STOP DISRESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF CIVILIANS

(This is the Press Statement of the Consortium of the BangsaMoro Civil Society, Inc. based in Mindanao )

We, the undersigned leaders of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), Inc., condemn the bad timing and indiscriminate way by which military operations were launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), particularly the Philippine Marines, in barangays Kagay, Marang, Bud Timahu, Laum Siang, all part of the municipality of Indanan, Sulu on September 20, 2009.

According to local sources, this operation commenced with artillery fire from such areas as Bud Kagay and Bud Tumantangis where US troops who are part of the Balikatan exercises are known to be positioned, among others. This was followed up by an airstrike composed of bombs from OV-10 planes and rocket launchers from helicopters. The air strike was said to have lasted for eight (8) hours.

Although we acknowledge that this operation was against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), we question the procedure by which the Philippine Marines had made such an operation. We also question its timing. As part of the civil society sector, the foremost concerns of CBCS are the safety and security of civilians.

Many civilians live in the targeted barangays. While during the kidnapping of ICRC volunteers, the military exerted all efforts to coordinate with local government officials and barangay chairmen and even exacted their support to ensure that the lives of the three kidnap victims not put to more risk, now the military did not make such effort of coordinating with the local chief executives to ensure the safety of the civilians prior to the operations.

This clear and obvious lapse, or even disregard, to procedure has caused the displacement of about two thousand (2,000) families. People whose safety and lives the military are supposed to protect. They are now found in Buansa Talatak, Indanan.

A high level of precision, competence, efficiency, and sense of humanity is expected of government agencies that are authorized to have their personnel carry weapons that have the ability to threaten the lives of people. If this military operation is another of the AFP’s “surgical operations”, then we do not consider it as “surgical” enough. We have yet to see a surgical operation done by the military that is true to form. What may be “surgical” to the AFP is seen as “very messy” to the general public.

The military operation was also done at the very time when the civilians in the targeted areas were busy preparing food and about to go to prayer to celebrate the holy day of Eid’l Fitr. Because of the operations, they were unable to perform their religious obligations and instead had to flee for their lives. This action is seen as a blatant disrespect to Islam, the religion and way of life of the Bangsamoro people.

We hate to think that this is a grandiose design by some ranking men in uniform to sabotage the impending resumption of the GRP-MILF peace talks and the tripartite review of the implementation of the GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement. Likewise, we hate to think that this is a part of a grand plot to derail the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming national elections. Moreover, we hate to think that this situation will ultimately escalate to mindset the general public that there is a threat to national security, validating future potential moves for the military to take power under the pretext of protecting the state.

We, therefore, call on HE Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to take strong action in disciplining her troops in Sulu and to be vigilant as Civilian President and be watchful of her generals in her capacity as Commander in Chief of the AFP. If indeed the government sees all in Mindanao as part of its constituency, regardless of religion, then these people have the right to have their safety and lives protected by the military. They have the right not to be mistreated, or not to be treated as collateral damage. They also have the right to be respected of their religion and religious practices.(CBCS Information Bureau, Cotabato City)

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Mindanao OTOP fair and investment confab in time with Fiesta Pilar

Zamboanga City – Asia’s City and the Philippines’ Ciudad de las Flores or City of Flowers will serve as venue of two major events in Mindanao this month: the OTOP Mindanao Island Fair and 2^nd Mindanao Investment Conference.

Timed during the city's Fiesta Pilar celebration, the twin events are expected to draw crowds like businessmen, tourists, investors and locals who would come and take part in the city’s grandiose festivities in honor of the city’s patroness, the Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar.

DTI Region 9 Director Nazrullah Manzur, head of the organizing committee, said that this year’s OTOP Mindanao Island Fair will be called “Orgullo de Mindanao 2009” which will be held at the Garden Orchid Hotel Convention Center from October 9-12, 2009.

Aside from the fair proper, side activities such as business matching sessions, Jardin de las Flores (Garden Show), livelihood seminars and technology demonstrations, will also be featured.

The fair will showcase an array of best product lines from the five regions in Mindanao. A flaunt of jewelry and fashion accessories; furniture and furnishings; fresh and processed food; holiday decors; organic and natural products and raw material components abound for takers at affordable prices.

The 2^nd Mindanao Investment Conference on the other hand is scheduled on October 9-10 at the Garden Orchid Hotel Ballroom. It is jointly organized by the Mindanao Business Council and the Department of Trade and Industry with the theme, “Steer the wheels to Progress, Invest in MindaNow”.

The conference aims to contribute to an increase in trade and investments in the Mindanao regions; generate project ideas that will lead to the creation of SMEs; and forge strategic industry alliances within Mindanao and in the BIMP-EAGA area.

