Peoples’ Congress push for the enactment of the CAB-based BBL –Phil congress in quorum

Video File: Messages delivered by Mr. Bobby Beneto of the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) 

and Dr. Jasmin Galace, one of the lead conveners of the All-out-peace. Emcees: Lyndee and Madi. 

(Video by Jun Enriquez)

Peoples’ Congress push for the enactment of the CAB-based BBL –Phil congress in quorum

By Jun Enriquez

Quezon City (December 15, 2015) – Peoples’ Congress called “Kongreso ng Sambayanan” was held in the Peace Bell at the Quezon City circle started at 10:00 O’clock in the morning. This action is a replica to counter the attitude of the House of Representatives on their negative treatment on the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in the guise of the lack of quorum for almost four months. The BBL was a product of the 17 years of negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Reading of the People's congress declaration on BBL.

The peoples’ congress organized by the All-out-peace (AOP) was attended by the civil society organizations (CSOs) all over the country with at least 200 CSO leaders, and calling the attention of congress to approve the BBL which is compliant to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The original version of the BBL drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) was submitted to office of the President in the middle of last year. The President submitted the said final draft to both houses of congress. The House of Representatives have created the ad hoc committee on BBL chaired by Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of the 2^nd district of Cagayan de Oro City, called House Bill (HB) 4994, and in the House of Senate was under the committee on Local government chaired by Senator Bongbong Marcos, called Senate Bill (SB) No. 2804. Later on both houses of congress changed the name of the Bill, HB No. 5811 and SB No. 2894, called the Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR) and considered it as a substitute Bill.

At right, Speaker of the People's congress presided the approval
of the declaration of the BBL compliant with CAB.

The peace advocates from the AOP expressed concerns that based on their study there were more than 22 provisions from the original version in the BBL were revised, and some were deleted mentioning among others, the control of the natural resources under the wealth sharing was exclusive for the Bangsamoro in the original draft of HB 4994 and SB 2804, but was transferred to the Reserved powers of the Central or National government in HB 5811 and SB 2894, which is not acceptable by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M ILF).  Senator Marcos in a consultation conducted in Tubod, Lanao del Norte early this year expressed concern on the security issues on the control of resources as a national concern. A proposal was presented if it is possible for a win-win solution on concurrent powers shall be shared between the Bangsamoro government and national government when it comes to the development of natural resources. Other concerned provisions must be retained on its original form are the preamble and identity of the Bangsamoro, territory, governance, block grant and budget for the Autonomous region, devolution of constitutional bodies, among others.

At left, Violy Gloria and other members of the people's
congress approved the CAB compliant BBL. 

The peoples’ congress expressed their frustrations and condemned the majority of the members of congress of their absenteeism during sessions, especially during the deliberation of the BBL, a manifestation of neglect. In the Senate, Senator Marcos expressed concern not to divide the people to justify the changes of many of the provisions in the BBL in its original form resulted to the long delayed for the approval of the Bill.

Mass signing of the approved CAB compliant BBL by the
members of the people's congress.

The peoples’ congress in a statement said that the lawmakers should understand the purpose of the BBL. It was crafted including the people in the Bangsamoro collectively for the just and lasting peace for Mindanao. It was reiterated that the approve BBL should be consistent to the CAB and the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). The current situation of the substitute Bill, the BLBAR version, is not the answer for the quest of the Bangsamoro for their better future. The CSOs in Lanao del Norte in a community and provincial-wide consultation on the BBL during the Mindanao Week of Peace celebration in November to December 2015, participants form the Moro, Christians and Lumad expressed their voices that there is no other way for peace, BBL is the answer, if not otherwise. The passage of the BBL consistent with the CAB is a sign of respect to the people in the Bangsamoro.

Tri-people presentation of the signed declaration document by
the Moro, Christians and the Lumad (from right to left).

