ARMM expansion

N Cotabato execs fly to Manila vs ARMM expansion

07/30/2008 | 06:33 PM

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - Local officials of North Cotabato are plying for Manila Wednesday night to drumbeat their opposition against the plan to include some of the province's towns and villages in the expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The local officials will be led by North Cotabato Governor Jesus Sacdalan and Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol.

With them are ten members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and 18 town mayors.

Piñol said they will ask the Supreme Court to issue a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) for the scheduled signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in August 5 in Malaysia.

The vice governor said the inclusion of North Cotabato in the proposed plebiscite was only decided by so-called “peace negotiators" without proper consultation with the people and the leadership of the province.

Piñol cited that the people and provincial officials were not even given an idea or listing of the areas of the province which will be included in the expanded ARMM and in the plebiscite after the signing of MOA.

Based on the unofficial document obtained by Piñol, the towns of Pikit and Kabacan and 98 other villages will be included in the expansion of ARMM under the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

The 98 villages will be carved from the towns of Pigcawayan, Midsayap, Alamada, Aleosan, Banisilan, Carmen, Matalam, Mlang, Tulunan and President Roxas.

North Cotabato’s 18 mayors on Tuesday signed a manifesto of support opposing for the proposed plebiscite on ARMM expansion.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/110386/N-Cotabato-execs-fly-to-Manila-vs-ARMM-expansion

Mindanao solon cautions govt vs signing homeland deal with MILF

07/30/2008 | 11:17 PM

MANILA, Philippines - A North Cotabato lawmaker on Wednesday expressed fear that the signing of a homeland deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will inspire other separatist groups in Mindanao to ask for the same deal to expand their territories.

Speaking at the weekly Sitio Fernandina Media forum in Greenhills, San Juan, Rep. Bernando Piñol Jr said many other groups in Mindanao will follow suit and the Philippine government will likely be forced to give in to such demands.

“Maraming susunod dyan na grupo kapag ganyan ang style. (Many other rebel groups will follow if that’s the style of the government)," Piñol said.

He added that he personally perceives that peace and order is not the issue in Mindanao but poverty.

“The problem in Mindanao is still poverty and not peace and order," he said, noting that hammering out deals to accommodate the demands of rebel groups is not a long term solution but putting food on the table of poor families in Mindanao.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/110440/Mindanao-solon-cautions-govt-vs-signing-homeland-deal-with-MILF

NoCot vice gov to MILF: Supreme Court is the best venue for debate

WILLIAMOR MAGBANUA, GMANews.TV

07/30/2008 | 11:52 PM

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol has accepted the challenged of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for a debate regarding the peace issue in Mindanao.

But Piñol said the debate must be done at the Supreme Court and not a nationally televised public debate as the MILF demanded.

Khaled Musa, deputy chairperson of the MILF committee on information, issued the challenge in an article posted in the MILF website. He said Piñol, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat, and Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr are emerging as the leading anti-Moro politicians in the country.

The vice governor said the Supreme Court is the right venue for a debate in order to come up with solutions for the long quest of peace in Mindanao.

“I urge the MILF to prepare their best lawyers and let us talk peace issue in Mindanao at the Supreme Court,” Piñol said in his weekly radio program over dxND Radio for Peace.

Piñol also challenged the MILF to prove their allegations that he is anti-Moro politician.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/110445/NoCot-vice-gov-to-MILF-Supreme-Court-is-the-best-venue-for-debate

Anti-Moro?? It goes to show how the MILF uses religion for their own greedy plans..If the MILF are sincere in their goal of peace, they should at least offer full disarmament.. In that way I can say that Peace can be attained. Peace cannot be attained while individuals with no respect for other people, no respect for other people's religion, for other people's belief, and people with guns that are so selfish that they think that they don't need to work because they can just asked for the things they wanted at gun point, and while selfish greedy people are using religion as a form of argument in their pusuit of greed.

I can only say that their is no basis for the ARMM expansion. The plebiscite done last 2001 was proof enough that even some muslims don't want to be under the ARMM. If the argument of ancestral domain is being pushed I think they (MILF) are not in the position to use it, the pagan tribes are the people that should and are more deserving in this aspect. It was they (moro - using the terms used) that drove the pagans away, if the pagan tribes don't convert to their religion then they are wiped out..History only repeated itself when it was the christians from Luzon and Visayas that came here in Mindanao after world war 2..

Just want to say NO TO THE ARMM EXPANSION..

SONA Reactions..Part 2

Malolos bishop: Trust President Arroyo on eVAT

07/31/2008 | 10:14 AM

MANILA, Philippines — A Roman Catholic bishop on Thursday said the government was correct in imposing the expanded value-added tax (eVAT) and that Filipinos should trust President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo because "what she is doing is for the good of the nation."

Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros argued that if properly collected and accounted for, the VAT can do much good.

He said the VAT may hurt the pockets of many people but it is still their clear obligation to the government. He said it is the prerogative of the government to impose the VAT that would be used to fund programs for the people.

"We are not the only country with VAT. Other countries such as the United States have their own, which is even higher than ours," Oliveros said in an interview over Church-run Radyo Veritas, excerpts of which were posted on Thursday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website.

Oliveros earlier reminded President Arroyo that it is a moral obligation to be transparent about the VAT the government collects.

"Nandoon 'yung transparency, yung mahalagang tungkulin na gamitin ang mga buwis na nakuha para sa kabutihan ng sambayanan," (It is important that government shows transparency in using taxes, to make sure taxes benefit the people)," he said.

He also echoed President Arroyo's line that her "Katas ng VAT" program is for the poorest of the poor who would benefit from it.

"Because of VAT, the government is able to provide subsidy to the needy. Subsidy means poorest of the poor," said Oliveros, whose stand differed from those of other bishops.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/110545/Malolos-bishop-Trust-President-Arroyo-on-eVAT

Lacson urges Arroyo to fire SONA speech writer

07/31/2008 | 05:15 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson advised President Arroyo to fire the speech writer of her State of the Nation Address (SONA)who “tricked" her on the 50¢ cut on text messaging rates.

Lacson said Mrs. Arroyo was misled into believing the 50¢ slash was due to her efforts to lower short messaging service (SMS) rates, when it was a promotion of telecommunications firms.

"Dapat ang gawin ni Mrs. Arroyo, i-fire niya ang sino ang nag-include or nag-insert ng portion na yan sa kanyang SONA. Agad-agad. (What Mrs. Arroyo should do is fire that speech writer who inserted that part about the text rate slash in her SONA. And she should do it soonest),"
he said.

