Muslim religious leaders condemn Iligan blasts

(www.mindanews.com)

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/30 December) -- Muslim religious leaders ofthis city strongly condemned the recent twin bombings here that killed two persons on the spot and wounded 43 others.
"The imams are saddened by the turn of events that killed and wounded civilians. We strongly condemn this incident to the utmost," saidUstadj Tawantawan M. Cauntongan Monday in a press conference on security and social relations initiated by the Civil SocietyOrganizations- Forum for Peace Inc., at DY Dimsum restaurant.
"Those believers of Islam cannot do this kind of violence to our brethren hence, I appeal to all Muslim and Christians that we should be united to fight against these senseless killings," he said.
"But while we condemn this, we wish to emphasize that this is not a religious war," he said.
The imams also asked the military, police and the civil society to help educate the public on giving equal treatment to all citizens.
They also appealed to media not to allow sweeping accusations against the Moro community as suspects in the bombing to be aired on radio.
"Islam as a religion forbids evil-doing," Cauntongan said.
He added many Maranaos live in Iligan city "to enjoy peace."
"There is no religion that teaches violence. Christians and Muslims alike share the same boat in this journey that's why we need to be the bridge of understanding, " said Yusoph Macabado, also a Muslimreligious leader here.
"We all had historical prejudices, misconceptions and biases succeeded by generations, that is why we need to dialogue," he said.
He added many Maranaos live in Iligan city "to enjoy peace."
"There is no religion that teaches violence. Christians and Muslimsalike share the same boat in this journey that's why we need to be thebridge of understanding, " said Yusoph Macabado, also a Muslim religious leader here.
"We all had historical prejudices, misconceptions and biases succeeded by generations, that is why we need to dialogue," he said.
Ustadj Samang Baunta said "we do not want Muslim-Christian conflicts and we also urge everyone that for whatever happened let us not put the law into our hands. All of us religious leaders have roles to play."
Bert Macapanton, a representative of the civil society in Lanao del Sur, also condemned the bombings as a barbaric act.
He asked the media not to put the blame on Muslims in general.
He said Najma Basher, a nursing student who was severely wounded by bomb explosion at Jerry Shopping center passed away.
A 5-month-old Maranao baby who was hit in his head died while beingtreated at the city hospital.
Col. Benito De Leon, commanding officer of 104th Infantry Brigade,told reporters and the imams that dialogues with communities were being conducted alongside military operations against "rogue elements"of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
De Leon said that the soldiers were not blaming the Muslim community for the spate of bombings but the "rogue lawless groups."
He said that prior to the bombings there were threats through text messages of retaliation for the military offensives during Ramadhanand for the continued stay of soldiers in Camp Bilal.
But he denied the military conducted operations during the month of fasting, saying many of his soldiers are also Muslims who were performing their religious obligations.
The official added that right after the bombing incidents, he received a text message telling him that what happened was not enough "to awaken the people of Iligan City who opposed the Memorandum ofAgreement on Ancestral Domain."
He said they tried to track down the mobile phone that sent themessages until it went dead.
De Leon stressed that the soldiers will treat "all lawless armed groups like the vigilantes" the way they treat the "rogue MILF groups."
"We have communicated to leaders of vigilante groups that there isonly one AFP and one PNP, and we cannot allow them to take the lawinto their hands," he added.
"In all checkpoints, we will confiscate lose firearms and we will alsosimilarly confiscate the firearms of vigilantes," he assured, adding he has to be firm to restore normalcy.
"This way we cannot make a bigger social divide," he said.
New Iligan city police director Oscar D. Aguda also presented a security assessment.
Aguda said the bombing was intended to create divisions and that the suspects wanted to project themselves before the international community.
He said that since December 22, thirteen suspicious pieces of baggage had been recovered and the last one was a radio transistor left by a couple near Gaisano mall which was defused by water disruption.
"Hopefully, we will be able to regain normal business activity in the city," he said.
Aguda also presented the cartographic sketches of the bombing suspects.
Celso Ponce, chair of Barangay Tambacan, said he will reproduce the sketches for public posting. (Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)

Official statement of MILF chair Ibrahim Murad on Resuming Peace Talks

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

December 26, 2008

On Resuming the GRP-MILF Peace Talks

The call to stop the current fighting in Mindanao and resume the GRP-MILF Peace Talks from the international community particularly the European Union (EU), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Japan, and other states, and several local and international organizations including those affiliated with the United Nations, is not only timely but a very welcomed development. The MILF always values and pursues the track of peace and negotiation, which the late MILF chairman Salamat Hashim described as “the most practical and civilized way” of solving the age-old Moro Problem and the armed conflict in Mindanao. As facts of the 11-year peace talks clearly indicated, the MILF has always given the peace talks the chance to succeed, but the main stumbling block is the Philippine government. The best evidence is its refusal or failure to sign the “initialed” Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in Putrajaya, Selangor, Malaysia on August 5, 2008.

