President Duterte pushes Federalism to prevent extremism from thriving

By Lilian C. Mellejor

DAVAO CITY, Dec. 2 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to work for the realization of a federal form of government even if it requires him to campaign nationwide in order to prevent full-blown revolution or extremism to thrive beyond this generation.

Speaking before the more than 400 participants of the 3rd Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Local Government Summit at SMX Convention Center late Thursday afternoon, President Duterte said a federal set-up is the other acceptable structure especially in Mindanao.

The other - is extremism, which he said should be avoided by every Muslim “because it is not our idea.” Otherwise, if extremism originated in Mindanao, he said, “I will be the first to call upon the Moro people to a total revolution.”

“Wag tayong pumayag ng ganito (We should not agree to this – extremism) whatever may, how long it may take, whatever are the costs kasi hindi ito talaga para sa akin (because this is not really for me).

The President vowed to campaign for the federal structure. “Maybe I’ll just campaign for it, for its approval among the Visayans,” he said. He said he will also campaign among the Moro people.

He recalled there have been many proposals in the past to solve the dynamics of Mindanao like separation and autonomy, but nothing has come out of it and instead of unifying the Moro people, these have become divisive measures against the Moro tribes or groupings.

“And all these years, lahat dito nagsa-suffer (everybody here suffered). We are suffering because there seems to be no cohesive action on the part of the Moro people and the central government,” said the President, adding that there have been a lot of meetings and attempts including the creation of the Southern Philippines Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD).

The SPCPD was created by the government and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). It was supposed to be an avenue for a political settlement of the 24-year Bangsa Moro armed struggle. Some people believed that the SPCPD was the best way of arriving at a conclusion to the armed struggle.

“Hindi ko malaman kung saan talaga ako papunta (I really don’t know where to go). But I think the only acceptable arrangement, as of today, this moment of our generation, and of the lives of the Moro people is federalism. Other than that, bakbakan ‘to (there will be fighting),” he said.

Mr. Duterte said the time is now for the Moro people, including the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA) to seize the opportunity that he is the president.

“I am not saying I am the indispensable factor in this island. But what I’m saying, the most, maybe not really golden but the most appropriate opportunity at this time of our generation, tayong buhay ngayon (we who are still alive), will be now,” he stressed.

According to him, it is only the Filipino people who can solve the country’s problem without foreign influence or intervention.

“Then by the grace of Allah, you might find a good solution for this land. But right now, we have to act,” he said.

The President admitted he has been receiving different signals on what would be the reception of the people on the federal set-up. Two congressmen, he said, asked to him to fix it otherwise it will lose in the plebiscite.

He told the participants that his only wish is “a semblance of your territory, your governance and the happiness of the Moro people.” (PNA)

President Duterte meets Russian President Vladimir Putin

LIMA, Peru, Nov. 20 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting (AELM) in Lima, Peru.
 


During the meeting, President Duterte expressed his pleasure of meeting President Putin and his respect for the latter’s leadership.





President Putin congratulated President Duterte for winning the May 9, 2016 elections and likewise expressed his pleasure at meeting him.


Putin noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Russia diplomatic relations, and acknowledged the many accomplishments that have promoted trust and confidence between the two countries.
 


Both leaders discussed the various ways to further develop comprehensive bilateral cooperation in such areas as economic, security and defense, cultural and people-to-people exchange, among others. They likewise agreed to sustain the high-level meetings and consultations that would enhance the mutually beneficial relations.
 


Present during the meeting were members of President Duterte's Cabinet, including Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go.


President Putin was accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other officials of the Russian government. 

Bangsamoro CSOs in WesMin urge Moro leaders to work for the common interest

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More than sufficient troops to secure heroes' cemetery for Marcos burial, says PHL Army

MANILA, Nov. 12 (PNA) --- The Philippine Army has more than sufficient troops to secure the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, its spokesperson, Col. Benjamin Hao, has said.

When asked whether the Army has increased security in the heroes' cemetery in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling allowing the interment of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos at the LNMB, Hao said they have more than enough troops, though he did not cite exact figures.

Militant groups have threatened to conduct lightning protest actions at the LNMB should the former president be interred there.

As this develops, Hao said no final date has been set yet for Marcos' burial in the cemetery.

"(As the designated protocol officer), I coordinated with the Marcos family and I asked them whether they have any concern we need to address, (and for the moment), they said they have none and they are still waiting for the final coordination on the date (of the former president's burial)," he said in Filipino.

Hao earlier said the Army is ready to provide Marcos with military honors befitting his rank as former president.

