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| President Aquino
vows continuing support to families of 44 slain SAF commandos |
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President Aquino spent more than 12 hours Friday talking with the families
of the 44 slain Special Action Force commandos discussing how the government
could assist them after the deaths of their loved ones, a Palace official
said.
In a radio interview Saturday, Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the President asked the families about
their needs and the dreams of the dead policemen for their relatives.
Most of the SAF men wanted their families to have decent lives, send their
children to college, and help their parents by giving them livelihood,
Coloma told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan.
"Sa mga susunod na araw at linggo makikipag-ugnayan ang iba’t ibang
kagawaran at ahensya ng pamahalaan upang maihatid sa kanila ang tulong at
kalinga sa lahat ng aspetong nabanggit," he said in the radio interview.
"Para sa hinahangad na tulong pang-hanapbuhay, permanenteng empleyo ang
igagawad at tutulungan din sila sa aspeto ng ibayong pagsasanay at
pagpapahusay ng skill set."
To provide them a source of living, Coloma said the government will provide
assistance to those engaged in farming, fisheries, and trade.
The government will also help the SAF men's children go to school even until
college by extending financial grants and counseling, he added.
"Sa kabuuan, nagkaroon ng unawaan ang mga pamilya at ang Pangulo hinggil sa
pangangailangan na maging matatag sila para mabigyan ng buong kahulugan ang
kabayanihan ng kanilang mga anak, asawa, o kapatid," he said.
After meeting the families of the slain commandos, the President also talked
with the members of the SAF around 12 midnight at their headquarters in Camp
Bagong Diwa.
The President thanked them for their bravery and sacrifices, gave awards to
those who fiercely fought in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last week.
The January 25 raid targeted Zulkipli Bin Hir, alias Abu Marwan, a Malaysian
bomb maker reported to be hiding in Maguindanao. US authorities had offered
a $6-million bounty for his arrest.
Another local terrorist, Abdulbasit Usman, was also the target of Sunday's
assault. He is still at large and the President vowed Friday that his
administration will exert all efforts to capture or neutralize him.
The attack also led to the killing of 44 SAF commandos after forces from the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
joined the fighting.
President Aquino arrived at Camp Bagong Diwa Friday morning to lead the
national day of mourning for the fallen SAF commandos. He also posthumously
awarded the policemen with the Medal of Valor that were given to their
families. PND (as) |
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| Nation should not lose focus on attaining
Mindanao peace, says official |
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The country should remain focused in achieving a long
and lasting peace in Mindanao and should not allow emotions to rule in
overcoming challenges confronting the country today especially after the
deaths on more than 40 police commandos in Maguindanao last week, a Palace
official said.
This is in the midsts of reports that 43 administration allies are mulling
to withdraw their support for the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), seen as the
hope to bringing stability to Mindanao.
In a radio interview over dzRB by Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday, Presidential
Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said this issue
was raised by President Aquino during his address to the nation Wednesday.
"Ipinaalala ng Pangulo ang kahagalahan na matanto natin ‘yung kung bakit
kinakailangan nating patuloy na magtrabaho tungo sa pagkamit ng
pangmatagalang kapayapaan," Coloma said in the radio interview.
The country has witnessed decades of war in Mindanao, Coloma said, noting
the conflict has not helped the region in attaining stability and instead
had brought misery and despair to the people.
"Kaya dapat nating alalahanin ang mga mahahalagang leksyon na natutunan na
noong nakaraan at tanungin ang ating mga sarili kung paano ba ang
pinakamainam na landas tungo sa kinabukasang mas maaliwalas," he said.
Although there are those voicing their doubts on the ongoing peace process,
Coloma said there are other leaders who echoed their support to the peace
talks.
Among them include Senate President Franklin Drilon, House Speaker Feliciano
Belmonte, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, among
others.
Asked if the Palace plans to talk to its congressional allies to rally
support for the BBL, Coloma there is no such plan at this time adding
however that the executive branch is ready to reach out to its supporters in
Congress.
Asked to comment on the possible restiveness in the police force as a result
of the Maguindanao incident, Coloma said police personnel are free to voice
their sentiments in a constructive way.
But everyone must not be swayed by their emotions and should not forget the
real picture of the roadblocks that the country is facing, he said.
The true concerns he said is effectively fighting terrorism and at the same
time working to achieve enduring peace in Mindanao. PND (as) |
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| Government says stronger institutions mean
stricter adherence to human rights |
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The Philippine government continues to work to have
stronger institutions by strengthening the Justice system, the police and
the military for them to observe human rights, according to a Palace
official.
In the Human Rights Watch 2015, it indicated that the Philippine
government’s overall record in addressing serious human rights violations
remains poor despite some major initiatives last year.
As the report acknowledges the human rights record in the country, it
enticed President Aquino to take decisive actions against torture and
extrajudicial killings.
"Patuloy na sinisikap ng ating pamahalaan na mapalakas ang ating mga
pampublikong institusyon, kabilang na diyan ang ating criminal justice
system, ang ating militar at kapulisan para sila ay maging balwarte ng
pagtatanghal sa mga karapatang pantao," Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a radio interview
Saturday.
Coloma told dzRB Radyo Ng Bayan that one good example was the creation of
the Aquino-Diokno Shrine for Human Rights in Nueva Ecija.
The shrine in Fort Magsaysay used to be a solitary confinement facility for
former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and Jose Diokno, major figures who fought
the martial law.
"Kaya hindi naman po masasabi na sa daloy ng panahon ay hindi nagkaroon ng
improvement sa ating human rights profile at pagpapalakas po ng mga
institusyon na magtataguyod niyan ang pangunahing layunin ng ating bansa,"
he said.
In the 656-page world report, its 25th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews
human rights practices in more than 90 countries.
Human Rights Watch urges governments to recognize that human rights offer an
effective moral guide in turbulent times, and that violating rights can
spark or aggravate serious security challenges.