Arroyo's claim on the rate cut drew cheers at the SONA, but it drew flak after subscribers learned it was only a promotion offer, and that they needed to register to avail of it.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/110504/Lacson-urges-Arroyo-to-fire-SONA-speech-writer

Arroyo allies turn tables on Lopezes over Marcos comparison

07/30/2008 | 04:16 PM

MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s allies at the House of Representatives on Wednesday turned the tables on the Lopezes for comparing the present administration to that of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

At least three lawmakers were one in saying that unlike during Marcos’ rule, the Lopezes who run the Manila Electric Co. are now totally free to air their sentiments.

On Tuesday, Oscar M. Lopez, the patriarch of the Lopez family, said that with the Arroyo administration’s attempt to seize control of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), it is as though the Marcos’ dictatorship never ended.

“It is happening again today, as officials of both the executive and legislative branches of government are ganging up on the Lopez management in Meralco when their real gripe is with ABS-CBN," said in a speech during the forum on “Leadership in Times of Crisis" in Makati City.

The state pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which has a 22-percent stake in Meralco, wants to take over the power firm, claiming that the Lopez family had been mismanaging it and overpricing energy rates to the detriment of consumers.

Lopez claimed that the government’s attempt to seize control of the Meralco was actually targeted at ABS-CBN, the Lopez family’s flagship, which had been critical of the administration.

But Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, chairman of the House appropriations committee, said the comparison was “intellectually dishonest" because “we have right now the rule of law, democratic space and freedom of the press."

Elpidio Barzaga of Cavite said the allegation is baseless since under the free-spirited press policy of the Arroyo government, no media entity – the Lopezes’ ABS-CBN included – was ever muzzled or censored, even if the broadcast news it was airing was anti-government.

“ABS-CBN can run any program it wants, air any opinion it holds, and broadcast any news it deems fit for public consumption – all free from censorship. I think that is the standard by which we should gauge if press freedom has been denied to this entity," he said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/110342/Arroyo-allies-turn-tables-on-Lopezes-over-Marcos-comparison

Hundreds flee as gunmen attack 4 villages in NCotabato

BY MALU CADELINA MANAR, GMANews.TV

07/28/2008 | 05:32 PM

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines – Four villages in Aleosan and Midsayap towns in North Cotabato have fallen victims to attacks since Sunday afternoon staged by suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, who were also accused of burning around 30 houses made of light materials.

The attacks triggered the evacuation of some 2,000 villagers from barangays Dualing and Tapudok in Aleosan and Baliki, Rangaban, and Mudseng in Midsayap to the poblacion and barangay Central Bulanan of the same town, reports from the provincial social welfare office said.

Reports from the provincial police office said the rebels first attacked sitio Mampurok, barangay Dualing in Aleosan, around 2 p.m., Sunday.

They then proceeded to sitio Puypuyon, also in Dualing, and burned at least 20 houses owned by settlers, the reports added.

Another group of MILF rebels raided another village in Midsayap and burned houses there Monday morning, a member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) said.

The militiaman, who refused to be identified, claimed in a radio interview that they engaged the rebels in a firefight starting 8:30 a.m.

As of 11:00 a.m., the fighting was still going on, he said.

MILF chief of civil-military affairs Eid Kabalu has denied allegations the rebel leadership sanctioned the attacks.

"We did not sanction the attack, much less the torching of houses in those villages," he said.

The MILF spokesman said the houses were hit by M79 grenade launchers and that because most of these structures were made of light materials, they easily caught fire.

But he could not say who could have fired the projectiles.

None was reported killed or injured in the fighting, according to Midsayap Mayor Manuel Rabara.

Troops from the 40th and 38th Infantry Battalions, Cafgus, and so-called "force multipliers" in five villages in Aleosan and Midsayap were deployed to repulse the suspected rebels.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109855/Hundreds-flee-as-gunmen-attack-4-villages-in-NCotabato

SONA Reactions..

Presidential address gets mixed reactions from businessmen

07/28/2008 | 07:26 PM

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address reaped mixed reactions from local business groups.

After giving a thumb’s up on President Arroyo’s strong stance on keeping the expanded value-added tax (VAT) in place, business leaders said she failed to address other important facets of the economy.

“There were parts we agreed with. But on the whole, we did not see a very coherent strategy," said Makati Business Club Executive Director Alberto Lim.

Lim said the MBC agrees with President Arroyo’s aim to help the poor, as well as the thrusts for self-sufficiency and balanced interests in sectors like mining.

However, he said that the Chief Executive could have been more specific and substantial particularly in programs on fiscal reform, education, and infrastructure.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109886/Presidential-address-gets-mixed-reactions-from-businessmen

Group: Arroyo's SONA mum on OFWs' welfare

07/28/2008 | 07:03 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Militant overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Hong Kong questioned President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday for keeping mum on measures to promote their welfare in her State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Hong Kong (Bayan-HK) said poverty has become so rampant that the economic and political crises are even felt abroad.

"(Government) keeps on exacting from the earning of OFWs through various government fees. It even takes money from what we send to our families through the documentary stamp fee in every remittance," said Norman Uy Carnay, Bayan-HK country information officer, said in a statement on the Kilusan website.

Carnay said that Filipino migrants are enraged with the refusal of the Arroyo government to heed the people's demands to remove the value-added tax on oil and the scrapping of oil deregulation.

Also, he said government remains silent on issues affecting OFWs in the host country.

In her 57-minute speech, Arroyo praised the efforts of OFWs who send money back home to ease the economic woes not only of their families in particular but also of the country in general.

"I care for our OFWs for their skills, integrity, and untiring labor, who send home their pay as the only way to touch loved ones so far away," said Mrs Arroyo in her eighth SONA on Monday.

"Nagpupugay ako ngayon sa kanilang mga pangkaraniwang Filipino (I laud them, ordinary Filipinos)," she added.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109882/Group-Arroyos-SONA-mum-on-OFWs-welfare

Critics assail President Arroyo's 'VAT-full' SONA

07/28/2008 | 06:30 PM

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's detractors on Monday took turns in criticizing the 57-minute State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the chief executive, which was filled with explanations on how the controversial expanded value added tax (e-VAT) helped the nation cope with the global economic crisis.

An umbrella organization of activist lawyers, the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), said that Mrs Arroyo's SONA "was a very long defensive statement for e-VAT and a poor attempt at presenting success stories in various parts of the country."

In a text message sent to GMANews.TV, lawyer Marlon J. Manuel, ALG coordinator, said that the SONA contained a "hodge-podge of palliative reliefs" and thus countered her statement that the country needed long-term reforms to be able to rise from the rut amid the crisis on food and fuel.

Leftist umbrella organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) also assailed Mrs Arroyo's SONA saying that it was "spoken by someone who seemed to be from another planet and detached from reality."

