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PNP has new spokesman Hunt is on for ambushers Police, military efforts keepZamboanga safe

The Saudi leadership shuffle Letters to the editor

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‘If it is God’s will, I will humbly obey’says Duterte on the PresidencyDAVAO CITY – Presidentialprospect Rody Duterte,mayor of Davao City for 24years now, assured the Fili-pino people that if it isGod’s will that he becomesPresident of the Philip-pines he will “humblyobey.”

Speaking before thecongregation of the King-dom of Jesus Christ whichgathered recently in DavaoCity to celebrate the 64thbirthday of its leader, Pas-tor Apollo C. Quiboloy,Duterte said he believedthat the Presidency is amission from God.

“I have never covetedthe Presidency even up tothis day but people are say-ing that I should run forPresident. That is not forme to decide. It is some-thing which comes fromGod,” he said.

Quiboloy, who hadbeen a friend of Dutertesince the day he put up asmall chapel near theDavao City Airport to starthis religious congregationKing of Jesus Christ whichnow has over 6 millionmembers worldwide, ex-horted Duterte during his

address to the thousandswho celebrated his birth-day to “listen to the voicesof the people.”

“You cannot turn yourback on the people. Youhave to remember that thevoice of the people is thevoice of God,” Quiboloytold Duterte.

Duterte, who last yearflatly rejected the idea ofeven considering the Presi-dency, is ranked 3rd in re-cent surveys which askedpeople who they preferredto become the next Presi-dent of the Philippines.

His 3rd place rankingcame as a big surprise topolitical observers espe-cially so because Dutertehas continuously deniedany intention to run forPresident.

While he has beenmoving around the coun-try over the last fewmonths, Duterte said he isonly advocating a shiftfrom the Unitary Presiden-tial form of government toa Federal Parliamentarywhich would lead to thecreation of at least 12highly autonomous Fed-eral States all over the

country.Duterte has main-

tained that the FederalSystem would result inthe establishment of aBangsamoro FederalState, considered both anexcellent option and analternative to the belea-guered Bangsamoro Ba-sic Law (BBL) which is ex-pected to be spurned byCongress and the Senate.

He has also continuedon his advocacy againstdrugs and criminalitywhich he said are the ma-jor social problems inPhilippine society today.

The 70-year-old poli-tician is credited for trans-forming the former “Kill-ing Fields” in the Philip-pines where Communistassassins terrorized thecommunity with almostunabated killings, to be-ing one of the safest citiesin the world to Live In.

He is also widely ad-mired for having kept aclean image even as casesof massive corruption ingovernment have led tothe downfall of big namepoliticians in the country.(Jerry Dureza)

Sulu Governor Totoh Tan during the 11th Annual General Assembly of the Sulu ProvincialEmployees Multi-Purpose Cooperative last week. (Photo by Ahl-franzie Salinas)

Sulu governor inspirescooperative members

IT was indeed an inspirIT was indeed an inspirIT was indeed an inspirIT was indeed an inspirIT was indeed an inspiring moment for members of theing moment for members of theing moment for members of theing moment for members of theing moment for members of theof Sof Sof Sof Sof Sulu Pulu Pulu Pulu Pulu Prrrrrooooovincial Evincial Evincial Evincial Evincial Emplomplomplomplomployyyyyees Mees Mees Mees Mees Multi-Pulti-Pulti-Pulti-Pulti-Purpose Curpose Curpose Curpose Curpose Cooperooperooperooperoopera-a-a-a-a-tivtivtivtivtive – who held their 11th Annual Ge – who held their 11th Annual Ge – who held their 11th Annual Ge – who held their 11th Annual Ge – who held their 11th Annual Generenerenerenereneral Assembly – toal Assembly – toal Assembly – toal Assembly – toal Assembly – tohear Ghear Ghear Ghear Ghear Gooooovvvvvererererernor nor nor nor nor TTTTTotoh otoh otoh otoh otoh TTTTTan speak about an speak about an speak about an speak about an speak about “““““self-sufficiencyself-sufficiencyself-sufficiencyself-sufficiencyself-sufficiency.....”””””

people must be appreciatedand safeguarded. We cannothide our disappointmentswhen government proper-ties are not given due atten-tion and remain unappreci-ated,” he said.

“The SPEMPC as a formof an organization of peoplecan do their part by dissemi-nating correct informationon the projects and pro-grams we have imple-mented in the province in-stead of highlighting nega-tive events that can do moreharm than good. I hope themembers of the cooperativewill again choose the rightpeople to lead them in thecoming year, who will bringthem more good thingswhich in turn contributeand assist the ProvincialGovernment in reaching outin the service of our people,”

he added.Tan also led the raffling

of prizes for cooperativemembers during the event.Other guests whoe were in-vited to the event wereJosephine Agas, Coopera-tive District Supervisor II –District I; Felix Friales andOmar Sangkula, both ac-count officers of the LandBank of the Philippines inZamboanga City.

Talib Puning, HabibaEllih, Zulpikar Ahiri andIsmail Tahil Jr. also rendereda cultural dance and TahqaJumdam offered a beautifulsong to the governor, whothanked everybody for invit-ing him and for making hima member of the coopera-tive.