The MILF is open to resume the “collapsed” or stalled GRP-MILF Peace Talks. To show that the MILF is committed to the peace talks, the MILF Peace Panel has not been disbanded despite the hasty exit of the GRP Peace Panel. We are also observing the ceasefire agreement despite the sustained and massive offensive of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted against so-called three rogue commanders of the MILF, which spilled over to areas of other MILF base commanders and did not only widen the theater of war in Mindanao but also resulted into a “humanitarian crisis” of grand scale. More than 600,000 civilians or evacuees or internally displaced persons (IDPs) were uprooted from their homes and farmlands. They are in evacuation centers, in public or even private buildings or empty lots or are accommodated by relatives and friends.

The debacle in Malaysia still haunts us. We do not want to repeat this bitter experience, which is mainly the consequence of lack of government’s political will and diplomatic finesse or accountability. In view of these, the MILF finds it necessary to come out with this declaration:

Before the GRP-MILF Peace Talks resume, there must be an international guarantee composed of states or association of states, which will provide guarantee that both the GRP and MILF will honor and implement agreement or agreements forged by the parties. This will give the assurance that the MOA-AD tragedy will not be repeated anymore;

Both sides resolve the issue of the MOA-AD which the MILF viewed as “done deal” in contravention to GRP’s “no deal” and “unconstitutional” stance;

The International Monitoring Team (IMT) will be allowed to discharge its duties and functions, as contained in the IMT Term of Reference (TOR) including the investigation of all the violations of the ceasefire since July 1, 2008 up to the present;

The AFP immediately cease military offensive in Mindanao against the MILF even in the guise of running after its three “rogue commanders”, pursuant to and in compliance with the Security Aspect of the Tripoli Agreement on Peace on June 22, 2001 in order to put a halt to the mass evacuation of people as well as the accompanying destruction to houses, farmlands, working animals, and other properties, pursuant to the Relief, Rehabilitation, and Humanitarian Aspect of the same Agreement; and

Malaysia will stay as facilitator of the peace talks.

Al Haj Murad Ebrahim

Chairman

In Iligan, AFP wants Cafgus maximized, police wants more support for bomb squad

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Gen. Yano: no let-up in drive vs MILF 'rogue elements'

Wednesday, 24 December 2008 10:56

photos of this affair can be viewed in this Link:
http://timonera.com/mindanewspix/23bomb/

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/23 December) – Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander Yano today said the military will continue operations against “rogue elements” of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front who attacked some towns of Lanao del Norte and Cotabato.

Yano, however, said he was not giving the soldiers a deadline for the arrest of Commanders Bravo, Kato and Pangalian because “everything would depend on the community where they could be hiding.”

The three MILF leaders were tagged as having led the August attacks that left a number of civilians dead.
Yano, who visited Camp Pintoy here to assess the area’s security situation, said their targets are not only the leaders but also the members.
“My visit here is part of my customary activities this Christmas and also to look into security development with our campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF),” he told reporters. [Read More...]

"Follow Davao" to ease Iligan's post-blast tension

[this story was dispatched today but will be posted in MindaNews
web tomorrow. because of urgency of the concern, I am posting it ahead.-vmg]

www.mindanews.com

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/December 21) – Two schemes that originated inDavao City have been suggested to ease the post-blast tension in thiscity: ban firecrackers and facilitate dialogues.

Iliganons from various sectors and faiths met Saturday afternoon with
military and police officials to discuss ways of responding to
situations brought about by the uncertainties following the December17 bombings that left two baggage attendants dead and 43 shoppers andvendors injured.

The succeeding days also saw the recovery of improvised bombs hiddenin a papaya fruit and planted in a bakeshop and in a garbage pile.

Major Efren Morados of 104th Infantry Brigade urged civil society tofacilitate a dialogue with religious and other traditional leaders toask them to help prevent escalation of violence.

Morados said this is a strategy adopted by Davao City during the spateof bombings there in 2003.

Davao City is the first city in the country to have deputy mayors fromamong the Moro and Lumad tribes living in the city.

Jun Tenorio, vice-president of the Civil Society Organization Forumfor Peace (CSOFP), a network of non-governmental organizations, alsosaid it would be wise for Iligan to adopt the policy of Davao Citythat prohibits fireworks during (the holidays) as we will then havethe difficulty of identifying which is an explosion from bomb and anexplosion from firecrackers."

"Some have said that those who are selling firecrackers may havebusiness rights but we have security concerns, too. If Davao City wasable to make it, why can't we?" he asked.

Davao City has been celebrating quiet Christmases and New Years sincethe firecracker ban was imposed in 2001. The city ordinance banningfirecrackers was actually passed only in 2002 but as early as 2001,Mayor Rodrigo Duterte banned the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnicsby not issuing business permits to vendors and malls intending to sellthese. He said the money for fireworks would be better spent on food.He also announced a P5,000 bounty for anyone who could pinpoint anyonefiring a gun during the merrymaking.

