Press Releases

Here I post press releases sent to me by various groups and individuals.
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December 7, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Solon: Proclamation 1959 has GMA hitting several birds with one stone
Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino today said that Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao has her “hitting several birds with one stone.”

“Arroyo is one clever tactician and sharpshooter. By declaring Martial Law in Maguindanao, Arroyo has just set-up a veritable white-wash to exonerate the Ampatuans. She also now seems to be testing the waters and gauging public reaction for martial law, and preparing for a ‘GMA forever’ scenario,” the young opposition solon said.

“Proclamation 1959 is designed to fail. The Ampatuans were charged with rebellion, a charge that would be difficult to prove against the Ampatuans who have never bitten the hand that has fed them for so many years,” he said.
The young solon also said the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao is also a ‘legal experiment’ by the President.

“Arroyo is tinkering with her constitutional powers to see if she could get away with it in case she declares martial rule nationwide. This is highly possible since still has so many tricks up her sleeve. Just when we think we’ve hit rock bottom, GMA proves us wrong and files her certificate of candidacy. A week after, she declares martial law. Arroyo could very well use and abuse the volatile and violent political situation as basis for declaring martial law nationwide before the elections. ”

Meanwhile, Palatino said holding a joint session to revoke Proclamation 1959 would be a “very meaningful Christmas gift to democracy-loving Filipinos.

“I may not have experienced the horrors of martial law first-hand, I may be young but my colleagues are old enough to remember how martial law stripped us of our democratic rights and civil liberties. We urge members of Congress to be a good example to our freedom-loving youth and exercise their power to revoke Proclamation 1959,” he said. ###

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Office of Rep. Raymond ‘Mong’ Palatino
Temporary Office at 3rd Floor, Main Building
House of Representatives, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

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National Democratic Front of the Philippines
National Executive Committee

Press Statement
7 December 2009

MRS. GLORIA ARROYO TREADS THE PATH OF DICTATOR MARCOS

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) vigorously condemns Mrs. Gloria Arroyo’s declaration of martial law in Maguindanao. It is reminiscent of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus a year before declaring Martial Law in 1972.

Prominent law professors have denounced her declaration as a contemptuous violation of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines which requires an invasion or rebellion for such declaration. Moreover, the Supreme Court has exposed as false her claim that the judicial system in Maguindanao is not functioning.

She relies on her loyal followers in the House of Representatives to outvote the opposition in the Senate. Both houses of Congress have to approve by simple majority her declaration.

This testing of the waters by Ms. Gloria Arroyo in preparation for possible declaration of martial law in other areas or all over the country is one scheme she has for clinging to power. It is ominous that Major Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, AFP vice-chief of staff for operations, has just recommended that the martial law proclamation be extended to the May 2010 elections.

Mrs. Arroyo has also filed her candidacy for a congressional seat in her home province of Pampanga. This would pave the way for her to be elected Prime Minister once a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) would be convened to amend the Constitution.

The US and other foreign powers are pushing for amending the Constitution to allow 100% ownership of land by foreigners and other amendments advantageous to their interests. Mrs. Arroyo can therefore bank on their support for her Con-Ass move. As Prime Minister she would enjoy immunity from prosecution for her many crimes against the people.

Another scheme of Mrs. Arroyo is No-El or failure of elections together with the declaration of a “Transition Government” under her leadership. Widespread violence, instigated by her warlord cronies, like the Ampatuans of Maguindanao, may be used as the excuse for “Failure of Elections”. The scheme of “Transition Government” under Mrs. Arroyo has been pushed and publicized by her National Security Adviser, Norberto Gonzales, who is concurrently Secretary of Defense.

Mrs. Arroyo has also prepared for the coming elections by making sure that her favorite general, Delfin Bangit, formerly Presidential Security Guard (PSG) chief and head of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will be the Chief of Staff of the AFP at the time of the elections in May 2010. Other favored generals are placed in strategically important positions.

Even the Maguindanao massacre may be considered suspect as a plot by Mrs. Arroyo and her crony warlord, Andal Ampatuan Sr., to lay the ground for the declaration of martial law. Up to now, Malacanang has not given any explanation why Andal Ampatuan, Sr., the governor of Maguindanao and his son, Zaldy, governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were in Malacanang just prior to and during the Massacre in Maguindanao, for allegedy “an emergency meeting”. It is widely known that Andal Ampatuan Sr. used.force and fraud in Maguindanao to provide Mrs. Arroyo a wide margin of more than 130,000 votes in the 2004 elections. In the entire ARMM, Arroyo won by a margin close to 300,000.

In the 2007 elections, Andal Ampatuan, Sr. ensured a 12-0 sweep for the Administration senatorial candidates. On the contrary, 19 opposition candidates, including the 12 in the “Genuine Opposition” did not get a single vote in 20 out of 22 municipalities in Maguindanao. Soon after her “victory” in the 2004 elections, Mrs. Arroyo threw a big party in Malacanang for Andal Ampatuan, Sr.

It is no wonder that officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been identified as among the leaders of the massacre. Units of the PNP and AFP have been part of the private army of the Ampatuan clan, and many of its weapons were provided by the AFP and PNP.

Mrs. Arroyo and her regime must be condemned and held accountable for the impunity she gives to Ampatuan and her other favored warlords to whom she is deeply indebted for giving her hundreds of thousands of fraudulent votes. She must also be held accountable for the massacre in Maguindanao and many other gross violations of human rights because of her schemes to prolong herself in power.
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Luis G. Jalandoni
Member, NDFP National Executive Committee
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Press Release
07 December 2009

NDFP panel chief says murder of the father of NPA leader violates International Humanitarian Law

National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) negotiating panel chairperson today condemns the murder of the father of a leading cadre of the New People’s Army (NPA) in southern Mindanao by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as a gross violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

“The brutal murder of 57-year old peasant Conrado Cañete because he was the father of Ka Jinggoy of the NPA’s 4th Pulang Bagani Command is a crime most despicable. It shows once more the utter lack of respect of the Macapagal-Arroyo regime for International Humanitarian Law in targeting non-combatant relatives of suspected NPA commanders for murder. In this regard, the GMA regime can be held liable for war crimes,” said Luis Jalandoni, Chairperson of the NDFP negotiating panel.

According to the spokesman of the 4th Pulang Bagani Command, accounts of eyewitnesses point to elements of the 7th Special Forces of the 25th Infantry Battalion as having a direct hand in the killing of Cañete. On 28 November these elements were seen joining the group of Cañete and other civilians in celebrating the fiesta in Brgy. Banlag, Monkayo, Compostela Valley. That night, Canete disappeared.

On 29 November, witnesses said a body was thrown out of a car in a roadside in Brgy. Ganaban, Monkayo, Compostela Valley. Several armed men jumped out of the car and riddled the body with bullets. The body turned out to be Cañete. It had 12 bullet wounds.

“Cañete and his family have been targets of surveillance by the military. His killing is part of Oplan Bantay Laya )OBL) and an attempt by the military to retaliate against suspected NPA leaders and members in the hope of forcing them to surrender. These have been employed in the cases of the daughter and brother of Leoncio Pitao and the brother of Tirso Alcantara,” Jalandoni said.

Pitao’s daughter, Rebelyn, was found dead on March 5 this year in Brgy. San Isidro, Carmen, Davao del Norte by suspected military elements. The 20-year old schoolteacher was abducted, tortured, raped and stabbed to death. Pitao’s brother, Danilo, was also believed to have been killed by military personnel in June 2008.

Meanwhile, Virgilio Alcantara, brother of Tirso Alcantara of the NPA’s Melito Glor command in Southern Tagalog was killed by military assets while on board a jeepney in May 2001.

“To date, these crimes remain unsolved. Oplan Bantay Laya utilizes the dirtiest and foulest of tactics in its desperate and futile attempt to render the revolutionary movement insignificant by the end of 2010 as decreed by Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” Jalandoni stated.

“With all the blood of innocent civilians in her hands, Mrs. Arroyo can be held accountable for war crimes under International Humanitarian Law,” he concluded.
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Below is a statement from the Chairperson of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS)

in Solidarity,
International Information Office
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

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END MONOPOLY CAPITALISM
TO ARREST CLIMATE CHANGE

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chairperson, International League of Peoples’ Struggle
7 December 2009

Human societies have created the bases of our survival, sustenance and advancement through the use of our natural resources in production with rudimentary tools and rising levels of science and technology. Yet in no time in history has environmental destruction been systematically brought about in most parts of the world.

The people of the world face today global poverty, economic wars and environmental crises. They are confronted by an escalating, more rapacious and vicious campaign of plunder by monopoly capitalism. This aggravates the already devastated and polluted natural environment.

The massive dumping of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere by the operations of monopoly capitalist firms in the energy industries, manufacturing, transportation, industrial agriculture, mining, construction, etc. is now generating climatic changes that are causing massive devastation and loss of human lives around the world.

The unprecedented rise in GHG emissions coincided with the onset of the capitalist system at the industrial revolution and its attendant intensive use of machines, fossil fuels for transportation and energy. The anarchic, wasteful and pollutive capitalist production for profit has put our world into the brink of destruction. Under a system where profit is the primary objective of social production, the environment and our ecosystems are reduced to being a source of raw materials and dumping grounds for wasters.

Plunder and pollution of the environment have made victims of poor communities many times over. These are the same communities that are also the most vulnerable to environmental backlashes, which come in the form of floods, droughts and other occurrences triggered or heightened by the prevailing imbalances in the ecosystem. Women and children shoulder the greater cost of these circumstances because of wider risks to their health, and added complications to their productive and reproductive functions.

The trend of rapid environmental changes both at the global and national level is expected to bring about even more massive devastation and loss of human lives in the future. It is clear from the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report, and subsequent studies, that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average sea levels.

The increase in global surface temperature has made the past decade and a half the warmest years since the 1850s. An increase of 0.75 degrees Celsius in the past century was observed over the world. Rates of sea level increase have leaped from an average of 1.8 mm annually (from 1961) to 3.1 mm/yr (from 1996). The rate of shrinking of ice cover in the Arctic was observed to be 2.7 % per decade, which more than double in summer to 7.4 %. Recently, the Northwest passage was clear throughout the Arctic circle. Increased incidence of intense tropical cyclones and sea level rise has been observed putting coastal areas at risk.

The climate has been altered by changes in greenhouse gases (GHGs), aerosols, land-cover and solar radiation input. It was clear in the Nobel Prize winning report of the IPCC that GHGs have increased due to human activities with an increase of 70% in the last 3 decades. CO2 emissions have increased 80% in the same period.

While global warming has already brought extreme impacts on livelihood and survival, especially on vulnerable communities, “free market” globalization policies have opened up the rest of the world to the unhampered entry, control and exploitation of raw natural resources and of people by monopoly capitalist banks and firms. Atrocious campaigns of wars of aggression have been waged especially by US monopoly capital to expand its economic territory and gain direct or tighter control of land and natural resources.

Systematic and unabated deforestation through rampant industrial logging has multiplied at ever increasing rates. The destruction of the world’s forests has also led to the conversion of agricultural plantations for export-oriented crops, farms for cattle raising or monoculture tree plantations. The relentless extraction of mineral ores and wanton destruction by mining multinational corporations (MNCs) in Asia Pacific, Latin America and African countries that are naturally endowed with rich mineral deposits persists while they leave massive environmental destruction and pollution, widespread landlessness and displacement, loss of livelihood, distortion of local culture, and rampant human rights violations to the peoples of these regions in their wake.

Asia, which holds more than half of the world’s population, has less than 36% of the world’s water resources and almost half of the population in developing countries are exposed to polluted water sources. The contamination of air, water and land brought about by products and production processes mainly from the industrial and manufacturing plants of MNCs continue. These large-scale factories remain the top contributors of significant pollutants such as toxic and hazardous wastes in the world.

