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‘Letter of apology’ writer hails from Samar

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
September 1, 2010

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Reigno Jose Dilao wrote his ‘Letter of Apoloy’ on the vesper night of the Catbalogan town fiesta, while all households were teeming with guests, dining, wining and dancing.

Some guests though were glued to their TV sets, monitoring updates on the ‘hostage crisis’ unfolding at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila.

The “hostage crisis” involves a dismissed policeman Rolando Mendoza to hostage a bus full of Hongkong tourists, demanded a review of his case, but due to some circumstances, the negotiations turned sour and brought his life and some five other tourists to an end in all gore.

What drove this young lad to write?

“I was in the internet, as won’t every teen-ager and among the message exchanges was the ‘hostage crisis,” Reign told this writer.

As the night wore on and the hostage crisis left some casualties, Reign or Daboy to family and friends started to write his letter.

For Daboy, it was just one of those things, blogging, pouring out his emotions to a one and thousand concerns, after an hour of seriously considering his ‘hurt emotions’ by the effects the crisis may bring to the tourism industry in his beloved country, he posted his ‘letter of apology’ to tumbler.

He then forgot about it as he went his way assisting his parents entertain their guests, after all it was the Feast Day of San Bartolome, Catbalogan’s patron saint.

The letter is printed here:

August 23, 2010

"A letter from a teenage Filipino to the WHOLE WORLD”

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation…The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population…WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE.

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao
Catbalogan City, Samar

(End of Letter)

Little did Daboy know, that the whole world rave about his letter.

The following day, the fiesta, his Mom, Socorro was all agog entertaining visitors and looked for him for help, Daboy was upstairs talking to someone.

“He sounded serious and even signalled me to stop,” Mom Socorro who works at Land Bank of the Philippines - Catbalogan branch told PIA-Samar.

As Daboy put his phone down, he told the unbelieving mom his ‘story’. “Medyo overwhelmed ako Ma’am,” the proud Mama told PIA over the phone.

Dad Ilde who also works at LBP-Catbalogan also felt proud about what his son did.

“You would say, Ma’am that my countenance may not beam the pride, but deep inside I feel so proud,” he was almost in tears.

Principal Tony Caveiro of Samar National School said he could not remember the number of reporters looking for him, but when he learned why, he could not help but feel the pride for this young boy whom everybody thinks is just an ordinary and typical high school senior.

His teachers from the school said that Daboy is a good student and writes good essays, but they all agree with Ms. Loretta Basa, the Filipino department head – that this was the best, after all, he is the school paper associate editor.

After all, the letter came when no one in his country would ever think of such a feat moreso in his town in Catbalogan as all were busy with the fiesta and all its attendant festivities.

Daboy, is an ordinary student, who even claims that as a leader he lacks the influence to mobilize his peers to action, made waves not only in Asia but in the cyberspace where his letter was posted many times and got some five thousand views (as of this writing).

So many interviews has left this young man preoccupied ever since the letter broke into cyberspace, there is Pia Hontiveros of ANC, QTV, Radio Veritas and others and this bubbly 15 year-old lad accommodates them all.

The incidence is slowly sinking in and he himself could not believe it happened.

Before trudging back to his classes, after the interview, Daboy shared his plan to enroll in communications arts or mass communication and hones his writing some more.

The boy hailed by some as a hero has only one fervent wish: That Hongkong and the world truly forgive, after all, he said in his letter “Let peace and understanding reign this time”.  (PIA-Samar)

Cabueños’ arrest was mandated by law justified Hubilla

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
August 24, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY  –  I would presume that the Honorable Mayor realized that there was nothing personal in the arrest. It was without discretion and purely work related, says Samar PNP Provincial Director Pancho Adelberto Hubilla in an interview conducted by Samarnews.com the day after the arrest of Gandara Mayor Antonieto Cabueños.

Hubilla underscored the mandate of the organization in enforcing the law – that it is without fear or fervor. He also said that the reason why Cabueños was elected as mayor in order to serve his constituents, same obligation with Gandara Police who initiated in implementing the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Manuel F. Torrevillas of RTC Allen Branch 23 in coordination with the Sta. Margarita Police led by PSInsp. Angelo Pueblos who was manning the area in the afternoon of August 18, 2010.

He admitted that in coordination of all municipal police offices in Samar, they really hovered in the area within 4 days upon receipt of the arrest order.

Cabueños was arrested last February 22, 2010 by police check point at Lavezares, Northern Samar in violation of the Omnibus Election Code due to unauthorized carrying of firearms and unauthorized security which involves 3 Gandara PNP members namely PO3 Jonathan Rama, PO3 Edgar Delector and PO2 Perfecto Merilles.

Sec 32 of Republic Act 7166 states that “during election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commission. The issuance of firearms license shall be suspended during the election period.”

COMELEC Resolution also provides “the rules and regulations on the bearing, carrying or transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons; and employment, availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or body guards during the election period for May 10, 2010 National or Local Elections.”

By virtue of a release order issued by Calbayog RTC Judge Reynaldo B. Clemens, he was temporarily freed and allowed to go home.

The PNP escorts implicated in the same case were also apprehended on that day while reassigned at Northern Samar Police Office, and now under the custody of the Regional Police Office 8 after posting bail. They would be presented before the court along with Gandara Mayor Cabueños for the hearing of the case.

2 hollow grave sites in Gandara

2 hollow grave sites were allegedly discovered by Gandara PNP forces lately. This was in addition to the previous 6 excavated by local authorities whose remains were retrieved; autopsy and other forensic examinations were already conducted.

Dir. Hubilla revealed that this has been a welcome development in the area. The police are gaining back the trust and confidence of the people. There are volunteer witnesses who are willing to testify before the court. In fact, complaint-affidavits of both the aggrieved party and its respective witnesses are undergoing review.

“Witnesses can identify the perpetrators as well as the victims, the grave sites and where the crimes were committed. So I would say, they are competent witnesses,” says Hubilla.

He accounted the 5 remains exhumed by PNP forces such as Benedicto Padac (August 11, 2009 crime committed), Benigno Oreta (November 29, 2008), Anthony Aregon (December 1, 2006), Luis Docong (December 28, 2005) and Allan Torres.

There are 2-3 target grave sites which are still subject for excavation.

Since the investigation is on the verge of evaluation, the PNP provincial director has yet to disclose names of suspect/s implicated in the unsolved killings of said municipality.

Because of the trend… in a very, very short time magiging kalmado na ang Gandara, assured Hubilla.

Selection, recommendation of PNP Chief outside LCE control

Hubilla believed that lawmakers of PNoy’s administration are mandated to study the proposed autonomy of the PNP in the selection and choice of chief of police in all cities and municipalities.

He is however amenable to the present set-up that the choice of COP be still subject to the recommendations of the local chief executive.

“Sa tingin ko naman, kahit na ganito ang sistema pwede naman pagandahin. So long naklaro ang gusto nating mangyari. Wala naming masama kung mamili ang LCE kasi in the first place, siya ang responsible sa area niya. Siya ang elected ng tao and he represents the sentiments of the constituents. So dapat suportahan natin ang LCE”, he justified.

When asked about the support of Gandara LCE extended to the PNP, he candidly disclosed that it ceased to continue (electric and water allowance) few months ago and the provincial office has included under the MOOE.

His office has organic resources provided to all units, and the support of the local government unit is just an “add-on”.

“I want to underscore that the local government is there for one reason only – to serve the constituency. The police is there for the same purpose. I cannot find any sane reason kung bakit pag nag tratrabaho ang pulis ng tama…magagalit ang local government. So, this must be something wrong”, Hubilla said.

Paranas holds MPOC, Two rebel returnees surrender high powered firearms

By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar News.com
August 22, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  The Local Government of the Municipality of Paranas convened in joint session the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and the People's Day Forum last August 16 at its new constructed people's hall in the poblacion. The forty (40) Barangay Chairmen representing the forty four (44) Barangays comprising the municipality, together with the Heads of the different national and local agencies and POs were in attendance. The joint forum was chaired by the MPOC Presiding Officer, Mayor Felix Babalcon, this municipality.

Gracing the activity were representatives of the PNP, P/Inspector Lucino Quimado; Lt Col. William Penafiel, 34IB Battalion Commander; Col. Ramon Baldemor, Deputy Commander of the 801st Brigade; Lt. Col. Frederico Tutaan, G7 representing Maj. Gen. Arthur I. Tabaquero of the Philippine Army of the 8ID, Camp Lukban, Brgy. Maulong, Catbalogan Samar.