"We will provide former president Marcos military honors befitting a president of our country. He will be given arrival honors by Army brigade-sized honor guards when his remains enter the LNMB," he said. "He will also be given a 21-gun salute."

The Army spokesperson said the former president's casket will be carried by pallbearers, consisting of active-duty senior sergeants and generals, to his final resting place at the cemetery.

An earlier directive said the Army is required to provide a vigil, a bugler, a drummer, a firing party, a military host, pallbearers, an escort and transportation, and arrival and departure honors.

Hao earlier said representatives of the Marcos family have begun cleaning and making initial digs at the regulation 100-sq.-meter plot former presidents are allotted in the LNMB's 5,000-sq. meter Presidential Section.

The remains of three presidents, Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal and Elpidio Quirino have been interred in the heroes' cemetery.

Hao said the Presidential Section still has room for 46 more. 

President Duterte’s speech earns praises from ‘Yolanda’ survivors

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 8 (PNA) – Survivors in coastal communities badly hit by

super typhoon Yolanda welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to move them to permanent homes as early as next month.

In the past two years, single mother Marilyn Singh, 51, and her children and grandchildren have been staying in a bunkhouse. She commended the President for giving attention to them.

“I agree with Duterte. Why delay the housing projects if funds have already been available?” she asked.

Lucia Etolle, 61, shares a room with 10 other family members in the same bunkhouse made out of coconut lumber and plywood.

She lauded the Chief Executive for being apologetic to the plight of survivors, who are compelled to stay in low lying coastal communities and makeshift houses.

“Suffering for nearly three years is too much. We really want to move to a new house with own toilet, stable water supply, and electricity,” said Etolle, who earns meager income from tailoring.

Weeks after super typhoon hit central Philippines, the government built bunkhouses for displaced families. Each unit is divided into 24 rooms for each family. The room measures 8.64 square meters — roughly the size of two Ping-Pong tables.

The two mothers are among the 50 families still living in bunkhouses built in a government-owned lot in the city’s Kalipayan village.

These families are scheduled for transfer to housing projects in the northern part of the city funded by an international non-government organization.

In San Roque village, Tanauan, Leyte several families opted to stay in makeshift houses built near the shoreline even after the turnover of permanent housing units to them.

“Living here is more convenient. It’s closer to the sea where we earn about Php 300 daily from fishing. What’s the point of having a new home if we have nothing to eat?” asked Yiyi Quista, 44, a mother of five.

“With the President’s order, I am positive that concerned government agencies will address the livelihood aspect of relocation,” she added.

During the 3rd Yolanda anniversary on Tuesday, Duterte asked concern agencies to fast track the assistance to survivors, especially housing-related concerns.

“I am not satisfied. In three years only few families were transferred to their permanent houses. The national offices, the respective departments, they’re only given one month to process the paper and it must be out,” the President said.

On Tuesday, thousands of Yolanda survivors converged in town plazas and mass grave sites to celebrate resilience and remember those who perished when the super typhoon battered central Philippines three years ago. (PNA) RMA/SQM/Ana Rose Cinco, Jushua Marga & Aldwin John Cadayong (OJTs)

Zamboanga City allocates Php 200,000 to bury unclaimed cadavers

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 7 (PNA) – The city government has allocated Php 200,000 for the holding of a mass burial this month of 17 unclaimed cadavers in this city.

Socorro Rojas, city social welfare and development office (CSWDO) chief, on Monday said the unclaimed cadavers will be buried at the city government-owned cemetery in Barangay Talabaan.

Rojas said the cadavers, which were deposited at a local funeral parlor, belong mostly to victims of summary execution while the rest are of “mentally challenged” individuals who were found dead since January this year in this city.

Rojas said the cadavers, all listed as unidentified, were not immediately buried to give ample time for families to claim the remains if they happen to be their relatives.

She disclosed that this year’s number of unclaimed cadavers were lesser than the previous years.

In 2015, she said there were 20 unclaimed cadavers in the city. (PNA)

RMA/NYP/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO

OPAPP Statement on the Suspension of Proceedings and Warrants of Arrest for MNLF Founding Chair Nur Misuari –

The positive response of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s invitation to participate in the Bangsamoro peace process and the signing of the executive order that will create a more inclusive Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) on Monday, November 7, are significant steps closer to a comprehensive and inclusive resolution of the decades-long armed conflict in Mindanao.

 The peace process in Mindanao is on track with both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the MNLF on board for a more inclusive resolution to the conflict. They are now willing to sit at the peace table and work together with the government to address the historical injustices committed against the Moro people. This is an unprecedented and historic development.