Cooperative membersalso praised Tan for his un-wavering support and themany accomplishments hemade as first-time governorof Sulu. (Ahl-franzie Salinas)

SSSSSee photos on page 3ee photos on page 3ee photos on page 3ee photos on page 3ee photos on page 3

Tan’s speech reflectedon this year’s cooperativetheme “Promoting Self-Sufficiency ThroughCooperativism: SPEMC’sResponse to Contempo-rary Challenges and Com-munity Development” andurged its members to workhard for the benefit of all.

The young and ener-getic politician was invitedby the SPEMC as its guestof honor. In his speech, Tansaid everybody must exertefforts in realizing thecooperative’s goal.

I hope any organiza-tion in the province willnot only craft beautiful-worded themes or slogans,but must also exert all ef-forts in realizing the goalsit sets for itself. The variousprojects and programs wehave implemented for the

MUSLIM LEADERS RENEWSUPPORT TO PEACE PROCESS

USLIM gov-ernors inBasilan, Suluand Tawi-

“We are always forpeace and we have beensupporting PresidentAquino’s peace initiativesin this part of the country.We are renewing our all-out support to the peaceprocess,” Tan said.

Their commitmentcame following the publiclaunching of ProPolitiCSor “Promoting PoliticalClimate and Stability forPeace in the Bangsamoro”in Zamboanga City. It wasattended by some 200people, mostly peace ad-vocates and leaders andrepresentatives of busi-

ness and various sectorsof the society, includingchurch leaders and fromthe police and military insouthern Philippines.

Among those whowere at the event werepeace advocates AminaRasul and Spanish priestAngel Calvo, lawyer JoseLorena, of the Office ofthe Presidential Adviseron the Peace Process;Abdullah Camlian, amember of theBangsamoro TransitionCommission; and politi-cal analyst Malou Tiguia.

CCCCContinue to page 2ontinue to page 2ontinue to page 2ontinue to page 2ontinue to page 2

Sulu Vice Governor Sakur and governors Nurbert Sahali, of Tawi-Tawi and Jum Akbar, ofBasilan renew support to Mindanao peace process, rally behind President Aquino’s peaceinitiatives. (Photos by Christina Diabordo and ZABIDA)

Tawi have renewed theirsupport to thegovernment’s peace pro-cess and have joined ef-forts to promote stabilityin the southern region.

Sulu Vice GovernorSakur, who representedGovernor Totoh Tan, andgovernors NurbertSahali, of Tawi-Tawi andJum Akbar, of Basilansaid they are behindPresident Aquino’s peaceinitiatives in Mindanao.

M

May 4-10, 20152 The Mindanao Examiner

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Tension in Lanao SurCOTABATO CITY – Ten-sion is high in Lanao delSur’s Wao town following arecent attack that killedand wounded at least adozen villagers. Gunmen strafed housesin village calledMagampong. And the mo-tive of the attack was saidto be in retaliation to themurder of several villag-ers. Police and militaryhave launched an opera-tion to track down the

raiders.Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay,

a spokeswoman for the 6thInfantry Division, has con-firmed the attack and saida group of “armed lawlesselements” strafed the areawith automatic gunfire.

Among those slain inthe strafing was ten-yearold Emran Manabilang.Two other adults – AnipahSumayan and MasterPendatun – were also killedand the others who died in

the hospital remain uni-dentified.

“Police and militaryare still investigating whowere behind this and theirmotive,” Petinglay toldthe regional newspaperMindanao Examiner.

No individualclaimed responsibility forthe attack and officialswould not say if the raidwas connected to a clanwar or family feud.(Mindanao Examiner)

PNP has new spokesmanMANILA – The PhilippineNational Police has namedSenior SuperintendentBartolome Tobias as itsnew spokesman.

Tobias, a lawyer, re-placed Chief Superinten-dent Generoso Cerbo Jr.who was designated as Of-ficer-in-Charge of the PNPDirectorate for Intelli-gence.

Tobias was the formercommander of the PNPAnti-Illegal Drug SpecialOperations Task Force.

“Essentially, my re-sponsibility is to ensure ef-fective implementation ofthe PNP Media RelationsPolicy that basically in-volves upholding the rightto information particularlyon matters of public inter-

est,” he said.Tobias, a member of

the PMA “Sandiwa” Class of1985, has previously servedin various posts in WesternVisayas and later as provin-cial police director of An-tique in 2006 and city po-lice director of Iloilo City in2008 before his reassign-ment to Camp Crame.(Mindanao Examiner)

Human rights group accusesmilitary of harassment

DAVAO CITY – The humanrights group Karapatan hasaccused the military of ha-rassment after a failed raidon its office in Davao Cityin southern Philippines.

It said the armed menwere stopped by humanrights workers from barg-ing into the office.

Hanimay Suazo,Karapatan’s Secretary Gen-eral, said they reported thematter to the police. Shesaid some of those in theoffice were villagers who

were victims of humanrights violations inPaquibato District.

“This incident is aform of harassment and acriminal act. The militarywants to inflict fear to si-lence us,” she said.

“There is no doubt thatthis is a clear handiwork ofmilitary and their agentsfor the fulfilment of theirintelligence and combatoperations of the failingOplan Bayanihan of theAFP and (President)

Benigno Aquino. We con-demn these blatant attacksagainst us, human rightsdefenders.”