Human Rights Watch acknowledged the Aquino administration's implementation
of "Justice Zones" that accelerate court proceedings.
The arrest of Retired General Jovito Palparan, the suspect in several cases
of extrajudicial killings in the country, was also cited as an achievement
in the report. PND (as) |
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| President Aquino: Government will hunt down escaped
terrorist suspect Usman |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday vowed that the government will
hunt down bomb-making expert Abdul Basit Usman, who was able to escape
during the law enforcement operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday.
“Inutos na natin sa kinauukulan ang pagpaplano ng mas mahusay na operasyong
hulihin ang taong ito. Kumikilos na po ang inyong gobyerno, hindi lamang sa
mga oras na ito, kundi bago pa man ako humarap sa inyo, upang isakatuparan
ito,” President Aquino said during the necrological service for the 44
fallen members of the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force
(PNP-SAF) held in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.
“Patutunayan po natin ang pag-iral ng batas sa buong Pilipinas. Tinitiyak ko
po sa inyo, mahuhuli natin si Usman,” he said.
Usman and Zulkifli Bin Hir, also known as Abu Marwan, were the target of
Sunday’s police operation that led to the death of 44 members of the SAF
during an encounter with members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
“Sa nangyaring operasyong ito ng SAF, diumano’y napatay ang pangunahing
target na si Marwan. Umasa naman po kayo na ang pangalawang target na hindi
natin nahuli noon, ay makukuha din natin. At kilala ninyo naman po ako,
kapag nagbitiw ako ng salita, tinutupad natin. Number 1 po sa listahan ng
dapat nating gawin ay ang pagdakip kay Basit Usman,” he said.Marwan was a
member of the Jemaah Islamiyah’s (JI) central command that masterminded the
Bali bombing in October 2002, while Usman has been linked to an explosive
manufacturing facility in Shariff Aguak, Maguindano that is reportedly
operated by the JI.
According to news reports, Usman was wounded during a joint military and
police operation against him in June 2014, but was able to escape.
The remains of 41 SAF members will be at Camp Bagong Diwa for public viewing
for a few days before they are sent to their respective families for burial.
Two fallen SAF members have already been buried in Zamboanga while the
remains of one member has been sent to Bicol. PND (ag) |
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| Good governance leads us closer to
achieving inclusive growth, says Ombudsman |
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(CLARK FREEPORT, Angeles City) Ombudsman Conchita
Carpio-Morales on Monday emphasized at the meeting of the Anti-Corruption
and Transparency Working Group (ACTWG) of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) that good governance leads economies closer to inclusive
growth.“Stamping out the forces of
corruption is as imperative as granting the people of the Asia-Pacific
region the full measure of the blessings of a robust economy. Good
governance leads us closer to achieving inclusive growth, generating
employment, and reducing poverty and eventually and ultimately creating
greater prosperity for the greatest number of people within the region,”
Carpio-Morales said.
She said that in recent years, the world has
witnessed rounds of economic downturn and exposés of corporate fraud and
other fraudulent government transactions.
“Government regulatory arms have started to lay
emphasis on corporate social responsibility and corporate governance. People
have been searching for alternative ways of doing business, and stakeholders
are studying initiatives on how to mitigate the risk of doing business with
companies managed by those strongly suspected or known to be corrupt or
fraudulent actors,” she added.
“Eliminating this evil called bribery along with regulatory red tape can get
budding business ventures started and keep thriving enterprises afloat. In
this manner, proper policies and harmonized frameworks shall pave the way
for regional economic integration.”
Carpio-Morales further said that engaging the
participation of the civil society ensures that government resources are
safeguarded and funneled to the rightful beneficiaries in dire communities.
The Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group
meeting is among the ongoing related technical meetings being held in Clark
Freeport, in line with the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) of the
APEC.
“The discussions of the senior officials during the SOM1, they will take
into account the results of these technical meetings, in addition to
recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory Council that will have their
first meeting this year from January 27 to 30 in Hong Kong, China,” the APEC
said in a statement.
Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior
officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions
on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area
of the Asia-Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental
goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and
against corruption.
The SOM1 will be held on February 6-7.
Having started as an informal dialogue group in
1989, the APEC has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic
growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The APEC is composed of 21 member economies:
Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China;
Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New
Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation;
Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.
This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building
Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” PIA 3 (cljd-PIA3) |
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| APEC member economies reaffirm commitment to
vision of a ‘Healthy Asia Pacific' by year 2020 |
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(CLARK FREEPORT, Angeles City) Member economies of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have reaffirmed their commitment to
the vision of attaining a “Healthy Asia Pacific” by the Year 2020.
“This initiative emphasizes a holistic health in all
policies, whole of government, and whole of society approach to the
development of high-performing and sustainable health systems,” Acting
Health Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin said during the APEC Health Working
Group (HWG) meeting that was held at Oxford Hotel here on Tuesday.
“The global community has long recognized the
contribution of improved health, particularly through prevention and control
of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in ensuring progress across the three
pillars of economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection,”
Garin added.
“We agree that mental disorders, another form of
NCD, deserve the recognition in the APEC Ministerial and Economic Leaders’
Declaration. Noteworthy is the importance of integrating the efforts of the
public and private sector for innovative and creative solutions to this
growing global burden,” the cabinet official stressed.
She also cited emerging infectious diseases, such
as MERS CoV and Ebola Virus, as well as antimicrobial resistance as
continued threats to Asia-Pacific health.
“With renewed interest on health, we hope that our
collective efforts help put a strong foothold of health in economic and
trade discussions, which are usually prioritized in APEC,” Garin said.
The meeting of the Health Working Group is among
the ongoing related technical meetings being held in Clark and Subic
Freeports in line with the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1).
“The discussions of the senior officials during the SOM1, they will take
into account the results of these technical meetings in addition to
recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory Council, which will have
their first meeting this year from January 27 to 30 in Hong Kong, China,”
the APEC said in a statement.
Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior
officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions
on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area
of the Asia-Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental
goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and
against corruption.
The SOM1 will be held from February 6 to 7.
Having started as an informal dialogue group in
1989, the APEC has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic
growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The APEC is composed of 21 member economies:
Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China;
Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New
Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation;
Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.
This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building
Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” (cljd-PIA 3) |
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| Civil Defense Chief underscores need for
inter-economy cooperation in dealing with disasters in Asia Pacific |
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(SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales) Office of Civil Defense
Administrator Alexander Pama on Wednesday emphasized the need for
inter-economy cooperation in dealing with disasters in the Asia-Pacific
region.
“The growing intensity and frequency of natural
hazards has become a major concern of the leadership in this region and the
rest of the world. Past major disasters, such as the Great Hanshin or Kobe
Earthquake in 1995, Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Hurricane Katrina in the
US in 2005, Wenchuan Earthquake in China in 2008, the Great East Japan
Earthquake in 2011, and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013, show that
the impact of disasters is increasingly crossing borders and causing
disruptions to human lives, particularly on livelihood, business, and
trade,” Pama said during the 7th Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG)
meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Subic Bay
Freeport.
“This highlights the fact that a government or a
sector in isolation can no longer manage disaster. This further emphasizes
the need for an inter-economy cooperation in dealing with disasters to
ensure sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. More
importantly, this calls for a holistic, comprehensive, integrated and
proactive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) approach as a new
paradigm in confronting calamities,” he added.
As such, he said, the EPWG will continuously foster
its research and collaboration and knowledge sharing to better protect
business, trade, and economic growth and communities in the Asia-Pacific
region from disruptions related to emergencies and natural disasters.
“Our tasks are not easy, but truly, I believe that
no other group of people can carry it. The outputs made here will not only
serve our individual economies, but also that of our collective economies
and peoples as well. May we never tire of espousing this empowerment
mechanism to build resilience and foster effective DRRM,” Pama said.
The Emergency Preparedness Working Group meeting is
among the ongoing related technical meetings being held in Clark and Subic
Freeports in line with the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) of the
APEC.
“During the discussions of the senior officials during the SOM1, they will
take into account the results of these technical meetings in addition to
recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory Council, which will have
their first meeting this year from January 27 to 30 in Hong Kong, China,”
the APEC said in a statement.
Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior
officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions
on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area
of the Asia Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental
goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and
against corruption.
The SOM1 will be held from February 6 to 7 in Clark
Freeport.
Having started as an informal dialogue group in
1989, the APEC has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic
growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The APEC is composed of 21 member economies:
Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China;
Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New
Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation;
Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.
This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building
Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” (cljd_PIA3) |
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| President Aquino vows justice for
fallen police commandos |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday vowed
justice for the 44 members of the Philippine National Police – Special
Action Force (PNP-SAF) who died during a police operation in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao last Sunday.“Sisikapin po nating
makamit ang katarungan para sa lahat ng pinaslang at kanilang mga naiwang
mahal sa buhay,” the President said during his speech at the necrological
service held for the slain police officers in a multipurpose hall in Camp
Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.
He assured their respective families that the
government would provide them assistance.
“Pipilitin nating bawasan ang agam-agam sa inyong
kinabukasan. Tutugunan po natin ang inyong mga pangangailangan nang
sumusunod sa lahat ng batas at patakaran,” he said.
He noted that the government would grant financial
aid to the families of the police officers who died, as well as those who
were wounded.
“Mula sa pagbibigay-suporta sa pag-aaral ng mga
benepisyaryo, hanggang sa pagtulong sa paghahanap ng trabaho’t
mapagkakakitaan—ilan lang po ito sa mga halimbawa ng ayudang ipinagkakaloob
ng inyong gobyerno,” the President said.
According to Communication Secretary Herminio
Coloma, Jr., the benefit package includes lifetime pension, gratuity
equivalent to a year’s salary, additional pension for the next five years,
Pag-Ibig Fund death benefits, insurance benefits, and commutation of leaves.
Each family will initially receive a minimum of
P800,000 in cash, excluding monthly pension benefits, he said, adding that
scholarship assistance will also be given to their children, as well as
employment and livelihood assistance to their widows, siblings and parents.
Before his speech, President Aquino paid his last
respects to each of the fallen SAF members by praying and placing a “Medalya
ng Katapangan” on top of each coffin.
He then proceeded to the Moral and Spiritual
Formation Center across the multipurpose hall to meet with the families of
the SAF members.
According to Coloma, President Aquino listened to
the sentiments expressed by the family of each SAF agent and he in turn
condoled with them, reiterating the government’s determination to render
justice to the slain troopers.
He said the President has directed Interior and
Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and PNP Officer-in-Charge Deputy
Director General Leonardo Espina to ensure that the families receive all of
the benefits due them within the shortest time frame possible.
During the necrological service, PNP-SAF Officer-In-Charge Police Chief
Superintendent Noli Talino paid tribute to the 44 SAF members.
Widow of Senior Inspector Ryan Pabalinas, Erica
Pabalinas, who spoke on behalf of the families of the slain police officers,
asked President Aquino for justice to be served.
Also present during the service were former
president Fidel Ramos, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Executive Secretary
Paquito Ochoa, Jr., Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Social Welfare
Secretary Dinky Soliman, and other members of the Senate and Congress.
Before the President arrived, his sisters Maria
Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, Aurora Corazon “Pinky” Aquino-Abellada and
Victoria Elisa “Viel” Aquino-Dee were seen condoling with the families of
the police officers. PND (ag) |
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| Enhancing regional economic
integration by empowering small and medium economies, key to inclusive
growth -- Customs Commissioner |
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(CLARK FREEPORT, Angeles City) Customs Commissioner
John Sevilla on Tuesday called on fellow customs officials of member
economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to enhance
regional economic integration by empowering small and medium enterprises
towards the attainment of inclusive growth.
