Phase-out plan still a concept - LTFRB Regional Dir Guro

 

Regional Director Aminoden D. Guro, LTFRB region X, Cagayan de Oro City.

Iligan City - In a telephone interview with the newly confirmed Regional Director Aminoden D. Guro, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Region X, Cagayan de Oro City, said that the issue on phase-out on old units is still a concept. There is no order yet from the transportation department about the matter. However it might take two or three years from now that the modernization program of public utilities will take place. The government also have an assistance program for the transport sector affected on the modernization program of the government. Guro said that his office is open for a dialogue with the transport groups to discuss any clarifications of the issue.

In a radio interview, PSSUPT Leony Roy Ga, City Director of the Iligan City Police office (ICPO), said that the transport strike paralyzed the public utilities operation in Iligan City from 90 to 100 percent. He said that habalhabal motorcycle and racal vehicle were operating and give them a chance to pick-up passengers during the day of the strike only as alternative public transportation.

L-R: PSSUPT Ga, Mayor Regencia, PSSUPT Mijares
(Courtesy from FB)

In another radio interview, Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia, during the transport strike, made a call to all government employees who have owned a vehicle used in going to work to let other people ride also in going to work so that they can render their job despite the transport strike. 

Mr. Raul Permites, President of the Coalition of Lanao del Norte Utilities Transport for Change (CLUTCH) said that the purpose of the strike was to air their voice about the main issue on phase-out. He said that the modernization plan of the government to include the phase-out of old units was already discussed in the media with the people from the national government. He said they are not against the modernization plan but it should be clarified to the transport sector on what is the mechanism of the phase-out.

Permites said that their demands is no to phase-out without just transition. The just transition will involve the five (5) moratorium on Public utility vehicle (PUV) phase-out as a preparatory period, there must be state subsidies or assistance fund for transport modernization; end of importation of surplus vehicles; no to 10-unit per franchise policy; and no to wifi/gps - global positioning system policy, to all PUVs.

  

CLUTCH Officers meeting

Permites said that during the transport strike, unity was their weapon and strength and unity will not be defeated. He said that there were challenges they encountered during the strike. PUVs from other places entered Iligan City area have had heated altercations with the strikers. There was also an armed person in civilian clothes believed to be a law enforcer penetrated in the group of strikers in Tubod, Iligan City when asked who he was but heated arguments ensued and later on the armed person poked his gun to the strikers and ran inside the PAGIBIG office for a hide. Permites said that the transport strike in Iligan City was generally peaceful. 

Permites said that they are planning for a courtesy meeting with the LTFRB X Regional Director Guro, in his office in Cagayan de Oro City.

Gitib launch child protection program in Mindanao

Linamon, Lanao del Norte – Children and youths in Mindanao, especially in Regions IX, X and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are exposed to dangers as a consequence of the armed conflict and disasters. These various forms of violence against children are happening in the family, school and community.

Mr. Roldan Gonzales, executive Director, GITIB, Incorporated said it needs a clearer and strong child protection mechanism to prevent child rights violations in many forms. The children and peace project was conceptualized by several child rights and peace advocates in Mindanao. The GITIB, Incorporated, a resource center for sustainable development, promoting peace and working for the enforcement of the rights of the children and youth especially in Mindanao launched a project called the “Mindanao children and Peace project” conducted in Samburon, Linamon, Lanao del Norte on February 23, 2017. The target Barangays for project implementation are Samburon, Larapan and Napo.

 

Launching participants including the media.

Other conflict related situation makes children vulnerable to abuse. This will include the women, persons with disabilities and senior citizens. Breakdown of talks between the government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) is also vulnerable to conflict situation. Climate change will impact typhoon especially in Mindanao. The project is based on the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child which the Philippine government is a signatory. Unity and cooperation among the government and people is needed for the protection of the children.

Gonzales said the project has four components. First, the project has no direct involvement in the peace process but to empower the children on their rights because as they grow along they are future ambassador of peace; Second, Law protection of children is in place and have a workable mandate to protect children’s rights. Third, child protection will be ensured in the community, school and family; and fourth; strengthen the duty-bearers, parents, Barangay officials, government agencies, CSOs and other stakeholders. The children should be protected in time of conflict and natural disaster because during this time they are vulnerable to abuse. 

MOA signing

Samburon Barangay Chairman Silvestre Dela Torre said that the project is a big help for the children to know their rights and will be protected at all times against abuse without discrimination in terms of culture and faith.

