International Peace Mission Blocked!

KATRIBU Partylist condemns the blockage of the convoy of international and local human rights advocates heading to a militarized indigenous community in Bukidnon to conduct a humanitarian and fact-finding mission. Apparently at the instigation of the military, Domingo Hingpit, Brgy. Captain of St. Peter Malaybalay and a retinue of Barangay Police Security Officers (BPSO) blocked the contingent twice in November 30 and December 2, respectively, in Crossing Campo, a few kilometers to the mission area.

The international mission dubbed as Panaw Kalinaw (Exodus for Peace) had the consent of Malaybalay Mayor Florencio Flores, Jr. and was undertaken in partnership with Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri. It was supposed to verify reports on human rights violations perpetrated by the 8^th IB, 403^rd BDE, 4^th ID in the villages of Higaonon and Talaandig tribes in Malaybalay.

The mission also aimed to provide medical services, relief operations and psycho-social intervention particularly to children traumatized by the military operations in the poor Lumad communities virtually ruled by the military

KALUMBAY, a Lumad organization in northern Mindanao, and other human rights groups in the region reported the following alarming cases of human rights violations: aerial bombardment of Lumad ancestral territories destroying their source of food; forced and fake rebel surrender by Datus and other civilians; surveillance through military census focusing on membership in people’s organizations and support to progressive partylist groups; harassments, threats and intimidation; military encampment in the villages and occupation of barangay halls and day care centers.

KATRIBU Partylist views the blockage of the mission was meant to cover up the above-mentioned cases of human rights violations committed by the military deployed in the area since June this year. We also believe that the military was behind the hostile treatment the contingent got from the Hingpit and the BPSOs in utter defiance of the authority of the Mayor and Governor.

Hingpit claimed that they have a different system in St. Peter and constantly communicated with a “higher up” who denied the convoy clearance to proceed to the mission area. He also accused the organizers of the mission as leftists and supporters of the New Peoples Army (NPA)

.

Later on, some of the delegates identified Lt. Mario Goc-ong, a company commander under the 8^th IB and his vice-commanding officer were present in the blockage. They were in civilian clothes and wore dark glasses and scarves to cover their faces. Suspected military assets who were part of the blockage also hurled threats, saying that the contingent could suffer the same fate of the victims of the Ampatuan massacre and never return home.

The mission was organized in partnership with the governor’s office. In fact, the convoy included vehicles owned by the provincial government, and was accompanied by a doctor and two nurses from the provincial hospital. Other local-based participants were the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), Sisters Association in Mindanao (SAMIN), Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), and Community-based Health Services (CBHS), KATRIBU and other progressive partylist groups.

Peace, human rights and indigenous peoples rights advocates from Thailand, Malaysia, United States and Australia also joined the mission, which formed part of the Mindanao Week of Peace and Human Rights in observance of the 103rd Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The mission was eventually aborted due to safety and security considerations. That it was blocked at the instigation of the military only proved that the area is under a de facto Martial Law. The Mission called for the immediate demilitarization of the indigenous territory, vowing to expose the draconian rule looming in the area. It also called on the Commission on Human Rights for an immediate and impartial investigation on the incident and reported human rights violations; and a Congresional inquiry on aid of legislation.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
CALL OR TEXT ME : 0929-589-6390
OR E-MAIL ME : pjtremedal@gmail.com
visit my website: www.pag-enews.tk

PMP-Padayon bets file COCs

Vice Mayor Vicente "Dongkoy" Emano leds his Political Party Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino-Padayon Pilipno in a last minute submission of their COC's at the City COMELEC here.

By Gerry Gorit with reports from PJTremedal

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – (Dec 2) - THE local bets of the Puwersang Masa ng Pilipino-Padayon Pilipino party in Cagayan de Oro showed their force last night when they marched with scores of supporters from City Hall to the Commission on Elections office to file their certificates of candidacy.

Led by incumbent Vice Mayor Vicente Emano, who is running for the mayor’s post, the party members and their supporters from 60 of the city’s 80 barangays carried lighted native lanterns in their short distance walk.

Emano’s running mate is incumbent city councilor Ian Acenas.

For the city’s first congressional district, the party’s bet is former city councilor Benjo Benaldo and for the second congressional district incumbent Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

Running for the city council are Atty. Nadia Emano, daughter of the vice mayor, incumbent city councilors Simeon Licayan, Marycor Calizo, Ramon Tabor, Ian Nacaya, Atty. Adrian Barba, Alden Bacal, Prexy Elipe, Emmanuel Abejuela and Alex Dacer, and former city councilors Juan Sia and Pepe Abbu.

For the provincial post, the party’s gubernatorial bet i

s Atty. Michael Paderanga w

ho will be challenging incumbent Gov. Oscar Moreno.

All bets have at one time or another held elective posts, except Nadia Emano who is a first timer.

They are all under former Philippine president Joseph E. Estrada who has filed his certificate of candidacy in Manila for the presidential post, and vice presidential bet Jejomar Binay, of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Vice Mayoral candidate Councilor Ian Acenas who is a computer engineering graduate said that he still doubtful on the full automation this coming May 2010 election 2010.

Yes, I a computer engineer, hacking is one problem that can never be solve, that is why I am doubtful on the matter, however, if given a chance to be educated by the COMELEC on this, I will help my community to be educated and be informed how to go about the full automated election on May 2010. This will be part of my campaign.” Councilor Acenas said.

This May election 2010, PCOS or the Precinct Count Operation System machines that are made in Taiwan and technically supervise by Smartmatic,Inc. who is in charge will be fielding IT technician during the election period to monitor and make necessary changes if in case this PCOS will bug down.

However, COMELEC assures that with the government effort to have an honest, fair, and peaceful election. (With report from PJTremedal)

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
CALL OR TEXT ME : 0929-589-6390
OR E-MAIL ME : pjtremedal@gmail.com
visit my website: www.pag-enews.tk

MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE CELEBRATION

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