“We can, and should, make the extra effort to ensure that small businesses
are not excluded from the benefits of integration,” Sevilla said during the
meeting of the Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP).
“As advocates of inclusive growth, we need to
recognize that small and medium enterprises in many, if not all, of our
countries face particular challenges in dealing with Customs procedures.
That is why we need to adopt policies and procedures that are friendly to
small and medium enterprises, otherwise the increase in trade flows and the
realization of the benefits of economic integration will not happen,” the
Commissioner said.
Sevilla further cited the sub-committee’s Strategic
Framework on Mutual Recognition, Mutual Assistance, and Mutual Sharing in
Customs Procedures as an important milestone in achieving the APEC objective
of reducing trade transaction costs and making sure that supply chains flow
efficiently.
“The framework gives us direction as it provides
strong basis for our ongoing work and initiatives in the following areas:
implementation of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade
Facilitation, establishment and strengthening the authorized economic
operator programs, establishment and inter-operability of a single window
systems, and improvement of customs efficiency and risk controls through
information technology,” he noted.
Sevilla enumerated some of the reforms undertaken by the Philippine Customs,
such as the Integrated Enhanced Customs Processing System and the Philippine
National Single Window Phase 2 Project that give traders comprehensive trade
information to ensure informed and diligent compliance of customs practices
and procedures.
The meeting of the Sub-Committee on Customs
Procedures is among the ongoing related technical meetings being held in
Clark and Subic Freeports in line with the first Senior Officials’ Meeting
(SOM1) of the APEC.
“During the discussions of the senior officials
during the SOM1, they will take into account the results of these technical
meetings in addition to recommendations from the APEC Business Advisory
Council that will have their first meeting this year from January 27 to 30
in Hong Kong, China,” the APEC said in a statement.
Marking the inaugural gathering of APEC senior
officials for this year’s Philippine hosting, SOM1 will foster discussions
on a range of issues relevant to the region, including the Free Trade Area
of the Asia Pacific, trade facilitation and implementation, environmental
goods and services liberalization, and efforts toward development and
against corruption.
The SOM1 will be held from February 6 to 7 in Clark
Freeport.
Having started as an informal dialogue group in
1989, the APEC has since become the premier forum for facilitating economic
growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The APEC is composed of 21 member economies:
Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China;
Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New
xZealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; The Russian Federation;
Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.
This year’s meetings carry the theme, “Building
Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World.” (cljd/mjls/PIA 3) |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the
Necrological Service for the fallen PNP-Special Action Force
(PNP-SAF) troopers |
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Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City |
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30 January 2015
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Isa po sa pinakamahirap kong tungkulin bilang pangulo ay ang
pakikiramay sa mga nawalan ng mahal sa buhay. Sa pagharap ko po sa
inyo ngayon, aaminin ko po, hindi ko mapigil tanungin ang aking
sarili: Ano nga ba ang masasabi ko, para kahit papaano, ay mapagaan
ang kalooban n’yo?
Napakahalaga po ng buhay ninuman. Bagama’t alam nating lahat tayo ay
mawawala sa mundo, laging nariyan ang tanong na “Kailangan bang may
namatay sa pagkakataong ito?” Ito po ay sa kabila ng lagi nating
paghahanap ng mga paraan, sa abot ng ating makakaya, para maiwasan
ang anumang hindi kinakailangang kawalan o pagkasawi.
Gusto ko pong sabihin sa inyo na damang-dama ko ang pakiramdam ninyo.
Nauunawaan ko ang bawat pamilya ng ating kapulisang nasawi sa
engkuwentro nitong nakaraang Linggo. Ako man ay nawalan ng mahal sa
buhay nang biglaan. Naaalala ko nga po ang sandaling nag-uusap kami
ng aking yumaong ama. Nagdesisyon siya noon na dumating na ang
panahon para bumalik siya sa ating Inang Bayan mula sa Amerika.
Siya na rin mismo ang nagsabi: palapit na tayo nang palapit sa isang
madugong himagsikan. Umuwi nga po siya nang mag-isa. Ang kasama lang,
mga taga-media, at klarong-klarong defenseless po siya. Ang sabi
niya: baka naman miski papaano, ma-curious si Ginoong Marcos at
mabigyan ako ng pagkakataong makadiyalogo siya, at maabot sa kanya
ang tunay na sitwasyon ng bansa. Sa ganoong paraan, ay mauumpisahan
na ang payapang panunumbalik ng ating demokrasya.
Mag-isa po akong nanonood ng telebisyon sa bahay namin noon sa
Boston, naghihintay ng balita tungkol sa nangyari sa aking ama.
Narinig ko pong sinabi ng announcer sa telebisyon: “Opposition
leader Benigno Aquino was seen lying in a pool of blood; shots were
fired.” Sa oras ping iyon, para pong tumigil ang oras sa akin,
huminto at halos walang akong napansin sa buong kapaligiran;
bumaliktad ang aking mundo. Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang pagkabigla na
naramdaman ko. Ni minsan, di namin naisip na may posibilidad man
lang na papatayin siya. Pinakamabigat na siguro ay ang ibalik siya
sa kulungan. Kaya’t talagang nagulat kami sa nangyari. Sa kanyang
pagbalik, hindi na po nagawang makatuntong pa ng aking ama sa lupang
sinilangan. Pababa pa lang ng eroplano, walang habas na siyang
pinaslang.
Nang makumpirma ang nangyari, hindi ko pinahintulutan ang sarili
kong maiyak. Pinigil ko ang luha ko, at inilipat lahat sa galit.
Ang ama po namin ang pinuno ng pamilya; siya ang aming
tagapagtanggol, ang gabay at inspirasyon, at ang bukal ng lakas na
nagpapatatag sa aming mag-anak noong mga panahon ng Martial Law.