Gonzales said that the project launching was the first activity conducted in Mindanao defining the roles of the Barangay council, Department of Education and other stakeholders involve in the project. Problem identification for the project will follow to address challenges in school, community and in family. This wil also define the power relations between the child and any persons, and ensure child protection against abuse and trafficking.

He said Disaster response in time of conflict and natural calamities will focus on psychosocial activities for the children with the expertise of the partners especially the Balay Integarted Rehabilitation for Total Human Development, Incorporated (BIRTHDEV). The issue about the  behavior of the children that they are disrespectful to other people is commonly happening in the communities because they were influence in what they see in their environment, community and the media especially social media is very powerful tool of information. 

Media interview with Roldan Gonzales (center)

Gonzales said that GITIB also include the protection of children on cyber space and social media because it involves greater influence in the internet on violent games and pornography. As to the restoration on death penalty law in 17^th congress, the House Bill (HB) no. 01 is now pending in congress. In universal perception of human rights, death penalty is not allowed under the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights in which the Philippines is one of the signatories. In another Bill the HB no. 02, the lowering of age of a child from 15 to 9 years old due to some cases that children were used in criminal activities. This was opposed by GITIB and other rights groups because children still under the care and responsibility of their parents as primary duty-bearers. In this project, duty bearers are to be strengthened to effectively protect the rights of children. 

On the contrary, Gonzales said if the two bills will be approved into law, might have children will be commuted into death penalty. Another observation of the justice system in the Philippines is dangerous for the poor because when rich and high profile persons commits crime they will simply under house or hospital arrest while poor people will go direct behind bars, worst, death penalty if the law allows. The reformatory center is also a problem due to the rampant source of drug syndicate. It is a risk for children inside a problematic reformatory center. 

Ronie Valledares, a child and Elementary pupil from Napo delivered a message and strongly calling that violence in Mindanao must stop and not to repeat again. He said that there is a need for unity, understanding and respect among the people of diverse cultures.

Jhomel Traya, a youth leader in Napo said that they acknowledged the problem of the teachers in schools. He said that it is not easy for teachers to impose discipline to children in numbers especially in public schools without any relationships because they are vulnerable to challenges legally.  

Commitment signing of support in the tarpaulin. 

Mr. Juanito C. Enriquez, Jr., Managing Director of the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace, Inc. (CSO-FP), based in Iligan City also shared about the Bantay Bayanihan. He said Bantay Bayanihan is a CSOs network acting as the oversight body and counterpart of the Military on Bayanihan Program, whole of nation approach by winning the peace. He said peace is not only the absence of war but it is a responsibility of everyone. The Bayanihan program of the Military is the implementation of the International Humanitarian law (IHL), Human Rights law and the Rule of law. The Military implements projects for the civilian community in partnership with the local government and national government agencies. The CSOs and Military have frequent schedule of meetings to discuss the status of the bayanihan program. In Lanao del Norte, the Bantay Bayanihan network is called Bantay Kalilintad, means peace watch. Under the Bayanihan program, civilian protection is assured including children.

Gonzales said that there are still line-up of activities for the GITIB’s project launching in other pilot areas such as in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte, to be conducted on February 24, 2017. The most highlighted event during the launching was the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the GITIB and the Local Government of Linamon, Lanao del Norte. The purpose of the MOA is complementation and support of the project among the parties.  The Mindanao Children and peace project is supported by the TDH Germany. Reports and photos by Jun Enriquez, Jacmen Macatimbol and Patrick Graf.

CLUTCH and other transport orgs to strike in Iligan City reacts on govt. phase-out plan

CLUTCH office in Suarez, Iligan City.

Iligan City - It will be on Monday, February 27, 2017 is a nationwide transport strike from 5:00 O'clock in the morning until 5:00 O'clock in the afternoon, due to the issue on phasing out of old and dilapidated public utility jeepney (PUJ) and taxi units. The strike is to be led by the Coalition of Lanao del Norte United Transport  for Change (CLUTCH) with total membership of 1,200 comprising of PUJ operators and drivers from Iligan City and Lanao del Norte including Misamis Oriental are all-out support on the strike.

The one day transport strike is called “Tigil Pasada” is in coordination with the National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU). The general members of CLUTCH clamoring the plan of the government to phase-out the old units with model reckoning 15 years and up. The plan is already set-up and prepared to launch the strike in different choke points in Iligan City.