Mr. Bobby Beneto of the Mindanao People Caucus based in Davao City, said that the Bangsamoro people was treated as second class citizen in the country. He said until today they are suffering from the problems of discrimination, oppression, poverty and education. He said the BLBAR should be opposed because it will not address the problems of the Bangsamoro.  He said other countries look at the Philippines a small country but the people have problems of understanding each other. He said the Filipino and the Bangsamoro have common history in fighting against the colonizers in the past. Beneto said the Bangsamoro can also help the internal security problem in the country if having a mandate.  He said there is an ongoing recruitment of the extremist group especially the youth in Mindanao sympathetic to the ISIS in the Middle East problem and might spread all over the country. This group was called Khalifa Islamiya. Beneto said he did not scare the people and the government but he only informed about the progress of the situation, because the extremist group used the BBL as an issue. According to information, Khalifa Islamiya alleged that the BBL is a deception of the government against the Bangsamoro people. He said the MILF have no control on this group. He added that the MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have already agreed through a covenant to support the BBL. Beneto appealed to congress and the government to approve the BBL compliant with the CAB.

Historic photo of the members of the people's congress.

The peoples’ congress declared the passage of the original version of the BBL consistent with the CAB and hoping that both houses of congress will also pass the same version compliant with the CAB for the better welfare of the people in the Bangsamoro in Mindanao and the country for Development, Just and Lasting Peace. The People’s congress was successfully ended at lunch time. The All-out-Peace network as the lead convener is composed of the initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC), Center for Peace Education, Lanao Peace Partners (LPP), GENPEACE, BALAY, Women Peace Collective, CODE NGO, PILIPINA, Dinggin ang Kapayapaan, UNYPAD, PMPI, and many others. In a closing message, Dr. Jasmin Galace, convener of the All-out-Peace, said she was hoping that the BBL will be passed compliant with the CAB. If not, the All-out-peace will continue its work for peace in a non-violent way.

In Another development on the same day, the House of Representatives convened with a quorum of 186 congressmen attended the session. The roll call was made at around 7:00 O’clock in the evening. Buhay Party-list Congressman Lito Atienza reminded his colleagues that attendance should be based on physical presence during the entire period of the session. The congressional session was presided by Hon. Giogidi D. Aggabao, Deputy Speaker. The session had only discussed the BBL issue. There were two privilege speeches during the session by Hon. Belma A. Cabilao, district representative from the first district of Zamboanga Sibugay citing the atrocities happened in her place in the past few years, the reason of her opposition to the BBL. The second speaker was Hon. Pangalian Balindong, district representative of the 2^nd district of Lanao del Sur, in his speech pushed for the successful enactment of the BBL for the better lives of the Bangsamoro people for peace and development. 

Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, answered questions during the
interpellation in the plenary session in congress.

Hon. Rufus Rodriguez, district representative of the 2^nd district of Cagayan de Oro City, chairman of the Ad hoc committee on BBL was considered as the main sponsor of the BLBAR was subjected to interpellations by Hon. Aurora Enerio-Cerrilles, district representative of the 2^nd district, Zamboanga del Sur, and Hon. Gus S. Tambunting of the 2^nd district of Parañaque. The issues interpellated concerning the territory, plebiscite, wealth sharing, budget, among others. The said Bill is expected to be approved early next year. With photos by Violy Gloria.

Lanao celebrates Mindanao Week of Peace - BBL hardly push

Provincial-wide multi-sectoral consultation & dialogue with participants composed of community & sectoral leaders hard
pushed for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in congress. The lack of quorum in congress is one of the reasons of the delay on the passage of the BBL hardly criticized by the participants. The civil society is now questioning before the ombudsman against the absenteeism of the congressmen during sessions for almost 4 months.