Pakiramdam ko, nawalan na ng puwang sa maayos na pag-uusap; itong
hinahanap na kadiyalogo ng tatay ko, at ang kanyang mga kasamahan;
sila ay nagmistulan nang mga asong ulul na hindi na kayang makausap
nang matino. Ang sabi ko, ibibigay ko sa aking ama ang tamang
paggalang; at pagkatapos, gagawin ko sa kanila ang ginawa nila sa
aming pamilya.
Sa pinakamalungkot at pinakamasakit na sandaling ito, ilang tanong
ang bumabalot sa isip ko: Ngayong wala na ang aming ama, paano natin
maaabot ang kanyang inaasam para sa bansa? Ibig sabihin ba no’n,
tapos na ang laban? Kung namatay na para sa bayan ang aking ama, at
wala man lang tayong nakamit na pagbabago, ‘di ba’t sayang naman ang
kanyang sakripisyo, at ng libo-libong Pilipino?
Sa mga panahong iyon, di ko maiwasang isipin na ang huling yugto
noon ay hahantong sa madugong himagsikan. Ngunit nagsimulang magbago
ang pananaw ko nang makita ko ang dami ng taong nanindigan at
nakiramay sa labas ng aming bahay sa Times sa Quezon City. Tila ba
hindi na sila natatakot sa Batas Militar. Dito ko po nakita ang
posibilidad na maitutuloy ang laban kahit wala na ang aming pinuno.
Sa inyo pong mga kaanak ng nasawi nating kapulisan, batid kong
nagbago rin ang inyong mundo sa pagpanaw ng inyong mga mahal sa
buhay. May nailatag na kayong mga plano; at mga pangarap na nais
marating. At sa di-inaasahang pangyayari, ay biglang lumabo at
dumilim ang inyong kinabukasan. Napakaraming mga tanong na nag-uumpisa
sa katagang “Bakit”: Bakit ito nangyari? Bakit kailangang may masawi?
Bakit kailangang magdusa ang pamilya?
Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko masasagot ang lahat ng mga ito. Dito ko
naman po naalala ang ipinayo sa akin noong panahong namatay ang
tatay ko. Sabi po ng paring aking kinukumpisalan: Bilang Kristiyano,
simple lang ang sinasabi ng pananampalataya natin: May Diyos na
nilikha tayo sa Kanyang anyo, tanda ng Kanyang pagmamahal. Dahil
mahal Niya tayo, mayroon siyang magandang plano sa bawat isa sa atin.
Kapag dumadaan tayo sa mga panahong hindi natin makita ang planong
ito, marahil, nahihirapan tayo sapagkat ang tinitingnan lang natin
ay kapiraso lamang ng Kanyang buong plano. Ngunit kung makikita lang
raw natin ang kabuuan ng planong ito, ay liliwanag sa atin ang tunay
na kagandahan nito.
Nais ko rin pong balikan ang isang sipi mula sa aklat ni Juan,
Kapitulo 15, Bersikulo 13. Ang sabi po: “Walang pag-ibig na hihigit
pa kaysa pag-ibig ng isang taong nag-alay ng kanyang buhay para sa
kanyang kapwa.”
Sa inyo pong mga mahal sa buhay ng mga namayapa nating kapulisan,
alam kong batid din ninyo ang puno’t dulo ng kanilang pagsali sa
hukbo. Silang 44 na pulis, sa murang edad na 26 hanggang 39 na taong
gulang, ay itinulak ang kanilang mga sarili at sinagad ang kanilang
kakayahan, para maiambag ang kanilang pinakamalaking maiaambag,
hindi lang para sa sarili o sa pamilya, kundi para sa ating Inang
bayan. Inialay nila ang kanilang buhay para sa malawakang kapayapaan
at kaayusan.
Alam naman po ninyo, dalawa ang target nila sa nangyaring operasyon:
sina Abdul Basit Usman, at Zulkipli Bin Hir o Abu Marwan. Nabanggit
na rin po natin kung gaano sila kalaking mga terorista. Pumapatay
sila nang walang pakundangan at nagpapakadalubhasa kung paano higit
na makakapaghasik ng terorismo. Suspek nga po si Marwan sa
pambobomba sa Bali, Indonesia. Doon, dalawang magkasunod na pagsabog
ang nangyari. Matapos ang unang pagsabog, hinintay nilang dumating
ang mga sumaklolo, at saka pinasabog ang pangalawang bomba. 202
katao ang nasawi dito. Sa nangyaring operasyon dito ng SAF,
diumano’y napatay ang pangunahing target na si Marwan.
Umasa naman po kayo na ang pangalawang target na hindi natin nahuli
noon, ay makukuha din natin. At kilala n’yo naman po ako, kapag
nagbitiw ako ng salita, tinutupad natin. Number 1 po sa listahan ng
dapat nating gawin ay ang pagdakip kay Basit Usman. Inutos na natin
sa kinauukulan ang pagpaplano ng mas mahusay na operasyong hulihin
ang taong ito. Kumikilos na po ang inyong gobyerno, hindi lamang sa
mga oras na ito, kundi bago pa man ako humarap sa inyo, upang
isakatuparan ito. Patutunayan po natin ang pag-iral ng batas sa
buong Pilipinas. Tinitiyak ko po sa inyo, mahuhuli natin si Usman.
Alalahanin po natin na may binuo po tayong board of inquiry na ang
trabaho ay alamin ang totoong nangyari at kung sino ang gumawa nito.
Ang gusto natin: Hindi na maulit ang pangyayaring tulad nito. Bilang
Pangulo, gustuhin ko man pong magalit, ay hindi ako puwedeng
magpadala sa emosyon. Hindi ko puwedeng idaan ito sa bara-barang
pagdedesisyon. Dahil kapag pinairal ko ang galit, baka imbes na
maresolba ay lalo ko pang palalain ang problema. Sisikapin po nating
makamit ang katarungan para sa lahat ng pinaslang at kanilang mga
naiwang mahal sa buhay.