The issues which were primarily discussed pertained to the concerted efforts of the stakeholders in maintaining the peace and order situation of the community as well as the developmental programs which the local government is presently undertaking that are intended to uplift the lives of its constituents.

The PNP discussed briefly their continuing programs and accomplishments. PNP records also showed minor criminalities ranging from theft, estafa, illegal fishing and illegal possession of firearms which were immediately acted upon by the police by filing appropriate charges in court.

Likewise, programs coming from the Department of Agriculture, such as the availability of certified seeds and planting assistance to farmers were announced. It also disseminated an invitation from the Philippine Crop Insurance for farmers to apply for a Crop Insurance with a minimal fee of P300 per hectare. This ensures protection of farm crops/products from disasters and natural calamities.

In the same venue, the Municipal Health Officer shared a memorandum from the DOH on the alarming increase of dengue cases in Eastern Visayas which is recorded to be the highest with 4,766 cases and 63 deaths. DOH statistics revealed a 1.73% increase in last year's data. In this instance, the Barangay Chairmen were advised to mobilize Community Watch Search to monitor and destroy dengue mosquito breeding areas and report cases.

The presentation of two (2) rebel returnees by the AFP highlighted the activity. In a press conference, SN.com got in contact with brothers Cesar Gabac alias Orian/Uki and Juanito Gabac, who happen to be former members of the Regional Guerilla Unit who are operating in Central Samar. According to the reports, a civilian informant, alias Nito/Bambi tipped the willingness of the Gabac brothers to return to the folds of the law.

The negotiations with brothers Cesar and Juanito were made by the elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion based in San Jose de Buan. Its commanding Officer, Lt. Col. William Penafiel, directed his men to undertake the necessary identification of the subjects and the  conduct of security operations that led to the surrender of the two and the recovery of one (1) M16 rifle bearing SN 4904162, one (1) magazine filled with nineteen (1) live rounds of ammunition of M16, two (2) back pack filled with civilian clothes, two (2) poncho and 0ne (1) upper receiver group of M16 rifle and two (2) empty magazines of M14 rifle located outskirt of their farmhouse in Barangay Anagasi, Paranas, Samar last July 25, 2010.

It was learned that Cesar Gabac joined the NPA 1n 1986 after being lured by the promises and pro-people propaganda of the NPAs. He actively participated in the various activities of the organization until he became a team leader for a group of five. In 1987, he got disappointed over the group's inability to address his family needs that led to the death of his father. This instance made him realize the incapacity of the group to solve the bigger social issues that they promise to their members. He recalled having participated in the ambush of Gen. Cabides' team in San Jose de Buan last 2006.

The combined security operations of the HSVc Company and the Alpha Company of the 34th IB, led by 1LT Jewelry Servinas, and the humane treatment afforded by the military to the two rebel returnees during their custody, proved productive results. On July 27, 2010, Cesar Gabac was once again motivated to surrender a cache of firearms and other war materials hidden also at the outskirt of the same barangay. The recovered firearms and war paraphernalia were presented to the media and the crowd during the press conference.

Mayor Babalcon expressed his thanks to the military for the sincere efforts in minimizing/stopping insurgency, stressing its deterrent effects on development. He immediately ordered the appropriation of Php 20,000.00 cash incentive for the Gabac brothers.

On the other hand, Lt. Col. Penafiel acknowledged the successful security operations and the tipster's information in the area as evidences of a unified effort of both the army and the civilian populace. He encouraged more rebels to join the Gabac brothers' decision to surrender and avail of the livelihood packages that the Social Integration Program is offering.  He assured the rebels of a sincere social rehabilitation program that will bring back their dignity and pride as productive citizens of Samar.

The 10th Philippine Contingent at the midst of adversity

By MIRAFLOR R. CRUZ, CHR 8
August 13, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Christopher Columbus and his men, while on voyage in search for spices in the new  world for the kingdom of Spain, accidentally made the greatest discovery in the world history – THE HAITI.  It was inhabited by the Arawaks (Indians) who were peacefully living in the land.

Soon after the discovery, Christopher Columbus named the land Hispañola which was later divided into two: Republic of Haiti in the West and the Dominican Republic situated in the East.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and is ranked 149th of the 182 countries on human development index. The Australian government travel advisory had previously expressed concerns that Haiti emergency services would be unable to cope in the event of major disaster and the country is “economically vulnerable” by the Food and Agriculture Organization. It is no stranger to natural disaster. In addition to earthquake, it has been struck frequently by cyclones that caused flooding and widespread damage.

As to the peace and order situation, there is the immediate problem of the breakdown in law and order in Haiti. It is difficult for that country to sit idly. We support legal Constitutional Authority’s search to rely on legalism which can amount to inaction. Also, there is an anecdotal evidence of an insurgency that claims to control half of the country. The reality is that in a nation like this (Haiti) with an approximate of 8 million people, there is no military. The police force of just 4,000 individuals meant that the governmental authority was thin on the ground in any event.  It was not difficult to dislodge a few policemen by coming along with superior weapons and the will to murder and pillage. There could be no pride in the scenes of carriage and disorders that had flowed from the guns of the rebel factions.  Likewise, the dislodging of the head of State in Haiti’s creeping attempt to overthrow the government of Haiti by force, constitute serious THREAT to the INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY in the region. Thereby, the SECURITY COUNCIL decided to establish the MISSION. The office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Advisor has worked in the implementation of MINUSTAH’s human rights mandate.

Minustah has the promotion and protection of human rights mandate, which includes:

1. To support the Transitional Government as well as Haitian human institution and groups in their efforts to promote and protection of human rights, particularly of WOMEN and CHILDREN in order to ensure individual accountability for human rights and redress of victims;

2. To monitor and report on human rights situation, in cooperation with the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights including on the Situation of returned of the refugees and displaced persons.

To restore the law and order in this country will require someone to do it.  This means other nation’s troops must take place in order to Restore Stability in Haiti.

The Philippines is one of the signatories in the United Nation, being so, it is the Philippines’ renounced war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations (Sec. 2, Art. ll of the 1987 Philippines Constitution).  Since the United nation sought the assistance of our nation in restoring peace and order in Haiti, the Philippine Government through the Armed Forces of the Philippines, just like other Contingent, had deployed the 10th Philippine Contingent to Haiti in support of operational Uphold Democracy.

On August 22, 2009, the Philippine Government deployed to Haiti 172-strong Philippine Contingent led by Colonel Lope C. Dagoy, the Commander of the 10th Philippine Contingent. The critical role of the group is to prevent the said country from plunging into chaos. To accomplish this, the group needed to have a regular dialogue to the populace in explaining the Minustah’s mandates The gesture of humanity, exemplify the values of solidarity and commitment to service by the 10th Philippine Contingent, was given recognition for its exemplary work in fulfilling its U.N. mandate, in securing the U.N. humanitarian relief operations, as well as looking after the welfare of the Filipinos in Haiti.

The dedication of the 10th Philippine Contingent in carrying out their mission has caught the attention of Ambassador Hedi Annabi, Special Representative of the Security-General and head of the United Nation’s Stabilization Mission in Haiti.  In recognizing the important role of the members of the 10th Phil. Contingent led by Col. Lope Dagoy, the United Nation officials in a ceremony presented to the group the U.N. peacekeeping medal for exemplary work in the service of peace and security.  The untiring and unwavering support extended by the group does not only benefit the people thereat, but also redound to the great credit of the President through the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

While they’re serving as peacekeeper, the deadly earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 (Ritchel Scale) hit the country, causing the death of approximately 200,000 people of different races, thousands homeless, commercial system like telephone lines, cellular phone signals and internet to be destroyed. Most roads were blocked by landslides and falling debris from the buildings. Colonel Dagoy, upon seeing the collapsed of the 12-storey MINUSTAH headquarter immediately recalled among others his (35) Philippine Contingent Personnel working therein presumably being trapped under its rubbles, likewise hearing their howling agonies asking help for survival. In no time, he immediately organized his available men at the unit parking area in the hope to rescue more survivors.  As they continue to rescue more survivors from the adjacent buildings, the 10th Phil. Contingent was glad and overwhelmed upon seeing the Phil Contingent headquarters, which had remained standing despite of the major cracks and damages it had gone through.