Industry experts will tackle investment opportunities in the production and processing of Pangasius, halal food, seaweeds, coconut by-products, banana, moringa, high value vegetables, bamboo, and high value marine culture during the two-day conference. (PIA/DTI-IX)

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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AI Mindanao Groups strengthen HR campaigns

By PJTremedal

Cagayan de Oro City – A two days strategic planning and finance management consultations conducted by Amnesty International(Philippines) Sector for its Mindanao chapters led to strengthen and financial management knowledge for local chapter treasurers, secretaries, and group coordinators to work with.

Said planning and consultations focus deeply on Amnesty International Human Rights changes as it is implanted with AI International Strategic plan for 2-10 to 2016, a six years plan to be implemented internationally approved by the AI ICM in August 9, 2009.

Dr. Aurora Panong, who came with AI Philippines National Treasurer said that with the strategic planning for Mindanao AI Chapters in Cagayan de Oro, Pagadian City, and Zamboanga City, this will help the formal set-up of RCA’s or the Regional Center of Activism where it is also implanted in the NSP (National strategic Plan) from 2010 to 2016 as patterned with the Amnesty International Strategic Plan approved in August 2009.

Meanwhile, delegates from the three areas of activism strategically add some changes for the National plan and came to agree for its suggestion for the incoming annual general meeting (AI-AGM) next year.

In the financial management consultancy, the two-day activity has also strengthen the capacity of the three areas to formalized its rule in its financial management like; cash disbursement for cash and non-cash obligations, cash receipts, and other financial obligations from other sources and its usage in the chapters activism program.

“This will help especially in the financial management of every chapter. “ Doc Au said.

In other development, AI Philippines has planned to ad more RCA’s to expand its HR Changes to cater more areas of activism all over Mindanao and the Visayas center of activism. In its draft NSP for 2010-2016, four RCA’s is now strengthen, Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Oriental, Bacolod-Cebu, and Ilocos region, while another 3 is under its planning stage to include Davao City, and the Caraga Region.

In the national strategic plan as its is also patterned in AI International strategic Plan 2010-2016, HR changes includes four goals to wit: empowering people living in poverty, Defending unprotected people on the move, Defending people from violence committed by state and non-state actors, and Protecting people’s freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination.

As to say with AI’s “work for, work with idea, the activity learn to adopt the newest strength analysis PEST (Political, Economic, Socio-cultural and technological) analysis with an OSSA (Organizational Strength Self-Assessment) way of how to assess the strength and weaknesses of every AI sector and groups here in the Philippine Sector.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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In Region 10, 41-T FA’s on the loose…

By PJTremedal

Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City – More or less 41-T loose firearms is on the track by the Philippine National Police Regional Office 10 to be renewed its licenses, register or its holder to avail the government’s Executive Order 817 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on or before its final date, October 31^, 2009.

In its campaign for more peaceful and safer communities, as directed by PNP Chief Police General Jesus Versoza, PNP-R09 under its Regional Director P/CSupt Danilo T. Emperidad to account all firearms in the region.

In a press conference yesterday (October 1) General Emperidad sighted according to their statistics, 41,589 firearms as of May 2009 data are now on the loose. But within July to September 2009 as they started the campaign on the loose firearms, the Regional Office is now on track for the holders to avail the final and last amnesty for loose firearms in its AOR.

As of the PNP Regional Office data, 316 are unregistered, 1,784 with un-renewed FA’s licenses, 169 FA’s from threat groups (CPP-NPA, etc), and 87 FA’s from criminal elements and etc. of which are now in their hands.

A total of 2,356 FA’s or 62.94 percent according to the campaigns 3 percent per month accomplishment by the PNP. In the said press conference, P/CSupt Emperidad added that his office will give chance to firearm holders to renew expired licenses and/or register loose firearms.

The final Firearms Amnesty program is aimed towards effective regulation and control of guns which can be used in criminal activities. Unregulated and uncontrolled supply of firearms may result in the increase of crime incidents.

“The PNP and other law enforcement agencies needed the support aand assistance of all citizenry in public safety and peacekeeping endeavors with an end in view that your police and the public will go hand in hand to prevent crimes and violence with the use of illegal firearms” Emperidad said.

Meanwhile, the region’s FES otherwise known as the PNP Firearms and Explosive Section under P/CI Sandy Vales, PNP RO10 is urging illegal firearms holders to void having trouble with the law.

“Renew your firearms licenses and/or register your loose firearms: Handguns, shot guns, rifle cal. 22, or other low powered firearms and high-powered firearms (except crew served weapon, anti-tank, rifles exceeding caliber 7.62 and others at your nearest Police Station, Municipal, city or provincial PNP station or to this PNP Region 10 office-FES” P/CI Vales said.

Farther, in the launching of the final month, PNP DIPO-Eastern Mindanao Chief, P/CSupt Jaime Milla who attended, also confirmed that within the period of the final amnesty all holders are invited to avail the program so that they will not face other circumstances after the final amnesty program on or before October 31, 2009 with police intervention or legal actions.

