By Jun Enriquez Iligan City – it was a surprise visit by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus Dureza to meet the media friends in Iligan City on August 10, 2016, invited by the PhilMedia Association headed by Ely Barcelona. During the program at the Ma. Cristina hotel, the DXEJ 98.1 FM radio based in iligan city conducted full broadcast live coverage for at least 3 hours, from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 o’clock in the evening. Mr. Jude Lluch, the station manager and proprietor said that the event should be fully covered so that the people must know the proceedings and what the government is doing about peace in Mindanao and the whole country. Ms. Ellay Maglinte, Publisher of the local paper “Tingog Balita Mindanao” said that the presence of Sec. Dureza in Iligan City is a good move of President Duterte administration to build peoples’ trust and confidence. Some of the members of the media gave their impressions on the Role of the media in peacebuilding under President Duterte Administration. Pol Dingal, Publisher of the local paper Philippine Post, said some members of the media were no longer practicing as journalists but instead propagandists favoring their bosses that risking their career. On the other hand, Barcelona said “Ang media magpakabana sa mga problema ilabi na sa pagtabang sa pagkab-ot sa kalinaw”, it means the media should be vigilance on social problems especially on helping in achieving peace. Lino dela Cruz, veteran journalist and correspondent of the Philippine Star said that most of the national dailies reporter were trying their best to file reports on time and make good of it but there is the editorial power to change the mood of the story and the reporter have no more control out of it. Dela Cruz said that the only thing to do is to balance the report on both sides of the issue to avoid conflict and risk. Also invited was Dr. Habib Watamama Macaayong, President of the Mindanao State University (MSU), represented by Dr. Rebecca Marohombsar-Alawi, Professor of Media and communication studies, Dr. Alawi said that she preferred to use the term non-partisan rather than neutral in the media. She was tasked to read the message of the MSU President and said that the MSU system have the all-out support for the TESDA program conducted in MSU for poverty alleviation. It was a skills training Alternative learning system (ALS) program for the out of school youth and adults and committed to continue and strengthen the said technical training program. Dr. Macaayong also committed for the implementation of the Freedom of information (FOI) law. Col. Ezra James P. Enriquez, Deputy Commander, 2ndMechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, also an invited guest of the event. In his message he said that the Brigade is actively in partnership with the media and organized the “Magbalantay Press Corps” and most of the members are the media in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte. Col. Enriquez said that the brigade is open for sharing information to media as partner for peace and development and he said he is currently a member of the Ceasefire committee on the cessation of hostilities (CCCH) for Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur to tackle problems with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He said “buhay na buhay ang peace process sa Lanao areas” and they have open line communication with the MILF. He was hoping that there is no more black propaganda in the future to avoid security problem. The only problem as of now is the situation in Butig, Lanao del Sur due to the sporadic encounters with the Maute group. Col. Enriquez said “with the cooperation of the media we will continue working towards peace and development.” Col. William A. Alunday is the Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army. Police officer 1 (PO1) Jovane Ramos Cabusas, Police Community Relations (PCR) of the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO), explained the Project Double Barrel in fighting against illegal drugs . He said there are two phases of the project, the Upper barrel defined as high value target personalities link to illegal drugs. The Lower barrel is called “Project Tokhang” he said “Dugay na kini gibuhat sa Davao city aron Totokon ang kasingkasing sa namaligya ug illegal nga droga aron moundang na sa pagpamaligya”, it means knock the hearts of individuals engaged in illegal drug trade to stop their illegal business. He said the problem was not in the illegal drugs but in the family because the parents will be the one to educate their children about the effects of the illegal drugs is destructive to human. However, one of the participants reacted that the problem is in the government before did not make any actions to run after the drug lords and drug pushers. Unlike today President Duterte is seriously running after all involved in illegal drugs trade in the country. OPAPP Secretary Dureza in his message said that they are best of friends with President Duterte since younger days in school in Davao City. As they grow and graduated in college and in law then became politicians they were buddies. That’s why he cannot refuse the President be assigned in the difficult task as OPAPP Secretary because of his expertise in the previous administrations as peace advocate and journalist. Sec. Dureza engaged in the peace process representing the government since Ramos Administration in signing the 1996 peace agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). He is again in the peace process during the Arroyo administration with the MILF but later on he resigned due to pressures. He also experienced inappropriate reporting from the media without proper background of the issue that totally crippled the negotiation in Malaysia and after that