Swearing in of ARMM Officials

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita swears in the newly elected officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) led by Regional Governor Zaldy “Datu Puti” Ampatuan (2nd from left) and Vice Governor Ansaridin Adiong. The oathtaking ceremony was held Friday morning (Sept. 30) at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. Earlier, Ermita read the speech of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the people of the ARMM composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Basilan and the City of Marawi. He said the President is confident Ampatuan and Adiong are equal to the task in enhancing further the devolution of governance in the ARMM. (Leandro Serra-OPS-NIB Photo)

Sayyaf threatens to kidnap traders

Terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group

From today’s SunStar Zamboanga:

MAGUINDANAO — Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits have threatened to kidnap traders if they fail to pay illegal taxation in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the bandits were demanding as much as P1 million and those who refused to pay were threatened with harm.

Extortion letters purportedly from the Abu Sayyaf group and the notorious Pentagon kidnap gang have been sent to many traders in Maguindanao province, where troops are battling militants tied to al-Qaeda.

“It is dangerous now. Many groups are demanding money, some are telling us to pay one million pesos in exchange for our lives. They would kidnap us or bomb our place if we don’t pay.

“We will not give money to these people. The authorities can handle this problem and we will just take precautions, like hire additional security guards and limit unnecessary travels,” one trader said.

Update – Mindanao Republic bid gaining ground

A few weeks ago, we brought you a report about the move in Mindanao to free itself from Philippine rule. While the idea of an independent Mindanao has been floating around for years, recently the idea has been picking up support. There is now an organized effort to make this happen.

Today we have an update on the progress, with an article featured in SunStar Davao.

MOVES to establish a separate Mindanao Republic, bereft of political and economic woes the country is facing now, have been gaining ground as time goes by, said Pantaleon Alvarez, organizer of One People Mindanao (OPM), a movement lobbying for a separate Mindanao Republic.

In an interview, Alvarez said he had been doing the rounds in key areas in Mindanao the past months and he has yet to encounter one individual who does not
support his bid for a separate Mindanao Republic.

Alvarez said that on October 6, a consultation on Mindanao Republic will be sponsored by the parish church of Valencia in Bukidnon led by Fr. Dodge Tabios.

He said this only shows that Mindanaoans are open to his proposal and that they are seriously considering it.

Asked how soon does he think for his dream to be realized, Alvarez said they have a two-year timetable and that by 2007 they hope Mindanaoans will rally in unity for a plebiscite instead of an election in Mindanao.

Aside from Valencia, a consultation is also scheduled this October 1 in Zamboanga City. Alvarez had been to many cities and provinces in Mindanao urging the people to demand a separate Mindanao republic as soon as possible.

Alvarez said only a separate Mindanao Republic can help solve the problems the island is facing, adding that a Charter change would not solve our woes considering the present crisis the national government is facing right now.

Rebels with firearms yield in Davao

PANACAN, Davao City (30 September) — Seven (7) regular members of the communist terrorists operating in the hinterlands of Kasapa Uno, Loreta Agusan Del Sur surrendered with their fire arms to the authorities of 29TH Infantry Battalion under LTC AMADOR TABUGA and PNP maritime of Butuan City last Monday September 26, 2005.

CPT RODEL C TAYAG PAF officer In Charge of the 5th Civil Relations Group said that the rebels were identified as Lito Tawidi A.k.a Tandoc, Diego Gomez A.k.a Piloc, Oko Tawidi A.k.a oko, Jaben Benasal A.k.a Oto, Joel Salamag A.k.a Anton, Malvan Francisco A.k.a Brando and Naldo Oyda A.k.a Boy.

He said that the rebels also yielded their issued fire arms to the authorities and these are one (1) Cal. 5.56 M16 SN 054932, one (1) Garrand Rifle SN Defaced, three (3) US Carbine and two (2) Springfield.

Tayag said that the surrender was a joint effort of the 29TH IB and the PNP Maritime of Butuan City.

“It is a successful non-violent surrender, the authorities showed great effort to help our deceived brothers be brought back in the mainstream of our society, the fire arms they surrendered will be compensated under the government’s Balik-Baril Program, thereby giving them a chance to start their life anew under the true legitimate government ,” Tayag said. (5th CRG News)

People living along river banks number one polluters of Davao gulf

by PD Banzon

Davao City (30 September) — An initial study of the Davao Gulf area conducted by selected academic institutions in Davao City revealed that people living along the river banks are the number one polluters of Davao gulf.

Ray Yparraguirre, a professor of the University of Mindanao and committee member of the Davao Gulf Management Council said the study was conducted along coastal communities of Sta. Cruz, Panabo, Samal, and Davao City or (SANPASADA).

He said the study delved on the environmental impacts of coastal community’s intrusion to the mangrove ecology of Sanpasada.

“The study was conducted last year and we found out that people still practice as such despite massive advocacy on rehabilitation and protection,” he said.

He said it is worth to note that they already built their own comfort rooms, however other activities of disposing other solid and liquid waste are directly done towards the sea.

Among others, the study revealed some good points where mangrove protection is already high with residents knowing that the trees is for protection against tidal waves and spawning grounds and for aesthetics.

The bad news, he said, is on the soil profiling where results showed the presence of rapid silting.

Yparraguirre also noted that the local government units are already coordinating with the community in the conduct of mangrove rehabilitation as residents are already vigilant in running after those who indiscriminately cut mangroves.

According to DGMC the estimated areas of mangrove cover differ significantly among studies because of methods used. Some estimates were based on spot satellite maps that need further ground validation. Of the 2,663 hectares estimated from 1950 NAMRIA maps, 1,391 have been converted into fishponds and 845 for other purposes.

There area about 20 species of mangroves in the Gulf and 14 of which are classified as true mangrove. Of the 65 known species worldwide, 50 species belonging to 25 families could be found in the Philippines. (PIA)