There was no immedi-ate statement from themilitary about the allega-tions, but Karapatan hasrepeatedly accused troopsunder the EasternMindanao Command ofviolating human rights ofvillagers and tribesmen inDavao and other provincesnearby. (Mindanao Exam-iner)

Photo released by the Philippine National Police shows new spokesman Bartolome Tobias.

CCCCContinued frontinued frontinued frontinued frontinued from page 1om page 1om page 1om page 1om page 1The project seeks to

help shape a stable politi-cal environment in thesupport of the Mindanaopeace process.

It engages politicalleaders in dialogue, capac-ity-building, researchesand studies to enhancetheir informed and prin-cipled participation in thecrafting and implementa-tion of the road map andsustainable processes for

Muslim leaders renewsupport to peace process

sustainable peace and de-velopment in Mindanao.

It also aims to em-power women and indig-enous tribes and Muslimreligious leaders in shap-ing a stable political envi-ronment to help promotepeace and developmentand their role in the gov-ernment efforts inMindanao.

ProPolitiCS project isimplemented by the Insti-tute for Autonomy and

Governance in partnershipwith Local GovernmentDevelopment Foundation,the Philippine Center forIslam and Democracy andZamboanga-Basilan Inte-grated Development Alli-ance. It is being supportedby the Australian govern-ment under the BuildingAutonomous and StableInstitutions and Commu-nities in the Bangsamoroprogram. (ChristinaDiabordo)

May 4-10, 2015 3The Mindanao Examiner

Sulu governor inspires cooperative membersCCCCContinued frontinued frontinued frontinued frontinued from page 1om page 1om page 1om page 1om page 1

Sulu Governor Totoh Tan during the 11th Annual General Assembly of the Sulu Provincial Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative last week. (Photos by Ahl-franzie Salinas)

Bilanggong buntis pumugaZAMBOANGA CITY –Pinaghahanap ng pulisyaang isang babaengbilanggo na umano’ytumakas sa pagamutan nakung saan ito dinala dahilsa pananakit ng tiyan.

Nabatid na 8 buwangbuntis si Floramar Satim atnagreklamo ito ngmatinding sakit sa kanyangtiyan kung kaya’t agad itongisinugod sa pagamutankamakailan lamang.

Natakasan ni Satim

ang dalawang bantaynitong sina PO1 AlsidBungkak at PO1 JulhadaTungupun. Ayon sa pulisya,ipinasaok sa emergencyroom ng Zamboanga Medi-cal Center si Satim atipinagbawal naman ngduktor ang dalawangbantay sa loob nito kungkaya’t sa labas na lamangsila naghintay.

Ngunit laking gulat nalamang nila ng mabatid nawala na si Satim – na

nahaharap sa kasong droga– sa emergency room.

Hindi naman mabatidkung paanong natakasanni Satim ang dalawanggayun sinabi ng mgabantay na nasa labaslamang sila ng emergencyroom. Patuloy naman angpaghahanap sa bilanggo,ngunit hindi agad mabatidkung mahaharap sa kasoang dalawang bantay dahilsa kanilang kapabayaan.(Mindanao Examiner)

Hunt is on for ambushersDAVAO CITY – Troops havelaunched an operation totrack down communistrebels who ambushed a jailtruck and freed two of theirarrested companions andabducted two wardens inthe southern province ofSurigao del Sur.

The recent attack nearthe village of Amontay inMarihatag town alsowounded three other jailwardens and a prisoner

The wardens were

transporting the prisonerswhen about 3 dozen NewPeople’s Army rebels at-tacked them and sprungthe detainees, who are bothmembers of the communistgroup arrested in Februaryin Lianga town for possess-ing improvised explosives.

Troops were sent to thearea to track down theambushers, but themilitary’s EasternMindanao Command didnot release any information

or statement about theprogress of the operation.

The identities of the ab-ducted wardens or theirwounded companionswere not immediate avail-able. The Bureau of JailManagement and Penol-ogy also did not issue anystatement.

The rebels have beenfighting for many decadesnow for the establishment ofa separate state in the coun-try. (Mindanao Examiner)

May 4-10, 20154 The Mindanao Examiner

Police, military efforts keep Zamboanga safe

Ex-militia, tinadtad ng balaTADTAD sa bala ang isangdating government militiamatapos itong ratratin ngmga di-kilalang armado sabayan ng Tungawan saZamboanga Sibugay prov-ince.

Sinabi ni Insp. DahlanSamuddin, ang regionalpolice spokesman, na isangdosenang bala mula sa Car-bine at M16 ang nabawi ngmga imbestigador saBarangay Cayamcam na

kung saan pinatay siMargarito Lecaros.

Tadtad ng tama ng balasa katawan at ulo si Lecarosng matagpuan angkanyang bangkay. Hindinaman mabatid ng pulisyakung sino ang nasa likod ngkrimen o kung maykinalaman ba ang NewPeople’s Army o mgakaaway ni Lecaros sakanyang pagkakapaslang.

Wala rin umako sa

krimen, ayon kaySamuddin. “Ongoing yuninvestigation natin sakrimen at inaalam pa natinkung sino ang nasa likodnito,” ani pa ng opisyal saMindanao Examiner.