 

CLUTCH Officers meeting

Mr. Raul C. Permites, CLUTCH President said that there are seven choke points enough to paralyze the public transport operation. These can be found in the areas of Nunucan, Barangay Ma. Cristina; Camague highway - Crossing Mercy hospital, Barangay Tubod; Tubod Bridge, Barangay Tubod; Land Bank area, Barangay Pala-o; Celica area, Barangay Tibanga; Tambo overpass, Barangay Sto. Rosario; Tibanga Highway-Crossing Santiago, Barangay Tibanga.

Permites said that the “Tigil pasada” is a nonviolent action to air their voice in expressing their demands in response to the phase-out plan of the government. The phase-out will allegedly take effect on 2018. He said they are not complaining on public transport modernization but the government must also listen their plight on what are the safety nets especially on their security of tenure on the nature of their work. The PUJ operation has an existing employer-employee relationship, the owner of the unit and the driver.

Permites said they come up with few demands such as there must be a just transition of the phase-out for five-year moratorium or extension to have enough time to prepare themselves; the government should be transparent and have clarity on any assistance to the transport sector economic security; the franchise shall be retained to the owner and opposed the 10-unit franchise because this scheme is favorably for the rich people in the transport business; and  there must be a state subsidies or assistance fund to small operators. 

Permites appeal to the public to understand and support their cause. he also appealing to other transport groups and individual operators and drivers to join the strike to have more strength to grant their demands for their economic security.

On the other hand, the government on the plan of the phase-out will stick on the policy on the process of quasi-judicial hearing in the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to determine the road-worthiness of the PUJ and taxi units. (Reports and photos by Jun Enriquez; with reports by Joan Eslit)

Govt forces intercepts carnappers in Brgy Inagongan, Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte

  

Recovered carnapped vehicle, Ford Ranger.

Iligan City – on February 24, 2017 at past 8:30 in the morning, an incident of car napping transpired along C3 road particularly at Merilla, Brgy Ubaldo Laya, Iligan City. While the victims: Mr. Othelo Adiong, 36 years old, businessman with his wife Mrs. Estephanie and their son together with his mother Mrs. Elvira Adiong, 62 years old, businesswoman all residents of Isabel Village, Iligan City were on board their Ford Ranger XLT, colored white, for registration (no plate) while going to their store passing C3 road was suddenly blocked by a white Hyundai Elantra vehicle with plate number TVQ 538. Two suspects using long firearm and hand gun forcibly took the Ford Ranger then fled going to the direction of Brgy Abuno, Iligan City. While the Hyundai Elantra fled towards the direction going to Camague.

The incident was reported to the nearest Police Station then immediately forwarded the information to the military units in the area. The Hyundai Elantra was intercepted at Sitio Camague, Brgy. Tominobo Iligan City. The car napped Ford Ranger boarded by other members of the group were able to extricate and fled towards Tagoloan, LDN via Tipanoy-Tagoloan road. They rammed the road blockade set in Brgy Tipanoy, Iligan City and fired upon the SAF personnel manning the check point which prompted the SAF personnel to open fire causing the vehicle to stall. The suspected kidnappers immediately scampered on foot.

 

Hyundai Elantra car used by the carnappers.

Combined personnel of 12th Special Action Company, 1st Special Action Battalion, PNP- SAF under PCINSP BJORN JOHN C LABOS; personnel of Macadar Detachment, 9th Lanao del Norte CAA Company, Charlie Company, 5th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army led by TSg Edwin T Dacles (Inf) PA based at Sitio Macadar, Brgy Inagongan, Tagoloan, LDN; and one (1) section of 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army led by 1LT JONATHAN BOSQUE (CAV) PA conducted a hot pursuit operation that resulted to the killing of two (2) kidnap suspects, recovery of car napped Ford Ranger vehicle with personal belongings of the owner of the vehicle, and recovery of one (1) M-16 Bushmaster with SN. VX1777804 and 0ne (1) Cal. 45 Shooter’s RAVEN Pistol bearing SN R02050429.