More and more underdeveloped countries (including India and China) have also become major dumping grounds for the wastes of industrial countries. The dumping of toxic and hazardous wastes are mounting and alarming. Additionally, chemicals and obsolete technologies proven to be harmful to the environment and/or human health and that are already banned in the industrial countries are continually foisted on underdeveloped countries.

The occupation of Iraq by the US (and the ‘Coalition of the Willing’) has given the latter direct control over the vast oil resources of Iraq and has consolidated US domination over the world’s oil resources. After toppling the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the US has gained more political foothold in Central Asia and South Asia and further access to the oil and gas resources in these parts of the world. The US launched its “second front against terrorism” targeting the Philippines, Indonesia and Southeast Asia– a region known for its oil, natural gas and other natural resources. It has unceasingly undermined the government of Venezuela, which has the biggest oil resources in Latin America and is continuously expanding its influence in other Latin American countries (Colombia) and several African countries to tap potential oil and other mineral resources.

Foreign direct investments in energy all over the world are increasing and control over these resources are transferred from nations to a few energy companies. Even the technologies needed for the use of alternative energy in solar and wind are limited to industrialized countries. The drive for biofuels has raised concerns over its long term sustainability and actual contribution to climate change. Large tracts of forests have been lost in Brazil, Malaysia and Indonesia due to conversion of forests to oil-palm plantations and more biofuel plantations have been earmarked in other countries like the Philippines.

The recent wars of aggression of the US and its allies have not only increased the production, sale and use weapons of mass destruction but have also caused the massive destruction and contamination of human property, health and environment (i.e. use of depleted uranium, etc.) in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq and other war-ravaged countries. Forest clearings and land conversions necessitated by continued military exercises in different parts of the world led by the US pollute the environment and the destruction of natural habitats. Toxic wastes from current and previous US military bases continue to wreak ecological havoc in the surrounding areas. US military joint exercises bring with them not only direct US military aggression but the dangerous weapons and waste from these activities.

The United States is currently the number one producer of GHGs, emitting more than 28% of all the historical GHGs emitted since 1840 worldwide. About 84% of US GHG emissions arise from the petroleum related energy and electrical power sectors. The US is also the biggest processor and unregulated user of oil and petroleum products all over the world.

Yet the US government has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty signed by 169 countries which aims to reduce global levels of carbon dioxide and five other GHG emissions by 5.2% from their 1990 levels. It is also the US that remains adamant in refusing to commit to long-term and rapid reductions of emissions in the ongoing negotiations for new commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen.

Primary emitter countries such as the US and G8 countries have the principal responsibility to change their production activities and consumption of energy for genuinely sustainable solutions to the ecological crisis. At the same time, they must also bear the cost of reducing GHGs and building the capacity of vulnerable communities in poor countries to withstand climate change impacts which they have caused. Developing countries still require adequate energy and infrastructure for the basic needs and social development of their people, hence, should not be denied genuine sustainable development and must not be forced to carry the burden of meeting carbon emission reduction targets for the world while industrialized countries refuse to do so.

Instead of pursuing comprehensive mitigation of their emissions by engaging in changes in social production, industrialized countries use carbon offset mechanisms and emissions trading projects that offload the burden of carbon mitigation and reduction towards developing countries. These distort development activities in these countries while maintaining the unsustainable patterns of consumption and production activities of industrialized countries. Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) and carbon trading effectively marketize carbon emissions and essentially shuffles around responsibility to curb emissions.

International financial institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank (WB) and other regional banks are becoming more aggressive in pushing for “free market” and business-friendly false solutions to climate change related problems. Programs such as the Climate Investment Fund of the WB do not differ from their previous so-called development projects that have violated human rights, displaced communities, destroyed the environment and supported militarization in the past. These initiatives of the IFIs also give them leverage to influence the outcome of the UNFCCC negotiations in Copenhagen to provide new opportunities for profit-making by monopoly capitalist firms who want to take advantage of the climate crisis.

These include proposals such as massive geo-engineering solutions that do not address the root cause of the emissions and instead push untested and unproven but potentially profitable technologies without due consideration of their ecological and social consequences. On the other hand, personal and individual reduction of carbon emissions such as shifts to compact fluorescent light bulbs, switching to biodegradable products are mere token responses and short sighted if they are not framed within larger political and economic conditions which have vastly accelerated the rate of global warming. In any case, poor communities would not have the capacity to engage in these actions unless their immediate economic and social problems are first addressed.

Indeed, climate change already aggravates other environmental problems that poor communities have to face as a result of imperialist globalization’s ever increasing destruction of our ecology. It is no longer a question that human activity has produced dangerous climate interference but on how to avoid catastrophic effects that could affect more than half of the world’s population that are most vulnerable to climate change. Industrialized countries should commit to real targets and not shift the burden to underdeveloped countries. The capacity of local communities to respond to disasters should be strengthened. Community-based disaster response, monitoring and mitigation should be undertaken and livelihood should be provided for those who are vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Great advances have been made in information technology, robotics, genetics, agriculture, and medicine, yet are not being applied towards solving fundamental problems of humankind, such as the breakdown of health systems, famine and hunger, ecological destruction, and social decay and disintegration. Instead, unbridled monopoly capitalist globalization has opened up third world resources for the use of TNCs extracting raw materials while leaving their pollution and emissions to the host communities.

The rapid destruction of the environment is a direct result of the rapid, unchecked appropriation of the world’s resources for the benefit of a few. Increased pressure for the quest for wealth places increased pressure on the environment and environmental destruction. The poor, who are most vulnerable, are subjected to these environmental impacts while trying to provide subsistence level production for themselves. Existing environmental and social problems aggravated by global warming will not abate until the plunder of the world for monopoly capital’s greed for profits end.
In order to preserve the world’s intrinsic and practical value for human development, we need to fundamentally reorient production and consumption based on human needs rather than for the boundless accumulation of profit for a few. Society must take collective control of productive resources to meet the needs of sustainable social development and avoid overproduction, overconsumption and overexploitation of people and the environment which are inevitable under the prevailing monopoly capitalist system .
We have seen how communities throughout the world have remain resolute and determined to struggle for their rights and defend their natural resources because it is not only their present but also their future at stake. The oppressed peoples and nations are more determined than ever before to wage revolutionary struggles for national liberation and democracy and look forward to this socialist future. As the imperialist powers scrambling to preserve global capitalism, we, the people, must struggle harder and be more effective in waging militant anti-imperialist struggles for greater freedom, democracy, social justice, development, ecological sustainability, solidarity and peace.
To arrest climate change, we need to put an end to this systematic plunder of the environment for the superprofits of corporations in industrialized countries. To arrest climate change, we need to organize and defend our future against this parasitic and moribund system. To arrest climate change, we need to end monopoly capital’s dominance over our lives and build a socialist future.###

From John Bellamy Foster, Marx’s Ecology in Historical Perspective, Monthly Review.

MARX ON ECOLOGY

Marx’s concept of the metabolic rift is the core element of this ecological critique. The human labour process itself is defined in /Capital/ as ‘the universal condition for the metabolic interaction between man and nature, the everlasting nature-imposed condition of human existence’.^10 It follows that the rift in this metabolism means nothing less than the undermining of the ‘everlasting nature-imposed condition of human existence’. Further there is the question of the sustainability of the earth–ie the extent to which it is to be passed on to future generations in a condition equal or better than in the present. As Marx wrote:

/From the standpoint of a higher socio-economic formation, the
private property of particular individuals in the earth will
appear just as absurd as private property of one man in other men.
Even an entire society, a nation, or all simultaneously existing
societies taken together, are not owners of the earth. They are
simply its possessors, its beneficiaries, and have to bequeath it
in an improved state to succeeding generations as *boni patres
familias* /[good heads of the household].^11

The issue of sustainability, for Marx, went beyond what capitalist society, with its constant intensification and enlargement of the metabolic rift between human beings and the earth, could address. Capitalism, he observed, ‘creates the material conditions for a new and higher synthesis, a union of agriculture and industry on the basis of the forms that have developed during the period of their antagonistic isolation’. Yet in order to achieve this ‘higher synthesis’, he argued, it would be necessary for the associated producers in the new society to ‘govern the human metabolism with nature in a rational way’–a requirement that raised fundamental and continuing challenges for post-revolutionary society.^12

In analysing the metabolic rift Marx and Engels did not stop with the soil nutrient cycle, or the town-country relation. They addressed at various points in their work such issues as deforestation, desertification, climate change, the elimination of deer from the forests, the commodification of species, pollution, industrial wastes, toxic contamination, recycling, the exhaustion of coal mines, disease, overpopulation and the evolution (and co-evolution) of species.

After having the power and coherence of Marx’s analysis of the metabolic rift impressed on me in this way, I began to wonder how deeply embedded such ecological conceptions were in Marx’s thought as a whole. What was there in Marx’s background that could explain how he was able to incorporate natural-scientific observations into his analysis so effectively? How did this relate to the concept of the alienation of nature, which along with the alienation of labour was such a pronounced feature of his early work? Most of all, I began to wonder whether the secret to Marx’s ecology was to be found in his materialism. Could it be that this materialism was not adequately viewed simply in terms of a materialist conception of /human/ history, but also had to be seen in terms of /natural/ history and the dialectical relation between the two? Or to put it somewhat differently, was Marx’s materialist conception of history inseparable from what Engels had termed the ‘materialist conception of nature’?^13 Had Marx employed his dialectical method in the analysis of both?

I first became acutely aware of the singular depth of Marx’s ecological insights through a study of the Liebig-Marx connection. In 1862 the great German chemist Justus von Liebig published the seventh edition of his pioneering scientific work, /Organic Chemistry in its Application to Agriculture and Physiology/ (first published in 1840). The 1862 edition contained a new, lengthy and, to the British, scandalous introduction. Building upon arguments that he had been developing in the late 1850s, Liebig declared the intensive, or ‘high farming’, methods of British agriculture to be a ‘robbery system’, opposed to rational agriculture.^6 They necessitated the transportation over long distances of food and fibre from the country to the city–with no provision for the recirculation of social nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which ended up contributing to urban waste and pollution in the form of human and animal wastes. Whole countries were robbed in this way of the nutrients of their soil. For Liebig this was part of a larger British imperial policy of robbing the soil resources (including bones) of other countries. ‘Great Britain’, he declared:

/ …deprives all countries of the conditions of their fertility. It has raked up the battlefields of Leipsic, Waterloo and the Crimea; it has consumed the bones of many generations accumulated in the catacombs of Sicily; and now annually destroys the food for a future generation of three millions and a half of people. Like a vampire it hangs on the breast of Europe, and even the world, sucking its lifeblood without any real necessity or permanent gain for itself./^7

NUPL-ILOILO STATEMENT

ON MARTIAL LAW IN MAGUINDANAO!

ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES

DECEMBER 8, 2009

The victims and loved ones of the Maguindanao massacre demand justice, not Presidential Proclamation No. 1959 that placed the Province of Maguindanao under martial law.

For that, we, members of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) Iloilo Chapter condemn the martial law proclamation.

The Department of Justice announced it would charge the perpetrators, particularly the Ampatuans, rebellion charges for snuffing out the lives of 64 persons in Ampatuan, Maguindanao last November 23.

Rebellion is a bailable offense while multiple murder, the proper complaint to lob against the Ampatuans, is not.

The Arroyo administration’s step of slapping rebellion charges and not multiple murder against the Ampatuans, recalling its inaction in the first five days from the massacre, shows it is not determined to dismantle private armies in Maguindanao at all despite the martial law proclamation, nor run after the perpetrators but to commit more sinister acts like whitewashing the investigation and perpetrating Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her allies in power.

Pres. Arroyo is running for Congress in 2010 representing the second district of Pampanga.

Charging the Ampatuans rebellion charges reinforces the culture of impunity as the perpetrators of the mass murder have millions to burn to buy their provisional liberty.