Lanao celebrates Mindanao week of peace - BBL hardly push
By Jun Enriquez

Iligan City (Dec. 6, 2015)  – It is usual for the people in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City celebrates the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWoP) as explained by Mr. Musa Sanguila, Director of Pakigdait, Inc., during a press conference held November 25, 2015 at the Macboy beach resort, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte. Sanguila said former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Presidential Proclamation number 127 declaring from 2001 and every year thereafter that every last Thursday of November to first Wednesday of December is the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWoP) celebration. This year’s MWoP celebration falls on November 26 to December 2, bringing the theme “Sustaining the Gains of Our Peacebuilding.” Historically, years prior to the Proclamation in 2001, the MWoP celebration was conceptualized in 1997 by the Bishop-Ulama Forum composed of the Christians and Muslims religious leaders nationwide working for the just and lasting peace for Mindanao and later changed its name to Bishop-Ulama Conference.

Panel of speakers during the press conference from right to left,
Lt. Col. Doctolero, Musa Sanguila, Hon. Tawantawan & Bishop
Stephen Villaester of Anglican Chruch. 

This may recalled the major outbreak in Mindanao such as the all-out-war of President Erap in year 2000 was declared and started in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte. Plenty of succeeding conflicts happened in the province including the all-out-war of President Arroyo in 2003, the offshoot of the memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) controversy in 2008. All of these conflicts affected the lives of the civilian community and felt the impact of devastation. The cost of war in Mindanao for the past decades started in the 1970s was estimated to 640 billion pesos damage to economy on business and properties. Armed conflict has caused almost 120,000 deaths among the Filipinos. The children are unable to go to school. it caused environmental destruction and the loss of sense of well-being and security. The all-out-war of 2000 in Mindanao alone displaced 982,000 people and another displacement of 600,000 people due to the sporadic atrocities of the peace process.

The members of the media posed with the panel of speakers 

The implementation of the 1996 peace agreement of the Government and MNLF continued in Lanao del Norte. This manifest the implementation of the  Payapa at Masaganang pamayanan (PAMANA) projects funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), in conflict affected areas in the province amounted to at least half a billion pesos for the construction of farm-to-market roads, school buidlings, livelihood program and trainings, scholarship program for the children of the MNLF members and other rehabilitation program for the former MNLF combatants. Sanguila said that PAMANA projects is funded by the OPAPP, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Agriculture (DA). This also included the implementation of the Bottom-up-budgeting (BUB) projects from the National Anti-poverty Commission (NAPC) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as the lead agencies. In Iligan City, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is the only agency of the government implemented the BUB projects amounted to 8.0 Million mostly for livelihood projects in 2014.

Mr. Abel Moya of MPI facilitated an assessment workshop 
with the PAMANA beneficiaries. 

In the same press conference, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member, Hon. Tawantawan Cauntungan, committee chairman on public safety and order, and Vice chairman of the Task force “rido” or clan feud, Chairman, local monitoring team of the ceasefire mechanism of the GPH-MILF peace process, representing the office of the governor, said that the provincial government of Lanao del Norte is committed to maintain peace and order in the province, and unity among the Muslims and Christians for development. He said that the civil society organization is the most reliable partner in peace of the provincial government. Cauntungan said there were plenty of “rido” cases already resolved and still with lined up of cases still to be resolved.

Bishop Stephen Villaester, of the Anglican Church, the Chairman of the Interfaith council of Iligan City and Lanao del Norte, cited the philosophy of an Indian leader Mahatma Ghandi and said “the resources of the earth is more than enough to fill everybody’s needs, but it is not enough to fill everybody’s greed.” He said if we talk on peace it should start in our heart. He said the Interfaith council for peace in Mindanao is composed of Islam, and different Christian religions including the Catholic church are united in the name of peace. Bishop Villaester said that the Interfaith council will not give up on BBL because they believed that it is an instrument of God or Allah for the just and lasting peace in Mindanao

Participants of the BBL community consultation & dialogue in
Munai, Lanao del Norte.

Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, in his message during the conference said that the Philippine Army is working with the different stakeholders in achieving a common goal, the just and lasting for Lanao del Norte. The Military continued their efforts to implement Bayanihan program by conducting capacity building for the youth and children, youth peace summit, youth leadership trainings, sports for peace, so that they will become good citizens and achieve peace in the localities. Doctolero said that the Philippine Army will remain steadfast in their commitment to help maintain the peace and order in the province. He said that the Philippine Army in the past wanted to win the war but now they are trying to win the peace. He said helping and cooperation with each other is very important to win the peace through Bayanihan.

Participants of the BBL community consultation & dialogue in
Balo-i, Lanao del Norte. At left, Ryan Rosauro, MCSOPP
Coordinator.

The organized civil societies nationwide in general and in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City in particular, until today exerted all efforts and continue their campaign for the ALL-OUT-PEACE for the just and lasting for Mindanao and support the continued peace process. The formal peace talks between the GPH and MILF has ended it’s the 17 years of negotiations upon the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) in 2014. One of the challenges is the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Congress which is CAB compliant and flexible to the constitution, which purpose is to heal the wounds of history and achieve peace and progress for Mindanao and the Filipino nation as a whole.  It was believed that the BBL is the only hope for the just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

Just recently the civil society in Mindanao reacted on the slow paced and long delay of the BBL in congress. the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP), in partnership with the Mindanao CSO Plaform for Peace (MCSOPP) and Maranao People Development Center (MARADECA), have conducted series of community consultations & dialogues on the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in Lanao del Norte including Iligan City. Originally the BBL was crafted and submitted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to Malacanang, then Malacanang submitted it to both houses in congress for legislation sometime in August 2014, and it was registered as House Bill No. 4994 and Senate Bill 2804. However, both houses of congress changed the name and numbers of the Bill, it is now House Bill No. 5811 and Senate Bill 2894, called the Basic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR). 

Provincial wide consultation & dialogue held in Iligan Cty,
attended by the tri-people, the Christians, Muslims & Lumad.
during the prayer, at left, Higaonon Datu Vergo Sangcoan of
Rogongon, at center is Ustaj Camar Alumpo of Tangkal, Lanao
del Norte & at right is Mrs. Hazel Zafra from Maigo, Lanao del
Norte.

The BBL as it may, will replace Republic Act (RA) 9054, also known as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).  Many of the important provisions of the BBL were deleted and found out that its quality is poorer than the existing RA 9054. Information gathered that the BLBAR diluted the BBL and if passed is not acceptable by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro people. The BLBAR still pending in congress and peace advocates nationwide continued its consultations and dialogues with the people in Mindanao and lobbying in congress to reconsider the original form of the BBL with compromise proposal. The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamro (CAB) are backbone to continue the struggle of the MILF and Bangsamoro people whoever will be the next President. With reports & photos by Malyne D. Gungob. 

MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE CELEBRATION 2015

MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE CELEBRATION 2015

November 26 (last Thursday) – December 2 (first Wednesday)

(Presidential Proclamation No. 127 of 2001 by Pres. Arroyo declaring from 2001 and every year thereafter the

Mindanao Week of Peace Celebrations, every last Thursday of November to first Wednesday of December)

               

Theme: “Sustaining the Gains of Our Peacebuilding”