Makakaasa rin po kayo: Pipilitin nating bawasan ang agam-agam sa
inyong kinabukasan. Tutugunan po natin ang inyong mga
pangangailangan nang sumusunod sa lahat ng batas at patakaran.
Gagawin po natin ang lahat, sa abot ng ating makakaya, upang
tulungan ang bawat pamilya ng ating mga bayaning kapulisan.
Kinapanayam na po kayo ng ating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno, at
nakausap ko na po ang ilan sa inyo at kakausapin ko po kayong lahat.
Naglaan na po ang inyong gobyerno ng karampatang tulong-pinansiyal
sa benepisyaryo ng bawat kapulisang nasawi o nasugatan. Lahat ng
ayudang maaaring manggaling sa pamahalaan ay isasagad natin. Mula sa
pagbibigay-suporta sa pag-aaral ng mga benepisyaryo, hanggang sa
pagtulong sa paghahanap ng trabaho’t mapagkakakitaan—ilan lamang po
ito sa mga halimbawa ng ayudang ipinagkakaloob ng inyong gobyerno.
Gaya nga po ng nabanggit ko noong Miyerkules ng gabi, diretso na rin
akong nakikiusap sa pribadong sektor at sa ating mamamayan: Sabayan
po ninyo ang gobyerno upang masigurong maipapakita natin ang
pagkilala sa kabayanihang ipinamalas ng mga nasawing kasapi ng
PNP-Special Action Force.
Malinaw po: Bayani ang asawa, kapatid, o anak ninyong dinadakila
natin sa araw na ito. Malaki po ang utang-ng-loob ng sambayanan sa
kanila. Binuwis nila ang kanilang buhay para mabigyan ng kaayusan at
katahimikan ang buhay ng mas nakakarami.
Iyan po ang dahilan kung bakit naka-half mast ang ating watawat sa
lahat ng kampo ng ating mga pulis at militar, at sa lahat ng
tanggapan ng ating gobyerno. Ngayong iniuwi na natin ang kanilang
mga labi, ay dinadantayan din ng bandila ang bawat isa sa kanila.
Sagisag ito ng pagtanaw ng estado sa kanilang ipinamalas na tapang,
dedikasyon, at kabayanihan. Sagisag ito ng pagluluksa, hindi lang ng
kanilang mga pamilya’t kaibigan, kundi ng buong bansa. Sagisag ito
na nabuhay at namatay sila, hindi para sa sarili, kung hindi para sa
bayan.
Sa ngalan ng sambayanang Pilipino, kinikilala po natin ang
kabayanihan ng ating mga nasawing kapulisan. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa
kadakilaan ng kanilang sakripisyo. Nakikiramay po tayo sa bawat
pamilya ng mga kapulisan nating nawalan ng mahal sa buhay.
Sa simula nga po, nabanggit ko: Kung walang nangyaring pagbabago sa
pagkamatay ng aking ama, di po ba’t nasayang lang ang kanyang naging
sakripisyo? Kaya naman, hindi natin pababayaan na mauwi sa wala ang
pag-aalay ng buhay ng ating mga bayaning pulis. Kung ang kanilang
pagkasawi ay maging sanhi ng pagkakamit natin ng kapayapaang ating
inaasam, dito po, masasabi nating hindi nabalewala ang kanilang
naging sakripisyo. Ang tunay at pangmatagalang pagbabagong ito ang
magiging pamana nila sa sambayanang Pilipino.
Magandang tanghali po. Maraming salamat sa inyo sa inyo. |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III's
Speech at the Inauguration of new Manufacturing Plant of Mitsubishi
Motors Philippines Corp (MMPC) |
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No. 1 American Road, Greenfield Automotive Park, Special Economic
Zone, Sta. Rosa City, Laguna |
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29 January 2015 |
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While viewing the classic models of Mitsubishi earlier, of course I
also had my share of memories, and a realization that really Greg
Domingo and Rene Almendras are classic cars, in that they either
drove or owned all of these first generation models of Mitsubishi.
In 1964, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation began its
operations in Cainta, Rizal. Since that time, over fifty years have
passed, making MMPC the longest-staying automotive company in the
Philippines. As if this were not an achievement enough: it is worth
noting that your growth was hard-won through some of the most
tumultuous periods in our history. Mitsubishi Philippines found a
way to stand by their commitment to the Filipino people and to
continue growing through the long years of the dictatorship and the
coups that threatened instability during my mother’s presidency.
That is why I made it a point to be here today: to recognize the
depth of the partnership you have forged with my countrymen, a
partnership that has already led to much success. For instance, as
Mr. Masuko mentioned earlier, you were the first automobile
manufacturer to reach 500,000 units of cumulative production in the
Philippines. I am also told that, in 2014, MMPC had the second
largest market share, with more than 50,000 units sold, due in large
part to your commitment to customer care and satisfaction. This
means that in the past year alone, more than 50,000 of your vehicles
have played significant roles in the lives of Filipinos:
representing the first large investments of young professionals, or
acting as the vehicles that have carried them to work, that have
carried their families to vacations, and that have ultimately
carried them through their lives.
This Sta. Rosa Plant
represents the beginning of a new chapter in our shared history.
Completed just last month, the plant has a production capacity of up
to 50,000 units per year, and is expected to employ up to 1,150
individuals over the next six years. It will be crucial in helping
you achieve your goal of reaching 100,000 units in sales annually by
2020. Without sounding too presumptuous, let me express how much I
look forward to hearing about further expansions and Mitsubishi
plant inaugurations in the future. By that time, I will probably no
longer be invited to events like these as President; but rest
assured, I will still cheer you on as a private citizen.
All
jokes aside, the goals that Mitsubishi Philippines has set for
itself speaks strongly of your optimism for our country’s prospects.