Some 1,118 persons, mostly oppositionists and activists, have been assassinated for their political belief since Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came into power in 2001. In the same period, 204 activists have been forcibly “disappeared”. None of the perpetrators, suspected state agents, have been punished, which only bolsters the culture of impunity that capped with the gruesome Ampatuan massacre.

The fatalities in that mass murder included two lawyers, both members of the NUPL and 30 journalists, the biggest number of press people killed in a single incident in the entire world.

Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution limits the condition by which the President as commander-in-chief may place the country or parts thereof under a state of martial law in case of invasion and rebellion when public safety so requires.

None of the conditions enumerated in the Constitution obtains so as to justify Presidential Proclamation 1959.

The massacre calls for police action, that is, thorough investigation, filing of the proper complaints against the criminals, and punishing them for their heinous crimes. That does not call for martial law as the 130,000-strong Philippine National Police (PNP) is capable of suppressing the aforesaid private army.

Succeeding events, particularly, the unearthing of high powered firearms, machine guns, mortar tubes, automatic grenade launchers and more than 300,000 rounds of ammunitions belonging to the Ampatuans, show the complicity of the Arroyo administration with the warlord clan. The armaments were properties of the Republic of the Philippines.

The Ampatuans have become monsters and emboldened to commit the mass murder because they have been coddled, nourished and armed by the Arroyo administration. A separate investigation on that regard, especially the role of the 5th Infantry Division for the pilferage of government armaments should be initiated.

NUPL-Iloilo Chapter

Sgd. Atty. Joshua Alim

09189017733

National Secretariat
National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers(NUPL)
3F Erythrina Bldg., Maaralin corner Matatag Sts. Central District,Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.No.920-6660,Telefax No. 927- 2812
Email addresses:nupl2007@gmail.com and nuplphilippines@yahoo.com
“Visit the NUPL at http://www.nupl.net/

By calling yourselves the ‘people’s lawyer,’ you have made a remarkable choice. You decided not to remain in the sidelines. Where human rights are assaulted, you have chosen to sacrifice the comfort of the fence for the dangers of the battlefield. But only those who choose to fight on the battlefield live beyond irrelevance.” Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, in his message to the NUPL Founding Congress,Sept. 15, 2007

P N P News Release No. 09-1214
Authority : P/CHIEF SUPT LEONARDO A ESPINA PNP
Public Information Office, Camp Crame, Quezon City
Tel: +6327253179 Fax: +6327255115 pio@pnp.gov.ph
Date Tuesday, 08 December 2009

CONTINUED SEARCH OPERATIONS YIELD MORE HIDDEN WEAPONS IN MAGUINDANAO; 19 PERSONS HELD

Police and military search teams continue to comb Maguindanao for weapons believed stashed by rebel militia forces identified with the Ampatuan clan.

Field reports reaching PNP Chief, Director General Jesus A Verzosa in Camp Crame from, Senior Superintendent Bienvenido Latag, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Regional Office in ARMM disclosed the recovery on Monday an M60 light machinegun, a 12 gauge shotgun a lower receiver for M16 rifle and a spare barrel for M60 machinegun from a vacant lot in Barangay Bagong, Shariff Aguak town. Also recovered were 15 bandoliers, 6 rifle bags, a radio charger and an ammunition box containing 250 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition and 17 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun shells.

Verzosa emphasized that the series of search operations that has resulted in the recovery of a sizable number of firearms and light weapons from militia forces in Maguindanao is an encouraging development in efforts to establish an effective system of gun control in the country under the National Firearms Control Program (NFCP).

The Chief PNP pointed out that the NFCP initiative for disarmament is among PNP proposals as action agenda of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP ) that has initiated peace talks with armed organizations in different parts of the country, notably the communist New People’s Army (NPA), the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) .

ON Sunday evening, police and military elements from the JOInt SEcutroty Control Committee (JSCC) searched the residence of Sangguniang bayan member Datu Orato Muhammad Sanki in PUrok 5, Poblacion Ampatuan and recovered 8 silk screens for printing of PNP logo, and ammunition reloading components and equipment consisting of 166 cartridge cases for cal.45, 990 pieces of bullet heads, three boxes of Winchester primers, a plastic container of smokeless gunpowder, 16mpty cartridges for 9mm ammunition, and a set of reloading machine.

Also confiscated from Sanki were a video camera and a portable VCR.

On Monday afternoon, government security forces unearthed another hidden cache of weapons at the back of the Ampatuan Municipal Hall.Initial inventory of the stash include 14 M16 rifles, an M16 with M203 grenade launcher, and an M14 rifle.

Police arrested 19 persons at the site. Those arrested were taken to the 6th Infantry Division Headquarters in Awang, Maguindanao for investigation.
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PRESS STATEMENT
PRESS STATEMENT

Former Senator Ernesto F. Herrera, Secretary-General, TUCP

2/F Marbella II Bldg., 2071 Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila Contact: Tita Misolas@ Tel. 338-5034

December 8, 2009

Pinoy sailors send home record $2.5 billion in 9 months

The cash sent home by overseas Filipino sailors rose by $108 million or 4.51 percent to a new record of $2.501 billion in the nine months to September this year, from $2.393 billion over the same period in 2008, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) reported Tuesday.

TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera attributed the nonstop rise in remittances from sea-based migrant Filipino workers to increased enlistment by shipowners in Europe and Asia.

“A growing number of European and Asian shipping firms are disbanding their multinational crews, and replacing them wholesale with all-Filipino personnel that are younger and more able,” said Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development.

“Foreign employers find Filipino sailors quick learners, and easier to train compared to other nationals. This may be due to their superior instruction here, apart from their ability to understand English,” Herrera said.

Herrera, meanwhile, renewed TUCP’s plea for the International Maritime Organization and shipowners to aggressively repel piracy and protect sailors. At least 71 Filipino sailors are still being held by pirates off Somalia.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment, some 229,000 Filipino sailors are on board merchant shipping vessels around the world at any given time.

From January to September this year, remittances from Filipino sailors based in Norway soared by 110 percent to $229.551 million from $109.079 million over the same nine-month period in 2008.

Remittances from Filipino sailors based in Japan were also up 57 percent to $222.505 million from $141.886 million.

The other fast-growing sources of remittances from Filipino sailors were the United Kingdom, up 122 percent to $192.373; Germany, up 47 percent to $175.067 million; Singapore, up 60 percent to $107.945 million; Greece, up 67 percent to $93.446 million; Cyprus, up 23 percent to $46.390 million;

The Netherlands, up 114 percent to $41.281 million; Denmark, up 182 percent to $28.864 million; Oman, up 24 percent to $24.948 million; Hong Kong, up 33 percent to $24.870 million; and Sweden, up 126 percent to $24.223 million.

The double to triple-digit increases more than offset the 24 percent drop in remittances from Filipino sailors based in the U.S., to $1.216 billion from $1.595 billion.

The cash sent home by sailors accounted for 20 percent of the aggregate remittances from all migrant Filipino workers in the nine-month period.

Migrant Filipino workers wired home a total of $12.789 billion in the nine months to September this year, up $516.62 million or 4.21 percent from the $12.273 billion they remitted in the same period in 2008, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

30

Former Senator Ernesto F. Herrera, Secretary-General, TUCP

2/F Marbella II Bldg., 2071 Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila Contact: Tita Misolas@ Tel. 338-5034

November 29, 2009

Gov’t urged to save Mindanao following carnage

Mass killing could set back jobs creation, investments, warns TUCP

Unless quickly resolved, the Maguindanao bloodbath threatens to set back government efforts to entice investors that would create badly needed new jobs and improve lives in Mindanao, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) warned Sunday.

“By resolved we mean government must not only instantly bring the culprits to justice, but also immediately address all the issues that breed lawlessness in Mindanao, including the surge of private armies there,” said TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera.

“The government must act fast to redeem Mindanao,” Herrera said.

In some parts of Mindanao, it has become impossible for the people discern whether the armed men on checkpoints are police officers, soldiers, insurgents, private armies, plain brigands, “or all of the above,” Herrera lamented.

The adverse global publicity generated by the bloodshed could erode recent gains in projecting the country as a desirable investment site, according to Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development.

“It is not just Mindanao. The whole country is being affected in terms of potential foreign investors being alienated by the observation that we have become an unruly republic, where private armies freely roam and brazenly slaughter civilians and journalists,” Herrera added.

The Maguindanao massacre left 57 people dead, including 30 journalists.

It was the biggest recorded loss of journalists in a single incident. The Philippines has thus earned the new status as the world’s most dangerous place for journalists.

The perception that law enforcement is weak, slow and inadequate emboldened in a big way those responsible for the Maguindanao butchery, Herrera said.

“Strong law enforcement is the best deterrence. The certainty that offenders will be swiftly apprehended and punished once they commit a felony, whether mass murder or kidnapping for ransom, is the reliable way to discourage lawlessness,” he added.

30

Doubling of Pag-IBIG payments to cost workers extra P8.9 billion

The plan of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) to double the mandatory monthly contributions of its 7.4-million members from P100 to P200 would cost workers an extra P8.9 billion, Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago said Sunday.
“This is what Pag-IBIG hopes to collect additionally from its existing members – P8.9 billion every year, or P740 million monthly. This is a lot of money that will be taken out of the pockets of our workers, and which they could better spend for basic necessities,” Santiago said.
“This is why we are strongly opposed to the increase. It will definitely be an added tax on our workers, especially minimum wage earners. Small businesses too, particularly those with 10 workers or less, will be hurt because they’ll have to match the extra contributions of their employees,” Santiago said.
The 100-percent increase in payments would also cost the government another P1.7 billion in counterpart contributions as employer of 1.4 million civil servants, Santiago said.
Santiago said he would prefer that Pag-IBIG establish a special voluntary scheme on top of its mandatory program.
“Instead of compelling every member to contribute additionally, Pag-IBIG should just offer another scheme wherein those who can afford to pay more, and wish to avail of greater amounts of housing loans later on, may voluntarily participate,” he said.
Santiago made the statement not long after the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines headed by former Senator Ernesto Herrera rejected Pag-IBIG’s planned increase in mandatory payments.
Santiago expects Pag-IBIG’s plan to encounter tough resistance from other lawmakers, with Sen. Francis Escudero already publicly opposing it.
“In fact, Sen. Mar Roxas has a bill seeking to impose a two-year moratorium in the collection of existing Pag-IBIG contributions to give workers a reprieve from the rising cost of living,” Santiago pointed out.
Santiago said he favored Herrera’s proposal for Pag-IBIG to enlist new members in order to boost collections, instead of raising the mandatory payments of existing members.
“This is really the proper way to build up a fund – from the bottom up,” he said.
Herrera earlier lamented that in spite of mandatory Pag-IBIG membership, only one out of every four workers is actually covered by the fund. He said that while Pag-IBIG has 29.2 million potential member-workers — 27.8 million members of the Social Security System plus 1.4 million members of the Government Service Insurance System — the fund has managed to cover only 7.4 million of them.
At present, Pag-IBIG members contribute only two percent of their monthly earnings, with the salary ceiling at P5,000. Thus, most members contribute only P100 monthly, whether they are earning P5,000 or P50,000 every month.
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PRESS STATEMENT
Former Senator Ernesto F. Herrera, Secretary-General, TUCP
2/F Marbella II Bldg., 2071 Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila Contact: Tita Misolas@ Tel. 338-5034
September 21, 2009