Hindi namannagbigay ng anumangpahayag ang pamilya niLecaros. (Mindanao Exam-iner)

Militar todo-bantayvs BIFF sa Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY – Todo-bantay pa rin ang militar saseguridadsa Maguindanaoprovince na kung saan aypinaghahanap ng mgasundalo ang grupongBangsamoro Islamic Free-dom Fighters na patuloyang atake sa magulong Au-tonomous Region in Mus-lim Mindanao.

Kamakailan lamang aynapigilan ng militar angpambobomba ng BIFF sabayan ng Datu Unsaymatapos na madiskubre samay tulay sa Barangay Metaang isang improvised explo-sive device.

Target sana ng BIFF nabombahin ang mga convoyng militar na dumaraan saMeta Bridge na halos 50metro lamang ang layon sakampo ng 34th Infantry Bat-talion.

Ngunit sa kabila ngnapakalapit sa tulay ngnasabing kampo ay hindinaman natunugan ng mgasundalo ang pagtatanim ngbomba doon. Nalamanlamang ito ng militar ngmagsumbong angh isangresidente na may bomba salugar. Pinasabugan na rinnoon ng BIFF ang nasabingtulay na ikinasawi ng mgasundalo.

Kinumpirma naman ng6th Infantry Division angpagkakatuklas sa bomba atsinabi ng tagapagsalitanitong si Capt. Jo-annPetinglay na ang IED aygawa mula sa isang anti-tank rocket o rocket pro-pelled grenade at nakakabitito sa isang blasting cap nakonektado naman sadalawang 9 volt batteries atisang relay switch.

“The IED was success-fully disrupted by the (army)EOD team and recovered anRPG warhead, improvisedelectric blasting cap, two 9-volt batteries, relay switch,and two battery holderswith wire.”

“The successful recov-ery of the IED was due to thegrowing concern andawareness among the civil-ian populace. If it was not re-ported earlier, the IED couldhave caused harm to the ci-vilian commuters and dam-age to the structure and fur-ther causing disruption ofthe flow of traffic in thearea,” ani Petinglay sapahayagang Mindanao Ex-aminer.

Nakikibaka ang BIFFpara sa kalayaan ng mgaMuslim sa Mindanao.(Mindanao Examiner)

Supt. Ariel Huesca, commander of the Philippine National Police Public Safety Battalion in Zamboanga, speaks to the group of Lt. Marlon Saracho, MBLT9 company commander, during thesoldiers’ courtesy call at the police headquarters in Santa Barbara village. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Christina Diabordo)

ZZZZZAMBOAMBOAMBOAMBOAMBOANGA CITANGA CITANGA CITANGA CITANGA CITY – PY – PY – PY – PY – Police and militarolice and militarolice and militarolice and militarolice and military authory authory authory authory authoritiesitiesitiesitiesitiescontinue to strcontinue to strcontinue to strcontinue to strcontinue to strengthen their coorengthen their coorengthen their coorengthen their coorengthen their coordination in an effordination in an effordination in an effordination in an effordination in an effortttttto effectivto effectivto effectivto effectivto effectively addrely addrely addrely addrely address securess securess securess securess security concerity concerity concerity concerity concerns and the peacens and the peacens and the peacens and the peacens and the peaceand orand orand orand orand order in Zder in Zder in Zder in Zder in Zamboanga City in southeramboanga City in southeramboanga City in southeramboanga City in southeramboanga City in southern Pn Pn Pn Pn Philippineshilippineshilippineshilippineshilippines.....

Zamboanga to replace an-other marine contingentthat was recalled by theirheadquarters for a newtraining in Cavite in Luzon.

Lt. Marlon Saracho,MBLT9 company com-mander, also met withSupt. Ariel Huesca, head of

the Public Safety Battalion,during his courtesy call atthe police headquarters inSanta Barbara village.

Saracho said he wouldcoordinate closely with thepolice and work alongsidewith Huesca’s group to en-sure the security ofZamboanga as part of thelocal government’s PUMApatrol plan or Pulis, Ma-rines, Army.

Huesca assured the lo-cals of the continued ef-forts of the police and mili-tary to protect them fromthreats of terrorism,among others. He alsopraised the citizens fortheir full cooperation toauthorities, especially in

providing information oncriminality.

The local governmentsaid police and military au-thorities have strength-ened coordination as wellas augmentation of forcesin strategic areas as part ofthe fortified security mea-

sures in the city. Climacoemphasized strict coordi-nation among all securityunits to ensure continuedand maximum preventivesecurity and safety re-sponse with the local gov-ernment unit. (ChristinaDiabordo)

The local government,headed by Mayor BengClimaco, is also supportiveto the efforts of the policeand military. Just recently,members of the MarineBattalion Landing Team 9under Lt. Col. EnsteinCalaoa Jr arrived in

The Mindanao Examiner 5May 4-10, 2015

May 4-10, 20156 The Mindanao Examiner - FOREIGN

US scientists have developed long-distance homing bulletsResearchers working forthe Defense Advanced Re-search Projects Agency(DARPA) of the US Depart-ment of Defense havecome up with a technologythat's as brilliant as it iscreepy - homing bulletsthat can self-steer their wayinto the flesh of a target.Watch above to see howeven an amateur shot canhit a moving target with

one of these things duringa round of live-fire tests.While the technology hasbeen in development for afew years now, this is theirmost successful test run sofar.