Investigation conducted by combined forces disclosed that one of the suspects was identified as “AZAM AMPATUA believed to be a member of MAUTE Group who was armed with .45 Cal Shooter’s RAVEN Pistol bearing SN R02050429 and one unidentified suspect who was armed with M-16 bushmaster with SN. VX1777804 and ammunitions. The other suspect identified as one Diamen Alonto y Ebanalo of legal age, a resident of Padian, Marawi City, aboard Hyundai Elantra with plate no. TVQ-538 was intercepted at Sitio Camague, Brgy. Tominobo Iligan City armed with .45 Cal Imbel Pistol with SN C38303 with ammunitions and one (1) Hand Grenade.

 

One of the suspects killed in shootout.

Diamen Alonto y Ebanalo was turned over to the CIB for further investigation. The recovered car napped Ford Ranger and Hyundai Elantra get-away vehicle, recovered one (1) M-16 Bushmaster assault rifle and 0ne (1) Cal. 45 Shooter’s Raven Pistol was brought to the Headquarters of SOCO- Iligan City at Camp Tomas Cabili, Brgy Tipanoy, Iligan City for proper disposition. The cadavers of the two (2) car nappers were brought to Mary Venus Funeral Homes in Brgy Acmac, Iligan City for proper disposition. The get-away Hyundai Elantra vehicle and pistol Imbel make are in the custody of Iligan City Police Station 4. Reports and photos by Capt. Eddie Alcima, Jr., CMO, 2nd Mech Magbalantay Bde, PA.

Myanmar - Lanao CSOs encounter in Iligan City

 

Myanmar and Lanao CSOs in a forum discussion on peace advocacy

Iligan City – Self-determination is not only for the rebel fronts in the Philippines but it is a global issue politically and one of the main causes of conflict in many countries around the world confronting social and political injustices. At the extreme some other rebel fronts employ terrorism for independence. In the Philippines, the Bangsamoro struggle in asking self-determination is confined on Autonomy and currently created an expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) now on the process of crafting an enabling law to be approved in congress and to be implemented in the identified Bangsamoro areas in Mindanao. The Philippine government and the MILF have already signed a peace agreement called “Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro” or CAB signed in March 27, 2014, that ends the Bangsamoro struggle for 47 years. Other Bangsamoro front is the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have signed peace agreement with the government on September 2, 1996. At present, the Philippine government is also working to change the constitution in favor of a Federal government.

 

Just recently, the civil society organizations (CSOs) in Myanmar visited Mindanao especially in Lanao areas to study and learn from the experiences of the Lanao CSOs on peace advocacies. There were about 30 Myanmar CSOs leaders present during the event.

Allegedly, there are 25 rebel fronts in Myanmar asking for self-determination. The Myanmar parliament, a duly constituted government, is composed of 300 members and the constitution allows 25 percent of the members will be done by appointments from the military to be appointed by the chief of staff. The clamor of Myanmar citizenry is to change their constitution and remove the provision of 25 percent military presence in the parliament. However, the parliament needs 25 percent plus one or equivalent to 76 votes to change the constitution but the opposition still have difficulties to muster the 76 legislators in the parliament. Accordingly, the head of state still a military. It was observed that the people in Myanmar have limited freedom because the media is always making publicity offensive against the people. They are state sponsored media and saturated and controlled the social media in Myanmar.  Myanmar is sharing border with Thailand, China and India.

 

Lanao CSOS,at left, Musa Sanguila of Pakigdait

The Lanao CSOs leaders present during the meeting were Musa Sanguila, Executive Director of Pakigdait, Inc., with program on Peace advocacy and conflict transformation. He is the lead convener of the Bantay Kalilintad under the program of Bantay Bayanihan in partnership with the Military with the Bayanihan program on winning the peace.

Miss Adona Orquillas, President Lanao Alliance for human Rights Advocates (LAHRA), member of the ceasefire mechanism under the Local Monitoring team of the Government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace process representing the CSOs. Mr. Roberto M. Quijano, Managing Director of Pailig Development Foundation, Inc. (PDFI), with program on conflict transformation through engaging on organic agriculture development for economic resiliency of the community, including “Rido” (family feud) settlement in the community. Miss Cristina Lomoljo, Executive Director of the Balay Integrated Rehabilitation for Total Human Development (BIRTHDEV) engaged in Children’s protection against child trafficking, lead convener on Community Policing project in partnership with the Security Reform Initiative supported by The British Council, lead convener on Ranaw Bay-Mindanao Emergency Response Network (RB MERN) under the Mindanao Emergency Response Network (MERN).