incident that was the time he resigned from the government peace panel. Presently as OPAPP Secretary, Dureza expressed confidently to deliver the task properly and presented to the President the design on the peace roadmap. He said that the Bangsamro Basic Law (BBL) was already lapse by the non-approval of congress in previous administration. There were a lot of provisions now going to work possibly on the replacement of the BBL. He said that they will base a lot of its provisions of the replacement bill from the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). It will also get inputs from the MNLF peace agreement of 1996. It will also consider pertinent provisions of the RA 9054, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). it might also get inputs from the indigenous Peoples rights Act (IPRA), inclusive for all. Sec. Dureza is hoping that congress will pass the replacement Bill so that the government can already install and entrench a new Bangsamoro government unit. Dureza said “In the meantime while we are waiting for the endgame which is the establishment of a Federal set up as envision by President Duterte, and when that endgame comes the new government unit that we will install for the Bangsamoro will become already a part of the bigger Federal government.” He said that It will even be one of the federal states that in composed of the bigger federal state of the country. Sec. Dureza said just to refine it further, in the CAB and in the MNLF peace agreement, there are provisions that may have constitutional issues. He said in fact that is one of the reasons rightly or wrongly that it did not passed in the last congress. What intend to do is the Bangsamoro leaders will agree if there are constitutionally sensitive provisions that they really want to push but in order to be able not to jeopardize the new government unit they can park it in the meantime. “So we can feel already the enactment of the new government unit and since many of this that we will park ,the Bangsamoro will not wish to go away with it, if open up the constitution already in a federal set up then we will be able to address the constitutional issues and then enhance the existing Bangsamoro government unit that we will install. In this case there is procedure that will not jeopardize again as it did in the BBL” Dureza said. He said there will be a better procedure to first meet the key players of the MILF , MNLF and the factions, Murad, Sema and Misuari in the proper time. Then they put altogether all their inputs. The CAB has already provisions, there is 42 contentious points as the results of the tripartite review of the Misuari 1996 peace agreement is waiting also to be inputed. Sec. Dureza said “We will put them together and there will definitely be an all Moro assembly but that should happen only in accordance with the determination of the Bangsamoro, not for the non-Bangsamoro people to determine. If they wish to meet up to all their sectors and come with a comprehensive approach we will welcome it.” He said there is no more negotiations but we are already in the implementation stage, because there have already an agreements. Sec. Dureza said “We may use the mechanism that come from the CAB and the MILF the so called the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) that we might compose if all the sectors of the Bangsamoro will agree, that is the BTC compose of 15 members. The MILF will have their own representative, the government will appoint the remaining membership and hopefully if they agree they can have all the other sectors, the MNLF, maybe the ARMM, maybe the IPs to also be part of the BTC then they can work together towards inclusive enabling law. Sec. Dureza emphasized that a backdoor consultation with the MILF was conducted with Chairman Murad had welcome the roadmap. Dureza said they also talk to Muslimen Sema and welcome the roadmap. “In due time we will be able to deal with the legal status of Nur Misuari because he is facing a criminal case and the warrant of arrest still pending, the government will also deal with them” Dureza said. Sec. Dureza said that they also going to deal with ARMM because they also represent a sector, they are Bangsamoro but they are not MNLF, they are not MILF, but they are also very important component of the whole Bangsamoro. In another development, the peace talks with the Communist party of the Philippines-New peoples Army-National democratic front (CPP-NPA-NDF) is already scheduled on August 22, 2016 in Norway. Sec. Dureza said they crafted already the agenda for the meeting. He said in their last meeting middle of June they agreed to proceed with the formal resumption of the negotiation that have stalled for 4 years. “Hopefully we will be able to move forward” Dureza said. He said President Duterte is consistent about the issue on the use of land mines. Dureza reiterated the statement of the President, If they use land mines no more peace talks. He said let’s wait and see if something happens, but in the mean time we already preparing the August 22 meeting definitely. Photo & Video by Jun Enriquez (The blogger/ Publisher, Jun Enriquez, is also a Broadcast Journalist at DXEJ 98.1 FM, Iligan City, Anchor, “Tingog Balita Mindanao” at 8:00-9:00 A.M., Monday to Saturday)
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By Teri Dalman, Intern for Media & Communication, MSU Marawi City Manila - President Rodrigo Duterte has successfully delivered his first State of the Nation Address last July 25, 2016 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. The president’s speech ran at round 1 hour and 30 minutes long thus highlighted the different issues occurring on the environment, climate change, traffic and transportation, peace talks, the territorial dispute and its relentless fight on drugs and war.