In 2002, the City Council passed Ordinance 060-02 prohibiting themanufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers orpyrotechnic devices.

Iligan's policemen, soldiers, media and non-government workers agreedwith Tenorio's suggestion.

They also agreed that a crash course on identifying improvisedexplosive devises (IEDs) be provided to barangays and baggage attendants.

Media representatives from DXLS, DXRJ, Gold Star and GMA.TV urged thepolice and military to strengthen intelligence network and ensureappropriate distribution of right information. Concerns were raisedover the spread of disinformation.

It was also suggested that "intelligence-riders" be fielded to helpmonitor if buses are planted with bombs.

Jane Bernardo, CSOFP chair, sees the need for the city government toadopt, localize and enforce national policies relating to security aswell as "to review the disaster plans of Iligan City and urge tointegrate man-made disaster response and mitigation of risks."

She also appealed to media workers to "refrain from making immediateconclusion pending investigations of the case; stop disinformation;and to gather accurate, reliable data before reporting."

Participants also exchanged numbers and hotlines to call if bombs arediscovered and to validate information.

Morados gave a crash course to the participants on identifying IED.

Police senior inspector Ramil Lluisma, commander of Station 5,clarified all issues and concerns relating to police role's forsecurity.

Father Nasser Zaragoza, head priest of Bacolod town, Lanao del Norteand chairperson of the Movement for Truth, Justice and Peace [MTJP] ispresently initiating dialogues with partners to raise financialsupport for the victims of the bombing.

On Sunday afternoon, Hadji Abduhkarim Ambor, a Muslim religiousleader, urged all Imams in the city to dialogue with Muslims in theirrespective mosques to help secure Iligan from bombers because this isour second home too."

"Iligan is where we do business, we live and we send our children toschool… so we must also make this place safe for us," he said.

"Whatever will happen in this city will also impact on the neighboringprovinces, cities and towns, so we must also work to stop violence,"he added.

Ambor said there should be no hasty generalizations that the suspectsare Maranaos or Muslims.

"If possible," he said, "name them, rather than generalize."

The Lanao Alliance on Human Rights Advocates (LAHRA) condemned thebombings in the commercial areas of the city but said this issue"should not be used to widened the gap between Muslims andChristians."

In a statement, LAHRA related the present problem of Iligan to thepresent national political crisis.

"Most of the conflicts in Mindanao happen when there are hugecontroversies in Manila such as the administration's effort to changethe constitution which could be done by all means such as via adeclaration of national state of emergency," Janel Peson of Lahra said.

"We cannot allow national politicians to make use of Mindanao as anissue for their political whims," Peson said.

Peson said the media should not forget that "for every accused, thereis due process." (Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)

Another bomb hidden in papaya found in Iligan

www.mindanews.com

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/21 December) -- Another homemade bomb hiddeninside a papaya fruit was found by a child scavenger at around 10 a.m.Sunday and defused by bomb disposal experts by 10:46 a.m.

Ron (not his real name), 10, was scavenging with two other childrenalong Echiverri Street when he saw the papaya which contained a devicewith wirings.

Suspecting it was a bomb, the boy reported the matter to the nearestpolice station.Police noted the bomb was fashioned out of an 81mm mortar, with detonating cap and a timer with 9-volt batteries.

Still unidentified culprits left the papaya bomb near Kim Guan SchoolSupplies, a few meters from the Maria Cristina Hotel.

The homemade bomb (also improvised explosive device), is similar to the bomb left by two teenage suspects at Delecta bakeshop on Friday, a day after bombs exploded in front of Jerry's shopping center which faces Delecta, and Unicity, a stone's throw away.

Two baggage attendants were killed while 43 shoppers and vendors were injured inThursday's twin blasts.The bomb is also similar to those used in toppling towers of theTransmission Corporation (TransCo), said Jun Garcia, head of thepolice K9 unit in searching the vicinity where the bomb was found.

The bomb left behind in Delecta was also hidden in a papaya fruit.

Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Councilor Providencio Abragan immediately wentto the site where the bomb was found.

Cruz said the discovery of these bombs "sends us a message that wemust all be vigilant. They have bad plans and we condemn this at thehighest level. We are going to the bottom of this and we will notallow them to win."

"Securing the community can't be the lone obligation of the city police and the military. Now is the time that we must share our bravery," he said.

"Ninety nine percent of the people want peace but maybe we still have one percent who plan otherwise," he said.

Cruz bared he met a higher official of the police force for theaugmentation of security forces.

He also said there are now 500 members of the civilian volunteerorganization (CVO) organized by the local government unit to helpsecure civilians this Christmas season.

He said CVOs will be dispersed in the market and public areas.

"Let's be extra careful and evade adventurism, " he said.

Police superintendent Celso G. Regencia went to DXIC and urged civilians not to panic and to instead cooperate while authoritiesconduct frisking or searching.