Labor rejects hike in Pag-IBIG dues

With 75% of workers still not covered,
TUCP cites need for fund to enlarge membership to raise collections
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has cautioned the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) against raising its mandatory contribution rates, saying this would unduly burden its 7.4 million member-workers.
“Offhand, the contemplated increase in contribution rates is uncalled-for. It should be studied extensively. There should be adequate public consultations on the matter,” said TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera.
To build up its financial capability to meet the growing demand for housing loans, Herrera cited the need for Pag-IBIG, headed by Vice President Noli de Castro, to forcefully expand membership and cover more workers.
“This is definitely the superior alternative to ramming higher contribution rates,” Herrera said.
In a statement posted on the Pag-IBIG website on September 18, chief executive officer Jaime Fabiaña announced that the fund would increase contribution rates.
“Increasing our contribution rates will allow members to borrow bigger loan amounts and support the higher loan packages under Pag-IBIG’s housing finance program, while still ensuring the long-term stability of the fund,” Fabiaña said.
In spite of mandatory Pag-IBIG membership, only one out of every four workers is actually covered by the fund, lamented Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development.
The Social Security System (SSS) now has 27.8 million member-workers in the private sector, while the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has another 1.4 million member-employees in the public sector, according to Herrera.
“Thus, Pag-IBIG has 29.2 million potential member-workers. Yet, the fund has managed to effectively cover only 25 percent or 7.4 million of them,” Herrera said.
He said Pag-IBIG could easily increase contribution collections and augment its financial resources four times by simply covering all SSS and GSIS members.
“After all, Pag-IBIG was established to provide inexpensive shelter financing and an affordable savings program for our workers,” Herrera pointed out.
Pag-IBIG provides P160-million worth of loans every day that enable almost 300 members to borrow an average of P533,000 each to acquire new homes.
At present, Pag-IBIG members contribute only two percent of their monthly earnings, with the salary ceiling at P5,000. Thus, most members contribute only P100 monthly, whether they are earning P5,000 or P50,000 every month. -30-
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Sept. 8, 2009
PDEA @ 7: Capable and credible
Today, Senior Undersecretary DIONISIO R. SANTIAGO presents to the country’s drug czar, Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a new Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – a government instrumentality capable and credible in leading the nation’s fight against illegal drugs.
PDEA marks its 7th Anniversary by presenting the Agency’s report card of accomplishments to the President in grateful appreciation for all her support that enabled the Agency to build up its capability to execute its mandate with competence and efficiency amidst the challenges it confronted the previous year.
“We could not have stood our ground if not for the full support of the nation’s drug czar herself by bestowing her full trust and confidence on us. The President’s actions speak greatly of her patronage that ensured the support mechanisms to strengthen PDEA. And because of this, we were able to re-group and in the process we were able to develop our capability and enhance our competence as an agency,” the PDEA Director General said.
The PDEA Chief also acknowledged the unwavering commitment and conviction of the Senate and the Congress for sponsoring legislations that will support PDEA’s effort to attain the objective of a drug-free Philippines.
Senior Undersecretary Santiago compared PDEA to a sturdy tree that “stood-strong” amidst raging storms. He said year 2008 challenged the capability and competence of PDEA as the premiere agency in the fight against illegal drugs.
“The difficulties we have encountered along the way have shaken us but had not uprooted us. In fact, those experiences improved us and made us more stalwart…enabling us to “stand-strong” as an agency in the face of adversities,” he said.
Today’s PDEA 7th Anniversary Celebration began with the ribbon cutting, unveiling of marker and blessing of the newly constructed PDEA Multi-Purpose Gymnasium and Covered Court, the venue for the celebration. Congressman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Representative of the 3rd District of Cavite was the Guest of Honor and Speaker.
Another highlight of the celebration was the presentation of awards to exemplary PDEA Officials and personnel who excelled in their respective assignments and the awarding of plaques of recognition to counterparts from government, non-government organizations and the international community who were staunch supporters of the Agency in fulfilling its mandate as the country’s lead anti-drug organization.
As an added attraction, the PDEA, through a Resolution approved by the Multi-Sectoral Operation: Private Eye Rewards Committee; presented Php 6.74 Million worth of monetary rewards to nine (9) informants who provided vital information that led to successful anti-drug operations in various parts of the country from October 2008 to June 2009.
From its creation in July 31, 2002, through the enactment of Republic Act 9165, PDEA has undertaken extensive agency re-organization – from “borrowing” manpower, PDEA started employing competent and efficient individuals, at the same time, weeding out “misfits” to compose a new core: the lean and mean PDEA.
Under the leadership of Senior Undersecretary Santiago internal processes and external support systems were developed and several structural improvements were put in place to facilitate better delivery of services.
Anti-drug operational procedures were also intensified under the supervision of PDEA as the lead agency. From July 31, 2008 to July 30, 2009, intelligence-driven operations initiated by PDEA supported by anti-drug efforts of other law enforcement agencies greatly affected the illegal drug trade in the country. 14 clandestine laboratories and warehouses were discovered and dismantled; 61 drug groups were neutralized (2 international and 59 local groups); 9,107 drug personalities were arrested; illegal drugs, controlled precursors together with laboratory equipment worth Php 2.93 Billion were confiscated.
“More than the apprehension and value of seized evidences, we are pleased that our rate of conviction has favorably increased. From July 31, 2008 to July 30, 2009, a significant increase of 46% was posted in our conviction rate compared to the figures of previous year during the same period,” the Director General revealed.
=====================
Sept. 6, 2009
P1.1 billion set to hook up public schools to Internet

A total of P1.1 billion has been allotted to provide Internet connectivity to a total of 9,048 public elementary and high schools countrywide, Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago, chairman of the House committee on information and communications technology, said Sunday.

Santiago said the fresh funding, contained in the proposed P1.541-trillion national budget for next year, would also cover the acquisition of additional computer sets for 577 public high schools.

“Technology and the Internet are definitely taking on bigger roles in basic education – in providing essential instructional support. Our public schools cannot afford to be left farther behind,” Santiago said.

“It has become absolutely imperative for us to provide students and teachers alike greater access to the wealth of knowledge and information on the Internet,” he added.

As of April this year, with the support of private and non-government partners, Santiago said the Department of Education had managed to install computer laboratories in 4,019 public high schools.

More than half of these schools are now hooked up to the Internet, according to Santiago, former chief of the National Telecommunications Commission.

“We are now living in a world where Internet access is increasingly becoming a necessity, not a luxury. We have to ensure that every public high school graduate has ample computer literacy,” Santiago said.

Without counting the new P1.1-billion allocation for 2010, Santiago said the government intends to provide a total of 6,650 public high schools nationwide with computers and Internet connectivity by the end of this year.

Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (GILAS) has been the largest private contributor to the push to improve the public school system’s access to computers and the World Wide Web.

Led by the Ayala Foundation Inc., GILAS is a program driven mainly by corporations and non-profit institutions “that realize the need to invest in bridging the digital divide among the nation’s public high school students.”

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Sept. 6, 2009
RP’s A(H1N1) death toll rises to 28
By Ernesto Herrera
Influenza A(H1N1) has claimed the lives of 20 other Filipinos inside a month, bringing to 28 the country’s death toll from the virus, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) revealed Sunday, citing a report from the Stockholm, Sweden-based European Center for Disease Control (ECDC).

TUCP secretary-general and former Senator Ernesto Herrera said the ECDC’s Daily Update on Pandemic A(H1N1) on September 3 indicated that “20 new fatal cases have been reported in the Philippines since the country last accounted for only eight deaths on July 29.”

The ECDC’s figures on its daily updates are “based on official information provided by national public health websites, or through other official communication channels,” according to Herrera.

Herrera expressed concern that the actual number of A(H1N1) fatalities in the country could possibly be higher than those reported. He noted that neighboring Thailand and Malaysia, which both have superior surveillance of the disease, have already reported dozens of deaths.

The ECDC’s latest daily update listed a total of 262 confirmed A(H1N1) deaths in Southeast Asia, broken down as follows: Thailand, 130; Malaysia, 73; the Philippines, 28; Singapore, 17; Indonesia, 10; Vietnam, two; and Brunei and Laos, one each.

Worldwide, the ECDC said A(H1N1) has already claimed a total of 3,315 lives.

Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development, has been urging corporations to adopt “workplace continuity plans” to assure workers “the least possible interruption to their jobs and income” as the virus spreads more aggressively.

Herrera also earlier urged the Department of Health (DOH) to return to its weekly disclosure of confirmed A(H1N1) cases “to keep the public in an elevated state of readiness” in dealing with the potentially faster spread of the virus. He then cited the need to put “everyone in a constant high state of alertness, particularly in avoidance.”

The DOH recently ceased testing and reporting individual cases of A(H1N1), after the World Health Organization (WHO) stopped compelling countries to do so.

On Sunday, Herrera urged the DOH to consider routinely divulging to the public “at least the number of A(H1N1) cases admitted to hospitals and intensive care units, just like what health authorities are doing in other countries.”

Malacañang on Friday ordered the DOH to establish extra laboratories in public hospitals “to effectively manage” A(H1N1) cases. It also instructed the DOH to heighten monitoring of A(H1N1) and improve coordination with the WHO for real time exchange of information on the virus.

The WHO has warned governments around the world of an imminent surge in A(H1N1) cases. It said countries could see cases double every three to four days for several months, and “it is certain there will be more deaths.”

In its last update on September 4, the WHO listed “over 254,206 confirmed cases” of A(H1N1) and “at least 2,837 deaths” worldwide as of August 30. “However, given that countries are no longer required to test and report individual cases, the number of cases reported actually understates the real number of cases,” it added.

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=======================
Sept. 3
GSIS reminds pensioners to renew active status
to avoid suspension of pension

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is reminding its old-age and survivorship pensioners, whose birthday falls within September, to renew their active status this month to avoid suspension of their monthly pension.
The state pension fund is requiring its pensioners to renew their active status as GSIS pensioners every year, anytime during their birth month, to ensure the continuous receipt of their monthly pension. Should they fail to do so, their monthly pension will be suspended and their pension will resume only after they have complied.
For old-age pensioners, if at the time of declaration by the GSIS of any pension increase and cash gift they are under suspended status, they will not be entitled to the said privileges.
To renew their active status, pensioners must go to the nearest GSIS servicing office or the nearest government establishment installed with a GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosk or G-W@PS kiosk on their birth month.
Then, they must place their eCard Plus on the card reader of the kiosk. Afterwards, they must choose the “Annual Reporting” icon using the kiosk’s touch screen and then select any pre-registered finger. Finally, they must lightly scan their finger using the fingerprint scanner of the kiosk to complete the process.
=============
Press Statement
29 August 2009

RESUMPTION OF FORMAL TALKS IS STILL POSSIBLE IF GRP RESPECTS AND COMPLIES
WITH JASIG

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant
NDFP Negotiating Panel

It is still possible to resume the formal talks in the GRP-NDFP peace
negotiations if the GRP respects and complies with the Joint Agreement on
Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). As soon as possible, the GRP and
NDFP negotiating panels, with their respective lawyers, should meet in Oslo
in order to put in writing the most expeditious methods of removing the
impediments on NDFP consultants.

This meeting has been proposed by the NDFP negotiating panel through the
Norwegian government because the GRP has not fulfilled the following
commitments it made last June 15.

1. To respect and comply with the JASIG and remove within the month of July
the impediments imposed by the GRP on the NDFP consultants so that these
consultants can participate in preparations for the Oslo meetings that were
slated to start on August 28;

2. To let the lawyers of the GRP discuss and agree with the lawyers of the
NDFP on the most expeditious methods of removing the impediments on the
basis of precedents in the time of GRP President Ramos;

3. To use the expeditious release of Dan Borjal in 1997 to serve as the
model for releasing detained NDFP consultants;

4. To withdraw all trumped up charges used by GRP to detain NDFP
consultants and issue warrants of arrest against NDFP panelists, consultants
and other JASIG-protected persons; and

5. To release immediately those detainees whose release was ordered as
goodwill measures by Gloria M. Arroyo in 2001 and 2004

The GRP has not respected and complied with the JASIG. Instead, the
militarist clique of Executive Eduardo Ermita and OPAPP Secretary Avelino
Razon have exerted their best efforts to undermine and negate the JASIG, to
reinterpret it onesidedly and convert it into a tool of Oplan Bantay Laya,
to generate further impediments and in brief to sabotage the peace process
as a way of addressing the roots of the armed conflict and laying the basis
for a just and lasting peace

The militarists defied the courts that ordered the release of Elizabeth
Principe and for two weeks they tried to prevent her release. She was
eventually released because of the clamor for her release by human rights
organizations and many people. Then, the militarists claimed that they were
responsible for her release.