The aptly named Ex-treme Accuracy TaskedOrdnance - or EXACTO -program that birthed thistechnology says they weredesigned to give difficult,

long-distance shots ahigher success rate, espe-cially if the targets happento be constantly moving ortrying to evade getting hit.They say they can workover a distance of up to 2kilometres.

"This video showsEXACTO roundsmanoeuvring in flight tohit targets that are movingand accelerating," the

team says at their YouTubepage. "EXACTO’s speciallydesigned ammunition andreal-time optical guidancesystem help track and di-rect projectiles to their tar-gets by compensating forweather, wind, targetmovement and other fac-tors that can impede suc-cessful hits."

The technology worksby having the sniper marka target with a laser light,and each 10-cm (4-inch)bullet has an optical sensorembedded in its nose thatcan detect this laser, whichmeans it can send infor-mation back to the shooterabout its position relative

to the laser target. This al-lows the shooter to operatetiny motors inside the bul-let to alter its path on thefly. "We can make correc-tions 30 times per second,"one of the team, Red Jones,told the BBC. "That meanswe can over-correct, so wedon't have to be as preciseeach time."

The researchers say bymaking bullet technologymore accurate, it will cutdown on unnecessary ca-sualties in the field.

But the one major con-cern with the technology -and it's a big one - is if itgets into the hands of ter-rorists. "The public may be

uncomfortable with theimplications of people be-ing able to use this withoutneeding to have a sight lineto the target - you could seethis having terrorist uses,"Elizabeth Quintana, seniorresearch fellow at the RoyalUnited Services Institutethink-tank, which is notinvolved in the research,told the BBC. "There's talkof selling to recreationalhunters, but I would imag-ine the authorities wouldwant to limit the public'saccess to this kind of tech-nology. It would be usefulfor law enforcement - par-ticularly in hostage situa-tions."

Experts Fear a Defensive ZoneOver China’s Homemade IslandsThe Chinese regime is nowbuilding airstrips on itshomemade islands in theSouth China Sea. WhileChina’s neighbors largelyreject its claims to the re-gion—and particularly itsefforts to simply build newterritory—many experts areworried about what prob-lems the islands will bringin the near future.

One likely possibility isthat the Chinese regime willtry to do in the South ChinaSea what it did in the EastChina Sea, and establish anair defense zone it can de-fend militarily, according toDr. Andrew S. Erickson, anassociate professor in theStrategic Research Depart-ment at the U.S. Naval WarCollege.

Erickson presented thecase in a recent article inThe National Interest. As afounding member of hisdepartment’s China Mari-time Studies Institute, hiswords carry some weight.

Satellite images postedby intelligence companyIHS Jane’s on April 15 showthe Chinese regime hasbuilt a 1,650-foot section ofa runway on Fiery CrossReef. It noted the final run-way could be close to10,000 feet long, which“would be well within theparameters of existingPeople’s Liberation Army

Air Force runways on main-land China.”

Erickson notes the run-way is just one of many theChinese regime is con-structing on its homemadeislands. Similar projects areunderway on Subi Reef andpossibly Mischief Reef, andsimilar developments arebeing made on the nearbyParacel Islands.

“One logical applica-tion for China’s current ac-tivities: to support a SCS[South China Sea] Air De-fense Identification Zone(ADIZ). Beijing already es-tablished an ADIZ in theEast China Sea in Novem-ber 2013,” Erickson writes.

“Many nations—in-cluding the U.S.—have es-tablished such zones totrack aircraft approachingtheir territorial airspace(out to 12 nautical milesfrom their coast), particu-larly aircraft apparentlyseeking to enter that space,”he writes. Admiral SamuelLocklear, commander ofthe U.S. Pacific Command,pitched the concern onApril 15 that the Chineseregime’s projects “couldeventually lead to the de-ployment of things, such aslong-range radars, militaryand advanced missile sys-tems,” and these systemscould be used to defend anew air defense zone.

The Chinese regimehas sent mixed messages.On April 17, Foreign Minis-try Spokesman Hong Leiclaimed the newly built is-lands will not be primarilyused for its military. How-ever, the Chinese ambassa-dor to the United States, CuiTiankai, said “China’s con-struction of military facili-ties in the area ‘is only natu-ral and necessary and thatthey are purely for defen-sive purposes.'”

The issue at hand isthat nations are allowed todeclare air defense zonesaround their territories. TheChinese regime is compli-cating this factor. In the EastChina Sea, it included long-held Japanese territory in itsair defense zone, and in theSouth China Sea, it bringsthe new question of howself-built territory factorsin.

“But while any coastalstate is legally entitled toannounce an ADIZ, the wayin which China has done soin the East China Sea is wor-risome,” Erickson writes.“China threatens still-un-specified ‘defensive emer-gency measures’ if foreignaircraft don’t comply withits orders—orders that anADIZ does not give it li-cense to issue or enforcephysically.”(By JoshuaPhilipp, Epoch Times)

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The Saudi leadership shuffleWITH the announcementInterior Minister PrinceMohammed Bin Nayef be-comes next in line to theSaudi throne, and theKing's own son DefenseMinister PrinceMohammed Bin Salman inline after him, SaudiArabia's ruler King Salmanhas at a stroke modernizedthe face of the monarchy.