Regencia said a cartographic sketch of the young teenagers who plantedthe bomb inside Delecta are now being reproduced while authorities arestill inviting experts who could analyze the suspects who left the bomb at the Unicity baggage area as captured by security cameras.

A hundred police forces from the regional mobile force will arrive inthe city Sunday as added security forces.

Meanwhile, bystanders and customers of Download internet café located beside Maria Cristina Hotel panicked when they saw a coconut placedinside a pink cellophane left near the café's entrance door.

A bomb squad rushed to the area to investigate the object left.

"Thebomb squad declared that the coconut husk contained fermented fruits,"said SPO4 Wilfredo Siman, chief police non-commission officer.(Violeta M. Gloria/MindaNews)

For Santa....

Dear Santa,
If ever you are real, i'd ask you a gift no one asked you before.



























Give me a wonderful dream tonight...


its me,
Violy

Bomb hidden inside papaya fruit discovered at Iligan bakeshop

(THIS STORY IS DISPATCHED TODAY AND WILL APPEAR IN
MINDANEWS TOMORROW)

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews / December 19) - A bomb kept inside a papayafruit was left under a table at Delecta Bakeshop today by twosuspected teenagers who had a snacks past 4:00 pm but suspiciousemployees alerted police.

"The two teenagers immediately went out but we noticed that they lefta sack below the table," a worker of Delecta told MindaNews oncondition of anonymity.

"The teenagers were texting and were conversing but just suddenly wentout. Because we were so suspicious of the sack, we immediatelyinformed a policeman who stood nearby," she narrated while tensely hugging a broom.

The head of the K9 Unit of the city said that "an improvised explosivedevise was kept inside a papaya which was put inside a sack and a netbag."

"The device used an 81mm mortar with attached clock, and only in asplit of second, it could have exploded with similar impact as that ofJerry's Shopping center," Garcia said.

The IED was detonated by the city bomb squad around 4:30 pm.

Suspects remained at-large.

Delecta is situated along Aguinaldo street of the city and ispopulated with numerous vegetable and fish vendors within itsvicinity.

It is just in front of Jerry's shopping center, which was bombedWednesday 1:55 pm. that resulted to the death of two of its baggagekeepers.

To pacify the crowd around Delecta, a police community officer, SPO4Teodoro Llanes used a mega phone to inform the public that "if anyonefinds any suspicious looking persons or objects, the same could bereported to police or authorities using mobile hotline number0921-299-7161. "

Venerando O. Bordeos, city planning development officer, who was alsoat the site talked to barangay tanud to help business establishmentstrengthen their security capability."

Commercial stores' workers should also be trained to identifypossible explosive devices," Bordeos said.

As the case developed, the police bomb squad unit discovered a O2Nhand-held radio with its antenna removed, under an ornamental plantat PLDT / Maratel main office. It is located in front of Unicitycenter whose baggage area was also bombed around 1:35 pm Wednesday.

"Luckily, that hand held radio is not an explosive device but could beused as an explosive devise," said Rolando Bughaw, security guard ofPLDT / Maratel.

"It caused panic to all people nearby though," he added.

Iligan City Vice Mayor, Henry Dy, who was monitoring the incidentalong Aguinaldo Street told MindaNews that "non-security workers ofcommercial areas provided with metal detector-devise should also betrained by police on its usage".

Dy also disclosed that the City Council has already appropriated acalamity fund of P2.3 million that will be used as contingency fundand for operational purposes.

"That budget also includes medical assistance for all victims of thetwin bombings Wednesday who are still confined in hospitals of thecity," he added.

Dy also said that another P2.7 million was also being approved by theCity Council as a fund that can be utilized if another disasterhappened. (Violeta M. Gloria / MindaNews)

MILF condemns Iligan bombings

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

2 dead, 43 injured in Iligan blasts

http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5648&Itemid=50

For photos of the incident, please view them at
http://www.timonera .com/mindanewspi x/18blasts/
http://www.timonera .com/mindanewspi x/18blasts/

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/18 Dec) – Two persons were killed while 43 others were wounded when bombs, planted by suspects wearing white traditional Muslim garbs as captured on video, exploded at the baggage counters of two shopping centers here early afternoon Thursday, a day before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s scheduled visit to this city.

Col. Nicanor E. Dolojan, commanding officer of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade, said the suspects were members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) under Commander Bravo. But he was also quick to say that he was “not associating the suspects to any religious beliefs because anyone can wear Tabligh (a Muslim religious group) attires.”
The explosion happened at 1:35 and 1:55 at Unicity Commercial and Jerry’s Shopping Center, respectively. Both are within stone’s throw from each other on the same side of Aguinaldo St. right in the middle of town, heavy with both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Both baggage sites were totally wrecked.