Calendar of Activities

ILIGAN CITY AND LANAO DEL NORTE

DATE	ACTIVITY	VENUE	LEAD AGENCY
Nov. 25, 2015	Press Conference (Opening Salvo)	Macboy Beach Resort, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte	Civil Society Organization of Lanao del Norte in Partnership for Peace & Devt. (CSOLNPPD)
Nov. 25-26, 2015	Gathering of PAMANA Beneficiaries from Lanao del Norte	Macboy Beach Resort, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte	Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
Nov. 27, 2015	Confidence Building with the Security Sector and Other Stakeholders: A Bantay Bayanihan Activity	MSU-IIT, Iligan City	CSOLNPPD
Nov. 27, 2015	TEDxMSUIIT: In the Land of Promise Mindanao, the land of promise, has always evoked “contrasting images of bounty and want, of war and peace, of rapid development amid the increasing impoverishment of its people” (Muslim and Cagoco-Guiam, 1999). Six Topics & Speakers: Ø The Promise of Science         by Jinky Bornales Ø The Promise of Art     by Salima Saway-Agraan Ø The Promise of the Soil       by Jun Pacalioga Ø  The Promise of Resiliency      by Imelu Mordeno Ø The Promise of Empowerment       by Sukarno Tanggol Ø The Promise of Choice       by Sitti Djalia Turabi-Hataman	CASSalida Theater in MSU-IIT on November 27, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration fee is at Php 300.	Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT)
Nov. 27-28, 2015	Peace and Development Camp	Tubod, Lanao del Norte	Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB)
Nov. 28-29, 2015	Gathering of MNLF CHED Scholars	Midway White Beach Resort, Initao, Misamis Oriental	OPAPP
Nov. 29, 2015	Walk for Peace	Iligan City	Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP)
Nov. 30, 2015	Paraisong Pambata	Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte	15th Infantry Battalion
Nov. 30, 2015	Larong Pinoy	Tubod, Lanao del Norte	2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade
Dec. 1, 2015	Culmination Activity: Unveiling of Peace Monument (Turned-In Crew Served Weapons and Firearms from the MNLF)	Unveiling of Peace Monument: Bacolod, Lanao del Norte Culmination Program: Munai, Lanao del Norte	Pakigdait Alang Sa Pag-amoma sa Kalinaw (PAKIGDAIT)
Dec. 2, 2015	Media Forum on Peace and Security	Golden Pot Restaurant, Iligan City	CSO-FP
Dec. 3, 2015	Declaration of Lanao del Norte as CCP NPA INSURGENCY FREE	Tubod, Lanao del Norte	2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade
Dec 4, 2015	Community Consultation on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL)	Munai, Lanao del Norte	CSO-FP/ MARADECA
Dec. 5, 2015	Community consultation on BBL	Balo-i, lanao del Norte	CSO-FP/ MARADECA
Dec. 6, 2015	Lanao del Norte Provincial wide consultation on BBL	Iligan City	CSO-FP/Maranao People Devt Center (MARADECA)

Note:      1. Mindanao Week of Peace (MWoP) Schedule of the time of activities will be announced in the invitations.

2. Pre and post MWoP activities are considered part of the celebrations because of plenty of activities  

     that cannot be accommodated in the inclusive dates of the MWoP.

Military peacebuilder celebrates 42nd founding anniversary

Military peacebuilder celebrates 42nd founding anniversary

by Malyne Gungob

Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte (November 3, 2015) – it was the 42^nd Founding Anniversary of the 15^th Infantry Battalion, successfully conducted at Bagumbayan, Kausawagan, Lanao del Norte, headed by Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, Battalion Commander.

At the stage seated at left is Maj. Gen. Guerrero, seated at right is
lanao del Norte Vice Gov. Atay. 

The event was attended by officers and men of the Arm Forces of the Philippines, stakeholders, different sectors of society, local chief executive of Local Government Unit of Lanao del Norte, Academe, Religious sector, Youth, Media, with the presence of the provincial Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo and Vice Governor Christine Navarro Atay.

The Theme of the event in Tagalog was “Apat napu’t Dalawang Taon na Paglilingkod sa Sambayanang Pilipino tungo sa Kapyapaan at Kaunlaran”.

Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, delivered a welcome message

Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero on his welcome message said he is very thankful to all visitors, partners and Friends who were supporting the activities of the 15^th Infantry battalion. It was two (2) years ago that the 15^th IB preserved peace and order in Lanao del Norte, through helping, protecting and serving the people. He is hoping that 15^th IB will continue to help each other in the spirit of Bayanihan through coordination, collaboration, partnership and cooperation for the common good in order to achieve peace and order and long lasting peace in Lanao del Norte.