Renato Reyes Jr, Bayan secretary general, said that it was "ridiculous" that VAT was seen by the President as the solution to the worsening poverty among majority of Filipinos, when "it is clearly anti-people."

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109879/Critics-assail-President-Arroyos-VAT-full-SONA

ARROYO'S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS (Transcript)

07/28/2008 | 11:26 PM

State of the Nation Address of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
2nd Regular Session of the 14th Congress
Republic of the Philippines
28 July 2008

Thank you, Speaker Nograles. Senate President Villar. Senators and Representatives. Vice President de Castro, President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, members of the diplomatic corps, ladies and gentlemen:

I address you today at a crucial moment in world history.

Just a few months ago, we ended 2007 with the strongest economic growth in a generation. Inflation was low, the peso strong and a million new jobs were created. We were all looking to a better, brighter future.

Because tough choices were made, kumikilos na ang bayan sa wakas. Malapit na sana tayo sa pagbalanse ng budget. We were retiring debts in great amounts, reducing the drag on our country’s development, habang namumuhunan sa taong bayan.

Biglang-bigla, nabaligtad ang ekonomiya ng mundo. Ang pagtalon ng presyo ng langis at pagkain ay nagbunsod ng pandaigdigan krisis, the worst since the Great Depression and the end of World War II. Some blame speculators moving billions of dollars from subprime mortgages to commodities like fuel and food. Others point of the very real surge in demand as millions of Chinese and Indians move up to the middle class.

Whatever the reasons, we are on a roller coaster ride of oil price hikes, high food prices and looming economic recession in the US and other markets. Uncertainty has moved like a terrible tsunami around the globe, wiping away gains, erasing progress.

This is a complex time that defies simple and easy solutions. For starters, it is hard to identify villains, unlike in the 1997 financial crisis. Everyone seems to be a victim, rich countries and poor, though certainly some can take more punishment than others.

To address these global challenges, we must go on building and buttressing bridges to allies around the world: to bring in the rice to feed our people, investments to create jobs; and to keep the peace and maintain stability in our country and the rest of the world. Yet even as we reach out to those who need, and who may need us, we strive for greater self-reliance.

Because tough choices were made, the global crisis did not catch us helpless and unprepared. Through foresight, grit and political will, we built a shield around our country that has slowed down and somewhat softened the worst effects of the global crisis. We have the money to care for our people and pay for food when there are shortages; for fuel despite price spikes.

Neither we nor anyone else in the world expected this day to come so soon but we prepared for it. For the guts not to flinch in the face of tough choices, I thank God. For the wisdom to recognize how needed you are, I thank, you Congress. For footing the bill, I thank the taxpayers.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109854/ARROYOS-STATE-OF-THE-NATION-ADDRESS-(Transcript)

Headlines - July 27,2008

Govt claims breakthrough in peace talks with MILF in KL

07/27/2008 | 09:28 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Government peace negotiators on Sunday night claimed to have made a breakthrough in peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) on ancestral domain.

Presidential peace process adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the "breakthrough" was achieved at 8:15 p.m., and would pave the way for the signing of a framework next month.

"With this positive development in the negotiations, the signing of the framework on ancestral domain is tentatively set early August this year," Esperon said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109690/Govt-claims-breakthrough-in-peace-talks-with-MILF-in-KL

2 Marines wounded in Sulu clash

07/27/2008 | 07:28 PM

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least two Marines were wounded in a clash Sunday with unidentified gunmen in the southern Philippine island of Pangutaran off Sulu province.

Authorities did not give any statement about the fighting and spokesmen and security officials ignored calls by journalists who were verifying the report.

The names of the two Marines who suffered gunshot wounds in the firefight on the island, a known hideout of pirates and Abu Sayyaf militants, were unavailable.

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan said the island's leaders sought the help of the military to run after the gangs who were behind extortion activities and attacks on fishermen and ferries at sea.

"There is an operation in Pangutaran and we are supporting the ongoing military and police operation aimed at neutralizing lawless elements," Tan told GMANews.TV.

Police said it would deploy more forces on the island to secure civilians and protect them from possible attacks by lawless groups. Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim vowed to “enforce law and order on the island."

Kasim said he would replace the current police chief on the island.

The fighting occurred as politicians running for the August 11 elections in the Muslim autonomous region were campaigning. Sulu is one of five provinces that comprise the autonomous region.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109671/2-Marines-wounded-in-Sulu-clash

Bishop wants religious leaders to mediate in GRP-MILF talks

07/27/2008 | 04:30 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The presence of a third party would be helpful for the success of the peace talks between the government and the Moro International Liberation Front (MILF), a senior member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said Sunday.

“We should ask the intermediation of a third party to make sure both sides are really sincere and that they are sticking with the agreement,” said Cagayan de Oro Arhcbishop Antonio Ledesma.

Ledesma said the peace problem in Mindanao should not be considered as an internal issue since it also affects the peace process and situation in Southeast Asia.

“Even if it’s within the Philippine territory, Muslim communities have this sense of brotherhood all over the world. So this situation has also become the concern of many other countries,” said Ledesma.

Besides the participation of the Malaysian government, Archbishop Ledesma proposed to allow religious leaders to also act as mediators.

“They should get some religious leaders and look at the peace process itself, because it’s the religious leaders who can provide the moral and spiritual underpinnings of the peace process,” the prelate said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109660/Bishop-wants-religious-leaders-to-mediate-in-GRP-MILF-talks

MILF told to control its troops amid snag in talks

07/27/2008 | 10:40 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The government has asked the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to rein in their forces to prevent hostilities in the light of the breakdown in the peace negotiations.

“It is incumbent upon them (MILF leaders), given that, to reign in their people under their control to prevent the outbreak of hostilities," Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr said in an interview in Camp Aguinaldo Sunday.

Teodoro however expressed optimism that the negotiations have just hit a minor snag and that it will prosper after consultations on both sides.

“It was quite close already, but there was some disagreement on one point so I think there are other efforts to review positions on both sides. But we are still confident that the talks will push through after proper consultation on both sides," he said.

Talks with the largest secessionist organization in the country collapsed Saturday when MILF negotiators walked out from the meeting after government negotiators insisted on changing some crucial points in the draft agreement regarding the ancestral domain provision.

Reports said government negotiators wanted to delay the conduct of a plebiscite for the inclusion of more than 700 villages in the expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The draft agreement mentioned a six-month timeframe to hold the plebiscite.

Teodoro said government forces would remain on “active defense" despite the development on the talks.

“Our soldiers have shown admirable restraint already, professionalism in the face of these things because they know the greater objective," he said, adding that the deadlock would not translate into hostilities.

“We should never equate deadlocks in talks with resumptions of hostilities. I think that’s the worst thing that can happen," he said.