Cousins Erwin Suico and Jonas Badelle, who were working as baggage boys at Jerry's, died on the spot. Their bodies were brought to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes where bereaved family gathered while crying and comforting each.
“Pait kayo ning ilang gibuhat sa akong anak (What they did to my son is so painful),” said Erwin’s mother, a resident of Lumbatin, barangay Pugaan of the city. “Dili pa sya mabalsamar kay gipangita pa ang iyang usa ka bukton ug usa ka kamot. Guba kaayo ang iyang dughan (They could not embalm him yet because they were still looking for his shoulder and one arm. His chest is beyond recognition).”
“Unsa may sala sa mga baggage keeper nga ila mang buhaton didto (What are the baggage keepers’ faults that they planted the bombs there)?” she said, sobbing.
Suico left behind a wife six months pregnant.
Most wounded victims were brought to the government-run Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital.
They are Alma Mae Mendez, 16; Rowena Encio, 29; Romeo Maguilan, 41; Sairah Polao, 30; Jefres Cainglit, 23; Perfecta Atwil, 57; Adelina de Guzman, 50; Leticia Traya; Valentina Frances; Ariel Gatab, 14; Timoteo Sarate, 20; Antonio Pasco, 37; Reryando Rulona, 45; Jun Rey Bation, 19; Felix Sumagale, 49; Lowel Sumbi, 19; Dan Luba, 42; Candelaria Laranag, 30; Antonieta Merlo; Camaroding Sumagayan Cali, 5; Marjun Alferez, a security guard.
Severely injured are Joeris Kainglit; Urly Break Sumingut; Fatimah Macadato; Michael Arquilita, 21; Desiree Moralde, 18; Wilbert Enquito, 20; Reynaldo Bout, 24, a police assigned in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte; and PO1 Marvin Apostol.
Christian Okoy, 3, and his sister Mary Jane, who were previously admitted at GTLMH, were transported to a hospital in Cagayan de Oro City, 88 kilometers away, late afternoon.
Admitted at the Dr. Uy Hospital are Leonardo Batoon, 26; Jorly Gomonod, 18; Jalileah Mangondato,16; Florita Abarquez, 39; Maan Abarquez, 5; Delfin Anghay,39; and Angie Hipos, 28.
Tita Casisner was discharged from Dr. Uy after getting treatment for her superficial wounds. Thomasa Dingal was also admitted at the E & R Hospital.
At the Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital (MSH), admitted victims are Mary Alporque, 39; Roger Alporque, 47; Floro Lachica, 41; and midwifery student Najmah Basher. Alporque’s two children and a certain Evangeline Actub, who sustained minor wounds, were discharged from MSH after first aid medication.
Basher, a Maranao student, is in an extremely critical condition with numerous shrapnel wounds in her body.
Her attending physician, Dr. Anastacio Gayao, has already forewarned her family that “there is difficulty now to repair her physical state because she is wounded in her vital body parts.” If not for the oxygen tank, she could no longer breathe on her own, the doctor said.
Basher’s relatives were outraged. Mona Ramalan, who was helping her at the hospital, said: “If they will take life, they will have to repay with life.”
“If this incident was indeed perpetrated by the MILF, they should spare us civilians. The MILF should realize that they are victimizing both Christians and Muslims,” she said while shedding tears.
“They can go on with their struggle, but not by this means,” said Ramalan.
Dolojan showed to MindaNews a video clip which he said was sourced from Unicity’s surveillance camera showing two males leaving a black backpack at the store’s baggage center a few minutes before the explosion. In showing the video clip to MindaNews four times, Dolojan attributed the suspects’ white loose attire to the Tabligh.
“We’re not associating the suspects to any religious beliefs because anyone can wear Tabligh attires,” he said. “Probably they wore those clothes because these are religious attires and are not considered as threats because, you know, we have sensitivities, too,” Dolojan said.
“Why they’d wear this? That’s how they work to propagate their evil interventions. This is a barbaric act that victimizes civilians,” he added.
The suspects’ faces are unrecognizable because the surveillance camera was placed above looking down, and the suspects were wearing turbans.
Dolojan expounded that most of the fragments recovered by bomb experts doing the investigation have similar signatures to other bombings made by members of the MILF. The incident happened a day before the arrival of President Arroyo. The President is expected to grace the inauguration of the processing plant of Sukang Pinakurat, a vinegar product with lots of spices that has become a hit in many parts of the country.
“The security plan for the President’s visit is in place,” Dolojan assures.
“We cannot say that the bombing was a statement against the President’s visit. There are many factors to consider, although from the start, the MILF already has its attack plans on the city,” Dolojan explained.
Sr. Supt. Virgilio Ranes, city police director, said that “terrorism is the only motive of this bombing to threaten us all.”
He told reporters that because Iligan’s limited police force is focused on securing Christmas-related activities, policemen are overstretched with security tasks.
Mayor Lawrence Cruz, who is on official travel in Manila, said in a radio broadcast that the bombings is “worrisome and could generate anger,” noting that Iligan is still in the process of rebuilding the city after the August 18 bombings and the MILF attacks in neighboring Kauswagan and Kolambugan towns in Lanao del Norte a day after. “Now, this again,” he said.
Cruz said that, together with Col. Benito de Leon of the Army’s103rd Infantry Brigade, he will convene the disaster coordinating committee and the peace order council of the city later today to discuss contingent measures and security plans.
“We will not rest until the suspects are caught,” he said as he asked for volunteers to donate blood for the victims.
The MILF could not be reached for comment. (Violeta M. Gloria / MindaNews)