While Haiti is facing the disaster, there was an institutionalized response as a result of strong bonding with Filipino Community and the 10th Philippine Contingent. The help came mostly from the members of Phil. Contingent through the leadership of Col. Dagoy, who promptly and effectively managed the going operations, like the availability of food rations, water, medicines supplies in spite of an increasing number of wounded persons caused by a killer earthquake.

In addition to the task given to the Philippine Contingent, they were also tasked in the repatriation of 64 Filipinos from earthquake ravaged in Haiti.

The minimal damage caused by the devastating earthquake among Filipino community members was because of the prompt action of the 10th Phil. Contingent, and the quick response and deep commitment to duty shown by Col. Dagoy and his team.

The response to the disaster reveals something important about human beings.  It is simple, though it sounds sentimental. For some reason humans have a huge capacity for empathy, for giving, for helping those who are hurt.  This need to help seems as instinctive as member of the 10th Phil. Contingent led by Col. Lope C. Dagoy’s desire to assist the victims of a killer earthquake in Haiti.  We Filipinos, salute to those who demonstrate devotion to duty as what the members and the Commander of the 10th Philippine Contingent have shown. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

The sturdy Rose and the Cocaine bricks

(A tribute to a mother and an Officer)

By ALICE NICART
August 4, 2010

BORONGAN CITY  –  She was a frail, sick engineering student with a heart ailment that hampered her graduation from college, but today she was instrumental in the recovery of about 68 bricks of Cocaine (next to Llorente which had more ) which were found ashore of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

The name is Police Superintendent Rosula “Rose” Sabio Mambulao, 55, Chief of Police, this City.

The series of recovery began in December 23, 2009 in the island of Divinubo, some 25-minute motorboat ride from Borongan.  On the same day, another cocaine bricks were recovered in barangay Cabong, just about two kilometers from the city.  The next day, another 14 packs of cocaine were recovered back in Divinubo island.

Little did the lady officer knew that the Divinubo and Cabong recoveries were just openings of cans with worms; more and more fishermen surrendered the stuff to her and her team; the latest was last third week of July when Yolanda Mondedo, a housewife from barangay Locso-on, turned over to her four bricks of the illegal substance.  Yolanda said, she was in Manila when her husband found the melting substance near the sea; she said her husband sorted the still compacted part of the suspected cocaine bars.  Confused and knew nothing to do, he kept it in their house, but he could not sleep.  She said her husband ordered her to go home to help him decide on what to do with the stuff.

“The persistent information campaign of the police authorities, led by Ma’am Rose through Pulong-Pulong and radio broadcast helped us decide to finally surrender to them the bricks,” Mondedo confessed. “We are thankful that we were informed about the criminal liability we will have to bear if we don’t surrender these bricks, never mind if we don’t become millionaire out of this bricks, I told my husband; I think peace is better,” the woman added.

The Chief of Police said, she did a lot of convincing powers to the residents where intelligence assets would report that some of the residents have the illegal substance in the keeping.

“I am thankful that there are times when before the end of my talk, a fisherman or two would surface from the crowd with the bricks in their hands,” she revealed.

The recent recoveries included four bricks last July 19, by brothers Roberto and Dominador Azul of Divinubo, 16 bricks by Edwin Doculan and Edgar Beros and the four by Mondedo.

Who is this sturdy Rose in the police service?  At home she is the disciplinarian mother of four and a wife to another member of the PNP; her eldest son is also a PO2, the next is a resident doctor in Tacloban, another is an accountant and the only daughter is a registered nurse.

She is the typical housewife next door in duster, who loves the Korean movies until daybreak of watching, dancing and social drinking.  She admitted that hers was not a so easy life as a young girl maybe have taught her to be strong.

In the interview, she revealed life was incomparably hard in Quinapondan town where she was raised with her three other siblings.  She said before morning school, she would tap the dews in the gumamela plants down their house for her body lotion, just to eliminate the scaly dry skin “pugis” in her legs because seldom could they buy even the cheap Victoria for hair oil and lotion at the same time.  As a college student, they ate corn with salted “hipon” almost everyday.

But it did not deter her dream to move one.  While advised by the doctor to rest to improve her heart condition, she heard of a recruitment process where she applied, underwent the tough agility test and neuro, and in 1977, at 21 she became a patrolwoman and she discovered she got cured of her ailment.

Since then, the towering 5’5” officer had had unstoppable trainings, schoolings and encounters.  The latest was when she led a team of policemen, who conducted a raid and succeeded in the recovery of sachets of Shabu in a barangay in Oras town in December 2008. The operation yielded millions worth of the illegal drug and the arrest of a suspected family of pushers, one of them the mother.

Today, after several tour of duties in different stations in the region, this sturdy Rose has earned an array of medals: an undetermined number of Medalya ng Papuri, Medalya ng Kagaligan, Medalya ng Kasanayan and a national award as an Outstanding Officer for WCCD.

This July, Honorable Governor Conrado Nicart, accorded her a recognition together with Senior Supt. Felixberto Castillo for their outstanding performance, just like the other COPs, in the recovery of the cocaine that put Eastern Samar in the limelight worldwide. Here, another medal was added up to her collection; Medalya ng Kagalingan.

It was said that a Chinese vessel carrying the prohibited substance dumped them in the Pacific, upon realizing that a US Anti-Illegal Drug Enforcement Team was running after them in hot pursuit.  As these suspected cocaine bricks were thrown into the sea, some inched closer to the shores of Eastern Samar and was founded by the fishermen in San Policarpo, Borongan, Llorente and elsewhere along the coastal areas of the province.

Police Supt Rose Mambulao can be tough and sturdy when needed in wars, but as a person, as a mother and friend, she is soft and compassionate.  Asked what she considers her biggest accomplishment, “My children,” she humbly replied.

Yet, life has not been a bed of roses for me, so to speak.

“Destiny has been good to me, but I have my own share of life’s ups and downs,” the candid sharing of this friendly woman went on.  “Without our imperfections maybe life could be colorless. Somehow, we can’t be regretful with some of life’s lapses, after all “the road of life was not meant to be lived backward but forward,” she cracked.

At 56 next year, the final curtain for police duties for this lady officer will finally fall. Still young and energetic she could still see herself actively participating in the community, minus the cocaine, hopefully, she jibed.  Asked if she can be a politician, ”why not?”, she answered, “pero sayang ada it ak hin-retire-ran? Ayaw nala. Ballroom dancing nala,” she laughed.  (PIA-Eastern Samar)

DENR 8’s forest protection and law enforcement efforts gaining

By PURIFICACION S. DALOOS
July 27, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 8’s intensified efforts on forest protection and law enforcement have gained grounds as the different operatives of the agency confiscated forest products; jailed forest law violators; suspended employees who were remiss of their duties; implemented stringent policies on giving permits to lumber dealers; and recognized the vital role of the peoples’ organizations and other sectors in forest conservation.

The no-nonsense effort is consistent with the management direction “From the Ridges to the Reefs” which was launched during the assumption of Regional Executive Director Primitivo C. Galinato, Jr.   as the DENR regional chief on November 10, 2009.

Consistent with the said direction, RED Galinato and the different sectoral services, line bureaus and Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices have implemented the management strategies for the protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources.

On March 24, 2010, RED Galinato called the 121 Forest Rangers to a summit and exhorted them to consolidate their forces in combating illegal activities in the forest.  The forest rangers were formed into a regional association to organize, strengthen and harmonize their forces.  Quick Response Teams were also created to operate in their respective jurisdictions and merge forces if needed.  Days after the summit on April 14, 2010, the Quick Response Teams from CENROS Albuera, Palo and Baybay all in Leyte had joint operations and confiscated motorcycles loaded with contraband lumber in Capoocan, Leyte.

The perpetrators: RicRic Seblante et. al. coming from the towns of Capoocan and Carigara, Leyte were all jailed in Carigiara.  Criminal complaints were filed against them before the Municipal Trial Court of Carigara for violation of P.D. 705, the Forestry Code of the Philippines.

In a separate report, Forest Management Service Regional Technical Director Felipe S. Calub disclosed that 57 confiscation events of a total of 127 cubic meters of lumber valued at P1.3 million were conducted by the Quick Response Teams from the different field offices throughout the region from January to June of this year.

Recently, the DENR has also received an order from Regional Trial Court, Branch 36 of Carigara, Leyte ordering the disposition of a seized motorboat, two boat keels and illegally sourced lauan lumber, as it meted a penalty to Santiago Villamor and Joseph Villamor from San Miguel, Leyte who have been found violating the forestry code.

After through investigation, the DENR has also caused the suspension of its own employee, Armando Doque who had issued rattan transport permit beyond his authority.