 Chairman Misuari has declared that only President Duterte can solve the long-standing problem of peace and order in Mindanao. This trust in the president’s leadership from the MNLF founder is a key ingredient in the President’s roadmap that will lead us to peace in Mindanao.

 President Duterte’s determination to end the war once and for all during his term has led him to explore creative ways to get all the key actors to the peace table. 

 He has committed to release an unprecedented number of detained leaders of the National Democratic Front (NDF) so they can participate in the peace negotiations and declared an indefinite unilateral ceasefire.

 In the same manner, the President has caused the suspension of hearings and enforcement of warrants of arrest against Chairman Misuari so he can also participate in the Bangsamoro peace process.

 The temporary releases of the NDF leaders and of the MNLF chairman is in pursuit of a larger vision of peace. As justice is a key element of peacebuilding, justice and healing will be an integral part of the peace process. The concern for justice related to the Zamboanga incidents in 2013 as well as other incidents identified by the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission will be dealt with in a comprehensive program.

 As the major actors and stakeholders are now involved in pursuing peace in Mindanao, the opportunity is greater for dialogue and meaningful conversations that can lead to inclusive peace.

 Public participation will be an integral part of the process through the formation of various Peace Tables in the different sectors and communities following President Duterte’s desire for inclusiveness, transparency, and convergence. The bigger peace table of the people will enable every Filipino to contribute not only to make peace happen, but more importantly, to make peace last. (OPAPP)

President Duterte meets Misuari in Malacañang

MANILA, Nov. 4 -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday welcomed Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding Chairman Nur Misuari in Malacañang Palace in an occasion that carries great implications in the peace process.

The MNLF chair was in Malacañang upon the invitation of President Duterte just hours after receiving a copy of a court resolution suspending the warrant of arrest issued against him by a Pasig City court for his alleged involvement in the 2013 Zamboanga siege.

“It is with great happiness that I announce to the nation that Chairman Nur Misuari, our brother, who heads the MNLF, has finally decided to just accept my invitation for him to talk to us,” the President said in a short speech.

“He has obliged and we are very grateful,” Duterte said.

The President said that the arrest warrant against Misuari was suspended upon his orders so that the MNLF chair could join the peace negotiations between government and the Moro rebel groups.

“I would like to assure Brother Nur that there was never any intention on my part to deprive you of your liberty,” Duterte told his guest.

He reminisced how, when he was still vice mayor of Davao City, Misuari was accepted with open arms by Duterte and both of them having a vision that they may someday talk together about peace in Mindanao.

“Little did they know that by the grace of Allah, I became the President of the Republic. And in the twilight of our years, we would be able to talk about the problem of our country, the revolution that you have led all these years and finally understanding on a common ground with government,” President Duterte said.

In the meantime, Misuari began his response with the universal greeting of peace of the Islamic world because he said that “peace is a most vital humanitarian value to us.”

“I came here only to see the President. I came here only in answer to the invitation of the President, the man whom I respect and trust,” he said.

“For I believe, as I said during the campaign, ‘that is one single man who can provide solution to the problem of peace and order to our homeland of Mindanao’” Misuari said.

He said that he was grateful to President Duterte for restoring his freedom, albeit temporarily, and vowed to fully support the Administration’s pursuit of peace and its war against drugs.

“I am so happy to be free again owing to the initiative of the President. And now I came here. Foremost in my mind is: how can we help our President finish his job through till the end of his six-year term? Because I know for a fact that he will not abandon his pledge to the people,” Misuari said.

On the government’s war against illegal drugs, the MNLF chair said that he himself had personally seen the destructive effects of drug on the lives of young people in his hometown in Jolo.

“They are destroying our children, our youth. Who will succeed us after this when our citizens are already destroyed by these drugs? To us drugs is a restless, creeping threat to humanity. Drugs is one of the biggest source of crimes to humanity,” he pointed out as he reiterated his vow to cooperate fully with government.

“Allow me to reiterate my sense of gratitude to the President and I promise that should he need our cooperation in his campaign for peace, you can count on us Mr. President,” Misuari said.

1CAV, PNP undergo training, forge strong partnership

Gideon C. Corgue

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur, Oct. 17 (PIA) – To better equip soldiers and policemen for the job at hand, the 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army and the Pagadian City Police Station forged partnership and collaboration through an exercise dubbed  “Supply Management and Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance Agent Training” (EORAT) held recently at Camp Jacobo Zobel, Major Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, this town. 

LtCol. Charlemange F. Batayola, Jr., commanding officer of the 1Cav squadron thanked the 31 participants composed of troopers and PNP personnel for their  steadfast commitment to enhance their learning and skills development as well as professional growth.