They caused the issuance of a temporary release order of six months in a
malicious maneuver to make Randall Echanis a hostaged consultant.
They have issued sham safe conduct passes whose text incriminates Rafael
Baylosis and Vicente Ladlad and serves as judgment of conviction and death
warrants against them.

The GRP has not only deliberately made a zero compliance with the June
15 agreement but has further violated the JASIG and generated new
impediments. So far the GRP has not shown any serious interest in resuming
the formal talks. The Arroyo regime is preoccupied by serving the interests
of foreign and domestic plunderers, wallowing in bureaucratic corruption and
unleashing the most vicious forms of reactionary violence against the people
and the revolutionary forces.###

================================
Aug. 22, 2009
canadian-CHINESE drug DEALER DIES AFTER shoot-out

A Canadian national was wounded and eventually expired after engaging operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in a shoot-out, on August 21, 2009 at around 3:00 AM along Giraffe Street, Green Meadows, Barangay Ugong Norte in Quezon City.
PDEA Director General/Senior Undersecretary DIONISIO R. SANTIAGO identified the suspect as ANTONIO KCOMT y LUCIO, 37 years old, a Canadian citizen of Chinese descent and reported to be a member of the “Hell’s Angels Gang” of Canada. Kcomt is the main source of cocaine and ecstasy, particularly those in capsule form.
The PDEA Chief said that the Agency has been conducting casing and surveillance on Kcomt for several months now. Based on reliable information, Kcomt will originate from Makati City and was going to deliver dangerous drugs to a place in Quezon City on board a gray BMW Convertible with no plate number. Prior to the shoot-out, police who were manning a checkpoint have likewise noticed the suspect cruising back and forth in the area.
Two (2) teams of agents from the PDEA Metro Manila Regional Office (MMRO), one riding a blue Toyota Revo and the other on board a gray Toyota Altis led by Regional Director Carlos F. Gadapan tailed the subject after turning left along Giraffe Street.
The team on board the blue Toyota Revo overtook the subject’s vehicle and signaled Kcomt to pull over. However, instead of heeding the request, the suspect opened fire towards the operatives and hit the service vehicle. An exchange of gunfire ensued, which resulted in the wounding of Kcomt, who was rushed to the Medical City for immediate medical attention, but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Recovered from the crime scene were the following: one (1) plastic Ziploc bag containing more or less one hundred (100) capsules of ecstasy; one (1) Heckler and Koch (HK) USP 9mm Pistol with magazine containing 9 rounds live ammunition; two (2) pieces of expired Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) for HK USP 9mm Pistol; one (1) expired Firearm License Card for HK USP 9mm Pistol; one (1) wallet type ‘NBI Consultant’ ID with badge; one (1) expired service contract from NBI; one (1) Cathay Pacific Visa Credit Card; black pouch containing one (1) BPI Dollar Savings Account passbook; several Identification cards and assorted receipts; several call cards and one (1) unit BMW model 645Ci convertible with no plate number.
According to Director General Santiago, “The suspect has been in the country for at least two (2) years and is certified to be unemployed. How then is he able to afford a high-end lifestyle?’ Meanwhile, counterparts from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that Kcomt is facing cases for fraud and theft in Canada.
“We are steadily reaching the higher echelon of organized drug groups with the support of both domestic and foreign law enforcement counterparts and the different sectors of society. This is a welcome development for the anti-drug campaign and our bid to attain the vision of a drug-free Philippines’, the PDEA Chief concluded.
===========================
Aug. 13, 2009

More than 30 ASG killed in Basilan

Another ruthless carnage has taken place in the southern region of the country where 23 government troopers were reported to have been killed and 22 were said to have been wounded in two separate armed engagements with armed men believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) led by Furiji Indama in Silangkum, Tipo-tipo, Basilan.

Around 3:45 am, government troops encountered more or less 50 armed men to whom they fought for almost two hours. Immediately after, at around 5:30 am, a bigger group was engaged by AFP troopers into a fierce firefight that lasted for seven hours. Three of the troopers killed in the encounters were two very young officers and an enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army (PA)—namely 1Lt. Chester C. Barela, 1Lt. Dhel Jhun C. Evangelista, and Cpl. Renato S. Dindin. Meanwhile, ten of the 22 soldiers wounded in said encounters were from PA—namely SSg. Ramon L. Sabellina, SSg. Garry P. Tolentino, Sgt. Rey M. Rasquero, Sgt. Melchor L. Luna-an, Cpl. Renato L. Plazos, Cpl. Emiliio G. Sotelo Jr., Pfc. Randy D. Libo-on, Pfc. Ramil L. Albarado, Pfc. Ramil B. Espinosa, and Pfc. Ramil D. Llano.

The casualties were immediately airlifted and those wounded were rushed to Zamboanga Medical Hospital for medical treatment. As of press time, government troopers are conducting follow-up operations on the area where 21 bodies were recovered out of the estimated 30 to 40 ASG members who were killed in the encounters. The Philippine Army condoles with the families and loved ones of the 23 government troopers who offered their lives in line of duty for the country.

The Philippine Army will stay more focused in its operations against threats to national stability and development. With this large number of fatalities and casualties, the Army is even more determined to put a stop to the senseless violence the local terrorist groups and bandits have been continuously undertaking.#

====================================
Aug. 13, 2009

*In commemoration of the International Youth Day

Remember Lean, Be a Lean

�The place of honor is the line of fire,� Lean Alejandro said. We honor him now for dying on the=line of fire.

Remembered by his comrades as the �thinker-activist�, Lean, only 27, was shot on the head=while on his car on 19 September 1987, months after he lost his congressional bid=in Malabon to Tessie Aquino-Oreta. Lean was at the forefront of the Youth for Nationalism and Democracy, chairperperson of the UP Student Council then se=retary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).

In the prime of his youth Lean led movements for the ouster of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. A tall and lanky leader, he was a breath of fresh air from the common image o= a mass leader. Speaking in a high-pitched voice, he explained in mass demonstrations the common cause of Filipinos from all walks of life against=the Marcos dictatorship.

His colleagues would often remember that he taught how that one could be an activist and an intellectual at the same time. Despite his shrill voice and his frail appearance, his charisma and evident intelligence, passion, and sincerity m=de him an ideal leader�an image of hope when placed beside that of an abusiv= dictator.

Lean, with fellow nationalists, then Senators Pepe Diokno and Lorenzo Ta�ada built a politi=al alliance against the Marcos regime,� and called for a boycott of the 1986 presidential elections. This further shape= Lean as a staunch nationalist leader.

Still, even after the Marcos dictatorship he continued to advocate social change and maintained a high political profile, such that many were worried that he would be consid=red a threat by the rightwing. To this date, many of his comrades associate his death with those from the right.

Today, as we celebrate the August 12 International Youth Day, we remember Lean, who died holding a torch that many from his generation followed�a torch lit by a flame of nationalist fervor, idealism, hope, and courage.

The danger in remembering is that sometimes we forget that we are only remembering. We ge= lost in the flashback and everything turns into sepia. We forget that there=is a present that beckons, a challenge that waits.

Today, we remember�but at the same time, we recognize the present as an opportunity for us to crea=e a past that is worth looking back at in the future.

�He was an ordinary person, too. The only difference was that he faced so many great challenges=96and he rose to the occasion,� Lean�s activist wife, Lidy Nacpil said.

Today, we remember the hardships that Lean had to live through�the hardships that made him a lea=er, a hero. Today, as the same sufferings threaten the Filipino democracy, we cal= on the youth, the hope of the nation to rise to the occasion, as Lean did.

Today, as we celebrate the hope of the nation, the hope of the world, we ask ourselves: what is to=be hoped for? And to answer that question, we urge ourselves to open our eyes =o see the ills of the society�hunger, poverty, inequality, oppression�and=a government that fails to address them.

Lean chose to take the frontline, knowing that he must. He was fighting for his future, and for th= future of those who will live after him. He did not want to leave the fight=to the hands of others.

Today, we call on the Filipino youth to do the same. Let us realize that we are not simply called=the �future of the nation,� we are called the �hope of the nation.� The=efore, we are not simply expected to live to see the future�because we most probabl= will. Rather, we are expected to see to it that the future we will live to =ee is better.

We are not called the hope of the nation simply because we are young but rather because we are idealistic and passionate�also because we are determined, hard-headed, an= therefore unstoppable.

We call on the youth to take the lead in building a sovereign nation that values democracy and p=ts the welfare and interests of the Filipino people first.

Let no one stop us from standing on the line of fire, the place of honor, as Lean did.

12 August 2009

Kabataan Kontra Kahirapan

******************************************

===================
Office of Rep. Joseph A. Santiago (Lone District, Catanduanes)
Room 519, South Wing, House of Representatives
Batasang Pambansa Complex, Q.C. Contact: Atty. Lyle Surtida @ Tel: 931-6055

August 12, 2009
Solon bats for rigorous DTI supervision of LPG industry

Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago, one of the leading consumer advocates in Congress, wants the highly lucrative liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry rigorously supervised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), not by the Department of Energy (DOE).

“The DTI should be fully empowered to accredit LPG importers and suppliers, ascertain the fairness of retail prices, establish and impose safety and filling standards, and to penalize unscrupulous traders,” Santiago said.

He said the DTI is in the best position to ensure unfettered competition as well as consumer protection against unfair trade practices, including price manipulation.

“This is all about strong enforcement. And there is no question that over the years the DTI has demonstrated superior capability with respect to enforcement,” Santiago stressed.

“In fact, regardless who is Secretary of Trade and Industry, the DTI as an institution, to its credit, has always commanded far greater respect and thus stronger compliance, particularly when compared to the DOE,” Santiago pointed out.

Owing to its exceptional reputation, Congress is prepared to help further build up the DTI’s enforcement capabilities with extra staff and funding, if necessary, to thoroughly superintend the LPG industry, according to Santiago.

The Consumer and Oil Price Watch (COPW) led by industrialist Raul Concepcion has been pushing for DTI oversight of the LPG trade.

Due to highly volatile oil prices, the cooking gas trade has come under attack from profiteers and hoarders as well as illicit and substandard refillers.

According to the COPW, of the estimated 12 million LPG cylinders in circulation today, six million are “in good condition,” three million are “unfit for use and must be condemned as scrap,” and another three million “are due for repair and testing” by the Bureau of Product Standards.

At present, the LPG industry is dominated by six players — Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Liquigaz Philippines Corp., Total (Philippines) Corp., Petronas Philippines Inc. and Pryce Gases Inc.

