/load retail, buy and sell of vegetables, balut and cigarette vending, pedicab, buy and sell of charcoal, and peanut vending.
The rest, however, have yet to start up their own businesses because during evaluation, they fail. There are also some who could not yet present their proposed businesses because of internal disputes with other family members.
Caluag said there were also three families who refused to receive assistance, saying they could provide for themselves already.
“Our goal is to make them self-reliant and become responsible and productive members of the society,” he said. And for them, this is a big challenge because the surviving families are unemployed and have always been dependent on the deceased for support.
Manalastas and Caluag assured that even if the victims pursue the legal case against ABS-CBN, the assistance they have provided and will be providing continues.
“We believe that every single individual has the right to take legal action that they believe is due them. Just the same that we as a network has the right to protect our interest. But that doesn’t mean that the commitment of the company to assist those affected will stop. The legal aspect of this incident is totally different from the sincere commitment of our Chairman to assist the victims,” Manalastas said.
While the complaining victims, numbering to almost 300 under the care of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), also want the “Wowowee” show to temporarily stop from airing until the case is resolved, Manalastas said the company could not just do that because it has become another form of public service program of the company.
Javierto, Logon, and four other victims whom Manila Shimbun talked to said that the continuous airing of the show is like an insult to them who still have to get justice from the tragedy they fell into because of the irresponsible handling of the crowd by the show organizers.
“They are all having fun there, without realizing that there are people like us who continue to cry for the loss of our loved ones, or who continue to feel the pain in our bodies after being trampled upon,” Javierto said.
Logon said she is particularly angry at Revillame for being irresponsible in drawing in the crowd by encouraging them to go to Ultra even when people have started to line up at the venue five days ahead of the activity.
“I guess he really was just concerned about the ratings,” Logon said of the actor-host. “Wowowee” is being matched by ABS-CBN against GMA 7 television network’s long-running “Eat Bulaga” noontime show.
Asked what did ABS-CBN learn from the tragedy, Manalastas said better ways of handling audience have been adopted by the company, starting from the selection process.
She said before the audience could go to the studio or any venue of any ABS-CBN show, they are already pre-selected through text messaging system. This way, a huge crowd is being avoided.
They have also banned below seven-year-old children and pregnant women from watching live shows, while senior citizens or those 60 years old and above and being brought to a special lane.
And to erase perceptions that they are tolerating or promoting mendicancy, Manalastas said winners of big prizes are educated on possible investments of the amount they have won. She said winners are being referred to the ABS-CBN’s micro-financing group.
“Our programs never encourage people to depend on it. We forget that it was originally a game show, it’s just like Kwarta O Kahon (a game show famous in the 1980’s). But it has just evolved into something like this now (Wowowee). And people begin to say that this is a good public service program where those who wish to help use it as a venue for their donation… And who are we to deny giving help to those in need,” said Manalastas.
When an inter-government agency completed its probe of the incident, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Marius Corpus accused ABS-CBN and the show executives of maltreating the crowd, as though they were animals, because of offering a few tickets to some special prizes for so many aspirants, eventually causing the stampede.
“It can be seen that the crowd at the Ultra was enticed and made to suffer all sorts of inconveniences and in that sense, were exploited, manipulated, treated like animals. The decision or act of offering so few tickets (300 only) to so many people can be likened to throwing a small slice of meat to a hungry pack of wolves,” Corpus said then.
On the eve of the first anniversary of the tragedy, the victims who sought refuge at the VACC will hold a vigil at the Ultra to offer prayers for those who died and to air their demand for justice.
ABS-CBN had earlier offered a mass on Friday night in memoriam of the stampede victims.
“We will not stop our fight, and to hold rallies until the case is resolved,” Javierto vowed./DMS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)