The question is: In pre-paring the monarchy forthe future, has KingSalman modernized thecountry?

Saudi is typical for theGulf -- by far the majorityof its population is under30 years old.

But elsewhere in theregion, younger leaders areincreasingly the norm.Qatar is a point in case. Thecurrent Emir is just 35 yearsold, and his father was inhis early 60s when he wasousted two years ago.

And yet in SaudiArabia, since the country'sfounder, Abdulaziz IbnSaud, died in 1953, only hissons have been King --passing the throne brotherto brother, resulting an ag-ing monarchy in an ever-more youthful region.

Now, the next in line tothe throne are from the"next" generation: nephewand son of the King. That issignificant and seems inline with Saudi Arabia'schanging role in the re-gion.

The Arab Spring of2011 saw the youthfulQataris get out ahead ofbigger neighbor SaudiArabia, throwing moneyand influence at a multi-tude of causes. The Saudiswere to a degree caughtflat-footed, slow to re-spond to regional turmoiland protect their interests.

But over the pastcouple of years the lastKing -- King Abdullah --ramped up defense and se-curity spending, setting thestage for a more muscularforeign policy.

Under the new Kingand his two Crown Princes,Saudi Arabia has flexed

SUPPORT PEACEIN MINDANAO

that muscle in Yemen, withas many as 100 bombingsorties a day for over amonth hitting Houthis andarmy units loyal to Yemen'sousted President AliAbdullah Saleh.

Iran's Supreme LeaderAyatollah Ali al Khameneiwas quick to criticize, tar-geting, what else, but age:"Despite disputes, Saudisused to display composurewith us, but now inexperi-enced youngsters havecome to power and re-

placed composure withbarbarism."

That was early Aprilbefore the recent reshuffle.So, far from recoiling atsharp barbs over youth, theSaudis seem to wear thecriticism as a badge ofhonor.

In a country wherechange happens so slowly,these new appointments, ifnot altogether unexpected,are a sign of a more out-ward looking future. (NicRobertson, CNN)

The Mindanao Examiner - OPINION 7May 4-10, 2015

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Letters to the Editor: Aquino deserves no creditfor Mary Jane Veloso’s temporary victory

Letters to the Editor: Why Saving MaryJane Veloso From Execution Is Not EnoughDear Editor,

Hello there. I’m NeilFlores, a Spanish-Fili-pino doing communitywork here in Davao for5 years now. I’ve livedw i t h Fi l i p i n o O F W ’sabroad, as my motherhas been one of them.I ’v e b e e n re a d i n gSunstar for a long timenow, but this is my firsttime to send somethinglike this. I hope I cans h a re t h e s e t h o u g h t swith people.

L e t ’s a s s u m e t h a tMary Jane lives. Whatnow?

Would she drown ina sea of cash donationsfrom people who, whilesympathizing with herplight, do not take con-crete action to help themillions more who suf-fer greater hardshipst h a n M a r y Ja n e o n adaily basis?

Would she be able tolead a normal life, afterhaving a record in drugpeddling? The issue ofwhether the allegationsare true or not is irrel-evant. A smudge of adrug case in one’s laborhistory doesn’t help oneland a job, especial ly

when one is just a highschool dropout.

Will people do morethan just share photosa n d p l e a s f o r Ma r yJane’s life on Facebook,and actually step intomore concrete politicala c t i o n t o c a l l f o r re -forms in the country?

The moment the ex-ecution order for MaryJane is lifted, she nowhas to face another ex-ecution, one that shemay never free herselfa w a y f ro m w i t h : t h epoverty in everyday lifei n t h e Ph i l i p p i n e s,w h i c h s l ow l y k i l l sp e o p l e w h i l e m a k i n gthem suffer on a dailybasis.

So we ask the ques-t ion: which is better,s w i f t d e a t h by f i r i n gsquad, or slow death byliving a poor life?

The answer is notamong these two com-mon options. It is to liveand struggle for a betterfuture.

Sa v i n g M a r y Ja n ewill never be enough. Tocall for the junking ofthe labor export policyof the Aquino adminis-tration, which I highly

agree with even whenmy working hours donot allow me to marchwith them militants inthe trees, is a good stepfor ward. Provis ion ofstricter measures to en-sure the welfare of ourOFW’s abroad? A goodthing too. Call to oust alousy President f i l ledw i t h l i e s a n d t o t a l l yweak in defending thepeople’s r ights to thedubious justice systemof other nations? Mightbe the best thing to do.

I s tand with Mar yJane. But I fear that sav-ing her l ife, i f it werepossible, might not beenough. I f we do notact, many more peoplewill become like MaryJane, and those who donot wil l l ive to sufferslow, painful deaths un-der governments whoare insincere in theirc l a i m s t o s e r ve t h e i rc o n s t i t u e n t s a n dpeople who cannot dom o re t h a n s h a reFacebook photos.

Neil Flores / DavaoCity

FIVE YEARS OF INUTILITY,FIVE MINUTES OF FAKEEFFORT: AQUINO DE-SERVES NO CREDIT FORMARY JANE’S TEMPORARYVICTORY…

Dear Editor,Hello there. I am An-

thony Rico Santos, and I amdisgusted with how manymedia outlets try to projecta positive image of Aquino,when he has done so littleand so late. I hope this getsprinted.