“The training is geared towards the enhancement of your character as individual soldiers and policemen. I would presume that you have rediscovered your sense of purpose in our organization whether you are a member of the AFP or PNP,” Batayola said.

He cited that during the week-long extensive training, troopers have personally experienced the pressure in detonating explosives which they did not  normally perform before, adding that their role is to provide effective and efficient armor support to the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army.

Batayola said troopers and PNP personnel were taught on the principles and procedures in the conduct of reconnaissance during explosives-related incidents and identification of explosive materials.

“You now possess an increased awareness and vigilance on the safety precautions and preventive measures when explosive materials are found prior to the arrival of the responding EOD teams or bomb squad,” he declared.

It was indeed an opportunity for soldiers and policemen to join together to achieve their common goal of preserving peace in our country, according to Batayola.

Meanwhile, Police Officer 3 Ruben Balido, team leader of the Pagadian City Police Station Bomb Squad said the training was able to establish good relations between the PNP and AFP.

He also expressed optimism that participants will apply the theories, principles and practical exercises on the training rules and safety precautions that they have learned.

“They are already equipped with the knowledge. Every time there is a bomb threat, they know their roles as first responders before the bomb squad will arrive,” Balido concluded.

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200-bed tertiary hospital soon to rise in Dipolog

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA)---Very soon, Dipolog City will have one of the most modern hospitals in the country as the Allied Care Experts (ACE) Group of Hospitals is set to build an ACE Medical Center here.

This dream became a reality after the successful conduct of the ground-breaking  ceremonies of the ACE Medical Center-Dipolog on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Barangay Olingan.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of the architectural design of the hospital, the time capsule was buried with the releasing of colorful balloons, which according to the organizer represents grace from heaven.

ACE Chairman Dr. Amado Enriquez said the 4-storey ACE Medical Center will be constructed in a 1.7 hectare lot inside Dipolog City Sports Complex which will be funded through the P500-million loan granted by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).

The hospital, which has a 200-bed capacity is a tertiary hospital, equipped with brand new and modern first-class hospital equipment.

“ACE Medical Center-Dipolog is the fifth hospital to be built inMindanao. The other hospitals are in Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and General Santos,” Enriquez said.

Vice Mayor Dr. Horacio Velasco welcomed the decision of ACE Medical Center to establish a modern hospital in Dipolog as it complements the effort of the city government to addressthe health needs of local residents.

”We will not consider (Ace Medical Center) a competition but an ally in providing medical services to the people,” he said.

ACE Medical Center-Dipolog President Dr. Fernando Carlos said the establishment of a modern hospital does not only address the health concerns of the Dipolognons but also provide employment for local residents and enhance economic development in the area.

The hospital will be exclusively owned and managed by private doctors from Dipolog City and other parts of Zamboanga del Norte.

11 ASG brigands surrender to authorities in Basilan

By Teofilo P. Garcia Jr.

SUMISIP, Basilan, Oct. 24 (PNA) -- Eleven Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands, including a sub-leader and a 12-year-old boy, on Monday surrendered to the government authorities in this town.

Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, and Basilan Gov. Hadjiman Hataman-Saliman led the government officials in welcoming the ASG-surrenderers in a ceremony held at the town hall.

The group is led by Moton Indama, 26, a relative of ASG leader Furuji Indama, one of the ASG brigands sub-leaders based in this province.

Indama’s followers were identified as the following: Haimin Jalil, 17; Marham Musana, 18; Sadjara Hadjaraman, 28; Halid Murasimin, 20; Gulam Hajim, 19; Haraward Sahirulla, 20; Basri Laisun, 18; Nasim Baliyung, 21; Ring Langka, 15; and, 12-year-old Tari Murasimin.

They turned over high-powered firearms that included a Belgian-made Minimi 5.56 caliber light machinegun, one M-16 Armalite rifle attached with M-203 grenade launcher, a caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle, a shotgun, three caliber .45 pistols, a caliber .38 revolver and several rounds of ammunitions.

Indama said they decided to surrender since they were already tired of fighting against the government and they wanted to rejoin the mainstream of the society to live peaceful life.

The surrender of Indama’s group came days after they sent surrender feelers and signified intention to lay down their arms.

Dela Cruz told the surrenderers that they made the right choice instead of wasting lives, citing President Rodrigo Duterte statement “we cannot be killing each other every day.”

Dela Cruz appealed to the ASG brigands to seize the opportunity to have a bright future like the young boy.

He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is open for the surrender of the other Abu Sayyaf members in this province.

Saliman said the provincial government and that of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are also open to help in the education of the surrenderees to keep them away from being victims of extremism and wrong beliefs. (PNA)