Also present in the said event was Mr. Juanito C. Enriquez, Jr., Managing Director, Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP), with program on media advocacy on peace Journalism, President, Manggagawang Media ng Mindanao (MMM), an organization of independent media practitioner based in Northwestern Mindanao engaged in peace journalism on Mindanao context. He is also the President of the Magbalantay Press Corps (MPC), in partnership with the 2^nd Mechanized Magbalantay Brigade Philippine Army based in Iligan City. Mr. Abel Moya, Project Coordinator of the Mindanao Peace Institute (MPI) on Indigenous peoples empowerment and protection program. Also present during the event was the Non-violent Peaceforce (NP), an International non-government organization (NGO) with program on civilian protection around the world. The NP is a member of the International Contact Group (ICG), one of the official observers of the Government and MILF peace process.

Most of the few queries from the visiting CSOs were about the driving force of the CSOs in Lanao for working together, the sustainability of the ceasefire agreement, peace talks and how the ceasefire mechanism works, the backgrounds of the peace celebrations, the balance of work in the office and organizational movement, and how the challenges were managed and how CSOs plans integrated in government policies.

In a response of the Lanao CSOs, the driving force is unity among the CSO networks working for peace because it’s not easy to live in a community behind on a culture of violence. There were activities commonly implemented especially on the Bantay Bayanihan that CSOs focus on Bangsamoro issues and concerns served as an oversight body in the implementation of the international Humanitarian law, human rights law and the rule of law, and include the ceasefire mechanism implementation, the ceasefire committee on the cessation of hostilities, and conflict transformation program of rebel returnees on engaging a sustainable livelihood program.

The Ceasefire committee on cessation of hostilities (CCCH) is composed of the Government Military and the MILF combatants and created the so called Ad-hoc joint action group (AHJAG), to jointly conduct arrest on criminalities within the identified MILF controlled areas, especially on crimes on kidnapping, carnapping, illegal drugs among other crimes. Aside from the Bantay Bayanihan program, the CCCH is continuously monitored by the International Monitoring Team (IMT) headed by the Malaysian government. The local monitoring team (LMT) composed of the local CSOs, local government units (LGUs) and MILF civilian representatives.

 

Continued plenary discussions

The peace celebrations are consistently conducted annually such as the Mindanao week of peace by virtue of the Presidential proclamation No. 127 to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November to first Wednesday of December and every year thereafter. This celebration was started by the religious sector, the Bishop-Ulama Conference (BUC) composed of the Christians and Muslims religious leaders. There has also a Lanao Month of peace in March and the Iligan Week of Peace every last week of March. There is also a nationwide month of peace celebration on the month of September, this include the international day of Peace on September 21.

All the peace celebrations will remind the people the importance of the culture of peace to prevail over the culture of violence. There were activities implemented such as the “Panagtagbo sa kalinaw” or convergence of peace during peace celebrations invited all stakeholders of peace to participate. Usually before the peace celebration starts there will be a press conference so that the media will also aware, understand, learn and educate on the culture of peace. The media is the most important sector to understand the culture of peace because misinterpretation or misunderstanding the issue is very dangerous. The media can make or unmake peace if they lack of understanding on the context of conflict.

The balance of work in office management and organizational movement is to come up with a plan and proper scheduling of the implementation of activities to have an effective time management. Any challenges encountered along the way will be managed through dialogues.

ICRC assesses humanitarian action in the Philippines for 2016

  

Backyard gardening project for IDPs.

Manila (ICRC) – In a report sent by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) describing their services and programs in 2016, states that, in central and southern Mindanao in 2016, fighting between government forces and non-state armed groups forced about 78,000 people to flee their homes in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Sulu provinces. Prolonged displacement, on the other hand, affected communities in Surigao del Sur, devastating their shelters and livelihoods. In Zamboanga City, around 11,000 people still live in transitional sites for more than three years after the clashes.

In the second half of the year, the hostilities between government forces and the New People's Army (NPA) halted due to the ceasefire declarations linked with the restarted peace process. However, remote communities that were affected for decades by this protracted conflict still struggle against poverty and underdevelopment.

"In 2016, we managed to help 310,000 of conflict-affected civilians in difficult-to-reach areas such as Lanao del Sur and Basilan, with strong support from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)," said Pascal Porchet, head of the ICRC delegation to the Philippines.

