ICC Dispatch - Monday, November 17, 2008

ARMM Governor delivers SORA, reaffirms support for the resumption of peace talks between GRP and the MILF

ICC Cotabato City (17 November) – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is expecting more positive gains as it move to the next three years of leading the region’s economy and putting its efforts to attain genuine and lasting peace under the leadership of ARMM Governor Datu Zaldy “Puti” Uy Ampatuan.

During his State of Regional Address (SORA) at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex this Afternoon, Governor Ampatuan, focused his report on eight important programs that his administration has prioritized and vowed to continue to implement unto the remaining years of his administration.

These include the rehabilitation of community affected areas due to conflict between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Ampatuan said, the development efforts has been interrupted by the recent national and the local manmade calamities that had heavily affected the region. This major setback he said, in our development programs had taken more time to bring the situation back to normal. These are challenging times and he encourage everyone to be stronger and resolute to face this problems.

“As the region experience the worse impact of armed conflict, we join the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the world religious leaders for the GRP and the MILF to return to the negotiating table for the sake of our long suffering people and our children,” Ampatuan further said.

He urged the government and the MILF to take the necessary steps to bring the peace process back on tract. He stressed that the national government and the MILF know better that the long cause of conflict in Mindanao outweighs whatever economic gains elsewhere in the region.

In his report he once again reaffirmed his firm support to a mutual effort of the GRP and the MILF for the resumption of the peace talks to the final conclusion. (CLC/PIA)


Tsunami Alert for ARMM residents is coastal areas cancelled

ICC Cotabato City (17 November) - The Office for Civil Defense and the Regional Disaster Coordinating Center –ARMM has issued an advisory early this morning alerting residents along the coastal areas of ARMM to be more observant in any changes of seawater level, a possible sign of tsunami or tidal wave.

The warning was issued Phivocs immediately after a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 hit Indonesia at around 1:00 am this morning.

The Tsunami Alert Level No. 1 cautioned residents along the coastal areas of as ARMM to be on alert for possible evacuation to safer grounds if ever it affects the country.

However, as of 4:00 AM this morning, the OCD-RDCC-ARMM informed the public that the Tsunami Alert Level No. 1 was cancelled as no reports of minor sea level changes occurred at the coastal areas in the Autonomous Region particularly in the Celebes Sea. (CLC/PIA Cotabato City)


Maranao IDPs do not seek shelter at evacuation centers, says Sero

ICC Cotabato City (17 November) – Internal displaced persons (IDPs) from Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur who are mostly Maranaos do not seek shelter at evacuation centers.

This was disclosed by NFA-ARMM Assistant Director Ofelia Sero in a press conference conducted by the Regional Information Command Center (RICC) and sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency, Region XII, held here Thursday, November 13, 2008.

The revelation was made by Sero in response to the query of a reporter who asked her if Maranao evacuees of Lanao del Sur were also given rice assistance like that of Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan province and other ARMM areas.

“Maranao evacuees do not seek shelter at evacuation centers. They rather go to their relatives. This is one thing that makes it different for us (NFA) to track their exact location and number. We know that this difficulty in monitoring these evacuees is due to the closeness of Maranaos to their kins,” Sero explained.

Relatives of these evacuees, Sero added, cannot afford to see them (evacuees) experiencing discomfort and hardship in evacuation centers.

However in fairness, she pointed out, our office had already extended rice assistance to Lanao del Sur through the local officials of the province.

“Reports we received from DSWD-ARMM and OCD-ARMM and other service providers where we channeled our rice assistance stated that a good volume of rice had already been extended to Maranao evacuees. We will continue monitoring these evacuees as far as their rice need is concerned and we will continue extending them help within our capacity,” Sero said.

According to ARD Sero, reports of rice assistance extended by NFA-ARMM to Maranao evacuees in Lanao del Sur can be verified, particularly from DSWD-ARMM and RDCC-OCD of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (MCD/PIA Cotabato City)


NFA-Cotabato expects to exceed its palay procurement target

ICC Cotabato City (17 November) - The National Food Authority Region XII is concentrating in palay procurement activities to ensure a buffer stock until the year ends.

NFA-Cotabato Provincial Manager Rey Salvatierra said, the instructions from higher officials particularly agriculture secretary Arthur Yap is for the National Food Authority (NFA) to procure 1 million metric tons of palay nationwide or translated into number of bags that would be 20 million bags.

Salvatierra said, out of the 20 million target, Region XII was given the quota of 1.4 million bags of palay to be procured by the provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

Latest records show that out of the 1.4 million target, NFA XII has already procured about 900,000 bags of palay with about P800 million financial support requirement, he said.

As the agency’s contribution to the economy of Region XII, NFA-Cotabato, he said, has already procured about 320,000 bags worth P3 million paid directly to farmers in the province.

We expect to procure the rest of the target of about 600,000 from hereon up to December this year, Salvatierra said.

But based on our ocular inspection of ricefields particularly in the towns of Pigcawayan, Midsayap and Kabacan, procurement of palay will continue as harvest season for palay will be extended up to January or February next year, the provincial manager said.