Economic growth has been strong and resilient these past few years,
even with the calamities that our country had to endure. Even
better: While remittances from Filipinos abroad still play a role in
boosting the economy, our growth is increasingly becoming driven by
industry. The strong performance of other sectors likewise aids in
creating new markets: for instance, there is supposed to be a very
specific market for automobile sales to employees in the business
process outsourcing industry.
In all your plans, you have
demonstrated not only a confidence in the market, but also in the
capacity of the Filipino people to become strong and able partners
in building your business. The length of your stay here has shown
you exactly how talented, how service-oriented, and how loyal the
Filipino worker is. In fact, I am told that some of Mitsubishi
Motors Philippines’ personnel, at least in your Cainta plant, are
already second-generation employees.
This partnership is
embodied in initiatives such as the Kasanayan at Hanapbuhay (KasH)
Program, which, in English, means a skills training and livelihood
program. By working together, MMPC, the Mitsubishi Motors Workers
Union-Philippines, our Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
and our Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
have been able to provide valuable work experience to its
beneficiaries. In 2014, there were 70 graduates from this program, a
small number of which were absorbed into your corporation as regular
employees. We are hopeful that even larger numbers will follow in
the future.
Rest assured that, in all other aspects,
government will continue to do its part to fulfill your goals. To
stimulate the Philippine automotive industry, our government has
likewise continued to provide incentives in the form of income tax
holidays and reduced taxes and duties, amongst others. This,
together with other endeavors, seeks to formalize our drive and our
approach to encourage more investments into automotive assembly and
parts manufacturing, in order to move the Philippines up the value
chain and create even more opportunities for Filipinos.
But
perhaps I am already preaching to the choir, because in this sense,
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines is already ahead of the pack, as you
have been for so long. All those years ago, you came to the
Philippines because you saw its potential. Everything you have
achieved since then only strengthens my optimism that your next
fifty years here will be even more productive and meaningful, not
only for your bottom line, but also for your employees, your
clients, and the entire Philippine economy. Today’s inauguration is
an excellent start, and I am excited to witness the milestones yet
to come.
Congratulations to all of you. Thank you, and good
day. |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
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ABS-CBN / Umagang Kay Ganda by Anthony "Tunying" Taberna
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02 February 2015
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TUNYING: Secretary Coloma, magandang umaga po sa inyo.
SEC. COLOMA:
Magandang umaga sa iyo, Tunying at kay Secretary Gonzales.
TUNYING:
Opo. Mabilisan lang po sa inyo, Secretary. Hanggang anong oras po ba inabot
ang Presidente sa pakikipag-usap niya sa mga pamilya ng mga SAF members noon
pong Biyernes?
SEC. COLOMA: Sa pagka-alala ko po ay lampas 12:30 na
po ng umaga nung natapos iyong pakikipag-usap sa pinakahuli sa
apatnapu’t-apat na pamilya. At pagkatapos noon ay nagtungo pa si Pangulong
Aquino sa headquarters ng PNP-SAF, doon din sa Camp Bagong Diwa, at
nakipag-usap din po siya sa mga kagawad nito at nung nakaalis po ay halos
ala-una ng umaga.
TUNYING: So, inabot na pala ng Sabado, ano ho?
SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Tunying at nag-umpisa ito nung umaga pa ng
Biyernes, nung natungo siya doon para sa memorial service sa ating mga
bayani.
TUNYING: Opo. Tama din po ba na may order po ang Pangulo na
kasuhan na o ihanda ang kasong criminal laban sa MILF?
SEC. COLOMA:
Iyon pong pahayag ni Secretary Roxas ay tungkol sa proseso na masusunod.
Kapag nakalap na po ang impormasyon, kapag natuntun na iyong mga suspects o
mga inaakalang responsable ay ihahain po iyong mga ebidensiya laban sa
kanila para magkaroon na ng prosekusyon.
TUNYING: Opo. Siguro para
lang po hindi na namin kayo ma-hold pa ng matagal. Ang tanong po namin: ito
po bang mga hakbang na ito ng pamahalaan, after that Thursday incident, ito
po ba ay paraan ng pagbawi ng Pangulo para po sa pamilya ng mga biktima at
ng nagdadalamhating sambayanan?
SEC. COLOMA: Ang kabuuan po ng
ginagawa ng Pangulo ay para ilagay po natin sa tama, ‘no, ang sitwasyon.
Malaking pangayayari po ito na tayo ay nawalan ng apatnapu’t-apat na mga
bayaning tropa ng PNP-SAF at kailangan din pong ipagpatuloy natin iyong
napakahalagang paglaban sa terorismo. Sapagka’t ang misyon nga nilang
ginampanan ay laban sa mga high-value at international din na terror
suspects. At pangalawa, kinakailangan pong magkaroon ng linaw at liwanag ang
lahat ng ito dahil meron pong ugnay ito doon sa ating pinupursige na
pangkalahatang kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Kaya napakahalagang isyu po ang
nakataya dito. Ginagawa ang lahat para mailagay po sa tama.
TUNYING:
Pahabol lang po. Pahaharapin po ba si General Purisima sa Board of Inquiry?
SEC. COLOMA: Sa pagka-alam ko po wala naman pong bawal o wala naman pong
hinahadlangan dito. Basta malaman po ang katotohanan.
TUNYING:
Secretary Coloma. Salamat po sa inyong oras at magandang umaga po sa inyo.
Malapit na po ang inyong flag raising diyan sa Malacañang.
Okay.
Secretary Gonzales. Kayo po bukod sa National Secretary Adviser kayo dati,
naging Defense Secretary din po kayo sa mahaba-habang panahon. Sa inyo po
manggaling, eksperto po kayo dito sa mga nangyayari sa Mindanao. Ano po ang
inyong pananaw sa nangyari sa ating SAF commandos sa Maguindanao?