“ With this final amnesty program, I hope that gun holders would bear in their minds to be protected under the PNP Firearms Law, by availing with this amnesty program their firearms are safe." P/CSupt Milla said.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Oro’s Fil-Chinese Chambers send relief goods to “Ondoy” victims

By PJTremedal

Cagayan de Oro City – With the help of the PNP Regional Office 10, the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Northern Mindanao based in this city send some 20 sacks of rice and 20 cartoons of sardines, and other relief goods to the victims of Typhoon “Undoy” in metro manila and other 27 municipalities of North and South Luzon.

Thousands of victims are now waiting for relief goods from good Filipinos and even with the International community relief operations. In the latest NDCC update, accordingly 200 death tolls, 32 missing, and thousands of families are now wanting and needing help.

In Cagayan de Oro City, the first to come and send its relief goods is the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce led by Mr. Alex Yang and Mr. Condrad Lim, with their relief goods, and met with PNP-RO 10 Regional Director P/CSupt Danilo Emperidad together with PNP DIPO-Eastern Mindanao , Chief P/CSupt Jaime Milla to have their relief goods as part of Northern Mindanao relief assistance to the typhoon victims.

In an interview during the meeting, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Northern Mindanao also joined the whole country in helping and sending relief goods for the victims.

"Yes, we thank the cooperation of our business partners in sending their relief assistance thru us and I hope that other sectors will also do the same, " P/CSupt Emperidad said.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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NARS Project in NM launch

By PJTremedal

Iligan City – With or with the presence of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who did arrive for the launching of the DOLE-Malacañang Nurses Assigned in Rural Service (NARS) project a training cum development program of the Department of Labor ands employment aimed in improving the delivery of healthcare services in Northern Mindanao was not moved to another date but continued.

Met by Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz and Congressman Vicente “Varf” Belmonte Jr. of the Lanao Norte 1^st Congressional District, Secretary Jesli Lapuz of DepED, Secretary Marianito Roque of Department of Labor and Employment, and Secretary Gabriel Claudio who arrived without the President.

It was learned that because of the Saturday’s(September 25) tragedy in Metro Manila wherein thousands of Filipinos suffered from flashfloods and high waters in their areas, the President postponed her trip to her ancestral home in Timoga, Buruun, Iligan City where the Macapagal-Macaraeg Guest will be inaugurated.

Said Macapagal-Macaraeg Guest House was constructed last August 2,2008 and completed in august 18, 2009 with a project cost of 7M funded by DPWH.

A total of 20.88-M were granted to 435 trainees covering a 6 month period in Northern Mindanao. As what Secretary Roque has said in his message, the stipend of 8,000 may be increased if the host Local Government Units (LGU’s) will offer its counterpart.

This year, from October 1 to March next year, 91 municipalities and cities of region 10 will be serve to include Opol and Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental, Mambajao in Camiguin, and Malaybalay City in Bukidnon.

Accordingly, the said nurses-trainees started their training last April this year, they have undergone lessons for competency enhancement in accordance with the training program designed by DOH in collaboration with the PRC-Board of Nursing and their training program covered both clinical and public health functions.

Meanwhile, Secretary Lapuz of DepED said that with the program, Rural Health Service will now be enhanced thru good education of our newly graduated nurses.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Discover Dapitan Photo Contest’ extended

By Cheng Ordonez

DAKAK, Dapitan City -- Organizers of the ‘Discover Dapitan Photo
Contest’ have extended the deadline for submission of entries until
October 23 from its original schedule set on September 23, 2009.


This is according to Zamboanga del Norte (ZaNorte) Provincial Board
Member Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos in an interview earlier.


BM Jalosjos, son of former congressman Romeo Jalosjos, who is
considered as the father of tourism in the province and initiator of
efforts to discover the trails of Dr. Jose Rizal here, also said that
the organizers of the contest are giving out discounts on hotel
accommodations for all registered participants who will stay for their
photo stints in Dapitan City.


Dapitan is fast developing into a tourism capital in the Zamboanga
Peninsula and often visited by professional and amateur photographers
for its tourism potentials and world-class festival entertainments,
like the Hudyaka and the Kinabayo fesitvals.


Dapitan is also home to the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal,
who stayed in this beautiful island while in exile.

At stake are P400,000 in prizes for the best photographs that
contestants shoot from the designated tourist spots in the tourism
scenery-rich City of Dapitan.

For the Major Category, photos must be taken from The Island Tour
(Aliguay and Selinog Islands) and Dapitan Aqua-marine Park also known
as Dampa and the River Cruise.


For the Minor Category, photos must be taken from Dakak Park Beach
Resort and Casino, Rizal Shrine and Historical Trail, Gloria de
Dapitan and Fantasyland, and Eco-Tourism Adventure Sports & Water
Adventure.


The photography contest is open to all amateur and professional
photographers who register with the Dapitan City Tourism Office during
the prescribed registration period, which is from July 16 to September
15, 2009.


Official entry forms are available at the Dapitan City Tourism Office
and City Information Division from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.


A registration fee of P500 per participant is necessary plus an
additional P500 per additional entry. Only up to three entries are
allowed per category.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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