“We may be hard in implementing the one strike policy in dealing with our own employees who do not do their job properly. On the other hand, we give due recognition and reward to our best performing employees.  On June 28, during the culmination program of the Environment Month, the DENR gave recognition to 12 employees and 36 retirees for giving important contributions to the DENR’s thrust and programs.  The DENR had also given recognition to 13 partners from the private sector, local government units and the media for their untiring support to the DENR.  Forest protection and law enforcement is a tough job that we also need the help of our partners from other sectors in dealing with the perpetrators of the forest and doing forest development programs”, RED Galinato said.

The DENR is also imposing the stringent policy of not giving expired lumber dealers, renewal of their license to operate if they cannot assure a legitimate source of lumber which they can trade.  These can come from existing private plantation in and outside Region 8.  “The applicant lumber dealer cannot just show us papers but we have to validate whether they have existing legitimate source of lumber supply”. Galinato added.

Another strategy is seeking the involvement of the people’s organizations under the Community Based Forest Management Program in forest management, they being the actual occupants of the forest areas.  “We will be calling these POs to a summit this coming July 22 to 23 to discuss with them the best strategies for the development and protection of forest areas, Galinato quipped.

The management direction “From the Ridges to the Reefs” is consistent with one of the current priority thrust of DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje on forest protection and development for productivity.  This direction considers that the forestlands should be amply protected as anything that happens in the forest would certainly affect the balance of the lowland including the marine and coastal areas.

Supplemental feeding in Catbalogan gets a twist

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE
July 22, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  Some 30 malnourished children in Barangay 7, Catbalogan City have been reporting to the barangay hall for their daily ration of nutritious food sponsored by the city government and Makulay ang Buhay feeding program with commercial partners.

Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Antonia Lomboy told PIA that the feeding program that started in April until September this year is a blessing.

“When I see the kids in the streets, I tell them to go to the barangay hall to get food“, she told PIA.

The invitation is well received and kids would start coming in, bringing with them their own dish and plastic tumblers for their food and milk.

The menu varies from day to day, and is provided by the commercial partners. The kids get to have each day a glass of milk too.

In June, 25 of the kids with below normal weight has normalized, Lomboy proudly reported.

Barangay Chairman Jun Tenedero said partners like the police and Girl Scouts have also assisted the program in their own little way. “This is a partnership of almost every one,” Tenedero added.

Yesterday, July 21 was a special day to the kids, one special patron by the name of Enzo Yu sponsored chicken and spaghetti from Jollibee for them and some 150 children more.

The kids wore their best clothing and some toothless smiles as they ate with the Jolibee mascot.

But Lomboy led them to sing a happy birthday song first before the youngsters devoured their special birthday meal.

Norma Ramirez who is a mother of three malnourished kids and a regular assistant of BNS Lomboy took all her children to the party.

“Di gud kami hini mam nakakatilaw hit jolibee (We can’t afford this type of food),” Norma said trying to restrain her brood of five that had started scampering for the choice chicken cuts. She also did not miss the opportunity to pose with Jollibee and her children.

Enzo Yu took a sneak peek at the children, just smiled without saying a word and left the eating children shortly.

Chairman Tenedero said Yu is a regular donor of the barangay and has been supporting the feeding program in the past years.

Tomorrow, the kids will return to their regular meal with fortified recipes and they will always remember the day when Jollibee visited them. They did not even know why and who is Enzo Yu. (PIA Samar)

Putting the Filipino calamansi into the limelight this Nutrition Month

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 13, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  As Region 8 joins the other regions across the country in celebrating this month of July as Nutrition Month, it is but fitting to put into the limelight the Filipino calamansi.

Foreigners describe it as the small green citrus native to the Philippines. The fruit looks like a small lime and is relative of the mandarin orange and the pomelo, others say.

Yes, the lowly versatile tart fruit has gained culinary popularity in the other countries and is being used in many recipes ranging from cocktails to salsas.

Many Filipinos call it calamansi, others call it calamondin, others call it suter. This is citrofortunella microcarpa, a round greenish to yellow in color, 2 cm to 4.5 cm fruit which is normally found in the kitchen of Filipino homes since it does wonders of wonders as a sour flavoring to a variety of dishes from the sautéed rice noodles called bihon to pancit palabok; from the arroz caldo to beefsteak Filipino style.

Calamansi is the secret ingredient to many mouthwatering Filipino delicacies. This writer remembers that the juice of the calamansi leaves are extracted and added to the leche plan to give it an exotic taste. How would the famous Leyte kinilaw taste without the secret ingredient called calamansi? What would dieters do without the calamansi to make the grapelike seeweeds called lato?

What is more refreshing than a glass of calamansi juice or iced tea laced with calamansi on a weather unusually unbearable because of global warming?  Squeeze halved 4 to 5 pieces calamansi, to a cup. Strain it. Add honey or sugar. It's a good source of vitamin C. It keeps common colds away.

So versatile the calamansi is that it is even used for personal hygiene as a deodorant and a whitening agent. Others use it as detergent, removing the grease from the hands, and as a cleansing scrub to pans and dirty or stained clothes. Doesn't Grandma crumbles calamansi leaves and smell it to recover from dizzy spells?

Yet how many calamansi growers have thought that calamansi can be processed into commercial food products such as ready-to-drink juice, juice concentrate, jelly, and jam, and marmalade to name a few?

Indeed, there are many calamansi-based products which are potential sources of sustainable livelihood.

The Department of Science and Technology Industrial Technology Development Institute has developed business concepts involving calamansi processing technologies particularly on Calamansi Concentrate, Calamansi Juice Drink, and Calamansi Jelly. Through this, one will be able to help ensure that the young children of Region 8 will be assured of the supply of the nutritious drink.

If your interest has been aroused and now you want to graduate from being just a user or planter of calamansi, please contact DOST 8 under the leadership of Director Edgardo Esperancilla. He will surely be too willing to patiently answer your query.

Survival Issue is a Political Reality, says Cong. Sarmiento

By GINA DEAN-RAGUDO, Samar News.com
July 12, 2010

CALBAYOG CITY  –  Nakabuhi na ak yakan kan SB (Cong. Sonny Belmonte), si GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) damo an naihatag nga proyekto sa Calbayog. Pag-anunsyo niya nga diri na siya madalagan ka speaker, nakuhaan ak sakit sa ulo. (I have given my word to SB, GMA has provided more projects in Calbayog. But when she declared she’s no longer running for speakership, I lost my headache.), says Samar First District Representative Mel S. Sarmiento in a press conference at Calbayog Sports Complex after Calbayog City officials and LP’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan members made their oaths of office on July 1, 2010.

Under the present administration, Cong. Sarmiento admitted that he eventually joined the Liberal Party.  From LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD under GMA, he said that the group (Samar/Calbayog local candidates) finally decided to go back to the mother party (LP) despite creating collateral damage to the former.  In Calbayog City or Samar, only two parties are being recognized by the people – the Liberal Party and Nacionalista Party. Though he further disclosed that the LP has encountered problems leading to political divisions such as the 1940’s Quirino-Avelino wings, 1980’s Kalaw-Salonga wings and Atienza-Drilon wings which was resolved recently. Under Atienza who opted to support former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, they were endorsed to the latter who was then under the LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD. To be assured of support from the national government, they were able to obtain certificates of nominations from LAKAS.

Survival issue is a political reality. Masakit nga an administrasyon an ginhaharass kontra san oposisyon. (It is painful that the administration is being harassed than the opposition). Many incidents took place prior to the elections ending up diffusion and have weakened the administration. There were people assigned in GMA’s office who were not loyal to her, Sarmiento revealed.

Knowing to be an ally of former PGMA, he appreciates the creation of the Truth Commission provided that due process shall be applied.

“Maupay iton nga pagcreate Truth Commission basta may due process. Kay kon sa katapustapusan hearsay la adto ug waray basehan nga mga alegasyon, it would be an advantage on her part. Kay kon mayda man gud basehan adton mga asunto, she has to answer all the charges filed in court. But look at the Marcoses! In the long run, the court had been sympathetic and in favor of them. If there is nothing to prove, justice will preferably be applied. However, if the court finds out that there are basis, then she has to face the reality”, Sarmiento said.

As a first termer in the House, he is appealing to the people that he be given enough time to focus. He expressed his interest on health, education, environment, agriculture and budget/appropriation committees in order to sustain the programs and projects of former Cong. Reynaldo S. Uy.  He would initiate in refiling the bill creating Calbayog District Hospital as an annex to Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) under LGU-Calbayog. He would check on the good programs suitable for the city and the first district of Samar devoid of emotions.