2 dead and 43 injured in Iligan twin blasts

Personal state of belligerency

Sa mga nag-txt o tumawag sa telepono sa araw na ito,
ako po ay anti-social ngayon.
Salamat sa mga paanyaya. Titingnan ko lang ang mga skedyul ko
dahil mukhang di ko na yata makakayanan isabay-sabay ang
lahat.
Kung medyo maaliwalas na ang aking isip, promise ay
magreturn call lang po ako.
Ngayon po ay nag- personal state of belligerency
ako.
Sana ay maunawaan nyo ngayon ang personal na
katahimikan.

There are places I remember (part 3)

ang lahat ng mga pangyayari sa mga lugar
na ito ay nanatiling nakalimbag sa aking
isipan.
ang magpupumilit na makaalam nito ay
maari lamang gumamit ng bluetooth.
Bluetooth my mind.

There are places I remember (part 2)

There are places I remember ( at MSU)

There are places I remember…

Places where our young discourses are molded into

values and principles.

Places where we share delight with nature as we talked of national situation.

Places where we practiced our songs we sang to serenade our colleagues dubbed “harana ng bayan.”

Those places where commitments were shared albeit those uncertainties.

Those seats where we expressed frustrations and hopes; love and hatred; laughter and tears…

And the evergreen lush of our dreams….

On Human Rights Day, Muslims call for stop to discrimination

www.mindanews.com

ILIGAN CITY (MindaNews/10 Dec) -- Maranao civil society organizations in the Lanao area celebrated the International Human Rights Day Wednesday by rallying behind a bill that intends to penalize discrimination.

After a two-day conference on human rights at the Elena Tower Inn here, civil society leaders, as well as children, marched along the highway here, bearing with them placards and streamers opposing discrimination, calling for a stop to the war, and promoting peace.

They likewise asked government to uphold human rights and to end poverty by achieving the millennium development goals.

Amie Sangcopan, chief of staff of the party list group Anak Mindanao (AMIN), said that with the wave of dissent against the approval of Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) also came the “resurgence of anti-Moro discrimination and prejudice.”(More.. click here MindaNews)

For photos of this activity, please visit http://www.timonera.com/mindanewspix/10hrday/

International Human Rights Day!

Today is beautiful...

you see that spaces in between?













that made my day beautiful!
(if you wanna know... you infrared my mind!)

Lanao del Norte mayors want Gov in GRP peace panel

(www.mindanews.com)

TUBOD, Lanao de Norte (MindaNews/5 Dec) – The League

of municipal mayorsof Lanao del Norte have asked

the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to

recommend Governor Khalid Dimaporo to be one of

the members of the new government peace panel

that will negotiate with the Moro Islamic Liberation

Front (MILF).

The new panel is still in the process of reconstitution.

So far, only the peace panel chair, Foreign Affairs

Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, has been named.

A municipal mayor who sat with hundreds of

participants in a Peace Forum Friday at the

Civic Center of Tubod town raised this during

the forum.

The forum was attended by Esperon and

multisectoral leaders from all towns of Lanao del Norte.

“Governor Khalid was endorsed to be a candidate,

to be a member of the panel,” he said,

“ .. but let us also see his schedules because I know

that he is busy for infrastructure development

of this province,” said Esperon.(MORE...PLS CLICK)

Ceasefire can't lead us to peace – Lanao governor

(www.mindanews.com)

TUBOD, Lanao de Norte (MindaNews / December 5) –
The governor of Lanao del Norte said he would not recommend
keeping the ceasefire agreement
with the Moro guerrillas as he warned that this would encourage
civilians in his area to arm themselves.

Governor Khalid Dimaporo, who created a Peace Initiative
Committee to hold forums and dialogues on peace down
to the villages, told a peace forum here Friday that the killing
of civilians during the bloody MILF
attacks on three towns in the province in August this year left a
scary mark among residents.

This was also the governor's position when he
said he met with peace advocates that held a peace caravan
for Duyog Mindanao. He was he was
asked to recommend "to reclaim shattered peace".

"I was frank in telling them that I cannot agree with the mounting
call for ceasefire. Ceasefire can't lead us to peace. Innocent
civilians are massacred and I wanted justice for all of these
victims," he said.

He said that "ceasefire means withdrawal of forces from their
continued operation against wanted rebels.
Their withdrawal will cause
security vacuum and reactivation of local militia such as the
Shepherds."