Before the breakthrough in the peace talks, MILF officials admitted that the successive attacks of its forces in Central Mindanao were led by some commanders who were disgusted with the progress of the peace negotiations.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano said the military has not monitored any unusual development on the ground since the talks broke down.

Incidentally, at around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, MILF rebels burned a number of houses in Aleosan, North Cotabato, and wounding three responding soldiers.

“There has been no abnormal situation. There is no abnormal situation since then. In fact, it was even worse before. We know that in the later part of June, there were a lot of reported hostilities. Now, for several days except for very few isolated incidents, we have not recorded any," Yano said in a separate interview.

On whether the fighting last Saturday was related to the breakdown of the talks, Yano said: “We cannot speculate...We have not really found (that) out in our investigation....We have not received any formal report yet, we will wait for the result of the investigation."

Yano said the Joint Coordinating Committee of the Cessation of Hostilities is presently looking into the incident.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/109626/MILF-told-to-control-its-troops-amid-snag-in-talks

Basilan Catholics get threats to convert

07/19/2008 | 06:04 PM

MANILA, Philippines — A man who took responsibility for sending extortion letters to residents of Basilan, including the Catholic bishop, claimed on Saturday that he is with the Abu Sayyaf extremist group.

The man who called himself Paruji Nur Hassan J. Kallitut confirmed writing letters to non-Muslims in the province, telling them to either convert to Islam or pay “Islamic taxes" if they don’t want to be harmed.

“Ginagawa namin ito kasi kayo, ang mga pamilya nyo pumasok dito sa lugar namin, alam nyo ang Basilan, lugar ito ng mga Muslim, lugar ng mga Yakan, inagaw lang ng mga ninuno nya sa mga ninuno namin…," Kalittut said in an interview with Radio Veritas on Saturday.

The interview followed that with Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, who complained that the renewed threats has caused fear and panic among Catholics in Basilan.

Jumoad said the extortion letter he received on Friday was similar to those received by some families in Isabela, the capital of Basilan.

“This is a painful letter being addressed to the Catholic faithful of Basilan. It is okay to be poor and I could endure having no food for a day or two but to receive threat such as this is miserable because this is something psychological to spend sleepless night due to threats would be more dangerous than to have no food and to be poor," Jumoad said in the interview.

The letter said they were mujahidins or Islamic warriors who were carrying a supposed injunction of the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book, to convert every non-Muslim residing in the province.

“Ang kautusan ng Qur’an kung meron man na Christiano na nainirahan sa lugar ng mga Muslim kailangan nyo mag convert sa Islam, ‘pag ayaw n’yang mag convert sa Islam, kailangan nyong magbigay ng jizya (Islamic tax) kung ayaw magbigay ng jizya (Islamic tax) pwede silang gamitan ng dahas o sandata o gerahin! (The Qur’an’s instructions is that if there are Christians leaving in a place for Muslims, they have to be converted to Islam. If they don’t want to convert to Islam, they have to pay the Islamic tax. If they refuse to pay, they can be subjected to violence)," the letter said.

Recipients of the letter were given 15 days to respond, and that non-response would be considered a hostile response.

Jumoad said he contacted the mobile phone number listed in the letter and a man calling himself Nur Hassan said they were "Islamic warriors."

In the interview with Radio Veritas, Nur Hassan further said they were the Al-Harakatul Islamiyya, which he said is the Abu Sayyaf.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/108033/Basilan-Catholics-get-threats-to-convert

I thought Islam is a religion of peace ( as some would say )... WTF

PDEA, BI close ranks vs foreign drug lords in RP

07/19/2008 | 07:32 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Two government law enforcement agencies have closed ranks in going after foreigners engaging in illicit drug trade both here and abroad.

The two agencies, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), have signed an agreement last week for a joint cooperation in the anti-drug campaign.

BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan and PDEA Director General Dionisio Santiago inked the agreement.

"With this agreement, we are serving notice to these foreign drug lords that their days are numbered and that it won't be long before the long arm of the law will catch them," Libanan said in a statement.

The BI chief said the agreement would boost the anti-drug campaign. He noted that large volumes of illegal drugs in the country came from abroad and manufactured by foreigners.

Libanan cited some instances where law enforcers have arrested foreigners suspected of being drug chemists in raids on suspected drug dens and drug laboratories.

Under the MOA, BI agreed to assist PDEA in investigating drug cases involving foreigners and in collecting, establishing and maintaining a travel database of suspected foreign drug lords entering and leaving the country. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/108029/PDEA-BI-close-ranks-vs-foreign-drug-lords-in-RP

Headlines - Oil Price Watch July 19,2008

Diesel goes up by P3; gasoline up anew by P1
By Donnabelle Gatdula
Saturday, July 19, 2008

As world crude prices soften, a whopping P3 per liter increase in diesel prices is being implemented this weekend, the highest increase so far in the fuel used by most mass transporation vehicles.

The oil firms decided to carry out what they described as a “one-time, big-time” increase even as they came under fire from consumer groups and militant organizations for allegedly taking advantage of the rising global crude costs to overcharge consumers.

After rolling back gasoline prices by P1 per liter last week, the oil firms are also raising the price again by P1 per liter.

With the latest increase, the pump prices of diesel and gasoline now approach the P60 and P63 per liter mark, respectively.

Diesel price will range from P57.48 to P59.47 per liter; unleaded gasoline, P59.10 to P62.28 per liter; and kerosene, P59.41 to P63.30 per liter.

As of late afternoon yesterday, small oil players Seaoil Philippines, Eastern Petroleum, Unioil Petroleum and Flying V had raised their diesel prices by P3.

The four oil firms will also increase the price of their kerosene products by P1.50 per liter.

Earlier, the oil firms indicated their intention to implement a “one time big time” price adjustment, purportedly to “end the agony” of the transport sector.

Prior to the P3 per liter adjustment, oil firms claimed that they had a P5 per liter under-recovery for diesel for the month of June.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080718129

Diesel now three times more costly since Arroyo's 1st SONA - Bayan

07/19/2008 | 02:25 PM

MANILA, Philippines - With the P3 per liter price hike imposed by oil firms on Saturday, diesel will now be three times more expensive than during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2001, the leftist umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said on Saturday.

Bayan said that a week before Mrs Arroyo delivers her SONA, the cost of diesel ballooned to P58.94 per liter, a 306 percent increase from P14.50 a liter in 2001.

"This clearly belies Malacañang's claim of better life for Filipinos under the Arroyo (administration), a recurring theme that is expected to be further hyped by the regime towards Arroyo's SONA on July 28," it said.

It said that in 2001, when Mrs Arroyo in her first SONA "vowed to monitor oil price hikes," ordinary jeepney drivers spent only P435 per day.