===========================

July 24, 2009
Stakeholders to be consulted RE: MANDATORY DRUG TESTING FOR OFWS

The industry on overseas employment will be consulted before any move to approve the proposal of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to include mandatory drug test as a requirement for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
PDEA Director General Senior Undersecretary DIONISIO R SANTIAGO made this statement to dispel any concern on the part of the country’s recruitment industry brought about by the proposal that would compel OFWs to undergo drug testing in addition to other existing requirements.
This was made in support of the announcement from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) that consultations will be facilitated in response to the negative reaction of the stakeholders concerning the said proposal.
“We are in agreement with the POEA that such requirement should be approved first by all sectors concerned to avoid future complaints from OFWs as it will entail additional expenses to them, hence the consultations,” Senior Undersecretary SANTIAGO explained.
The mandatory drug test forms part of the proposed drug awareness program for OFWs, including a module on anti-drug awareness and modus operandi of drug traffickers to be included in the pre-departure and pre-employment orientation seminars in an effort to address the growing problem on Filipino drug mules.
“The increasing number of Filipinos arrested and detained abroad for involvement in transporting illegal drugs greatly alarmed us and prompted us to enter into a partnership with the POEA,” the PDEA Chief said referring to the recently signed Memorandum of Agreement between the two agencies.
The MOA between PDEA and POEA, signed on June 10, 2009, is expected to increase the awareness of Filipinos who are travelling abroad against the wiles of illegal drug syndicates. It also aims to empower OFWs from being exploited into becoming “drug mules”.
###
24 July 2009
PUNO: MASSIVE DRIVE VS LOOSE FIREARMS TO FOLLOW GUN AMNESTY

DAVAO CITY—Secretary Ronnie Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said a massive crackdown against loose firearms will follow a one-month gun amnesty program that would be implemented by the government starting October this year as part of the intensified efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to maintain peace and order.
Puno warned gun owners of loose firearms who fail to avail themselves of the new program that they could go to jail after the amnesty period is over.
Puno, along with PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa and heads of other law enforcement agencies signed last July 23 the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Executive Order 817, which directs law enforcement agencies to carry out a National Firearms Control Program.
“The upcoming gun amnesty program will be the last chance for gun owners to register their loose firearms or those with expired licenses as this would be the last amnesty program to be implemented by the government under the Arroyo administration,” said Puno during a press conference here.
He called on local chief executives to help the DILG carry out an information campaign on the gun amnesty program, which will last from Oct 1-31 of this year.
“We have already implemented about three or four similar programs in the past and many have not taken them seriously, thinking that there would be another amnesty program. When the amnesty is over, we will carry out a massive anti-loose firearms drive,” Puno said. “A word of warning to those who own unlicensed firearms: we won’t be implementing another gun amnesty program after this one.”
He assured gun owners that the PNP will accept the registrations of their unlicensed firearms and those with expired licenses during the amnesty period with “no questions asked.”
The PNP, Puno said, is implementing the gun amnesty program months ahead of the campaign period for the 2010 elections so that such an effort will not be misconstrued in any way as a political move on the part of the government.
The DILG chief said the government expects to bring down the level of loose firearms in the country by 50% with the implementation of the amnesty program.
“We really need to clean up this matter of loose firearms because our problems on peace and order usually have to do with unlicensed guns,” Puno said.
Puno said the PNP, which has already collated a list of previously registered firearms with unrenewed licenses, will carry out a house-to-house campaign after Oct. 31 against gun owners who fail to register their firearms during the amnesty period.
EO 817 issued by President Arroyo orders the implementation of a National Firearms Control Program.
The directive, which provides for a general amnesty for the registration of loose firearms, tasks the PNP to conduct active police operations against unregistered firearms through random weapons checks in crime-prone areas; mobile checkpoint and chokepoint operations; intelligence build-up; internal security operations; application of search warrants; and dismantling of private armed groups.
The government expects to reduce by at least 3% per month the estimated 1.1 million loose firearms currently in the hands of threat groups, criminal elements and unauthorized individuals.
The PNP is targeting to account for some 33,000 loose firearms within the first month of implementation of EO 817. ###
===========================
July 24, 2009
PNP NEEDS 7,000 MORE COPS

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is recruiting 7,000 more police personnel this year.
PNP Chief, Director General Jesus A Verzosa said that the recruitment quota for this year aims to augment the required number of 3,000 new PO1s for 2009 and replace the more than 4,000 uniformed personnel who were attrited for reasons of retirement, death, dismissal and resignation.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has instructed the PNP to increase the annual recruitment quota to 10,000 starting next fiscal year.
“We are opening the recruitment for the second semester of 2009 and we are encouraging all interested and qualified individuals to submit their applications to the nearest police station so that their records can be immediately verified,” Verzosa added.
According to PNP Spokesman, Senior Superintendent Leonardo A Espina, the recruitment new police officers is a continuing process and interested parties may submit applications any time to any police station nationwide.
“We are enhancing the recruitment process so that a pool of applicants will be ready just in case a quota is announced. With this process, we can easily reach our target and fill the recruitment slots,” Espina explained.
Espina also clarified misconceptions that only Criminology graduates are qualified to apply.
“Aside from Criminology graduates, the PNP also accepts individuals who are graduates of other courses as long as they have completed the necessary requirements and have the appropriate eligibility,” Espina added. ###
========================
July 10, 2009
Army denounces NPA’s extortion activities

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, in close coordination with other government authorities, continuously thwarts the New People’s Army’s extortion activities, as another extortion incident perpetrated by the communist rebels took place in Igbaras, Iloilo on July 9.

Reports reaching Headquarters Philippine Army passed on by field units stated that at around 11 a.m. when two unidentified communist terrorists (CTs) flagged down the delivery van of the Mega Via Corp and drove it towards the boundary of Brgy. Buga and Alameda both of Igbaras where an estimated 25 armed communist terrorists were waiting. As per eye witnesses’ account, the CTs burned the van, and, still not satisfied with the damage they planted a homemade explosive at said van which caused it to explode.

The suspects carted away six boxes of assorted brands of cigarettes. Estimated damage and losses is yet to be determined.

The Philippine Army denounces the NPA’s continuing extortion activities, as it urge the people and the business sector to condemn, not condone such activities. These extortion activities undoubtedly impede the socio-economic development of the country.

Meanwhile, five NPA members surrendered to the government troops in two separate incidents in Bukidnon and Capiz on July 8. A certain Brendo Cabanas Escat, a member of Squad 2, Guerilla Front 89, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee voluntarily surrendered to the joint elements of the 43rd Military Intelligence Company, 4th Military Intelligence Battalion and the intelligence unit of the 8th Infantry Battalion in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon. In Capiz, four communist personalities yielded to the elements of the 31st Military Intelligence Company. The surrenderees were identified as Alex Gicalao y Parle, Vice Chairman of Anak Pawis – Capiz; Rowena Vidal y Geronimo, Tirso Islander y Mariano and Canenyo Diaz, former members of Squad Caloy, Central Front Committee, Panay Regional Party Committee.

This development can be attributed to the government’s peace and reconciliation initiatives coupled with the sincerity and commitment of the AFP in bringing genuine peace and stability in the country. #
================

July 10, 2009
Army Chief reveals PA’s non-traditional measures to attain peace and development in the country

Yesterday, July 10, 2009, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Delfin N. Bangit spoke to 19 diplomats from different countries in a Diplomatic Kapihan dubbed “Philippine Army in Support to Peace and Development” held at the Heritage Hotel, Roxas Boulevard .

During the discussion, the Army Chief tackled the progress of the Philippine Army activities in its unceasing efforts to bring lasting peace and satability to the Philippines . He mentioned the significant decrease in communist terrorist movement strength around the country and the crucial part the Philippine Army plays in achieving and continuing this success.

Most importantly, he stressed the idea that “our soldiers are more than freedom fighters; they are also peace advocates.” Following these, he said that everything the Philippine Army is doing is for all the people, including the insurgents themselves. According to the Army chief, the security of the Philippines does not “rely on military solutions alone.” Needless to say, the Philippine Army aims at eradicating insurgencies in the country with the least possible casualties. That is why the Army has come up with new ways and measures in winning this struggle by winning the people’s hearts through projects and activities of peace and development.

He mentioned the seven peaceful and development initiatives of the Philippine Army in wiping out the atmosphere of instability in the country. Said programs are Youth Leadership Summit, The Kalayaan sa Barangay Program, Ugnayan, Civic Action Activities, Brigada Eskwela, Environment Protection Campaign, and Disaster Relief and Rescue Operations.

The Diplomatic Kapihan provided a venue for the Philippine Army to share to the other nations its non-traditional approach and continuously changing measures to deliver peace and stability in the Philippines in all aspects.

With victory almost within reach, the Army, as a major player in this struggle in attaining peace in the country, remains to be an advocate of human rights, as shown by its innovative and peaceful ways of “winning” this fight for peace.

======================
Friday, July 10, 2009
VERZOSA REVOKES LICENSE AND PERMIT OF GUN-TOTING COLLEGE PROF
PNP
Chief, Director General Jesus A Verzosa ordered the cancellation of the firearms license issued to an executive of a private university who figured in a gun-toting incident in Quezon City last weekend.

The Permit To Carry Firearm Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) issued to Danter R SULLIVAN of 1308 Carola St., Sampaloc, Manila is also automatically revoked because of the cancellation of his firearm license to possess a Para Ordnance cal. 45 pistol and ammunition.

With the cancellation of the firearm license, Sullivan’s possession of the gun is now deemed illegal, thus, he must surrender the firearm to the PNP to avoid further criminal liability.

According to Police Director German DOria, PNP Director for Police Community Relations, Sullivan will be given due notice of the administrative actions of the PNP regarding his firearm license and PTCFOR, and allow him time to surrender his firearm to authorities.

Sullivan, Vice President of the AMA Computer College was seen on national television manhandling a gasoline station attendant while brandishing a Para Ordnance cal.45 pistol last July 5, 2009 at the Petron Service Station at the corner of Timog Avenue and Tomas Morato Street in Diliman, Quezon City.

THE gun-toting incident was recorded and investigated by the Police Station 10 of the Quezon City Police District based on the statement of gasoline attendant Alfredo Gallaza, 28, who complained of being manhandled by the armed suspect over a simple misunderstanding.

“All licensed firearm owners especially PTCFOR holders must be reminded that firearms ownership and possession is not a right but a mere privilege granted to qualified individuals. This privilege is granted according to certain conditions and can be revoked upon violation of these conditions,” Doria explained.

“The actions of MR. Sullivan, as seen in video footages of the incident were definitely uncalled for apart from being unlawful. His actions do not augur well with the standards of responsible gun ownership,” Doria said.

The PNP is currently implementing a nationwide crackdown on loose firearms on orders of President Arroyo under Executive Order No. 817.

[] [] []

======================
Thursday, July 9, 2009

Engineering Board Topnotchers Join Maynilad

Maynilad, the private water concessionaire for the West Zone, picked Civil Engineering Board topnotcher Man Wai Chua and Chemical Engineering Board second placer Dominic Baylas, together with 60 other licensed engineers to join the company’s Cadet Engineer Program.

The young cadet engineers will undergo an extensive and special training program on water and sewerage operations and career development, to prepare them for assuming more challenging roles in the company.

“Under the new Management of Maynilad, we are committed not only in improving the current performance of the organization but also in ensuring that the business will be managed by competent, dedicated and dynamic leaders in the future,” Maynilad’s Corporate Human Capital and Organization Development (CHCOD) head Roy Evalle said.

==========================
PNRC MAINTAINS AID OPERATIONS DESPITE THREATS IN MINDANAO

Despite the continuous life-threatening situation in Mindanao, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) remains steadfast to their commitment to serve humanity and continues with monitoring 24 hours a day.

In a report of PNRC Cotabato, Iligan and Sulu Chapters to Gordon, Red Cross staff and volunteers are still actively monitoring the situation in their respective areas and still go on with the normal operation of their chapters.

“The situation here in Jolo is already stable. We visited victims of the recent bombing and those with minor injuries already went home. We continue with our normal day to day operation,” said PNRC Jolo, Sulu Chapter Officer-in-charge Algamir Dawili.

“The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sent medicines to our chapter for the victims of the blast. We already distributed the medicines and our operation still stable. We continuously monitor and coordinate with the National Headquarters,” said PNRC Iligan Chapter Administrator Genevieve Amodia.

Meanwhile, social workers of PNRC Cotabato Chapter are on standby for possible deployment in hospitals to conduct stress debriefing or critical incident stress management when necessary.