The Shepherds was the name adapted by a shadowy
anti-Moro armed group in some Lanao villages who
formed themselves after the MILF attacks.
It was similar move taken by the former members
of the Ilaga group when they reactivated the
anti-Moro armed group of the 1970's.
(MORE.... pls click)

The Peacemakers Pledge

In a Peace Forum at the Civic Center of Tubod, Lanao del Norte,
I heard Father Reggie Quijano who led in pronouncing their
commitment for peace. Later, I was able to personally got a copy
of what he was saying and it read as:

THE PEACEMAKER'S PLEDGE
Before God, acknowledging the violence
in my own heart and trusting in His
benevolent mercy, I commit myself to...

-strive for peace within myself and seek
to be a peacemaker in my daily life;
-resolve conflicts through respect,
dialogue and reciprocal promotion;
-accept suffering rather than inflicting on it;
-respect all people in their dignity, ideas, beliefs and
in their bodies and expressions;
-know and declare that violence and
imposition are not the ways for peace;
-refuse to retaliate in the face of provocation
and violence
-persevere in non-violence of thoughts, feelings
and words;
-live conscientiously and simply so that I do not
deprive others of the means to simply live;
-actively resist evil and working non-violently to
abolish war and the cause of war from my own heart and
from the face of the earth.

P.S. Fr. Reggie was the priest who was not actually held
hostage by MILF at the convent of Kolambugan town,
Lanao del Norte at the height of 8-18-08-attack.
He stayed inside the convent safely but was texting
his lawyer and NGO friends about his situation then.

Being stuck and tourism

Rain stucked me.
So my mind wonder about how I am going to reach the places
people dreamt or dreaded going, huh.
Now, let me tell you that there is a relationship between
being stuck and of tourism.
You see I live in a city that is near a hydropower plant
whose generated electricity is sourced by God-made Lake Lanao.
Its a God-made lake and people quarreled about its use;
possession and the income it entails.
But I don't want to dwell in that...
I wish to bring you on its surrounding tourist spots where
only those who can factor their fears could reach. See
this how...

1. Go to Marawi city and find a Maranao-made banca
at the city's Padian. You sail to Lumbatan town and
asked local tourist guides such as municipal
tourism officer, the members of the MILF or the Moro National
Liberation Front to guide your trek to the most pristine river
at Butig, Lanao del Sur.
This is the only natural resort situated near the forestal...
and you could swim there until you'd decide to sell
bottled spring water from Butig Nature.

2. If you are a sociologist and you wanted to understand and
immerse in the communities riddled with clan feuds, please go to
Poona Piagapo, Calanugas, Lumbayanague, Pualas etc...
The people there will educate you about the the ill-effects of their
conflict and show you how they settle their feuds
using the traditional way.
You can also ask Hamidullah Atar, executive director of Rido Inc.,
to guide you in these communities. He is an expert of clan feud
settlement using traditional mechanism. He can also introduce you
to the most respected traditional leaders in Marawi and Lanao.

3. If you wanted to see the beauty of conflict-affected areas, please
get in touch with civil society, preferably Maranao leaders who could
tour-guide-educate you about the history of conflict areas. You
would be amazed how their communal efforts rise them from ashes.
Rent a horse and bring your best map. Don't worry about your
security. Just be certain that your guide is an ideologue
and a believer of Bangsamoro State. Your cellphone and other
similar gadgets are not needed in this tour.
Go to Camp Bushra, Camp John Mac, and Camp Abubakar.
With your tourist guide, you can understand the causes of
conflict in Mindanao first hand.


4. If you just wanted to sit down for a while with the forest and
listen to the rivers' music, go to Natures Park inside National
Power Corporation at Ma.Cristina of Ditucalan of this city.
You can also wonder why these peoples property is being
sold to private companies bit by bit.
You can find monkey, bayawak and of similar nature. Just
don't fish there... and I mean that.

5. If you wanted an escape from urban areas' nagging noise and
problem... hike to Poona Piagapo of Lanao del Norte. There are many
sites there were you can practice yoga toward the ultimate
experience of the power of reflection. Listen to crickets and
find the numerous fireflies at night. When you'd see them, you
won't need electricity to light your way.

6. You want to swim (again)? I don't advise the usual
Timoga swimming pool, Ma. Cristina falls, and all that
falls going to Pagadian.
Grab a malong and swim at Lake Lanao. Of course, don't wear
anything but that Malong to make your experience lighter.

Olah! When I am stuck again... I'll bare more tourist sites you'll
be envious to go about.

Mga Kabagang....Late Up Night!...

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Dining with a Colonel in Lanao

Col. Benny De Leon talked with barangay captains
of Poona Piagapo along with development workers from
Ecoweb Inc., a non-government organization
based in Iligan city about the return of bakwits in said
town..