But now, Bayan sais jeepney drivers need to shell out more than P1,768 just to pay for diesel.

Of the amount, more than P212 will go directly to the government as 12 percent value added tax (VAT), according to the group.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107997/Diesel-now-three-times-more-costly-since-Arroyos-1st-SONA---Bayan

As oil price drops, some analysts wonder if bubble is bursting

07/19/2008 | 10:22 AM

NEW YORK - The price of oil recorded its biggest weekly drop ever, and a gallon of gas finally pulled back from its record high. So is it time to declare the energy bubble popped?

Experts won't go that far just yet.

"It's too early to say we've seen the worst of it," said Tom Kloza, publisher and chief oil analyst of the Oil Price Information Service in Wall, New Jersey "We would be Pollyannish if we believe one week represents a trend."

Still, with oil recording yet another drop on Friday, some industry experts who just days ago thought there was more juice left in oil's meteoric run are reconsidering.

"If this is not the bubble's implosion, than it's a reasonable facsimile," analyst and trader Stephen Schork said in his daily market commentary. "Time will tell. Nevertheless, for the time being we no longer care to hold a bullish view."

Light, sweet crude for August delivery fell 41 cents Friday to settle at $128.88 on the New York Mercantile Exchange — well below its trading record of more than $147 a week earlier.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas fell about a penny for the day, to $4.105 (3.79 liters) according to auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express. Diesel prices dipped three-tenths of a cent to $4.842 a gallon (3.79 liters).

Some analysts said a nationwide average of $4 or even lower could be in the offing — almost unthinkable in a summer when there has seemed to be no relief at the pump — although they cautioned that there is no guarantee prices will stay low.

"We're going to see some relief from that relentless march higher," Kloza said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107971/As-oil-price-drops-some-analysts-wonder-if-bubble-is-bursting

DoE-DoJ task force to quiz oil firms on P3/liter diesel hike

07/19/2008 | 09:09 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The government will summon representatives of oil companies on Monday for them to explain the reported P3 per liter increase in diesel prices despite the drop in global fuel costs.

Department of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes on Saturday said a newly formed task force of the DoE and the Department of Justice would look into the new round of oil price hikes, which is the 20th time this year.

"Ngayon meron tayong task force, nag-assign tayo ng prosecutors na may inherent power to summon and issue summons for documents, sa Lunes papatawag natin (Now that we have a task force we will assign prosecutors to summon and issue summons for documents. We'll sic it on them Monday)," Reyes said in an interview on dzRH radio.

Chevron Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Flying V, and Unioil Petroleum Phil. confirmed that they would be increasing the prices of their fuel products. The increases will be effective at 12:01 a.m. Saturday for Flying V and 6 a.m. for Unioil and Shell. Chevron will follow suit at 12 noon.

The increase in the prices of fuel products has become a weekly occurrence in the country. The P3 per liter increase in diesel this weekend is so far the biggest hike imposed by oil companies. Prices of gasoline are also up by P1, while that of kerosene jumped by P1.50 to P2.00.

The prices of diesel and kerosene have gone up 20 times since the start of the year. Total price of diesel per liter has gone up by P24, while that of kerosene rose by P22.50.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107969/DoE-DoJ-task-force-to-quiz-oil-firms-on-P3/liter-diesel-hike

NFA rice overpriced in Mindanao, says report

07/18/2008 | 12:18 PM

MANILA, Philippines — Militant fishermen asked Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap on Friday to look into reports that prices of rice have doubled in at least four provinces in the southern island of Mindanao.

Radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz reported that the fishers' group Pamalakaya complained that even rice subsidized by the National Food Authority (NFA) priced at P18.25 per kilogram was being sold at P28 to P36 per kilogram.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107742/NFA-rice-overpriced-in-Mindanao-says-report

I also question why rice prices here in Mindanao are high?? We have the rice here..then why it is as expensive as the rice in the cebu and manila markets? Is this the government's doing? Are the traders also in it?

Nation Home > Nation > Top Stories Rice, oil price hikes blamed for Arroyo's low satisfaction rating

07/18/2008 | 12:42 PM

MANILA, Philippines - A ranking Malacañang official on Friday said the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing a dive in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s net satisfaction rating was not surprising.

Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde said President Arroyo's -38 net satisfaction rating may have been the result of the rising rice and fuel prices in the country, which he said should not be blamed on the government.

Still, the official said Malacañang sees the survey result as a challenge to improve public service and disseminate information on projects like microfinancing.

"The result is obviously due to the problems confronting the country brought about by the global food and energy crises. The President is paying a high price for making the right decisions on very unpopular issues such as the Evat (expanded value-added tax)," Remonde said.

"We consider it as a continuing challenge," he added.

Remonde also said such an assessment of Mrs Arroyo is "unfair," saying it is "never easy" being the country's Chief Executive.

"(W)hile the President is sensitive to public opinion, she took an oath that requires her to do what is right not what is popular... But this is part of the burden of leadership that all leaders in the world, including US President (George) Bush must carry. To whom much responsibility is given, much is required. It's never easy to be president of the Philippines," Remonde said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107751/Rice-oil-price-hikes-blamed-for-Arroyos-low-satisfaction-rating

The SWS is a one sided survey, it always has negative results for the Administration..

And yes the high prices has its toll on ordinary citizens..but hey, the President is not the only person you can blame..you should start blaming your local politicians, the congress (TONGressmen), the Senate (senaTONGs), and lastly yourself...

Shares flat as players expect more rate hikes

CHERYL M. ARCIBAL, GMANews.TV

07/18/2008 | 12:51 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine share prices on Friday ended flat following the decision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to hike lending rates to tame rising consumer prices.

Investors based their position on expectations that the BSP will further lift rates to control inflation, analysts said.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped 4.10 points or 0.1713 percent to 2,389.52 while the all-share index gained 0.95 points or 0.0627 percent at 1,516.83.

Losers edged out gainers 41 to 40 while 50 stocks were unchanged.

Volume traded reached 1.472 billion valued at P2 billion.

Astro del Castillo, First Grade Holdings managing director, said although investors found relief in stabilizing oil prices, the BSP’s move to hike rates by 50 basis points drew off funds from the equities market.

“(Thursday’s) increased in rates siphoned liquidity from the market," he said.

Lawrence de Leon, Accord Capital trader, said the rally in Wall Street lifted local sentiments but early gains on Friday’s sessions were erased on expectations of more rate hike from the BSP before the year ends.

“The market rally in the US helped boost local sentiment early in the session but it was later taken over by sellers expecting more future rate hikes by the BSP," de Leon said.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107748/Shares-flat-as-players-expect-more-rate-hikes

Coast Guard to probe 2 more ‘Frank’ sea mishaps

07/18/2008 | 12:58 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard has started an investigation of two more sea mishaps that occurred at the height of typhoon "Frank" last June.

Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported Friday that Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo ordered the Board of Marine Inquiry to look into the two incidents in Western Visayas.

Heading the board will be Commodore William Melad of the Coast Guard's Western Visayas unit.

First to be investigated is the case of the "Lake Paoay," a cargo ship hauling 5,000 metric tons of coal that sank off Carles, Iloilo.

The "Lake Paoay," operated by the Semirara Mining Company, left Semirara Island in Antique for Toledo City in Cebu.

On the other hand, the board will look into the sinking of the "Ocean Papa," which sank off the coast of Antique.

The "Ocean Papa" was found to be carrying tons of a carcinogenic toxic substance, toluene di-isocyanate (TDI).

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107749/Coast-Guard-to-probe-2-more-Frank-sea-mishaps

No sign of huge earthquake today, says Phivolcs chief

Philippine Star - Friday, July 18

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that they have not recorded any major quake in the past few hours, contrary to reports of a prediction made by a Brazilian clairvoyant that the country would be struck by a magnitude 8.1 quake today.Phivolcs director Renato Solidum, in an interview over dzBB, also hit Juseleeno DaRoose, for making the prediction.

"The claim of a magnitude-8.1 quake is baseless scientifically because no one can accurately predict the exact date of a quake," Solidum said in Filipino.

The Phivolcs chief also questioned the credibility of DaRoose, saying there were reports that the seer has also denied the claim.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20080718/tph-earthquake-juseleeno-daroose-541dfb4.html

Palace keeps distance from Napocor coal deal

By Paolo Romero
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

PLACER, Masbate – Malacañang yesterday kept its distance from the brewing controversy over a nearly P1-billion coal supply deal between the state-owned National Power Corp. (Napocor) and an obscure and under capitalized firm, even as officials said they are presuming regularity in the awarding of the contract.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said he was not aware of the full details of the contract.

“I don’t have good information on that (deal). I don’t even know whom they (Napocor) talked with,” Ermita told reporters here.

The executive secretary was here along with other Cabinet members for a meeting on rehabilitation efforts presided over by President Arroyo.

He later called up Napocor president Cyril del Callar and asked for details about the contract.

Ermita said Del Callar informed him that the contract went through fair and transparent bidding and that the firm, Transpacific Consolidated Resources Inc. (TCRI), had foreign partners.

He said he was assuming that the transaction was regular and aboveboard. He said Napocor would clarify the matter to those concerned.

Among the incorporators of TCRI were a certain Leslie and Ressie Ducut, earlier alleged to be relatives of newly appointed Energy Regulatory Commission chair Zenaida Ducut.

Ducut denied the incorporators were her relatives.

Ermita reiterated the Palace’s support for Ducut, whose qualifications, he said, “cannot be questioned.”

“Especially now that the cat is out of the bag about the contract, I’m very sure the former congresswoman will look into it and any connection of any of her friends. I’m quite sure she will exert effort to disprove allegations,” he said.

Ducut in a telephone interview maintained she was qualified even as she said she was taking all criticisms against her in stride.

“My track record is there for the public to see. My former constituents can attest to my performance, having been elected three straight terms to Congress,” she told The STAR.

“But I understand all these criticisms and I welcome them, it’s part of democracy, but I assure my detractors that I will do my best in the new job as I have done in my other public service posts,” she said.

No politics

Not to be left out in the cold, power industry players and consumer groups are hoping Ducut will stick to her word and not let political pressures get in the way of decision-making at the commission.

Sources from the Philippine Independent Power Producers Association (PIPPA) and Philippine Electric Power Owners Association (PEPOA) said they expect Ducut will honor her commitment.

The sources said this is basically the industry’s stand in a “wait-and-see” situation.

“As long as she will be true to her word that she will never succumb to political pressures, but that remains to be seen,” a source said.

Ducut, who faced criticism days before she assumed office last July 14, gave assurances that her apparent connection with President Arroyo and Bong Pineda will not affect her discretion.

While preferring to “give her a chance,” National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms (Nasecore) president Pete Ilagan said at the end of the day it will be the appointing body that would be responsible for all the actions of Ducut.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24

Don't forget...NO POLITICS Mr. Ducut, do your job well, if the congress or senate grills you on greedy and selfish reasons..Then why not tell them the Truth..The truth that they are a bunch of PIGS!!

Govt offers more state-owned power plants

AVA KASHIMA K. AUSTRIA, Reporter, BusinessWorld

07/16/2008 | 12:36 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The government today opens the sale process for two more power plants but has moved plans to auction off another facility to next year given a legislative hurdle.

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM), in a statement, said the bid invitation for the 146.5-megawatt (MW) Panay and 22-MW Bohol diesel power facilities would be released today.

The planned auction for the 192.5-MW Palinpinon geothermal plant, however, will be moved to 2009 given a congressional panel’s failure to approve a steam supply agreement.

For the Panay and Bohol facilities, PSALM said prospective investors have until July 30 to submit letters of interest. A non-refundable fee of $2,000, a confidentiality agreement, and an undertaking with PSALM will have to be forwarded two days later.

Qualified investor groups will be allowed to conduct due diligence from July 17 to October 27, 2008. A pre-bid conference will be held on August 6 while the actual auction will be staged on October 29.

Palinpinon was originally packaged with Panay but the Joint Congressional Power Commission’s failure to approve a long-term steam supply deal prompted the PSALM board to move the plant's sale to 2009.

PSALM formally announced the withdrawal of the package in a supplemental bid bulletin issued last July 3.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107163/Govt-offers-more-state-owned-power-plants

More Power Plants for sale..and you would also expect more politicians greedy eyed on the prospective buyers..As always, you need to have the proper documents..and how would you get the proper documents signed??? Grease money...

Govt spends P8.6B on rice subsidies in first half

07/16/2008 | 01:54 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The national government, through the National Food Authority (NFA), spent P8.6 billion from January to June this year to subsidize rice, an official statement on Tuesday quoted Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap as having said in a forum at the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) last week.

The statement from the Agriculture department said Mr. Yap told participants in that forum that his department has distributed nearly 14.8 million bags of state-subsidized rice this year.

NFA Spokesman Rex C. Estoperez, in a separate interview Tuesday, explained that the P8.6 billion "represents the direct loss of NFA, considering only the basic costexcluding miscellaneous and incidental expenses like storage cost."

Mr. Yap said the NFA rice stocks, as well as other basic commodities, were distributed and sold through 3,197 Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke, 8,080 Tindahan Natin outlets, 540 Bigasan sa Parokya, and 199 rolling stores nationwide.