"This year, while we continue to assist displaced families, we will put an even stronger emphasis on the protection of civilians by enhancing our dialogue on international humanitarian law with all weapon bearers, the government, religious and community leaders," he added.

On helping people displaced by conflicts and violence, there were around 180,000 people displaced by armed clashes or violence in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur and Haran Compound in Davao City, or affected by drought in North Cotabato, received food and household items to help them cope with their situation. About 55,000 displaced people and residents in Maguindanao accessed safe water and sanitation facilities through ICRC projects in 13 evacuation centers. Around 68,000 people in southern Luzon, Northern Samar and Mindanao earned income through donations of vegetable seeds, tools, equipment or cash grants. More than 37,200 people in southern Luzon and Mindanao received cash grants or joined cash-for-work projects that improved their communal facilities. Some 9,300 migrants returning from Malaysia received hygiene items from the ICRC through the PRC or the migrants' centers.

On caring for people wounded by conflict and violence, There were more than 900 people wounded by weapons were treated in ICRC-supported health facilities in Mindanao. Among these, more than 90 patients received financial assistance while 41 patients benefited from PRC's blood services.

In the ICRC-supported Davao Jubilee Foundation, 59 patients, including 52 people wounded in conflict, received financial aid for their physical rehabilitation. In addition, 8 amputees benefited from vocational training while 2 minors were given educational support.

There were 7 hospitals in Mindanao were regularly supplied with medicines and medical materials, while 85 hospitals and health facilities received ad-hoc donations to cope with the influx of patients following clashes or emergencies. An Ad-hoc medical supplies provided to local health facilities covered the needs of 7,000 displaced families in Sulu, Basilan and Lanao. There were around 800 health staff and 500 community members were trained in first aid and basic life support by the ICRC, the PRC and local authorities.

On addressing jail congestion and its consequences, there were around 18,200 people were screened for tuberculosis (TB) in two ICRC pilot sites, the New Bilibid Prison and the Quezon City Jail. Through improved early TB-detection mechanisms, 999 inmates who had TB were identified and enrolled for treatment. Some 530 inmates in 3 jails experienced better living conditions after the renovation and construction of cooking stoves, water-supply systems, sanitation installations, ventilation facilities, and outdoor recreational areas. As part of our systemic support to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), we helped develop an e-learning project to train BJMP paralegals and a mobile application providing an early-warning system on jail emergencies. Quezon City Jail, one of the most critically overcrowded jails, was supported in the planning and design of its future jail facility.

A nurse gives an inmate suffering from TB his scheduled 
shot inside the isolation ward of the Quezon city jail.

On visiting people detained in relation to the conflict, there were inmates in 118 detention facilities were visited by ICRC staff who monitored their treatment and living conditions, focusing on more than 900 particularly vulnerable detainees. There were around 400 detainees were visited by their relatives through the ICRC family visit program with support from the PRC. The detaining authorities received recommendations to improve detainees' treatment and living conditions, based on ICRC's multidisciplinary assessment of several severely congested jails.

On promoting international humanitarian law (IHL), There were more than 3,800 weapon bearers were educated on IHL, human rights, and humanitarian principles in armed conflict through dissemination sessions. Around 300 scholars, religious leaders, and members of Islamic institutions and armed groups learned more about IHL and Islamic law related to armed conflict in seminars held in Marawi City, Cotabato City, Maguindanao and Manila. The Philippine National Police Academy, the Philippine Public Safety College, and the UP Institute of Islamic Studies signed agreements with the ICRC to integrate IHL into their curriculum.

On the enabling the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to respond to emergencies, with support from Red Cross Movement partners, the ICRC trained and equipped volunteers of PRC Red Cross Action Teams (RCAT) in 16 priority areas to boost their capacities in emergency preparedness, reuniting families, providing first aid and disseminating humanitarian principles. Around 168 PRC volunteers (100 from RCAT) were mobilized for relief operations and livelihood support in conflict-affected communities in Mindanao. ICRC Press release.

Iligan City Mayor takes appropriate action on 105 appointees

Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia standing at the podium during the
Flag Raising ceremony.

Iligan City – On January 30, 2017, Iligan City Mayor  Celso Regencia was acquitted and released from imprisonment and went directly to attend the flag raising ceremony at the amphitheater Iligan City Hall, buhanginan hill, this city. The audience who are mostly government employees welcomed the Mayor with tears full of sentiments.