Amidst the stiff political rivalry and enmity taking place between the governor and the first district representative as well as Calbayog City officials, Sarmiento is also preparing for the passage of the bill creating Northwest Samar Province. The alleged corruptible performance of the provincial government has affected the delivery of basic social services as a consequence of its shaky or non-implementation.

“Diri kunta ihulog an harampang sa politika. The area of the first district is not easy – kakuri imanage. Samar is the third largest island in the country. Kunta magin objective in the aspect of management and finances”, Sarmiento clarified.

On the other hand, the solon intends to consult the local officials particularly the chief executives of nine municipalities for the purpose of imparting his knowledge and expertise in governance. His nine-year experience in the executive department could be a tool for development – the local implementation of the programs which is consistent with the national level.

As a former RDC Chair, best valued for his accomplishments in the region raising considerable funds and implemented projects during his term, clarifies that he did not endorse anybody for the chairmanship but is hopeful that the next leader should be closed to the president.

Other bills pending in Congress that he expressed support are the Freedom of Information Bill, Reproductive Health Bill particularly on responsible parenthood, Implementation of Sex Education in the Elementary Level but he has to examine first its provisions, his support for a gunless society intensifying the Law on Gun Ban and his preference for the implementation of constitutional convention with time frame.

Click here to listen to the full interview

The facts re June 5 cocaine recovery in Eastern Samar

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
June 10, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Director Antonio Pagatpat of the National Bureau of Investigation informed that his agency was not part of the PASG operations that unearthed 17 kilos of cocaine bricks in three different areas of Easter Samar province.

The clarification was made by Director Pagatpat in reaction to local newspaper reports mentioning the NBI as part of the special operations and “took over and helped out in the shipping (of cocaine) in Manila.”

The good NBI 8 Director disclosed that he only came to know about the operations when the PASG team dropped by his office on Sunday, June 7 to ask him to account for the recovered items.

The PASG team returned to Manila in the early morning of Monday together with the recovered items. An NBI agent from the Central Office came to Tacloban to provide security, Director Pagatpat said.

Contrary to the earlier reports that the Civil Aviation Security in Tacloban denied the shipment, thus the recovered items were transported to Manila by land or by water.

The post operation report of the PASG team composed of SPO1 Tito Q. Macatugob, Atty. Lilibeth A. Llagas and PASG civilian agent Hilario Yalong stated that triggered by the nationwide news on the alleged cocaine packs thrown at the waters of Eastern Samar, the PASG started to gather information as to how the unrecovered packs of cocaine may be discovered. Contacting individuals in the area led the PASG to an informant claiming personal knowledge of some places where the cocaine packs were allegedly being hidden.

Armed with a mission order signed by PASG Head, Secretary Antonio A. Villar, Jr., the PASG team arrived in Tacloban City at 4:30 in the afternoon of June 5. The team proceeded to Mercedes, Eastern Samar and coordinated with the Mercedes Police Station at 8:25 in the evening. It was then, that the team learned that there was no office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Eastern Samar.

The team then coordinated with the “informant” for the first target area. Several persons were sent to Barangay Hagnayan, Salcedo town to dig up the cocaine bricks in the area pinpointed by the informant. The team allegedly remained at Mercedes town.

The persons came back at 11:00 o’clock in the evening, turning over an orange Hersheys bag containing eleven (11) packs of cocaine bricks packed in plastics.

The team immediately reported the recovery to the Chief of PASG Special Operations Group who thereafter relayed and coordinated with the Dangerous Drugs Board and the PDEA.

At dawn of June 6, the Team coordinated again with the informant for the second target area turned out to be at Barangay Minanod in Llorente town. Again, some men were sent to the area to dig up the buried cocaine there.

While the recovery operation in Llorente was ongoing, the informant pinpointed the third and last target area at Sitio Jaklagan, Barangay Buyayawon in Mercedes town. Several persons were also sent to the place.

At 8:45 in the morning of June 6, a total of six (6) packs of cocaine in brick form, one pack of which is slightly damaged exposing the white crystalline substance which appeared to be cocaine, were delivered to the team. Three packs were recovered at Llorente while the other three packs were recovered from Mercedes.

The 17 packs of what appeared to be cocaine bricks which were recovered by the PASG team were brought to the PNP Mercedes Station where initial inventory and photograph-taking were made in the presence of Mercedes Barangay Chairwoman Josefina Macatugob, Mercedes PNP Chief Inspector Marino Estonio, and policemen SPO2 Julio Quilbio and PO1 Luis Ablay, Jr. There was no media representative known in the area. There was no DOJ representative who could be contacted considering that it was a Sunday.

The PASG team received instructions from PASG officials in Manila to take the first flight the following day, Monday, to Manila and to turn over the recovered cargoes directly to the Dangerous Drugs Board and the PDEA main offices in Quezon City considering earlier coordination with said offices.

The PASG team was likewise informed that the recovered items were already coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation Anti-Illegal Drugs and that two NBI Agents will be sent to Tacloban to assist the team’s travel from Tacloban to Manila.

After the PNP Mercedes chief reported the recovery of cocaine to the PNP Provincial Director of Eastern Samar, the team was escorted by Mercedes and Quinapondan PNP to Tacloban using a patrol vehicle of the Mercedes PNP.

The team and the police escorts then proceeded to the NBI Region 8 Office to turn-over the physical custody of the recovered items for safekeeping until the PASG team’s flight. The recovered items were sealed and signed by Mercedes PNP Station chief, S1 Cyrus Alusan and a media representative in the person of Miriam Desacada of the Philippine Star. No DOJ representative was contacted.

At around 8:00 o’clock in the morning of June 7, by virtue of the memorandum of agreement between the NBI and PDEA, the PASG team escorted by the two NBI agents arrived in Manila and the recovered items were turned over to PDEA chief General Dionisio Santiago.

World Council of Churches to continue monitoring the HR situation in the Philippines; expresses deep concern and solidarity with Morong 43 Health Workers

By ECUMENICAL VOICE
June 8, 2010

GENEVA  –  In a clear signal of continuing solidarity with the churches and human rights defenders in the Philippines, the World Council of Churches through its Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA-WCC) invited the delegation of the Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights in the Philippines (EVPHRP) to speak before an audience at the WCC headquarters here.

In welcoming the delegation, Dr. Mathews George Chunakara, Director of CCIA-WCC said the WCC has supported the human rights work in the Philippines “for as long as I can remember” and will continue to do so for as long as human rights violations go on. He said the WCC, through its General Secretary, is one of the international organizations that issued statements in support of the call for the release of forty three health workers who were arrested on February 6. He noted the strong partnership between the churches in the Philippines and non-government organizations that take a principled stand on human rights protection. Also, lending support was Ms. Christina Papazoglou, WCC’s Programe Executive for Human Rights.

A highlight of the presentation of the EVPHRP was the case of the illegal arrest, torture and continuing detention of the 43 health workers, more popularly known as the Morong 43. Mr. Jigs Clamor, a member of the delegation and husband of one of the medical doctors of the Morong 43, narrated how his family suffered and continues to suffer while his wife is under detention. He said his wife was told by the military officers of reprisals to her family unless she admits that she and the others are members of the New People’s Army. “This is the same story with the families of the other detainees,” Clamor said. For six days following their arrest, the Philippine Army denied them visitorial rights by their families and legal counsel. He thanked the WCC for calling for the release of the health workers.

Ms. Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Chairperson of the Philippine human rights watchdog, KARAPATAN, and a victim of torture during the Martial Law years, said that international pressure is important for human rights work in the Philippines. The number of victims shoots up, each time nobody is watching, she said. Atty. Edre Olalia, acting Secretary General of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and a legal counsel of the Morong 43 discussed briefly the legal twist and turns they are confronted with amidst the impunity. All kinds of human rights violations at every juncture were heaped on the Morong 43, he said as he enumerated the extensive grounds for citing the arrest and detention as illegal.

For his part, Fr. Rex Reyes, Jr., General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, underscored the necessity of living out the words of Jesus Christ who said “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly”. He said the defense of human rights goes beyond political boundaries as, in the process, one speaks and declares hope where it seems not to exist. He underscored the need to affirm the church’s self-understanding as being for and with people. “We do our best to preserve human dignity in that part of the world, conscious of the fact that we are your representatives there. It is an ecumenical task”, Reyes said as he reiterated the WCC’s definition of ecumenism. He thanked the WCC for its unwavering accompaniment to the churches in the Philippines.