By Jun Enriquez Manila (Published at "TINGOG BALITA MINDANAW", July 8, 2016) - In the inaugural speech of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on June 30, 2016 at Malacanang Palace, Manila, after taking his oath administered by Justice Beinvenido Reyes, Duterte said he will listen to the voice of the people and supply their needs. He said that our country was bedeviled by corruption, criminality and rampant sale of illegal drugs and breakdown of law and order. A social disease denuded the fiber of Philippine society must stop by all means the laws allows. The erosion of trust and faith in the Judiciary. There are people do not approve my method of fighting illegal drugs but illegal drugs destroys individuals. Duterte appealed “Allow us to level up the governance consistent to our mandate”. Duterte said he knows the limits of the power of the President and knew what is legal and what is not. He said the rule of law is uncompromising. He addressed to the Legislative and Judiciary, and said you mind your work and I will mind mine. “Malasakit sa tunay na pagbabago”, means sincerity on meaningful change. “Tinud-anay nga kabag-ohan mao kini ang tumong sa atong goberno”, meaning genuine change is the goal of our governance. People are hungry of meaningful change. Change will start in us, love of country, help the helpless and work towards a better Philippines that needs shoulder - to - shoulder of the people. It is not to add more to those who have much but provide to those who have little. Work for the poor but not to discourage the rich. Duterte ordered all departments to reduce the processing time of all applications and refrain from changing and bending of the approved contracts during the period of project implementation. His administration will Advocates transparency and abhor secrecy. He will honor international treaties and agreements. The Call for peace to continue the talks with the MILF and MNLF is one of his priority programs. Duterte said he was elected as President to serve the people not to serve anyone but everyone, no friends to serve and no enemies to harm. He urged everyone to embark for a better tomorrow. He said he was in Malacanang because he loves the country and people, and starts to work for the nation.
In another development, in the morning of July 1, 2016, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sworn to office at Camp Crame, Manila. Dela Rosa said of his being a PNP chief is a destiny like President Duterte. He said words are not enough and expressed his endless and unquestionable loyalty. Dela Rosa said that they were together with President Duterte in past years as mayor in Davao City in fighting criminalities and became victorious of what is Davao City now. He said to President Duterte “dili gyod ko magpaulaw kanimo Sir” I will not make myself shameful to you Sir. Dela Rosa said to the PNP ranks, “starting today I am your father”. He said if you are with me then we will fight together, if you are not with me then you are finish! He ordered PNP officials link in drugs to surrender within 48 hours or you may go to full time drug lords or otherwise your birthday will transfer to November 2. The issue is no longer “kung magkano ang nakolekta sa kotong kundi kung magkano ang nabentang droga”. Our mission is the ending the ills of the society. He urged the people to pray for them to succeed their mission “at upang hindi maabuso ang karapatang pantao”, means not to abuse the Human Rights. In the afternoon of July 1, 2016, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya was installed as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at camp Aguinaldo. Visaya promised the AFP under his watch will push a final step to fight against internal security threats within the mandate of the President’s thrust to refocus their mission on internal conflicts especially in fighting the Abu Sayyaf Group in Basilan and Jolo. Visaya said in his acceptance speech “we will focus our military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group including their terrorist cells and their allies”. Visaya said that the military will concentrate their target on the locations and sanctuaries of the Abu Sayyaf to finish them out. PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, during his