Regencia actively visited key places around the City to observe and assess the situation. On February 6 flag raising ceremony Mayor Regencia in his message said he highlighted his observations and assessments, and specifically asked the City Council to amend traffic ordinance to assign night shift traffic enforcers in those key places during night time to ensure smooth traffic flow.

With regards to the Administrative issues, Mayor Regencia said that he will review and take appropriate action pertaining to the 105 appointees of former Iligan City Vice Mayor Ruderic Marzo during his acting capacity as Mayor of Iligan City last year. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) upon the inquiry with the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), Region X disapproved the appointment of Carla, Mila and Orlando due to lack of authority considering that the DILG Region X did not categorically state the actual tenure of Vice Mayor Reduric Marzo as the acting City Mayor of Iligan City. Reports and photos by Jac Macatimbol

"Kandori" holds for Paramount Sultan of Mindanao

"Kandori" (thanksgiving) ceremony for Paramount Sultan of Mindanao at Madalum, Lanao del Sur. Follow the link for more stories, http://forum4peace.org/kandori-holds-for-paramount-sultan-of-mindanao/

Phase 2 on Community policing-confidence building launch

 

Community policing participants in Munai, Lanao del Norte

Munai, Lanao del Norte - At around 9:00 A.M. on February 2, 2017, the facilitating team of the Community Policing project arrived at Munai, Lanao del Norte as the venue of the first Community Policing-confidence building project for the second phase 2017. The project was implemented by the Bantay Bayanihan partners based in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte, such as the Balay Integrated for Total Human Development (BIRTHDEV), Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP), Pailig Development Foundation, Inc. (PDFI), Ranao Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Action Center (RDRRAC) and Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) of MSU-IIT, in partnership with the Security reform Initiative (SRI). There will be a follow-up activities in some other areas such as in Kolambugan and Tagoloan, all of Lanao del Norte, including Iligan City. 

At right, Sir Achmad Musa

Sir Achmad Musa facilitated to open the session and started with a Muslim prayer by Barangay Chairman Said Angni. Achmad introduced the facilitating team and explained the purpose of the Community policing confidence building activity. He said that since the participants and the facilitating team already familiar with each other during the previous meetings the session will proceed to the main discussion of topics. He briefly explained the process to last a maximum of 1.5 hours, first is to have a brief review on community policing and its principles and second the confidence building. He advised the cellphones in silent mode and informed further that it is not a forum to discuss issues or concerns of the police, peace process or the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). It is not about finding faults but building partnerships that can be harnessed towards attaining joint aspirations.

Achmad said that the community policing project intends to promote a new kind of partnership between the community and the police through the promotion of community policing as an ethos in how the police performs its duties and interacts with the community.

During the session the main speaker was Miss Cristina “Tina” Lomoljo, gave a brief review on Community policing as discussed in the first phase with three sessions conducted from 2014 to 2016 and ended on coming up with a toolkit. Tina gave a brief definition of the Community policing for better understanding. Community Policing states that it is a way of thinking and doing or ethos that leads to a strong partnership between the community and police in maintaining peace and security in their respective areas. The Community Policing intends to improve the level and quality of Service that the police delivers to their clientele, the community. In doing so, it would gain the trust and confidence of the community and could strengthen their relationship towards a partnership.

 

Front standing, Miss Tina Lomoljo

The British Council and Security Reform Initiative, together with the Bantay Bayanihan member organizations, are the proponents of the Community Policing Project in the Bangsamoro. Phase Two of the project is being funded by the British Council. A total of 35 communities from the seven (7) provinces in the proposed Bangsamoro core territory in the areas of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, are engaged in the Community Policing Project.

There were several activities conducted in these communities under the phase one: Baseline, Awareness Raising, Consultation, Feedback and Kapihan with local officials. Phase one culminated in the crafting of a community policing strategy and toolkit that is tailored to the context and needs of the seven (7) provinces engaged in the project.

Tina added of informing the participants that the municipality of Parang, Maguindanao is pilot site for the implementation of the Community policing Toolkit. There will be continued activities and engagements with the 34 other communities involved in the project. One such activity is the confidence building activity being conducted recently. It is hoped that Phase three of the project will see the expansion of the pilot implementation to other areas. Tina said that the toolkit was crafted by the Technical working group based on the results of the sessions conducted from the identified communities in the seven provinces in Mindanao including Lanao del Norte. 