“So we expect to even exceed the target given to us,” he enthused.

He also said that if the region would be able to procure the 20 million bags of palay, this would mean lesser dependence on imported rice

This year, he noted that the government has imported some 2.4 million metric tons of rice in response to the recent rice crisis which hit many countries in the region including the Philippines.

The government would only need to import about half of what was imported this year if NFA would be able to procure the target of 20 million bags of palay, Manager Salvatierra added. (pbc/PIA Cot. City)


2 soldiers killed when an IED hit a military truck in Maasim, Sarangani

ICC General Santos City (November 17, 2008) – 2 soldiers were killed while a KM450 troop carrier truck was partially damaged when elements of the 73rd Infantry Battalion (IB) came across a “command detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED),” treacherous placed beside a concrete culvert side along the road at the boundary of Barangays Lumatil and Pananag, both of Maasim, Sarangani Province on Saturday (November 15).

According to 73rd IB Commander Lt Col Edgardo de Leon, the incident happened at about 1:20 am Saturday while three military vehicles ferried the troops back to the battalion from a community development works in the barangays of Daliao and Pananag, “as part of alliance-building and establishing trust and confidence among Muslim dominated communities.”

De Leon expressed remorse over the incident, saying “this implies that the LMG still doesn’t want peace and order to reign in the province.”

“Despite the community works, rehabilitation program and peace and development programs conducted in the area, Lawless MILF Group (LMG’s) still conducts atrocities in the community that hamper progress and slows down the attainment of peace and development in the area, he said.”

Moreover, de Leon made sure that the 73IB will “continue to conduct pursuit operations to neutralize the perpetrators and shall continue to haunt them until justice will prevail for the bereaved families of slain soldiers and peace is reestablished in Sarangani.”

The fatalities were identified as PFC JUNTY GUSTILO and PVT ROMEL C DALAYAP both natives of Mindanao Province. (PIA-SarGen)


DND Sec. Teodoro pushes for Lanao rehabilitation

ICC Iligan City, Nov.17 – Sec. Gilberto Teodoro of the Dept. of National Defense (DND) has directed the military to hasten the return to normalcy of the communities affected by the on-going armed conflict in Lanao del Norte (LDN).

The Defense Secretary who is also the Chairperson of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) issued the directive after he conducted a surprise visit to the evacuation centers in the municipalities of Munai and Poona Piagapo, LDN.

Both towns were only some of the most populated evacuation centers in terms of internally displaced persons (IDP) that resulted from the August 18 atrocities done by the lawless MILF group (LMG) of Macapaar alias Bravo in the province.

Accompanied by the different unit commanders of the Philippine Army assigned in the area, Sec. Teodoro came to check on the conditions of the LDN IDP’s upon the instructions of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

As the trip was unannounced and done on a Sunday, Nov. 16, local leaders were noticeably not around. It also happened two (2) days after the President visited the province on Nov. 14, the second time, the first was Sept. 18, since the Aug. 18 LMG attack.
Teodoro took time to find out the concerns of the IDP’s which ranged from lack of medicines, dismal road conditions, inadequate schools, lack of water systems and security assurances during military operations which he promised to elevate to the concerned agencies for action.

Meanwhile, the Defense Secretary declared he would similarly run after groups that threaten their safety, they be Christians or Muslims, in the same manner the military is now hunting down Bravo.

Teodoro’s declaration was in response to the concern on the reported retaliation of the “ILAGA”, a local militia, which was widely cheered by the local Muslim folks in the area.

Rido (armed settlement of feuds) will not be tolerated, Teodoro assured. (104Bde, PA)


Help IDP’s resettle in their homes – MGen Pajarito

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 17 – Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, Commander of the First Infantry Division (IID), Philippine Army, has ordered his field commanders to help the internally displaced persons (IDP) within their areas of responsibility (AOR) to resettle in their respective residences.

Pajarito’s order which was particularly directed to Col. Benito de Leon, Commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade, IID (104 Bde), PA, in charge of Lanao del Norte (LDN) and the Battalion Commander under him, also included the provision of the necessary security arrangements for the IDP’s.

The IID Commander’s order to De Leon was given as a consequence of the Nov. 16, 2008 visit of Sec. Gilberto Teodoro of the Dept. of National Defense (DND) to the municipalities of Munai and Poona Piagapo, LDN.

Meanwhile, Pajarito he urged the local people to report the presence of lawless groups, such as those of the LMG so the military and police can take action.

“This is important to ensure the safety of the people and the restoration of peace in their communities,” the IID Commander said.

Pajarito also ordered his subordinates to extend security and assistance to agencies particularly those involved in the implementation of developmental projects in their AOR.

On the other hand, De Leon reported that the communities in the province are now secured from the LMG noting the absence of any atrocity for quite sometime, as well, as the successful conduct of special events and the smooth trips of visiting dignitaries.

He said despite threats, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo flew direct from her Nov. 14 overseas trip to Nunungan, a hinterland town of the province, to effectively inspect a road project in the area.

“All these indicate that development projects to rehabilitate LDN can now take a full swing,” De Leon concludes. (I04 Bde, IID,PA)