Col. Gilbert Gapay and other military officials listened to the
message of Maj. Gen. Guerrero.

On the other hand, Guest Speaker Major General Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, Commander 3^rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army, on his message said “it is the opportunity to look back, assess and evaluate the performance during the past years.” Guerrero said it included in the program by reading the unit history which expanded 42 years of existence. The Battalion has transition over the years moving from place to another from Visayas, Luzon and Mindanao, back and forth. He said critical component is very important hinder in the area of responsibility. The Battalion tries to recall the accomplishments in the past years and it is truly we can see that today it has much improvements initiated by the 15^th Infantry Battalion not just the peace and order but it included the men in uniform the Philippine Army will assimilated into the society. With the stakeholders the relationship of Military and Police in Lanao del Norte is very dynamic by playing the important rules when it comes in maintaining peace and order but also promoting development under the stewardship of Hon. Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo.

LGU officials were invited to witness the event.

Guerrero said over the years the collaboration, coordination and cooperation has bloomed into a healthy relation in the community, until now peace and progress is now truly felt even the marginalized sector was truly growth development has become inclusive in the area and it can attribute to the able leadership not only the Military but also to the help of each one another. Moreover, with the cooperation, collaboration we can see now the beauty and peaceful environment and hoping that this will continue to pursue for the future generation, the children, the grand children and most importantly the community itself. He added this is a day of recognition, a day of commemoration, a day of thanks giving, not only for the peace but also the understanding, patience of the people of Lanao del Norte.

Media group covered the event.

On the other hand, Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, Brigade Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade said that whenever there is anniversary of the military units will have its important significance such as the 42^nd anniversary celebration of the 15^th Infantry Battalion. He said that this is the time of thanksgiving, recognition and planning ahead. He said that the 15^th IB is Active in peace advocacy and peacebuilding activities such as the Youth leadership summit held recently was a very important and successful activity to capacitate the youth and maintain peace and order in the area.  Gapay extended his thanks to the different stakeholders as partners in peace, the LGUs, NGOs, CSOs, media, academe, religious, youth, civic organizations and other sectors. He said planning ahead for the following year will make them (15^th IB) more stronger to maintain the peace and order in the area. With reports, videos & photos from Jun Enriquez.

2nd Youth summit for peace held in Lanao

2^nd Youth summit for peace held in Lanao

By Jun Enriquez

Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte (Octber 25, 2015) - At least 700 participants from the youth sector, Muslims and Christians, participated on the two-day 2^nd Youth summit 2015 held Oct 24-25 at the Kauswagan Central Elementary School, this town. The event was spearheaded by the 15^th Infantry Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Division Philippine Army. On the first day of the event, it started with the parade around the major streets of this town participated by the youth from the seven municipalities of Kauswagan, Bacolod, Munai, Maigo, Tangkal, Kolambugan and Poona Piagapo all of Lanao del Norte. The theme for this year’s summit is “Kapayapaan nating minimithi, magsimula sa ating sarili.” The said event was in cooperation with the involvement of the seven municipalities, Gawad Kalinga, Youth for Development, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Gaba-an Lead Youth, New Ground Events Youth, 5^th mechanized Infantry “Kaagapay” Battalion and 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “ Magbalantay” Brigade. Invited guests during the opening day were Congressman Imelda Dimaporo represented by Marivic Ramos of the first district, Lanao del Norte, Col. Florencio Budiongan, Deputy Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Kauswagan Mayor Rommel Arnado, and Poona Piagapo Mayor Farhana Palawan, among others.  The first youth summit last year was held on October 25-26, 2014.

 

Lt. Col. Doctolero delivered a message before the  participants.