Following the session, the delegation paid a call on WCC General Secretary Dr. Olav Fykes Tveit. In welcoming the delegation, Dr. Tveit expressed the WCC’s support to the work of the churches for the defense of human dignity and assured the delegation of his continuing interest on the case of the Morong 43. The delegation is in Geneva to attend the 14th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The Case of the Morong 43: emblematic of systemic and systematic human rights violations in the Philippines which are bred by social conditions

By ECUMENICAL VOICE
June 5, 2010

GENEVA  –  “The Morong 43 case is emblematic of the human rights violations occurring in the Philippines. The plethora of violations at every step of the way, the various legal shortcuts, the brazen abuse or total disregard of the law and the deliberate attempts to escape accountability are conclusive evidences of so much impunity in the Philippines.” Atty. Edre Olalia, one of the counsels to the Morong 43 and acting Secretary General of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), made these remarks at the side event highlighting the case of the 43 healthworkers, during the 14th session of the Human Rights Council held at the Palais des Nations at the United Nations.

Also testifying at the side event was Mr. Roneo ‘Jigs’ Clamor, husband of one of the detainees and Deputy Secretary General of the human rights alliance KARAPATAN.  He narrated the circumstances during and following the arrest of the 43 health workers.  Clamor described how his wife was threatened and that her family would be harmed if she refuses to own up being a member of the New People’s Army. The other detainees experienced similar threats and other forms of torture, he said. He added that relatives who visited were subject to harassment by elements of the military. Ms. Marie Hilao-Enriquez, KARAPATAN Chairperson, went on to detail how the Morong 43 was deprived of their rights.

Speaking at the same event, Commissioner Cecilia Quisumbing also rued the failure of the military to respect the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights. Quisumbing said the military does not respect human rights and does not see the difference between the mandate of the CHR and the investigative powers of the police. This is one reason, she said, the military defies the Commission.  Quisumbing also scored the “apparent impropriety of the warrant of arrest”.

In his response to the testimonies of the members of the Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights in the Philippines, Mr. Eric Sottas, Secretary General of the World Organization against Torture (OMCT), noted that the Morong 43 is an example of the criminalization of social protest where the health workers are portrayed as criminals. Sottas said the social conditions in the Philippines, the vulnerabilities of the people and the great gap between the rich and poor and the fact that human rights defenders are advocating for these rights which are being denied, bear on human rights violations. Sottas said the Philippine government readily admits recommendations from the international community like the UN. But, it remains to be seen whether it has the political will to adopt and implement those recommendations.

Ms. Renate Bloem, representative of the World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS) in the UN, reiterated that the international community of NGOs has been doing its share of supporting the case of the Morong 43 and will continue to link up and work for their release.

The side event entitled, The Morong 43 Case in the Philippines, was sponsored by the Ecumenical Voice for Justice and Human Rights in the Philippines and co-sponsored by the Civicus (World Alliance for Citizen Participation) and the World Organization against Torture (OMCT).

Group insists counter-insurgency policy behind attacks on lawyers and judges

By ECUMENICAL VOICE
June 4, 2010

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND  –  Members of a Filipino civil society delegation claimed that the  counter-insurgency policy of the outgoing Arroyo government is the culprit behind the spate of killings involving lawyers, judges and human rights defenders in the Philippines.

“The real problem lies in the outgoing Arroyo government’s counter-insurgency paradigm that employs polices that do not distinguish who are the combatants and who are not; who are armed and who are not…This is a counter-insurgency policy that just lumped together all the critics and all those who are critical of the government’s policies and programs as enemies of the state… and, considering that they are enemies these people must be eliminated, one way or another,” said lawyer Carlos Isagani Zarate, vice president of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) and member of the Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights in the Philippines (Ecumenical Voice for brevity). The group sent a five-member delegation to Geneva for the 14th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, which is being held from May 31 to June 18.

The other members of the delegation are: Rev. Fr. Rex Reyes, Jr., general secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), delegation head, Marie Hilo Enriquez, chairperson of the human rights alliance KARAPATAN, Edre Olalia, acting secretary general of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) and  Roneo Clamor, deputy secretary general of Karapatan and husband of Dr. Merry Mia-Clamor, one of the health workers dubbed as the Morong 43 now illegally detained by the Arroyo government.

Zarate made the statement during a forum attended by lawyers, jurists, academics and other members of different civil society organizations from the different countries at the Palais des Nations here.

The gathering – with the theme “Attacks on lawyers, Judges, and Human Rights Defenders: The Urgent Need for Protective Measures” – was convened by the Lawyers Rights Watch Canada, Dutch Lawyers for Lawyers Foundation, Judges for Judges and the International Commission of Jurists.  It was one of the side events of the ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Council

“We believe that to effectively address the problem of attacks faced by judges, lawyers and human rights defenders, we have to employ more long term solutions... long term protective measures that will have greater impact on the persons sought to be protected,” said Zarate who was one of the reactors of the said forum.

Since 2001, some 26 lawyers and 17 judges have already been killed in the Philippines. Some 51 other cases of lawyers being attacked, labeled and harassed were also recorded since 2001.

Zarate’s statement came as a response made by Brazilian Judge Gabriela C. Knaul de Albuquerque e Silva, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, who vowed to make herself available on a “full time“ basis.  She also said she will fully use her powers as a Special Rapporteur to work with members of the civil society organizations “to address the root causes that creates a scenario where threats and intimidations are happening.”

“We have to work together and do more to employ effective protective measures to help the judges, lawyers and human rights defenders,” she said.

“In the Philippine context, there is clear interconnection between the culture of impunity, the counter-insurgency policy of the government and the lack of protective measures to address the problems spawned by such a policy,” Zarate noted.

Zarate also criticized the penchant of the Philippine government to “misrepresent” the manner by which it addresses the problem of impunity in the Philippines. He pointed for example the claims of an official of the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, who claimed that the Arroyo government immediately acted to “swiftly bring to justice those responsible” for the now internationally-condemned November 23, 2009 Ampatuan Massacre in Maguindanao, Mindanao.  “What swift justice is he boasting about? The Arroyo government through Acting Secretary of Justice Agra even tried to exonerate two of the principal accused in the case while the attention of the Filipinos was focused on the recently concluded May national elections,” Zarate said.

Tricycle driver wins national award on poetry

By NEIL D. LOPIDO
June 2, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Nemesio “Totoy” Baldesco, a tricycle “padyak” driver from Calbayog City, won the Jimmy Y. Balacuit Special Award on Poetry in the just concluded 17th Iligan National Writers Workshop held at the Mindanao State University, Iligan City on May 23-28, 2010.

According to Harold Mercurio, Lamiraw Creative Writing Workshop Coordinator of the Northwest Samar State University in Calbayog City, Baldesco was given with such meritorious award by the panel of critics from big universities in the country for his craftsmanship in his poem “Sikad” which talks about the life of a tricycle driver who takes pain in earning money just to feed his family and send his children to school.

Mercurio informed PIA that the panel of critics who granted the said award were: Antonio Enriquez (Ateneo de Zamboanga), Leoncio P. Deriada (UP Iloilo), Merlie M. Alunan (UP Tacloban), Victor N. Sugbo (UP Tacloban), German V. Gervacio (MSU-IIT), Steven P.C. Fernandez (MSU-IIT), this year’s keynote lecturer, Lawrence Ypil (Ateneo de Manila University), and workshop director, Christine Godinez-Ortega (MSU-IIT).

Baldesco was the only fellow from Eastern Visayas. Along with him were: Bernardo Miguel from Calabanga, Camarines Sur; Paul A. Castillo from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila; Roberto Klemente R. Timonera from MSU-IIT, Iligan City; Gratian Paul R. Tidor, MSU-IIT, Dipolog City; Herminigildo M. Dico, MSU-IIT, Dumingog, Zamboanga del Sur; Jona B. Bering from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City; Jayson E. Parba, Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro City; Kyra Camille C. Ballesteros, Ateneo de Manila University, Taytay, Rizal; Romulo P. Pena, UP Diliman, Quezon City; Reynaldo A. Villaruz, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, Roxas City; and Anili F. Butcon, Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.