acceptance speech as PNP Chief on July 1, 2016 and gave 48 hours to Police Generals linked to illegal drug syndicate to surrender but nothing happened. During the Philippine Air Force Anniversary on July 5, 2016, President Duterte named the five generals linked to the illegal drug syndicate in the country, they are Gen. Marcelo Garbo, Gen. Vicente Loot, Gen. Bernardo Diaz, Gen. Joel Pagdilao and Gen. Edgardo Tinio. However, they were given their rights to answer accusations . In some areas locally, there were 160 individuals surrendered to police in Iligan City linked to drugs, at least 150 persons surrendered in Linamon, Lanao del Norte, there were 116 persons surrendered in Basilan and at least 150 persons surrendered in Valencia, Bukidnon. These numobers is expected to increase because there are some feelers received from the PNP in different parts of the country that there are individuals expressed themselves to surrender. After AFP Chief Ricardo Visaya sworn in as AFP Chief, information gathered from the Civil Military Officer (CMO) of a certain Captain Reyes of 35th Infantry Battalion , Philippine Army, said that military offensive against Abu sayyaf group (ASG) started in July 6, 2016 at Maligay, Paticul, Jolo Sulu, There were 20 ASG members engaged in armed encounter with the military resulted to the killing of one ASG member and others have survived and fled to nowhere. On July 7, 2016, a military offensive against ASG in Tipo-tipo Basilan was going on. An estimated 100 ASG members engaged in a firefight against the military and it goes heavy exchanging of continues firing. The military used two attack helicopters and two plane bombers from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and bombed the targets to the ASG locations and followed by the artillery canons from the 18th Infantry battalion fired continuous shelling to the ASG targets. The ASG attempted to occupy the Town hall of Tipo-tipo and to raise the ISIS flag. The police force in Basilan headed by Police Sr. Supt Oscar Nantes covered and protected the town hall of Tipo-tipo not to be occupied by the ASG. Information gathered from Provincial Social welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) recorded the results of the heavy fighting by the government forces against the terrorist ASG and was able to displaced 1,312 families with number of dependents accounted at 7,078. There were 3 municipalities affected of the conflict to include Albarka, Tipo-tipo and Ungkaya Pukan. There were 8 Barangays affected of the continuous fighting, the Barangays of Migcawa, Bohepiang, Sitio Layohan, Bguindan, Silangkim, Tipo-tipo proper, Sungkayot, Bohesuyaki. There are evacuation centers that can be found in Tipo-tipo Barangays of Cabangal, Manunggul, Kailih, Sitio Subah, Amaloy, Camalig, Sitio Punubato, Materling. The immediate needs for the evacuees are food items with estimated amount needed is 365,000 pesos for the initial relief to be sourced out from the funds of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). On July 10, 2016 reports received from the military that there were 9 ASG members killed and 1 casualty from the military. Sporadic armed encounter of the military forces against the ASG still going on. On July 14, 2016 at 8:00 O’clock in the morning, there were three personnel of the Field Artillery Battalion attached to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 were shot to death by unidentified gunmen believed to be members of the ASG in Indanan, Sulu. Reports from ground units disclosed the three soldiers were procuring provisions in Barangay Manilop, Indanan when they were waylaid and shot by the suspects. The bodies of the victims were recovered and immediately transported by troops to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista. Their names are still withheld pending notification from victims’ relatives. With reports from Mike Navarro of Basilan, Mel Velez of Bukidnon & via PTV4 satellite monitor (updated July 15, 2016). |
AuthorA news blog started by CSO-FP Managing Director, Mr. Jun Enriquez to keep the people of Lanao, Mindanao and the Philippines updated on current local issues especially the peace and order situation in conflict affected areas. Archives
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