Prior to the event, a facilitators training was conducted on October 23 in preparation for the actual summit activities. There were 140 youth participants trained as facilitators and facilitated the youth summit. Andy Summers and Dennis Caballero, youth champions from the Gabaan lead youth (GLY) based in Negros Oriental lead the facilitation of the youth summit event. Gabaan means bad karma, it’s a curse to be afraid but instead a person must be blessed.  It is a challenge to make negative thing into positive. The GLY is not afraid of bad karma instead they work for the good karma, for the good future of the youth.  The champions organized the “tatak #selfie 2015” foundation whose members mostly are students. They defined “Selfie” a modern word means selfish and they make it into selfless meaning “tunay na kabataan”, making the good future for the youth and become better citizen.

The “tatak #selfie 2015” have four major activities, first, is the outcome a self-analysis on “how do you see yourself”. Second is Buffer, symbolizes protection on “how to react to problems”. Third is Motive, it is asking “why did you do these things”. and fourth, Self-verification, a self-reflection, deals on “who you really are”. The activities conducted are more on values formation for the youth to become good citizens in the country and create goodness in the society. It is an awareness raising of what happened in their community, especially awareness on human trafficking, then reflect and connect it to the modules conducted. The actions taken during the workshop is more on community based not activity based. The module also innovate things from traditional actions due to cultural sensitivity. Measurement of actions is based on social analysis results. 

Media briefing with the youth chapions, Dennis Caballero, 2nd
from left seated  facing the camera and Andy Summers, 4th from
left seated facing the camera, of Gabaan Youth Lead.

Caballero said they learned that the most common problems of the youth in the family are food and education. Leadership training is not appropriate they should be processed on social development not teambuilding. Leadership training is a separate activity for the youth. Crying during workshops is not enough and it needs to be processed why they cried. There is a need to uplift the morale of the youth. The Gabaan lead youth has also a “Tikang” program, a values formation for the youth. Tikang means step in its concept, “A journey of a thousand miles begin in a single step.” Tikang is also identical to the Tatak selfie program.

The “Tatak Selfie” Foundation composed of students was organized by the Gaba-an Youth Lead and New Ground Events focusing on the self-worth that the youth all over the Philippines should have active participation in the community to know the psychological and social aspects, culture sensitive, values formation, team building, social development and personality development.

 

Talent showdown of youth participants with the military band.

During the culmination activity, the youth representatives from each municipality gave their impressions. The experienced of the youth is very extraordinary because they really learned many things by doing their tasks and responsibilities given by the facilitators. They were thankful to the organizer, the 15th IB headed by Lt. Col. Doctolero. They experienced of having more fun with their co-youth from different places, they performed well and enjoyed the activities which they can also contribute their talents and skills during the workshops and in so doing will create unity for youth in the next generation.

In his closing message, Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, Battalion Commander, 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army based in Kauswagan, said that that he is very happy while looking at the Youth participants that they change a lot in terms from being shy and afraid to join somebody else, but now they learned many things, and build confidence in their selves. All of them rendered sacrifices during the activities conducted. They slept late at night and wake-up early in the morning. They got more friends among the Muslims and Christians, they mingled each other as new friends from different municipalities of Lanao del Norte. Doctolero said, with this development, the youth of Lanao del Norte can achieved and realize the dream of long lasting Peace, Love and Unity in their respective municipality. 

Col. Gilbert Gapay, Brigade Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, based in Maria Cristina, Iligan City, said that the spirit of Bayanihan during the event is present and extended his thanks and appreciation to the lead organizer, the 15^th Infantry Battalion in cooperation with the 5^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion including the seven municipalities involved in the summit and other institutions that made the youth summit a success. He also extended his congratulations to the 700 youth participants from seven municipalities for their efforts and untiring participation for the intensive workshops until late evening and wake up early in the morning just to learn something. He also extended his thanks and appreciation to the youth champions for sharing their talents and skills for free in the conduct of the youth summit workshop activities. The gains of the youth from the summit will help develop their self-confidence and to make them a better citizens in the country. With reports and photos by Malyne D. Gungob.