“We are coordinating with the hospitals’ social workers for possible augmentation by Red Cross social workers. If they will need help for the stress debriefing of victims, including children, our social workers will be deployed,” said PNRC Cotabato Chapter Officer-in-Charge Leopoldo Devilles II.

Devilles also added that demand for blood is already stable. Still, neighboring chapters are alerted for possible assistance in terms of blood supply.

However, Gordon stressed that the bombing incidents are demeaning as it put many lives in peril.

“We cannot accept any ground to harm innocent civilians. In non-international armed conflict, violence to life and person are considered inhumane acts under the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) bill,” said Gordon.

Meanwhile, PNRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang addressed her appeal perpetrators to stop harming civilians and innocent children so that the Red Cross staff and volunteers may continue with their mission peacefully.

“Mindanao is in dire need of help and support. No other humanitarian organization, specifically during armed conflicts, can address their needs aside from Red Cross. So we do not have any other reason to stop our mission. We are appealing to the perpetrators, to stop their inhumane acts so that our staff and volunteers in Mindanao may work peacefully,” said Pang.

In view of the series of bombing, Pang directed Red Cross chapters to ensure safety of all staff and volunteers in their respective areas.

Chapters are also reminded to prepare generator set and fuel, keep blood supply, food and essential non-food items available and activate Red Cross 143 volunteers if situation warrants.

Likewise, National Headquarters and Chapter personnel shall all be on alert 24/7 for any eventuality, maintain all lines or means of communication open and stay alert for updates.

“We will not stop serving humanity. Many programs are lined up for Mindanao and we are hoping that they will let our humanitarian workers continue their mission to alleviate the suffering of Filipinos everywhere,” Pang added.
====================================
4TH BATCH OF PDEA AGENTS BEGIN FORMAL TRAINING
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Academy formally opened the Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course Class 2009-04 today at the PDEA National Headquarters, Barangay Pinyahan in Quezon City.

The 118-strong fourth batch of PDEA Agents was formally welcomed in a simple ceremony by PDEA Director General/Senior Undersecretary DIONISIO R. SANTIAGO along with the PDEA Command Group and National Staff and Support Service Directors. They are due to undertake a comprehensive training program on drug law enforcement for the next 6 months.

The PDEA Chief said, “The PDEA Academy Superintendent and Training Staff will undertake the transformation of these young men and women from plain civilians into principled, credible and capable Drug Enforcement Officers. Their training will be anchored on the PDEA Core Values: Honor, Commitment, Respect for Human Dignity, Excellence and Competence. Experts will be invited to handle the specialized subjects throughout the Course”.

A total of 3,100 applicants took the Qualifying Exams for Drug Enforcement Officers. This number was further trimmed down after the succeeding levels of screening, namely the Neuro-Psychological Examinations, Background Investigation, Panel Interview, Medical/Physical Examinations and Agility test.

The 86 men and 42 women who comprise the 4th batch of PDEA Agents are predominantly Criminology graduates (38%) while the rest come a host of other courses such as Commerce (15%), Engineering (12%), Nursing and related courses (10%), Education (8%), Law (6%), Bachelor of Arts (6%) and the remaining 4% are other courses.

============================
Army chief speaks to members of diplomatic corps about Army’s peace and development efforts

The Philippine Army is a crucial factor in nation-building. Throughout the years, the Philippine Army has always been at the forefront in the defense of the country and people.

Army chief Lt Gen Delfin N Bangit will speak about the Philippine Army’s role in support to peace and development in the Diplomatic Kapihan organized by the World Affairs Forum Inc., to be participated by at least 19 members of the diplomatic corps, at the Heritage Hotel in Roxas Boulevard on July 10.

Lt Gen Bangit will provide updates on the Army’s significant contributions in the continuing pursuit for peace and development. Among which are the drastic decrease in the organizational capacity of the communist terrorist movement brought about by peace and development operations; the Army as peace and development advocates through the conduct of the “Kalayaan sa Barangay Program (KBP), a development-oriented program aimed at uplifting the lives of the people by establishing an environment conducive to national development; the Army as the leading actors in humanitarian assistance and disaster response; and the Army as social workers and community development workers.

The forum will also be a venue for the Philippine Army to impart to its diplomatic counterparts from other countries the different measures undertaken to support the over-all peace and development efforts of the government. The mechanisms, strategies and approaches in the struggle for peace have evolved through time, with the Army adopting a non-conventional approach which has proven to be effective.

The Army’s non-violent struggle for peace and stability continues, with the end in view of attaining a society free from any forms of abuse, anarchy or injustice. #
Wednesday, 08 July 2009

POLICE UNCOVER LEADS IN MINDANAO BOMBING

Post-blast investigators looking into the recent series of bomb-related incidents in Cotabato City, Jolo and Iligan City have uncovered significant leads to establish a peculiar bomb signature that will identify the authors of the bombing incidents, PNP Chief, Director General Jesus A Verzosa announced today.

IN coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, police intelligence units are supporting the investigation by monitoring the movement of known threat groups and high-profile suspects who have been linked to similar bomb-related incidents in the past, Verzosa said.

IN the case of the bombing in Jolo, Sulu last Tuesday, police investigators are not discounting the possible connection of this incident with the roadside bomb attack on Sulu Governor Sakur Tan last May 13, 2009 because of some similarities in the delivery of the IED that was concealed under the saddle of a motorcycle, according to PNP Spokesman, Senior Superintendent Leonardo A Espina.

A second IED was safely defused by bomb technicians before it could detonate moments after the first blast went off, Espina said.

[] [] []

July 7, 2009

Solon seeks probe on textbooks, other DepEd anomalous contracts

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Mong Palatino today sought to re-open the investigation over unresolved corruption issues involving the Department of Education as some 200 high school students trooped to DepEd-National Capital Region to complain about erroneous textbooks being used in public high schools.

The high school students brought samples of erroneous textbooks that are still being used by public high schools despite previous orders from the DepEd to have them pulled out.

“If these are the same textbooks that were supplied by the anomalous textbooks deal that has already been scrapped by Malacanang and DepEd in June 2007 then they have to be pulled out from use immediately and investigated,” Palatino said.

From 1999 to 2004, the bulk of the bid awards for textbook supply and delivery was given to the Vibal Publishing Group suggesting a monopoly of services leading to “unfair competition” grossly disadvantageous to the government.

“This comes as a disappointment, a veritable cause to be enraged, especially in the face of the dilapidated state of public education, this blunt corruption at the expense of the quality education our youth so deserve,” Palatino said.

Kabataan Party-list also launched a petition campaign calling on the DepEd to pull out erroneous textbooks and calling on the investigation of unresolved corruption cases involving the DepEd, such as the textbook and instant noodles scams.

Palatino said that he also plans to seek an inquiry into DepEd’s anomalous contracts.

“Aside from the textbook and instant noodles scams, we have also learned about other cases of overpricing and anomalous bidding processes within the DepEd. We will expose these in due time,” he said. ###

==============
July 7, 2009 = Army chief ensures a responsive Army during field visit

In his recent visit to the 8th Infantry Division at Camp Lukban, Maulong, Catbalogan Samar over the weekend, Army chief Lt Gen Delfin N Bangit conferred with the soldiers in dialogues held at the Division Headquarters and Battalion Headquarters of the 19th Infantry Battalion. Lt Gen Bangit’s visit to Army units nationwide is part of his regular assessment of troop capabilities and increased welfare of field units so as to ensure a responsive Army ready to thwart any threats to the nation’s peace and security.

The Army chief in his interaction with the soldiers emphasized the importance of discipline and obedience in attaining the Philippine Army’s mission. He reminded the troops to stay focus on their goal to get the mission done especially during this crucial time of anti-insurgency campaign.

The morale and welfare of the troops is of paramount consideration under Lt Gen Bangit’s leadership. One of the highlights of his visit is the on-the-spot promotion of three soldiers who excelled in their recent operation and for their meritorious deeds. He also visited the station hospital and pinned medals in recognition of the commitment and bravery of soldiers who have put their lives on the line in this continuing fight against insurgency.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Bangit led the pinning of ranks and the presentation of four newly-promoted officers from the Technical Service in the Philippine Army during today’s flag raising ceremony at the HPA Grandstand.

Among those promoted were Colonels Mariano A Mejia and Paulita B Cruz; and Lt Colonels Jorge M Benavidez and Jane Coralde. #
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July 7, 2009 = AFP foils two Mindanao bombings; new MILF surrenders reported

Reports from Philippine Army units revealed that there had been two separate retrievals of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) in Lanao del Sur and Zamboanga del Sur. Considerable amounts of IED ingredients were recovered on both incidents.

Joint forces of the of 43rd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division and 33rd Explosive Ordnance Division team, led by Technical Sg. Feliz Jumawan, conducted an IED operation on the afternoon of July 3 at Transco Tower 39 in Bgy. Mandulog, Iligan City, Lanao del Sur. IED components such as 30 meters flat cord wire 22 colored red and black, four 9V batteries, four improvised electric blasting caps, and one analogue alarm clock with battery were recovered in the vicinity. Another successful IED retrieval operation took place towards the midnight the same day in Guiwan Terminal Zamboanga del Sur. The IED components were found in a Rural Transit Bus routed from Pagadian City to Zamboanga City . Fragments of GI Pipe, analogue alarm clock, 6 pieces of improvised electric blasting caps, a Christmas light bulb, and a one-foot flat cord 22 were all found in the bus. Without the military’s interception, the bomb explosions from these ingredients could have taken innocent civilian lives, just as the Cotabato bombing last Sunday did.

In Lanao del Norte, three MILF members voluntarily surrendered to Lt. Col. Sagat Bongolan, commanding officer of the 35th Infantry Battalion last week. Said MILF members who surrendered were identified as Saidomer Maugan Mutia, Basser Batinggolo, and Nanah Tabuntod, all from the 101st Base Command. Moreso, last July 4 in Zamboanga del Sur, two members, along with a number of medical staff, of the 5th Battalion, 3rd Brigade (Inner Defense), 113th Base Command Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, MILF surrendered to 1Lt. Tacusalme of the 53rd Infantry Battalion. The two members were identified as Joel Bangholot and Mary Grace Bualan Hupa.

Condemning the explosions that take away innocent lives, the AFP will remain as vigilant as always. Always true to its service of protecting the Filipino, the AFP will not stop until these senseless acts of terror cease with the responsible people in the hands of the law.#

====================
PNP News Release July 5, 2009
Central Mindanao Police alerted following Cotabato Blast

Police units in Central Mindanao were alerted in the
aftermath of this Sunday’s bombing ibfront of the
Immaculate Concepcion cathedral in cotabato city to prevent
similar incidents elsewhere in the region.

On orders of PNP Chief, Dir Gen Jesus A Verzosa, officials
of police regional office 12 under CSupt Josefino Cataluña
are now closely coordinating with the crisis mgmt committee
of cotabato city chaired by Mayor Muslimin Sema.

“Our immediate concern at the moment is to attend to the
casualties, particularly the 38 wounded victims who were
brought to different hospitals, said SSupt Willie Dangane
sr., Cotabato City Police Director.

“At the same time, we are also initiating incident
management measures to prevent the situation from getting
out of hand. the last thing we need is a panic situation in
other key cities in the region,” Dangane said.

Police Director Felizardo Serapio Jr., PNP Director for
Integrated Police Operations in Western Mindanao,
meanwhile, has alerted Regional Directors in Central
Mindano, Western Mindanao and ARMM to implement
target-hardening measures and intensify intelligence
operations to prevent similar incidents in other areas of
Mindanao.

Latest reports reaching Camp Crame placed the casualty toll
at 5 killed and 38 wounded as a result of the blast.
Post-blast investigation placed the seat of exposion at a
lechon store and meat shop across the street from the
cathedral gates.

Cotabato City police operatives have taken into custody a
certain Rico T Aburva, 34 years old, and a resident of
barangay Dalumangcob, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Acording to Caraluña, the suspect was arrested inside the
cathedral compound after winesses pointed to him as among
those responsible for the explosion.