The department, he added, also has 108 Barangay Bagsakan or drop-off points — 36 in Metro Manila and 72 elsewhere in the country — and 30 Bagsakan Centers that provide affordable basic food items to about 504,350 poor households.

Mr. Yap noted that to ensure that the P18.25-per-kilo subsidized rice do reach poor consumers, the government has set up additional 1,399 new Tindahan Natin outlets.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107171/Govt-spends-P86B-on-rice-subsidies-in-first-half

The current rice shortage and price increase of rice is not due to lack of rice output but because of the subsequent rice monopoly strategy being done not by business men but by the government. It was once said in an TV interview that the Philippines offered a tender in the international market a price of 45pesos per kilo...Now, in the local trading un-milled rice is being bought at 10pesos to only as high as 15pesos..The National Food Authority also buys un-milled rice from farmers at this very low prices. Now who in the right mind would buy in the international market 45pesos per kilo rice?? The government does not need to tender that high in the international market..They could have bought the local rice from farmers at 25pesos!! In these way, more farmers will be happy and the cost of rice per kilo would not ballon to 35pesos per kilo..

The government strategy is not for the sake of the people but it is for the sake of the few..You can expect that the 45pesos per kilo tendered at the international market, politicians or high ranking government employees will have huge kickbacks with it..

AFP to acquire light-lift aircraft - official

07/16/2008 | 01:23 AM

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will acquire three brand-new or refurbished light-lift aircraft to increase its mobility, a high-ranking military official said Tuesday.

Maj. Gen. Jesus Llanto, deputy chief-of-staff for plans and head of the AFP Modernization Program, said they plan to replace the Air Force’s N-22 Nomad plane with light-lift aircraft such as turboprop planes because the Nomad’s spare parts are hard to get by and quite costly.

"It can still fly, but we have to admit that we would spend more for the maintenance of the aircraft," he told reporters in an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Each light-lift aircraft would cost around P980 million, Mr. Llanto said. "We just completed the bid documents, contracts are up for bidding next month."

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107169/AFP-to-acquire-light-lift-aircraft---official

This is a welcome news coming from the Philippines Air Force and the AFP. I certainly hope no politician will try to make a mess with it to get kick backs...

Fly High Philippine Air Force..Go AFP Modernization..

Davao projects vie for farm modernization funding

07/16/2008 | 02:16 AM

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Agriculture department’s regional office has recommended 42 applications for support from the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

A statement quoted Rogelio C. Chio, regional Agriculture director, as saying that his office found these applicants viable, based on their feasibility studies.

"Any project proposal that we found viable, feasible, profitable, and could generate jobs, will be recommended for approval and speedy release of funds," Mr. Chio said.

Although the agency did not release the list of applications and the total amount involved, it said a number of them involved swine production, fisheries culture, banana production and post-harvest facilities for rice.

One such project was designed to increase the drying capacity of a rice producer in Davao Oriental, considered the rice granary of the Davao Region.

The department estimates that the entire agriculture sector loses about P50 billion annually to wastage due to poor or improper post-harvest storage.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/107174/Davao-projects-vie-for-farm-modernization-funding

CARP fails to end farmers' woes in rural RP

06/10/2008 | 05:25 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Republic Act 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) of 1988 has failed to break centuries-old feudal relations in Philippine rural areas, particularly in the province of Negros Occidental where big sugar haciendas tilled by poor farmers largely remain in the hands of few landowners.

As Republic Act 8532 or the law extending the CARL’s appropriation until 2008 expires on June 15, data obtained by GMANews.TV from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) show that there are still 1,173,706 hectares of private agricultural landholdings (PAL) in the country that have not yet been distributed to farmer-beneficiaries (FB).

According to the DAR data, the 1.17 million hectares of PALs are still in the hands of 81,541 landowners. At three hectares per beneficiary, the balance could benefit 391,235 farmers.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/100310/CARP-fails-to-end-farmers-woes-in-rural-RP

The CARP in theory and in paper is a very good program but its side effects are already being felt now. Not all lands given under the CARP are producing enough food, be it rice,corn, and other crops..this is why prices of rices and nearly all agricultural products are soaring..

This is because most beneficiaries are lazy..

Manero’s group declares war vs NPA

05/15/2008 | 05:35 AM

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - The group of convicted priest killer Norberto Manero, alias Commander Bukay, has declared war against the New People's Army (NPA), saying its members are ready to abduct allies and key personalities of the rebel group anytime soon.

A source who requested anonymity for fear of his life said a war would erupt if the rebel group will not release "Manong Jose Manero."

"Magkagubot gyud kay amo pud og panguhaon ang ilang mga alyado (There will be chaos because we will abduct their allies as well)," the source said through a phone interview Wednesday morning.

Armed men believed to be led by rebel leader Leoncio Pitao alias Kumander Parago abducted Jose Manero last Sunday morning.

Also abducted were Rafael Lorenzo, one of the owners of the Lorenzo Group of Companies and whom the rebel group referred to as a despotic landlord and anti-labor banana magnate, and a certain Froilan Labrado at the Lorenzo estate in Calinan, Davao City.

Lorenzo and Labrado, however, were released later that day.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/95308/Maneros-group-declares-war-vs-NPA

Attention to the 10th Infantry Division Army commander, Task Force Davao Commander, DCPO, PNP Region 11, and to Mayor Duterte: Where you or your men sleeping on the job? Davao's security has a hole..Come on..please do your job. Davao City is a peaceful place and we don't want these rebels (NPA,MILF) to be inside Davao..Please do your job and remove them...

Army on high alert over reports of bomb attacks

Saturday, July 12, 2008

THE Philippine Army's 1002nd Brigade is on red alert after reports that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is plotting to bomb several cities and highways in the provinces of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, and General Santos.

In a statement, 1002nd Brigade commander Colonel Gaudencio Pangilinan said they received numerous text messages and information about the impending attacks and bombings.

He said though that these messages are nothing but psy-war tactics not only of the MILF but the New People's Army (NPA) as well.

Pangilinan also advised the public not to panic.

"Unfortunately others unwittingly become mouthpiece of black propaganda. All generate the same result -- throw our citizens into panic; disrupt commerce and our productive time. A single text message about impending bomb attack causes tremendous strain on purchases, transportation companies, and other service providers," he said.

"Stay calm and trust your Armed Forces, we can and will do our job. If they get any message of this sort, do not pass it wildly. Pass it on to us or any of their military and PNP friends so we can tell them the real score," added Pangilinan.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/07/12/news/army.on.high.alert.over.reports.of.bomb.attacks.html

Agusan clash kills 4, displaces villagers

07/12/2008 | 06:06 PM

BUTUAN, Philippines - At least 30 families abandoned their homes in the southern province of Agusan del Sur on Friday as government forces and communist rebels clashed, the provincial government and the military said on Saturday.

