ICC Dispatch - Sunday, November 23, 2008

CPP/NPA/NDF violates International Humanitarian Law in keeping wounded soldier

ICC General Santos City (23 November) – The hesitation of the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New Peoples Army and the National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) to declare that they have in their custody Lt. Vicente Camayo is due to the fear being accountable if something happens to the wounded officer.

This was the statement of Major Medel Aquilar, 5th CRG Commander, Civl Relations Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRS-AFP), Panacan, Davao City who pointed out that this is the same reason why they lied to the people by saying that Lt. Camayo is not in their custody.

They are also afraid, according to Aguilar, that the international community will know they are violating the international humanitarian law (IHL) by depriving a wounded person with the necessary medication he needs.

Major Aguilar said this is the problem with a publicity obsessed organization that instead of bringing the wounded officer to a hospital or turning over to the government for the much needed life-saving medical intervention, they continue to keep him in their custody which unnecessary endangers his life.

With the hope that subject officer can survive ordeal of bearing the pain, the 5th CRG commander said, the CPP/NPA/NDF keeps him for a media mileage someday to boast around the world by projecting an image of being a strong adherent of IHL. But if something happens to the officer, they could simply deny that they had him in their custody alive and avoid public condemnation, he concluded. (PIA12)


Duque says President Arroyo is sincere to end her term in 2010

General Santos City (November 23, 2008) – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III doused off speculations by local media here of a possible term extension for President Arroyo saying he believes the president is sincere to end her term in 2010.

In a press conference today, Duque was asked to react on the controversial prayer of Press Secretary Jesus Dureza for the President to have the “tolerance to serve the nation until 2010 and beyond,” which he delivered at the start of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday in Malacañang.

Duque said the president is not showing any sign that she wanted to extend her presidency beyond 2010 every time they get together during Cabinet meetings.

“Naniniwala ako na ang Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ay tatapusin lamang ang kanyang termino till 2010 at sa aking tingin sa tuwing kami ay nagtitipon para sa Cabinet meeting wala namang indikasyon na mayroon s’yang hangad na manatili sa kanyang pagiging pangulo na lampas ng 2010,” he said.

Duque urged members of the press not to take seriously the prayer of Secretary Dureza, and avoid putting more meaning to it.

He said Dureza himself admitted that he committed a “gag,” a sort of “blunder” when he said those words, but had already apologized to the President.

“Wag na po tayong maglagay pa ng karagdagang kahulugan doon sa mga nasabi ng isang gabinete ako na lang ang paniwalaan ninyo na wala ho akong nakikitang ganung indikasyon at naniniwala naman ako na ang pangulo ay tapat na ang kanyang panunungkulan ay hanggang 2010 lamang,” he added. (PIA-SarGen)


Sec Duque urges media to advance the cause of people’s health

General Santos City (23 November)--- Health Secretary Francisco Duque III appealed to tri-media to help advance the cause of people’s health by disseminating the department’s various programs.

“I would like to appeal to our friends in the tri-media to please help us disseminate the worthy programs of the DOH with the end in view of advancing the cause of health of our people,” he said.

Secretary Duque was the keynote speaker of the first ever held Field Implementation Management Office (FIMO) meeting for Region XII.

He said the importance of the meeting was to make sure that the foundational structure of the “FOURmula 1 for health” will be understood and implemented without hitches.

The FOURmula 1 for health which covers healthcare financing, health service delivery, good governance, and regulations is poised to address the various health issues as translated in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Duque explained that DOH convened all its top officials and regional directors to discuss strategies on how to better improve delivery of government health services for the Filipinos.

He pointed out that DOH is also mandated to attain the MDG target by coming up with various health programs and projects.

Among these health programs and initiatives are: facilitate access of cheap medicines to the poor; attain the universal health insurance coverage of PhilHealth; establish more Botika ng Barangay (BnB); reduce maternal and child mortality rates by addressing health concerns of women and children and strengthening the nutritional needs of pregnant women and lactating mothers; and increase the numbers of primary and secondary hospitals through the health facilities upgrade program of the department.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to him has considered health service as priority need thus allocating huge fund to improve the capacity of primary and secondary hospitals to be able to give quality services to patients.

With this, he also lauded the PhilHealth coverage in SocSarGen specifically General Santos City for its strong advocacy on health insurance saying the local government’s initiative is at its best.

“Kami ay natutuwa dahil dito sa Socsargen-- sa Gensan ay maganda ang kanilang PhilHealth coverage at nagpapasalamat kami sa pamunuan ng Gensan dahil sa kanilang advocacy on health insurance syempre kasama din dito ang kampanya natin upang mapadami ang bilang ng botika ng barangay,” Duque told media and government officials and employees.

The Secretary also revealed that some 350 BnBs are expected to be established in Socsargen in the near future.

South Cotabato First District Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio, City Mayor Pedro Acharon, and Sarangani Gov. Migs Dominguez were in attendance to rally their support of DOH programs.

“We cannot survive without the support of our local chief executives … their presence gives the DOH the confidence that the executives and the entire LGU are in support of the worthy programs of the DOH,” Duque said. (PIA SarGen)