Police investigators are also coordinating with officials
of the nearby Central Bank office of Cotabato City for the
possibility that the incident may have been recorded by the
bank’s cctv system.

July 4, release from Kabataan Party-List

July 4, 2009

Poll automation off to a tainted start, says solon

Comelec told to divulge TIM-Smartmatic ‘reconciliation’ terms

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Mong Palatino today said that despite the TIM-Smartmatic reconciliation, poll automation is still off to a tainted start.

“The Commission on Elections cannot just expect us to breathe a sigh of relief now that partners TIM and Smartmatic seem to have made peace with each other. Grave issues and accusations have been brought to our concern and these inevitably affect the integrity and credibility of the 2010 automated polls,” Palatino said.

Palatino was referring to earlier reports insinuating that TIM has a connection with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

“The FG connection has established a conjecture and instilled public distrust in the players involved. Comelec should thoroughly investigate these accusations before proceeding with ensuing processes,” said Palatino.

He also said, “Comelec should immediately divulge the terms of TIM and Smartmatic’s reconciliation. How did they finally come to terms with the nature of their deal? Until these details are not revealed, all other succeeding processes will remain suspect.”

Palatino added that the Comelec is now tasked to practice full transparency and clarity in later processes and developments in the preparations for and until the actual implementation of automation of the 2010 polls.

“The Comelec must from now on be transparent. This is the only way that the Comelec can appease the public and assure that the 2010 polls will be free from possible manipulation and further controversy,” said Palatino.

“Finally, we call on all youth to be more vigilant. Let us join together in demanding clean-slate electoral reforms for genuinely democratic and honest elections in 2010,” Palatino said. ###

July 3, release from Kabataan Party-List

Open letter to the Commission on Elections

We are youth from different schools, universities, sectors and organizations. We write in the midst of the poll automation controversy that has sown not only fear but discontent among our ranks.

Fear, because the recent unfortunate developments send troubling signals that the 2010 polls is on shaky ground.

Moreover, the unraveling of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s close connections with some entities involved in the modernization of elections is not at all welcome news. It has only established a conjecture — that of another shady deal reminiscent of Hello Garci and other poll-related anomalies.

Discontent, because in the face of these, the Commission on Elections, the government agency tasked to ensure a clean and honest elections in 2010, has so far only provided options and alternatives that fall short of assuring the youth and the public that it is doing all it can to allay fears of a no-el or failure of elections scenario.

Preparations for the 2010 polls have been tainted early on. The manner by which the bidding was held belabors the Comelec’s failure to prepare and conduct a credible elections. The Comelec is now burdened to correct this.

If the Comelec decides to push through with the automation, it must institute concrete system safeguards.

Automated or not, the Comelec must institute reforms in the electoral system.

Above all, as an independent constitutional commission, it must be transparent. We urge the Comelec to expose interventions from whatever entity, be it the administration or any other player whose motives are suspect.

These, we see, are the only ways that the Comelec can appease the public and assure that the 2010 polls will be free from possible manipulation and further controversy.

Anomalies necessitate interrogation. And in light of the recent events, fear and discontent have now fuelled the youth’s more determined vigilance.

The youth comprises a huge percentage of the country’s voters. We will be at the forefront of selecting the next leaders of this country. Beyond this, we are tasked to change the course of history alongside the other sectors of our society.

We demand a clean and honest 2010 presidential elections. We deserve no less.

Signed.

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Mong Palatino/Alvin Peters, President, National Union of Students of the Philippines/Vijae Alquisola, President, College Editors Guild of the Philippines/Ma. Cristina Guevarra, Chairperson, Student Christian Movement/Vencer Crisostomo, Chairperson, League of Filipino Students/Ken Leonard Ramos, Chairperson, Anakbayan/Charizze Banez, Student Regent-elect, University of the Philippines System/Jacqueline Joy Eroles, UP University Student Council/Teri Ridon, Convenor, Youth ACT Now (Youth for Accountability and Truth Now)

Office of Rep. Raymond ‘Mong’ Palatino
Temporary Office c/o Office of Rep. Lisa Maza
Room 309, South Wing, House of Representatives, Batasan Complex, Quezon City

Reference:
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Mong Palatino
Mobile: 09085927099
Email: cong.mongpalatino@gmail.com
JM Ragaza, Media Officer, 09166947806

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July 2, release from Camp Crame

Date : Thursday, 02 July 2009

PNP PREPARES FOR SONA

A Public Security Safety Plan has been mapped out for implementation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in preparation for the forthcoming State of the Nation Address and the Opening of the 3^rd Regular Session of the 14^th Congress on July 27.

Anticipating the protest actions and public assemblies by some groups, Task Force KAPAYAPAAN was created to provide enhanced security measures, civil disturbance management, traffic management and control as well as other related administrative and operational activities to ensure order and security when the President delivers her SONA.

PNP Chief, Director General Jesus A Verzosa designated National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales as Task Force KAPAYAPAAN Commander, with the support and assistance from other various police units.

“I have directed all our involved units to ensure that all public activities will be peaceful and orderly during this nationally significant day where the President will deliver her message to the Filipino people.” Verzosa further added that police will continue to exercise their mandate in enforcing the law and will keep their channels open for coordination with rally organizers so that these assemblies will be peaceful.

The PNP has also coordinated with the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms at the House of Representatives, Senate and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to ensure the safety of top ranking government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and other VIPs that are expected to attend the event.

###

July 2, release from DILG

02 July 2009

PUNO: PROSPERIDAD EPITOMIZES PROSPERITY AMID UNITY

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur—Secretary Ronnie Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has said that the progressive town of Prosperidad epitomizes the prosperity that the entire country can attain on the back of the unity that local executives need to spell sustained growth and lasting peace for their respective localities.

Puno said that Agusan del Sur has achieved economic progress because of its hardworking executives and people who have remained united to ensure a conflict-free environment in the province that is conducive to peace and development.

“Prosperidad is synonymous with growth and development,” Puno said during his recent visit to this capital town on the occasion of its Naliyagan Festival.

“May katwiran (There is a reason) why this town is called Prosperidad in the great province of Agusan del Sur,” he said. “It’s because as you look around you, you see the enterprising people who live here. Everybody is engaged, masisipag lahat (everybody is hardworking), everybody is engaged in doing some productive endeavor.”

Puno noted that if the United States of America had a town called Hope where former President Bill Clinton was born, then the Philippines has Prosperidad as its counterpart.

Unlike in the US where the number of jobless people multiply each day that passes, the Philippines is relatively doing very well as a result of the economic reforms put in place by President Arroyo, which has helped shield the country from the worst effects of the global financial contagion that has affected two-thirds of the world’s economies.

“Kumpara natin sa ibang bansa, sa tingin ko (Compared to other countries I think) we are doing very well,” Puno said. “Sipagan lang natin (Let’s just work hard), I think we are going to survive the economic hardships of the next year or two years.”

In his visit to Prosperidad, Puno led a flag-raising ceremony at the Rizal Monument along with Agusan del Sur Gov. Maria Valentina Plaza, and her mother former Governor Valentina Plaza and the incumbent governor’s brother, Eddie Bong Plaza, who has also served as governor. The ceremony was followed by the opening of the Bai Naliyagan or Naliyagan Festival, which highlighted the 42^nd founding anniversary of Agusan del Sur.

The province of Agusan del Sur was established in 1967 under Republic Act No. 4969 providing for the division of the province of Agusan into Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. About three years later, the first set of provincial officials assumed office after the provincial elections held in November 1969.

RA 4969 also established Prosperidad as the capital of Agusan del Sur.

Puno noted that among the secrets of the success of Agusan del Sur is the unity of its people and support behind the provincial government’s development agenda, as well as its reputation for being one of the most peaceful provinces in Mindanao.

He said that in almost all of the DIL’G’s foreign-funded initiatives, Agusan del Sur—Caraga region’s only first-class province—always figures as one of the top beneficiaries because of its high capacity level to effectively implement development projects.

“You can continue as an example for other provinces in Mindanao, show them that when there is a will, there is always a way and when you decide to dedicate yourselves to progress, to the development of the province, that it will actually happen,” Puno said. ###

Story 1 — PUNO: PNP TO LIMIT VIP SECURITY TO POLICE ESCORTS

Secretary Ronnie Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the Philippine National Police will soon issue a directive limiting armed escorts assigned to government officials and private individuals to only two police officers per person.

Puno said that under this new order to be issued by PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, a government official or private individual should show proof that his life is under serious threat to be exempted from this two-escort limit rule.

The DILG chief also noted that he has already stopped long ago the practice of assigning officers from the PNP’s Special Action Force (SAF) to act as security escorts as this should be the function of the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO).

“We are going to tighten this procedure a little bit by requiring that only two security escorts be provided for each individual,” Puno said.

Puno said the directive also covers local chief executives, who usually have more than two police officers assigned to protect them.

In the 2007 election period, the PNP had already imposed this limit of assigning only two policemen as detailed VIP security personnel for every individual.

Government officials or electoral candidates who had wanted to be exempted from this rule had to secure an approval from the Commission on Elections at that time.

The PNP, then under the leadership of Director General Oscar Calderon, had imposed the security detail limit to prevent politicians from using policemen as armed bodyguards or goons during the elections. ###

Story 2 — GREENPEACE NEWS RELEASE

Promote sustainable agriculture, support Negros’s rejection of GMOs: Greenpeace

Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, 30 June 2009—Greenpeace today called on the national government to follow the example of Negros Occidental in its vigilance against GMO crops (genetically modified organisms) to protect and promote sustainable agriculture in the country. The call came at the conclusion of the province’s Environment Week celebrations last week which showcased Bacolod’s organic and sustainable farming initiatives.

“Greenpeace commends the continuing diligence of the province of Negros Occidental in their unwavering efforts to protect the province from harmful GMO contamination. Negros Occidental shows that it is leading the way forward in sustainable agriculture in the country. The Department of Agriculture, as an agency mandated to protect the welfare of Filipino consumers and farmers, must not only support the GMO ban, it must also institute the same in all the other provinces in the country,” said Greenpeace Southeast Asia Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner Daniel Ocampo.

The province of Negros Occidental pioneered the ban on GMOs in the country with Provincial Ordinance 007, Series of 2007 or the “Safeguard Against Genetically Modified Organisms.” The local government recently upheld the ban by rejecting shipments of illegal GMO corn at the capital’s ports in Bacolod City.

The ban was questioned by GMO-promoters and dealers, including those from the Department of Agriculture, as well as the province’s Hog Raisers Association. The provincial government, however, has reiterated that it is maintaining the ban to prevent GMO contamination of normal crops in the province.

“More and more provinces in the Philippines such as Bohol and Oriental Mindoro now have similar ordinances and orders aimed at curbing the entry of GMOs, and which focus on promoting sustainable and organic farming practices. Like Negros, those provinces are under assault by monopolistic corporate interests who would like to curb consumer choice and contaminate our farms and food with unsafe and even illegal and unapproved GMOs,” said Ocampo. ” Genetic-engineering is an unnecessary and unwanted technology that contaminates the environment, threatens biodiversity, food security and farmer’s livelihoods and poses unacceptable risks to health. Greenpeace is therefore calling on the Philippine government, particularly the DA, to rethink its pro-GMO agricultural policies and instead focus fully on safer farming practices such as organic and sustainable agriculture.”

Greenpeace campaigns for GMO-free crop and food production grounded on the principles of sustainability, protection of biodiversity, and providing all people access to safe and nutritious food.

For more information:

Daniel Ocampo, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Genetic Engineering Campaigner, +63 917 897 6416, daniel.ocampo@greenpeace.org
Lea Guerrero, Greenpeace Southeast Asia Media Campaigner, +63 920 950 6877, lea.guerrrero@greenpeace.org