I went out Saturday to see some members of the civil
society who are observing the Mindanao Week of Peace
(MWP) and spent the whole afternoon (again) with
electronic files until the sky darkened.
I exchanged perspectives and possibilities with
with friends until I ended in a restaurant by the
shore dubbed Hoyohoy (sound of the wind).
(I can assure you that the shoreline is free
of garbages and rubbishes.)
There were a number of young genX youths also who
were oddly quiet while watching the television
over a long table garnished with variety of food.
Ah, then suddenly they broke their silence
with a song "Happy Birthday!"
I shifted eyes to the other table where
Merlyn (a friend), Col. Benny De Leon and his men
rounded it while waiting for dinner to be served.
I noted that the Colonel this time doesn't look like
an authoritarian officer clad with armaments.
His civil fresh look could make a civilian radically
conclude that he is just another businessman around,
maybe a Globe employee with that white shirt on
and cultured with an accommodating smile.
(Did everyone saw that?)
NO. This not the first time I saw him.
I heard him in many occasion over radio; saw him on
television; heard him talk about media responsibilities;
and stating policy statement on the return of evacuees.
I also saw him in a forum of women where he reasserted that
rape, as a tool for violence against women during war times,
isn't tolerated within the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He said that if a soldier is found guilty of this crime,
official complaint coupled with evidences is enough to
civilly, criminally and administratively punish rapist.
He told me that he first saw me at Maigo town of Lanao del
Norte. I really cannot remember. Could be in 2003 war in Lanao?
Again, NO. This is not also my first time to see an officer
in civilian suit.
But that night, I wasn't seeing him as government's soldier
constitutionally mandated to secure this homeland from
external aggression.
I saw him as a person and I did not also care what's
mind-boggling him.
He shared some insights about how to strategically defend
the coastal areas of Lanao del Norte, though he admitted that
its more difficult for them to provide psychological
security to every victim of violence.I heard from him that soldiers had policy confusion too
over peace process and of ensuring national security.
He admitted that his men, from war zones, similarly need
to undergo emotional recovery to ensure that they'd
go home with normal psyches.
What differentiated this soldier from the rest of the officers
I met in Lanao is that he isn't the macho rambo
man portraying himself as an actor of 007 but grieving inside.
He value the human side of every soldier around.
He was not the type of soldier who'd hide a wedding ring,
evidence of his marital vow "for better and for worst."
He talked about his wife, his children, and his grandson.
He also talked about a dentist and about his
newly extracted tooth.
That night, he was not a colonel providing marching order
to his men to accomplish a mission. Nor a commanding officer
watching a map where MILF could be hidding...
He was a proud grandpapa of his apo; a husband to his wife
(though abroad); a father to his children (whom he talked
about); and any other civilian interested of a cozy dinner.
NO (for the third time), what I said will not merit his
ascension to higher post.
What I am talking is that at least for that night,
I saw a soldier who is more of a gentleman.

Update about the Cat in Poona Piagapo

Barangay Captain Musa Tiboron of barangay Nunungan visited
at the office today, December 2, 2008.
He told me that the cat is still in their home
and wouldn't left them.
The cat became a home security as it would stay always in
their home's doorway.
God bless that Cat.

Remembering a Cat in Poona Piagapo

After such chit-a-chat and few minutes of rest, we decided
to walk fast home. Ombra, the horse, returned to his
original owner.
I myself, walked ahead of everyone from barangay Tangclao and
the barangay captain of Nunungan followed.
On our way, I saw a cat that looks exactly as this one.
He was standing on the hilly ally.
"Where are you headed to? why are you alone?" I asked.
The cat followed us.
To my surprise the cat followed me down toward
Nunungan.
I stopped thrice to coax him and talked to him but could only
hear his purrrr...
He doesn't like to be be carried. He just wanted to walk.
Walk and walk and walk till we reached the mosque of
Nunungan--- a mosque vandalized with "Bravo, you're a gay!"
et. al. (though, Col. Benny de Leon said this is already
repainted because he doesn't want that the military be severely
criticized for this desecration of religious site.)
We stayed for a while at a hall where people gathered and
had early dinner at 5 p.m.
I gave food to the cat, too.
I theorized that the cat was left by its owners when the
people of Tangclao evacuated.
The cat was left to hear and witness bombings, air strikes,
and the actual violent combant between
soldiers and MILF rebels.
Uh, this cat could have been hiding elsewhere in terror.
And God knows, he survived.
The cat could have been severely traumatized...
could be his reason why he walked with us from barangay
Tangclao to Nunungan.
I believe no cat would follow a stranger this far...
except this cat.
I asked someone to take care of him; feed him and
make him a part of their home.
Two residents in Nunungan gladly accepted the cat.
Before I bid goodbye to everyone, I was looking around where the
cat went (to see him in a moment.)
I roamed around the hall and did not find him.
I went inside the mosque.
He was there. And the cat sat on a carpet staring at me.
As we glued our eyes together, I whisphered "bye
and take care."