Thank you.Tony SantosLet us make a few

things clear:Mary Jane received no

legal aid from the DFA oranyone under the Aquinoadministration, and thetranslator who was em-ployed in her service a merestudent who had no inklingwith the legal process thatMary Jane had to under-

stand.She was in that impov-

erished state for five years.It was the DFA and the

rest of the gang fromAquino’s administrationwho said that they havedone everything, but stillcould not bring Mary Janeback.

Aquino’s talk withWidodo was an informalone, similar to conversa-tions on the sidewalkswhile smoking cigar, talk-ing about the weather orchecking up on what theother was doing in his life.

Their talk went on forfive minutes.

For the administrationand the members of main-stream media who are ongovernment payroll to saythat Mary Jane’s temporaryvictory was due to theAquino regime’s tireless ef-forts to help her in her case

is not a just a laughable caseof people having the gall tosay such rubbish.

It is a betrayal of publictrust, one that misleads oth-ers into thinking that thereis hope with the current ad-ministration, and MaryJane can be saved if only weentrust her case to the gov-ernment.

It’s an act of propa-ganda for a governmentdesperate to prolong itselfin power, so it could milkmore from the toils of itsoverseas workers and work-ers within the country.

Everyone who falls tothe trap of believing whatthe government and mostof the media outlets say iseither one of those inutilegovernment employees,underpaid media practitio-ners, or people who do notread enough to understandthat all that Aquino ever did

was to sit by and pretendthat he was actually doingsomething.

It was the concrete andorganized calls for the stopof the execution that urgedJoko Widodo to reconsiderthe case of Mary Jane, inlight of the surrender of thedrug trafficker who is ulti-mately responsible for hercurrent plight.

To believe that Aquinoactually did something ismake things worse for MaryJane. It gives control of thecase to people who are bothinsincere in giving aid toher. More importantly, sheis only one among the 7,000OFWs in prison today. Whatabout the 6,999 whom tillnow remain unknown tothe public? What is Aquinodoing for them, if any at all?I dare anyone from the gov-ernment to answer.(tonysantos9010@gmail.com)

(Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco)

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Chinese reclamation at West PH Sea costing$100 million annual damage to its ecosystem

HE illegal Chi-nese reclama-tion at the WestPhilippine SeaT

is already costingaround $100 million inannual damage to theecological system in thecontested area, accord-

ing to Dr. EdgardoGomez, Emeritus Profes-sor of the University ofthe Philippines - MarineScience Department.

Gomez said there isdestruction of the bal-ance of marine ecosys-tem seen due to the mas-

sive reclamation projectsof China. He said the overexploitation of endan-gered species and coralreef ecosystem areamong the issues con-cerning the sustainabilityof food security in thePhilippines, Gomez said.

He said the physicaldestruction of the marinebiodiversity has an im-pact on climate changeand economic productiv-ity of the country. “CoralReefs provide the mostproductive ecosystemservices, it sustains life.These healthy coral reefsare important for the pro-ductivity of neighboringmarginal seas and if theChinese continue to harm

these healthyecosystems,we may loseour ecologicalbiodiversity,” Gomezwarned.

Chinese fishermendominating Bajo deMasinloc near Zambalescontinue to use destruc-tive method of fishing andhave already destroyed alarge part of coral reefs inthe area. They are alsoharvesting a massive

amount of giant clamswhich are consideredendangered. These giantclams are reportedlyused as replacements forivory to sustain Chinesesculptural industry.Tridachna Gigas areamong the true giantclams found on the WestPhilippine Sea. (FerlizaC. Contratista. With a re-port from Caren P.Gabisay)

Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. reads a copy of the regional newspaper MindanaoExaminer.

Kadaghanang mga OFWs nga naa sa deathrow, tungod sa kaso sa ilegal nga droga

DUNAY halos200 ka Pilipinonga naa sadeath row saA

tibuok kalibotan tungodsa nagkalain-laing kaso.Sa maong gidaghanon,89 niini ang drug-relatednga kaso diin 72 kaOFWs ang nalambigit sakasong ilegal nga droganga naa karonnagtingkagol sabilangguan sa China.Ang uban niini naa saMiddle East, Malaysia ugThailand.

Matud pa saMigrante International,unom ka Pilipino na anggipatay pinaagi sapaglunggo sa ulo sukad2005.

227 ka Pinoy angnabilanggo tungod sakaso sa ilegal nga drogasa China lamang.Espisipikong target sainternational drug gangsang mga babayengPilipino nga may edad20 anyos hangtud 40anyos.

Sukad Hulyo 2014,

807 ka Pinoy angnabilanggo sa nagkalain-laing nasud kalabot sakaso sa ilegal nga droga.Sa 710 nga na-aresto, 265(37%) ang lalaki, samtang445 (63%) ang babaye.Kababayen-an anggigamit sa mga sindikatotungod kay dili silakadudahan sa mga in-spectors.

Ubos sa OmnibusRules Implementing theMigrant Workers Act of1995 (RA 8042), anggobyerno, ubos sa Officeof the Undersecretary forMigrant Workers Affairs(OUMWA-DFA) angmohatag og legal assis-tance sa mga OFWs underdistress o may mga kaso saubang nasud ug gigahingpondo alang niini.