Maj. Armand Rico, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 42nd Division Reconnaissance Company were on combat operation on Friday when they caught up with at least 10 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at Sitio Lamasaya in Barangay La Fortuna in Veruela town at around 1:30 p.m.

Rico said fighting ensued for at least 25 minutes, resulting in the death of four rebels and wounding of two others. He said only one soldier, Pfc. Reynante Sacote, suffered a slight injury in the face.

Rico said the information about the rebel deaths were provided by fleeing villagers. He said troops involved in the encounter also reported seeing two rebels being carried by their fleeing comrades.

A news dispatch by the Agusan del Sur Provincial Information Office told a different story.

Provincial information officer Ferdinand Perez said fighting erupted when some 60 rebels attacked a military outpost in Katipunan, an adjacent barangay, late afternoon on Friday.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/106638/(UPDATE)-Agusan-clash-kills-4-displaces-villagers

Weatherman’s radar plan delayed

Weatherman’s radar plan delayed
By Romie A. Evangelista

The plan of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration to buy five Doppler radars with atotal cost of P500 million had been delayed by the intervention of two congressmen, sources in the House of Representatives said yesterday.

The two lawmakers wanted to have a hand in the bidding and supply of the equipment, sources said.

A Doppler radar is used by weathermen to measure the amount of rain that a weather system will bring to a certain area.

One of the sources, who is allied with the ruling party, said the lawmakers are making it difficult for Pagasa to procure the equipment amd improve its weather forecasting system. Pagasa director Nilo Prisco is caught in the crossfire, the sources said.

Their bickering came to fore after a supplier of Doppler radars identified with a certain politician from the Bicol region had pre-qualified for the bidding and was about to make the delivery when another lawmaker stepped in.

The source said Pagasa officials were pressured by another politician from Southern Tagalog to stop the transaction and called for another bidding to include his favored supplier.

“I just hope that Pagasa officials have the guts to tell the whole truth about the delayed modernization of the agency,” the source said. “Otherwise, they will take all the blame.”

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, earlier said Pagasa had received funds to purchase the Doppler radars over a three-year period—P149 million in 2005, P200 million in 2007, and an additional P85 million calamity fund during the same year.

During Monday’s hearing conducted by the House committees on transportation and oversight chaired by Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, Pagasa officials were “grilled” extensively by the panel members over the June 21 sinking of m/v Princess of the Stars in Romblon.

The House sources said that most of the lawmakers treated “with kid gloves” the officials of the Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the sunken ship. But they were mad as hell as they peppered the weather officials with irrelevant questions, the sources said.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics2_july9_2008

Philippine Law makers are just TROUBLE makers..They make inquiries not to look for answers but to only to have a good image. They don't care how many will be affected by they're insatiable thirst for money and power..As long as these greedy pigs are in power the Philippines, my country will be suffering..

Headlines - July 6,2008

75% of Cotabato City still underwater, NDCC says

07/06/2008 | 08:33 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Heavy downpours brought by Typhoon "Frank" and a drainage system blocked by water lilies have put three-fourths of Cotabato City in Mindanao under water, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.

In its report dated 6 p.m. Saturday, the NDCC said the vegetation and water lilies served as an impounding dam that diverted the water flow of the Rio Grande de Mindanao to low-lying areas.

"The heavy downpour as a result of typhoon 'Frank' has left almost more than 75 percent of Cotabato City underwater. One urgent concern is the accumulation of water lilies at the delta bridge estimated seven hectares, three meters thick spanning the entire length of the bridge," it said.

As of Saturday night, it said some 14,014 families had been affected, with at least 3,058 families presently housed in 13 evacuation centers.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/105331/75-of-Cotabato-City-still-underwater-NDCC-says

Rice prices in Mindanao return to 'old levels'
Sunday, July 06, 2008

TACURONG CITY -- Rice prices in Central Mindanao have declined to P35 a kilo from more than P50/kg a few weeks ago due to new palay (paddy rice) harvest and continuous infusion of government-subsidized rice stocks, a National Food Authority (NFA) official said over the weekend.

Antonio J. Adorable, NFA Central Mindanao assistant director, said there was a notable decrease in the retail and wholesale prices of rice in the second week of June, particularly in the markets of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen/2008/07/06/news/rice.prices.in.mindanao.return.to.old.levels..html

Palace: There is enough evidence vs Adaza, 4 other coup plotters

07/06/2008 | 02:41 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Sunday denied it is going after the defenders and allies of anti-administration forces following the arrest of former lawmaker Homobono Adaza, who is acting as legal counsel for some rebel soldiers.

Interviewed over dzBB radio, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol said there is enough evidence against Adaza to back the charges filed against him and four other former police and military officials.

"Hindi totoo iyan (That’s not true). There is enough evidence against Adaza and the four colonels… That's why they filed the cases. The problem here is, it's not easy to look for justice in this country if we listen to the opposition, because the opposition always plays politics, not justice," he said.

Apostol was reacting to the statement of opposition senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr who said that the administration has shifted its attention to the counsels of anti-Arroyo groups and personalities.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/105356/Palace-There-is-enough-evidence-vs-Adaza-4-other-coup-plotters

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Mr. Pimentel, I think its time for you to shut up..You are what this country does not need. An opposition who only uses his authority because of self interest..

Well, in any case all of this country's politicians are seated not because of conviction to serve the Filipino people but for the Filipino people to serve them..
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AFP takes custody of colonel linked to coup plot

07/05/2008 | 02:04 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The military has taken custody over an Army colonel who had been arrested by the police for his alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the Arroyo government, a military spokesman said on Saturday.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office chief, said Lt. Col. Oscarlito Mapalo was turned over by the Philippine National Police to the military on Friday night since the officer is still an active member of the armed forces and is on AWOL (absent without official leave) status."

Torres said AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano has ordered Army chief Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado to detain Mapalo at the Army’s Custodial Management in Fort Bonifacio “while his case is being investigated." It is in the same detention center where a number of officers linked to the Oakwood mutiny in July 2003 are being held.

Mapalo, along with lawyer Homobono Adaza, retired Colonels Ernie Amboy and Cesar dela Pena and retired police superintendent Rafael Cardeno were arrested at Ortigas center on Wednesday for allegedly proposing to commit a coup d’etat.

The Department of Justice on Friday filed criminal charges before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court the five on Friday for an alleged attempt to extort $4 million from a Japanese investor to finance fresh plans to overthrow the Arroyo administration.

A lawyer for the Japanese man, Raymond Fortunm sought help from the police, resulting in the arrests.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/105283/AFP-takes-custody-of-colonel-linked-to-coup-plot