Police representative, Senior Police Officer 4 (SPO4) Eldifonso B. Gogo, Municipal Executive Senior Police officer (MESPO), Munai Police office, encouraged the people of filing case and stand as witness against suspects of the crime. He said the Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and police have already established cooperation. There were problems encountered during their tour of duty such as theft, illegal drugs, among other crimes and these Problems might not be solved if police and community will have no cooperation. Most of the cases of the people in Munai were properly investigated and mostly were settled amicably based on cultural practices.

SPO4 Eldifonso Gogo

SPO4 Gogo said they conducted pulong-pulong in the Barangay and urged the people to attend the event in order to participate and discuss problems in the barangay. He also urged the people to approach the police anytime of their convenience. The relationship of the community and police in Munai is quite good. The Munai police can be reached at hotline mobile phone no. 0916-160-0828 for any emergencies. Police have already established contacts with the Barangay Chairmen to have better communication. However, it was observed that no one from the participants have visited the police precinct for lack of information how to approach the police.    

The Police community relations or PCR, through Police officer 3 (PO3) Janine Suzette C. Natinga said that they considered the importance of police partnership with the community. She urged the people in the  community to cooperate and give their trust to the police. She said they also conducted “Tokhang” or “toktok hangyo”, knock and appeal to suspected drug users and pushers to stop the illegal activity. They also have services on women and children police department (WCPD) to cater problems on women and children abuses.

Awarding of megaphone to police 

Some reaction from participants observed that the image of the police was affected and the people’s trust was also affected due to the issues on kidnapping, link to illegal drugs and “tokhang” for ransom. PO3 Natinga said that only two percent of police force are bad as pronounced by PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa.

Sir Achmad Musa asked the participants about the status of the police and communities in Munai. The participants responded that they trust the police in Munai and they added that Police in Munai is better than Manila police because they did not commit crimes against the people. VAWC is not so much an issue in Maranao community especially in Munai because they settled immediately at the culture level. Miss Tina also explained about the issue on human trafficking that deception is present upon recruitment and brought to far places promise for work and will receive big salary but in reality it is in the opposite situation and some victims fall in white slavery.

Impressions of participants, from Barangay Chairman Said Angni of Barangay Maganding said that he was very thankful of awareness sharing the issue on human trafficking and also became aware the presence of the police purposely is to protect the people and sharing police hotline for emergency purposes. Rasmia Dansal, a women's leader  was very thankful that the partnership of the police and community become a reality. Reports and photos by Jun Enriquez.

CSO-FP will host website launching to adopt IT challenge

Website logo, link: http://forum4peace.org/

Iligan City - Information technology or IT is the modern trend in the present computer age society. the power of information nowadays is vitally needed on any engagements like business, politics, socio-cultural, economy, education, media, volunteering services, among others.

The Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace, Inc. (CSO-FP) will launch its new and powerful designed website, the "forum4peace.org" that would cater the needs of the audiences and clients in terms of information, developed and designed by "inventivewebs" based in Cagayan de Oro City.

The launching will be scheduled on February 8, 2017, 9:00 a.m. at the Kalinaw hall of the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM), MSU-Iligan Institute of technology, Iligan City. The event will be attended by CSOs, media, academe, LGUs among others.

The Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace, Incorporated or CSO-FP, is a non-government and non-profit organization based in Iligan City. It was organized on 2003 and registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on August 5, 2005. Its membership is drawn from the NGOs and POs and other sectoral organizations, and individuals with advocacy on peace and rights based issues.

There are five core programs for the CSO-FP to move on, these are the Peace advocacy on conflict transformation and peacebuilding; Good governance on Transparency and accountability; Media on peace journalism; Environment on Climate change; and Gender mainstreaming. All these programs will be implemented on a collaborative effort in building peace and sustaining democracy through peace partnerships.

The CSO-FP has seven members of the Board of Trustees headed by a President. It is managed by the management Committee headed by a Managing Director and assisted by the committees with its chairmanships based on the five core programs.

Media advocacy on peace journalism is a cross cutting program of the five core programs. After the launching, the CSO-FP will make peace films especially on Mindanao context to be posted in the website. This will also explore the possibility to post news video coverage and news reporting with stories vital to peace and development. For information about the CSO-FP website, you may visit the link, http://forum4peace.org/. Reports & photo by Jun Enriquez, website logo designed by Bonn Ryan Lao & Jac Macatimbol