Mercurio gladly informed also that the said writer has already received numerous awards from various award-giving bodies. In Eastern Visayas for example, the Ibabao Arts Council of Calbayog bestowed unto him the Poet Laureate Award of Calbayog in 2008 during the Siday sa Kahanginan Poetry and the Provincial Government of Samar proclaimed him Champion in the Oral Siday Competition held in 2004 during the Samar Day Celebration. While at the national scene, Baldesco received a Gantimpalang Ani Award for Poetry in 1994 from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and in 2007 the Gawad Komisyon Karangalang Banggit for Poetry by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).

As a traditional writer in Waray, Baldesco updated himself in contemporary writing through his active involvement in the annual Lamiraw Regional Creative Writing Workshop held in Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU). His attendance in the Iligan workshop this year is a big leap in broadening his knowledge in poetry and literary criticism, especially in honing his craftsmanship, Mercurio said.

Baldesco, 55, lives in Brgy. Matobato in Calbayog City, together with his writer-wife Ana and his children who are also artists in their respective fields.  (PIA-8/Lamiraw)

Militant groups condemn illegal detention, trumped-up charges to 10 Hacienda Yulo peasants

Press Release
By KASAMA-TK
May 23, 2010

CALAMBA CITY  –  In what militants perceive to be the most brutal land dispute incident after the May elections, 10 farmers from Hacienda Yulo have been illegally arrested, handcuffed and are still detained while hundreds were injured after tensions broke yesterday at Sitio Buntog, Brgy. Canlubang, Calamba City. Fabricated charges were also filed to the peasants. The incident has now solicited condemnation from militant groups throughout the country.

This after Dan Calvo, land surveyor and architect of Yulo owned Laguna Estate Development Corp. and San Cristobal Realty Corp., refused to honor the peasants' document on a pending petition for revocation of DAR Exemption Order. With him were 50 combined members of the SWAT, the local and regional PNP, and private security guards all with high-caliber rifles who violently pushed the residents blocking their path and illegally arrested the peasants at their protest camp.

Of the 10 peasants who remain behind bars at a local police station, 4 of them are women (including an old-aged) while 3 minors namely: Maria Garcia (39 yrs old); Dorotea Mangubat (46 yrs old); Annabel Natanauan (28 yrs old); Francisca Mangubat (71 yrs old); Mario Mangubat (36 yrs old); Gilbert Caraan (25 yrs old); Lamberto Caraan (40 yrs old); Roger Nedia, (16 yrs old); Jhefe De Leon, (15 yrs old); and Melvin Natanauan , (16 yrs old). Twelve-year old Jorge Mangubat was also illegaly detained but was released last night at around 8 pm. The peasants were also charged with direct assault, alarm and sacandal, serious resistance and disobedience and grave coercion.

Eric Laurel, secretary general of Samahan ng mga Mamamayang Nagkakaisa sa Buntog (SAMANA-Buntog), demanded to the police to at least spare the 3 minors from the dispute. A prosecutor suggested to bring the 3 minors to "rehabilitation" but Laurel countered it could only lead to "brainwashing" these minors away from their legal struggle.

He recounted the incident yesterday that the peasants were only peacefully manning their camp until these armed men came and told them that they had "no rights". "The surveyor even tore up the papers we showed him and started cursing when we tried to peacefully negotiate with him," Laurel added.

Right after news of the peasants have been brought to the police station, around a 100 protesters staged an overnight vigil infront of the Municipal Hall and others stationed in protest camp at  Crossing, Calamba City gathering support from local residents. Laurel said that more protesters are expected to arrive today.

The Hacienda Yulo, 7,100 hectares of land owned by the Jose Miguel Yulo clan, is to be converted into a subdivision and golf course instead of granting ownership to the farmers. Laurel said that the land ownership to the farmers should have been granted as early as the 1960's. The project was even more pursued when the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and its 5 year extension CARPer was enacted into law. He criticized the CARPer law saying the land dispute in Yulo is a proof that the law only favors landlords into keeping their lands.

In a press conference, Guillermo Bautista, chairperson of Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK) condemned the apparent violence and fascism from the state forces on the peasants who were only upholding their legitimate right for genuine land reform. "The May 2010 elections are just drawing to a conclusion yet here we see the bleak reality in our society that farmers who lived all their lives tilling the land are still continuously persecuted." Bautista said.

"As if causing injury and illegally detaining them were not enough, the police even filed fabricated cases. We have a hundred witnesses to prove otherwise," he stressed.

He feared that if the presumed president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will not take seriously the demand of the peasants for genuine agrarian reform in addressing these land disputes; more cases of violence may occur. He noted peasant communities in Southern Tagalog where Hacienda Yulo, Hacienda Looc in Batangas and lands in Quezon province can be found.

"We pose a challenge to Noynoy Aquino, who is an apparent landlord of Hacienda Luisita, to set an example as leader of this nation to uplift the lives of the poor farmers. More farmers will surely express dismay and dissent to the new regime if no concrete changes happen," Bautista added.

Today marks a year after the farmers' campout outside of the gates of the House of Representative were violently demolished and protesters dispersed by the PNP. The camp-out was to call the junking of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with ‘Reforms’ or CARPer and for the passage of House Bill 3059 or Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill filed by Anakpawis Partylist, Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women’s Party.

Reference: Guillermo Bautista, Chairperson KASAMA-TK

TFC to take Catbalogan on global pursuits

By JOHN HECTHOR SAY, Samar News.com
UP-Tacloban Intern
May 20, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  To fill-in Catbalogan’s lack of global media hype, ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) team took approach to the provincial capital on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 with documentations of the city’s tourist and socio-cultural attributes to be released on-air via TFC broadcast.

At around 10 o’clock in the morning of Tuesday, TFC’s team, primarily composed of interstitial specialist/producer Norguia Abdula, TFC Konek researcher/coordinator May Aquino and together with their technical colleagues, arrived at the Catbalogan City Hall right behind a previous trip in Calbayog City. Catbalogan City Planning Department officer Raul Reyes and executive assistant Ador Hurtado were there to grace the visitors’ arrival.

Principally divided into two groups, the visitors partook separate assignments; one was tasked to do interstitial segments purchasing Catbalogan’s livelihood and tourist amenities led by Norguia Abdula, and the other was tasked on documenting community affairs for the TV reality show TFC Konek organized by May Aquino.

The interstitial team joined other LGU personnel to seek oyster culture footages at the Samar State University. The other team, the TFC Konek, took efforts on exclusive documentation of a family’s gala at the D’Leopards Calapog beach resort. The latter was lifted from a Catbaloganon’s request based in the US who approached TFC Konek to do a video stream of his family here in Samar.

By noontime, both teams convened at Flaming Hut restaurant for a lunch and for a brief break. Motions resumed at around 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

Despite the scorching summer heat, the interstitial team managed to do a city tour which featured some of Catbalogan’s most important landmarks. Feat backing was even more complemented with Miss Charo Nabong’s assistance, one of the principal founders of the book “O, Catbalogan.” The book was published under the Katbalaoganon Foundation., Inc. and traces the city’s history, culture, food and delicacies, landmarks and developmental milestones across time.

The interstitial segment would catch Catbalogan’s two faces: the past and the present. Photos of the city’s earlier façade, provided by the book, will be collided with its newer look which was pulled off through the team’s intra-city photography sessions. This in turn will create a significant appeal on Catbalogan’s physical change which weathered through the test of history and economic developments. Additionally, Filipinos abroad, as well as foreigners, may be able to see our city’s potential as a tourism and cultural hub that can possibly draw investors and other interested parties.

Landmarks and places visited by the team include the old and new Antiao bridges, St. Barthlomew Parish Church, the Pieta Shrine, St. Mary’s College of Catbalogan (formerly Sacred Heart College), the Samar Provincial Capitol Building and Capitol Park, the century-old Samar National High School and the marketplace. A panoramic view of the entire city was also shot from the Brgy. Socorro perspective.

By late afternoon, both interstitial and TFC Konek teams gathered at Charito’s Delights Restaurant and Pasalubong Center to feature another segment that will showcase Catbalogan’s foods and pastries. The interstitial team was directly put into the restaurant’s main production house while the TFC Konek team arranged a TV special that cites a group’s snack while at Charito’s Delights.

TFC’s sojourn to feature Catbalogan in the global scene was an important way to give a publicity conduit of the city for foreign consumers and developers. Furthermore, not only the city could do an appeal abroad but circumstances might as well include the entire Samar Island. With this, the team also featured an exclusive interview with Joni Bonifacio, a well-known Samarnon explorer of the island.