Philippines: Rebel Executions Violate International Law

Philippines: Rebel Executions Violate International Law

Communist New People’s Army Killing of Mayor, Son May Worsen Human Rights Situation of Lumads

Press release by Human Rights Watch

(Manila, October 28, 2015) – The communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the Philippines executed the mayor of a small town and his son on October 19, 2015, in violation of international humanitarian law, Human Rights Watch said today. Throughout its four-decade insurgency, the rebel group has frequently executed people found “guilty” by its so-called people’s courts, which do not meet basic fair trial standards.

In a statement on October 25, the NPA took responsibility for the killing of Dario Otaza, 53, mayor of Loreto town in Agusan del Sur province, and his son Daryl, 27, calling their execution “revolutionary justice.” NPA fighters, posing as law enforcement agents, raided the Otaza home in nearby Butuan City on October 19. Authorities found the two men’s bodies the next day with multiple gunshot wounds.

“The killing of the Otazas – like other NPA executions – is just plain murder,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The NPA’s actions and claims of revolutionary justice handed down by people’s courts are flagrant violations of international law.”

The NPA accused the Otazas of working for the Philippine armed forces and masterminding the killing of at least three people. They also accused the victims of taking part in attacks on and the forced displacement of indigenous peoples in the province, torturing children, attempted murders, and arson, among other crimes.

As a party to an internal armed conflict, the NPA is obligated to abide by international humanitarian law, including common article 3 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and its Second Additional Protocol of 1977 (Protocol II), to which the Philippines is party. International humanitarian law prohibits killing civilians, mistreating anyone in custody, and convicting anyone in proceedings that do not meet international fair trial standards. Article 6 of Protocol II specifies that criminal courts must be independent and impartial, and the accused shall have “all necessary rights and means of defense,” among other guarantees. Those tried by people’s courts are typically convicted in absentia, thus denied the right to be tried in one’s presence before an impartial court.

Claims by the NPA that defendants receive a fair hearing during its people’s court proceedings are not supported by the facts, Human Rights Watch said. Philip Alston, the former United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions who investigated extrajudicial killings in the Philippines in 2007, described the people’s courts as “either deeply flawed or simply a sham.”

The NPA has long admitted to killing government officials and civilians whom the NPA deems to have engaged in acts “against the people.” They have also killed allegedly traitorous NPA or Communist Party members.

On April 21, 2014, NPA rebels shot and killed Mayor Carlito Pentecostes Jr. of Gonzaga town, Cagayan province.  On July 27, 2012, they killed Datu Causing Ogao, a leader of an indigenous people’s group, in Davao City. On February 28, 2011, they killed Jeffrey Nerveza, a civilian, in Albay, Bicol. On August 19, 2011, the NPA killed Raymundo “Monding” Agaze in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental. On July 13, 2010, NPA members shot and killed Mateo Biong, Jr., a former mayor of Giporlos town, Eastern Samar. That same month, they shot and killed Sergio Villadar, a sugar cane farmer, in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. All of these people, the NPA claimed, had been found guilty by its people’s courts.

In its October 25, 2015 statement announcing the deaths of the Otazas, the NPA said it is waging a “people’s war” and it “has been pursuing revolutionary justice by meting appropriate capital punishment against war criminals to remove the continuation of the human rights violations and render justice.”

The NPA killings may worsen the human rights situation in Agusan del Sur and other provinces in the southern Philippines, where the military and its paramilitary forces have been implicated in extrajudicial killings and forced displacement, particularly against indigenous peoples, Human Rights Watch said. Human Rights Watch has documented several of these abuses and has called on the Philippine government to bring perpetrators to justice.

“By resorting to vigilantism in the name of justice, the NPA is only serving to harm its own demands for justice for victims of military human rights violations,” Robertson said. “The NPA should end this charade of unjust ‘people’s courts’ and cease all executions.”