Sa Section 43-LegalAssistance Fund, ang LegalAssistance Fund ngagimugna ubos niinieksklusibong gamitonlamang alang sa paghatagog legal nga serbisyo alangsa mga migrant workers ugoverseas Filipinos in dis-

tress nga nahisubay sa ap-proved guidelines, criteriaug procedures.

Kini magamit lamangsa espisipikong katuyoansama sa: (a) Bayad saserbisyo sa abogado sa for-eign lawyers alang nganag-representar sa mi-grant workers nga nag-atubang og kaso ug ubanpang bayronon; (b) Bailbonds alang sa pagkuha ogtemporary release of work-ers nga nabilanggo nga gi-rekomendar sa abogado;(c) Court fees, charges ugubang litigation expensesnga e-rokemendar sa ilangabogado.

Ang OUMWA ang mo-isyu og guidelines, proce-dures ug criteria alang saprobisyon sa legal assis-tance services sa mga Fili-pino Migrant Workers ubossa pagdumala niUndersecretary of MigrantWorkers’ Affairs (OUMWA)Jesus I. Yabes sa telepono834-4449; 551-0847(Fax)E m a i l :o u m w a @ d f a . g o v. p h .(Elvira Bongosia)

Aquino nagpasalamat sa konsiderasyonni Widodo sa kaso ni Mary Jane Veloso

ODO angpasalamat karonsa gobyerno saPilipinas kangT

Indonesian PresidentJoko Widodo sa paghatagog konsiderasyon sa apelani Presidente BenignoAquino nga mahataganog reprieve o paglanganang kaso ni Mary JaneVeloso.

Matud pa ni Presi-dential CommunicationsOperations Office (PCOO)Kalihim Sonny Coloma,ang reprieve ni Veloso usaka kahigayonan aronmahatagan og katin-awan ang kaso ug kun gi-unsa siya pag-ilad sa mgasindikato aronmahimong drug mule.

Matud pa ni Coloma,nagpasalamat usab sila sa

katawhang Pilipino sa pag-ampo ug vigil alang sakaluwasan ni Mary Jane.

Kahinumdoman ngatungod sa apela niPresidente Aquino kangWidodo, gihatagan ogpagtagad ang hangyo alangkang Mary Jane nga ma-re-prieve aron ibutyag angmga drug traffickers ngamigamit kaniya.

“The Philippine gov-ernment thanks PresidentWidodo and the Indone-sian government for givingdue consideration to Presi-dent Aquino's appeal thatMary Jane Veloso be givena reprieve. Such reprieveprovides an opportunity forthe perpetuation of her tes-timony that could shedlight on how a criminal syn-dicate duped her into being

an unwitting accomplice orcourier in their human anddrug trafficking activities.We also thank the Filipinopeople for their prayers andfor keeping vigil for MaryJane's cause”.

Samtang giseguro usabni Coloma nga mo-usadang kaso sa Pilipinas batoksa giingong nangbiktimakang Veloso aronmapamatud-an sa Indone-sia nga biktima lamangkini. "Our Department ofJustice will do a case build-up and provide the infor-mation to the Indonesianauthorities, so that the po-sition of Mary Jane may beclarified, that she was a vic-tim of a human traffickingand illegal drug traffickingsyndicate," dugang pa niColoma. (Elvira Bongosia)

Always be on watch forEbola and Mers-Cov

HE Department ofHealth has againreminded thepublic to be onT

guard of the deadly virusesof Ebola and the MiddleEast Respiratory SyndromeCoronavirus or Mers-Cov.

In a recent meeting ofthe Cebu Association ofCity and Municipal PublicInformation Officers, DOHregional chief epidemiolo-gist Dr. RennanCimafranca, said the sup-pression of these emerginginfectious diseases shouldbe given importance by ev-ery municipality and cityin Cebu.

“These infectious dis-eases are among thehealth-threatening chal-lenges the world is facingtoday” Cimafranca said,adding.

He said Cimafranca re-ported so far World HealthOrganization has not is-sued a specific treatmentfor Mers-CoV and Ebola.

Although there were noreports of Ebola or Mers-Cov outbreak in the Philip-pines, Cimafranca said it isstill better to aware of thediseases. “We are thankfulthat so far there is no caseof Ebola and Mers-Cov inthe Philippines,” he said.

He said at the locallevel, the DOH hasstrengthened the surveil-lance and monitoring ofpassengers in all seaportsand airports to ensure thereare no carriers of the dis-eases coming into thecountry. He said there areambulances dedicated todeliver any suspected casesin their respective quaran-

tine facilities.Vicente Sotto Memo-

rial Medical Center andBureau of Quarantine areproviding medical sup-port in case there are re-ports of contamination ordiseases in Cebu.

Ebola is a disease ofhumans and other pri-mates caused by a virusand its signs and symp-toms typically start be-tween two days and threeweeks after contractingthe virus with a fever, sorethroat, muscular pain,and headaches. Mostpeople infected withMers-CoV develop severeacute respiratory illness,including fever, cough,and shortness of breath.(Ferliza C. Contratista.With a report from CarenP. Gabisay)