Bonificio has been exploring Samar Island for more than a decade now, concentrating much of his time on cave spelunking, island trekking and on water adventures. And to keep a firm respect of his natal place, he organized a tourist institution which he calls Trexplore. It primarily drives Samarnons (and tourists more importantly) to discover the entire island, invest an effort to mold its fullest potential and endorse it not only to the local goers but to foreigners as well. With this, Samar could be known as a promising hot spot for die-hard travelers and appreciators of virgin nature worldwide.

In the followings days, The TFC team will already be heading to Paranas, Basey and Guiuan. The same goals are in their way as they have had here in Catbalogan.

Voting difficulties retard 2010 polls

By JOHN HECTHOR SAY, Samar News.com
UP-Tacloban Intern
May 11, 2010

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  Against the sweltering heat of the sun, chunks of Catbaloganon voters for the 2010 Elections went into their respective precincts yesterday, May 10, 2010 to cast their votes and observe the effectiveness of automated polls. However, glitches struck their way, causing delays of voting mobility.

In the initial hours of the automated voting, numerous problems were encountered by the voters. Most common to these is the glitch on very long lines of individuals heading their precincts.

Emeliana Balila, 19, a first-time voter from Brgy. Maulong, complained with this situation, saying “kanina pa ako 9am pumila, ngada yana (6:30pm) waray pa ako makavote.”

She further confirms that the long lines in their precincts, put up in Catbalogan IV Elementary School, were due to the very slow pace of ballot processing by their Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).

In Catbalogan III Elementary School precincts, which hold one of Catbalogan’s largest barangays, Brgy. Canlapwas, same queries were fed by the voters.

Ariel Hilvano, 34, a resident of the said barangay has been in the precincts since noontime, but was only able to vote by 6:55pm.

Five to 7 precincts were clustered into just one precinct, while voting hours were extended to 12 hours from the previous 8 hours.

These re-arrangements for the 2010 elections were based on the assumption that the poll automation system will speed up the voting process since voting will be via precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines. Each clustered precinct was expected to process around 1,000 voters. In previous manual polls, each precinct could only process 100 to 250 voters.

A voter, who asked samarnews.com to keep his anonymity, speculated that the long lines in the precincts were brought up with the waiting of voters to receive “payments” from various political candidates in the morning. This made afternoon sessions too loaded with heavy voters influx and very slow shrinkage of lines.

On the other hand, some individuals met no hitches in their respective precincts, flaunting orderly and smooth run of voting in their places. Carina de Guia, 28, a voter from Poblacion 2 who casted her vote in Salug Elementary School says “…okay man an dalagan, less than 15 minutes la ngani ak naghinulat para makabutos”

Carina went in the precinct in the morning, at around 8 o’clock and finished her job by 8:25 am.

Although morning voting sessions in Salug Elementary School were not generally met with problems, afternoon sessions turned the wheel below. Lines began to lengthen and voters started to complain against the BEI. This has followed after some PCOS machines failed to function properly and when the voting population started to swell.

Technically, many precincts in the city also experienced PCOS machines failures. In Catbalogan I Elementary School, a correspondent reported about a shutdown of the machines. In Guinsorongan Integrated School, machines stopped functioning. Voters from Salug Elementary School precincts complained about paper jams.

But not long since machine malfunctions began, technicalities were immediately fixed. Though the failures resulted in the lengthening of lines, at least voters felt a little relieved when machines properly worked again.

However, problems were not only addressed on machine failures. Ballot rejections were also reported, including the case of Teresa Tan, 57, wherein the machine, although functioning well, refused to accept her ballot. The BEI speculated that she might have had an error in her shading or her ballot could have been folded or tainted.

“Maupay man ada hadto nak ka-shade han mga lidong. Dire man liwat mahugaw nak balota. Malain la nak pamati kay waray man karawta han makina nak balota…”, Teresa refutes.

Another problem that concern the 2010 Elections was related on vote-buying. A particular case in Guinsorongan, a respondent who chose not to tell his/her name reported about an “open-ballot” activity in their precinct. According to him, he/she would be paid an amount summing up to P1,500 if only he/she will vote his candidates (one gubernatorial, one vice gubernatorial, and one congressional) and show his ballot to the partisan individual who was just near the windows of the precinct he was in. Not until he finishes voting, then was only the time he/she will receive the agreed amount.

“P1,500 it iya karuyag iduhol ha ak kun bubutusan ko daw hira….. Pero ihahatag la kuno niya an kwarta kun matapos na ak bumotos. Open-voting an labas hadto, mapwesto daw la ak hirani bintana para makita niya nak pag-shade…”, the respondent explains.

The voting period for the 2010 elections was originally set for 7am to 6 pm but was then moved up to 7pm. In the past, voting period was only up to 3 p.m.

Politics, showbiz, sexuality others in the mind of Boy Abunda

By ALICE NICART
May 8, 2010

BORONGAN CITY  –  He was an ordinary boy who sold vegetables around Borongan neighborhood and would be hurt discreetly as tongues waggled against his grandfather being a son out of wedlock, but that was 40 years passed and Boy Abunda has rose to become one of the respected personalities in showbiz and politics.

Yesterday, it was the “king of talks” turn to answer and not ask questions as he freely offered the Sinirangan Press any topic under the sun for discussion.

How he made it to the top, he said maybe because of hard work, his being a bookworm, his perseverance, self-trust and strong faith in God.

Seated beside his gray-haired Nanay (who served a full three term as the town’s vice mayor) and sister Fe who is seeking a mayoralty seat after finishing a vice mayoralty term, Boy who was clad in black casual get up, found comfort in standing instead most of the time in the entire press conference.

Very early before the election trail, rumors spread in town that Boy Abunda was joining the political race in the provincial level.

Some of the questions (Q) and (A) answers:

Q - Why didn’t you (indeed) run?

A - Not a few politicians convinced me to run but I did not feel the urge to run for a public office; I don’t know however what’s gonna happen in the future, maybe, I can even run for the Senate, however, at the moment, maybe I will just have to make hay while the sun shines.  But please do not compare my sister with me. I learned of some unpleasant words which have come out against Mana: that she is tanga, bulok,walang kakayahan; although that is partially true because I graduated valedictorian, and I am into my Masters, but while I am ambitious and hurdled every bit of challenge in the big city, Mana chose to stay here  with you and serve you. Frankly, I am embarrassed a bit but I have told Mana, let us swallow these mudslinging, tinuyoan man la nim. But I believe it does take anyone to be a genius, to be a graduate of a law school in order to become an effective leader. There are a lot of leaders who had met just the minimum requirements, still several others are just ordinary citizens, yet, they were just as effective as the most learned ones, maybe even better.

Q - Why Noynoy?

A - You have seen my TV ads with Sen. Manny Villar, they are my good friends with his wife; Let me tell you however that contrary to the tsismis that I was paid in millions for that ad, it’s a lie. I believe in Sen. Villar, but things changed after the death of Madam Cory. Nagpaalam ako ng maayos kay Manny Villar but my friendship with Kris has become deeply rooted long ago until I became an adopted second son of the Aquino’s; I was at the death bed of Mrs. Cory; I wrote that script of Noynoy which partly said… “Sa ngalan ng Diyos at ng aking mga magulang, hindi ako magnanakaw.” Nonoy is a humble and a very simple man… my family relationship will definitely comes first to a friendly connection.

Q - Who is your congressman?

A - Ben Evardone.  Because I believe in his platforms, I know him. My governor is Docena.

Q - How true that you have not been helping local talents from Borongan, hasn’t anybody excelled in the standards of one Boy Abunda?

A - I do help, but not enough because I am busy. Nobody has excelled. Yes…We have a lot of talents…remember you need not be a mestizo or mestiza but you must possess the X-factor.

Q - Was  being a gay an element to your successes?

A - Don’t look at me as a gay but as a person. Being a gay will not hamper one’s ambitions and in pushing to be the best he can. You know, culture is not always right…our culture has not been kind to gays…but I will not apologize for being a gay.  I support Ladlad the same way I support An Waray. Did I commit a sin in my 27 years of relationship?  Let us talk about sexuality in the context of responsibility…But I can say, I’ve become a mother that Nanay wanted me to be. Don’t you wonder why I endorsed Sunsilk when I got no hair? Argentina and Bear Brand? Again, don’t look at me as a gay but as a person because I believe in the equality of men.

Boy Abunda admitted, after helping her, he was offered a position by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but he opted to be just a consultant in the area of communications. And asked if he could accept a cabinet post should Noynoy wins, he answered in the negative.  (PIA-Eastern Samar)