SEC. GONZALES: Well, dapat sana tiningnan nating mabuti. Alam mo mahirap
magsisihan sa ngayon, ano. Kaya ang masasabi ko lang, kunwari, dapat malaman
natin kailan natin natanggap iyong impormasyon na nandoon nga si Marwan sa
loob, importante nga iyong timeline na iyan. At ang balita ko ay galing iyan
sa Amerkano.
So, kung sana ang dapat nating isipin diyan—palagay ko
dalawa ang puwedeng approach other than what we have done. Una, dahil
Malaysian iyong terorista na iyan eh. Tapos ang ating nag-i-intervene sa
talks ay Malaysian at saka MILF. Siyempre nakikipag-usap sa Malaysia. Dapat
sana sinabihan natin ang Malaysia na hingin sa MILF. We can show to the
Malaysians na talagang may pruweba tayo…
TUNYING: Positive iyong
information.
GONZALES: Positive na nasa loob ng area ng MILF. Puwede
nating hilingin sa Malaysia na hingin iyan.
TUNYING: So, hindi na
sana nagkaroon ng ganoong operation in the first place.
GONZALES:
Pangalawa, hindi naman—alam mo accepted na sa daigdig ngayon, kunwari, ang
Amerikano ay pumapasok naman sa iba’t-ibang bansa kung may target na
terorista. Sila ang nakaka-alam kung nasaan. Alam mo mas maraming equipment
at capability ang US kaysa sa atin, dahil sila naman ang interesado kay
Marwan.
TUNYING: Kaya nga $6 million dollars na reward.
GONZALES: Eh di sana pinapasok na lang iyong mga Amerkano, kung ire-request
na sila ang kukuha. We can always allow them. Dahil ang kapabilidad kasi ang
tinitingnan diyan. Ang balita ho kasi, may mga other elite units tayo sa
Armed Forces na tinanggihan iyang mission na iyan, precisely nga medyo
mataas ang casualty rate kung papasukin.
TUNYING: Opo, hindi po ba’t
nandoon na nga ang Amerkano, noon pong may rescue efforts nung later that
day. May nakita tayong mga puti doon ah.
GONZALES: Kaya nga, sabi ko
nga either nagtipid iyong Amerkano, kasi kung sila nag papasok mas magastos.
Eh tayo, kung tayo ang papasok, mamatayan man o hindi limang milyon lang ang
gastos nila, iyong reward money.
TUNYING: Iyong reward lamang.
GONZALES: Oo, sana kako kung ako iyon, nakuha kung iyong impormasyon.
Unang rekomendasyon ko diyan, either—step number one nga really is to talk
to the Malaysians. Kasi iyong Malaysian terrorist eh di sila na ang bahala
sa terorista nila. Number two, papasukin iyong Amerkano. Kasi ang capability
nila for that kind of situation, kailangan talaga natin iyong sophistication
na ang Amerkano lang ang meron.
TUNYING: May impormasyon po kaming
natanggap na may mga GPS po itong bawat commando na pumasok doon. Do you
receive that same information?
GONZALES: Siyempre, normal siguro iyan.
TUNYING: Opo. Hindi po ba puwede sanang ma-trace agad kung nasaan sila
for reinforcement purposes?
GONZALES: Hindi lang sa reinforcement. Sa
pagpasok pa lang, dapat iyong positioning ng lahat ng troops iyon, lalo na
kung katulong natin lahat ng Amerkano kayang-kaya nilang ipakita lahat kung
nasaan nag position ng bawat troops. Lahat ng movement sana diyan. Tutal
tingin ko naman this is with the cooperation with the United States. Dapat
sana mas active ang tulong.
TUNYING: Okay, ang nangyari po ngayon
nagkukuwento po si General La Peñas na hanggang tanghali daw ay ayos pa
iyong mga tropa nila. But as early as 6:00 o’clock in the morning meron na
silang request for reinforcement pero hindi dumating. Saan po ang
pagkukulang doon.
GONZALES: Ang tingin ko diyan sa sentro, sa
coordination. Kasi alam mo meron tayong kriniate (created) na council for
this kind of action, ano. Kailangan iyan nasa isang meeting lang iyan,
magkakasama yan. So that kung kailangan mo ang assistance ng Armed Forces,
nandiyan ang Secretary of National Defense na puwedeng maka-action right
away. Kasi in a situation like that kailangang mabilis ang reaksyon diyan.
Hindi ko alam kung merong, dati-dati meron kami niyan nung araw eh.
Magkakasama lahat iyong involved na posibleng magkaroon ng role sa isang
major effort, such as that, para makaka-react right away. Ang balita ko nga
eh, may mga units tayo na malapit na puwedeng magresponde, pero they were
asked to stand down kasi nga baka maka-apekto sa ating peace process.
TUNYING: Iyun tatanungin ko po kayo doon. At that moment, ano ang mas
mahalaga, iyong epekto sa peace process with MILF o iyon pong buhay ng ating
mga commandos?
GONZALES: Siyempre buhay. At saka at that point, ang
tingin ko hindi makaka-complicate sa peace process iyan kung nag-respond
tayo. Kasi nag-respond din ang MILF na tinulungan iyong BIFF eh. So, saka na
lang pagtalunan iyong kung sino ang nag-violate ng ano. Ang importante muna
at that particular moment you save the lives of your soldiers.
TUNYING: Who should have call the shot, that very moment?
GONZALES: At
that time? Eh kasi sa batas natin dapat iyong Council ng Anti-Terrorism, ang
chairman noon yung ating Executive Secretary.
TUNYING: Si Secretary
Jojo Ochoa.
GONZALES: Yeah.
TUNYING: Okay. Mabilisan lang po
himayin lang natin. Puwede po bang magkaroon ng ganitong kalaking operation
- two high value targets, 400 troops without the go signal of the President
or the Commander-in-Chief?
GONZALES: Impossible.
TUNYING: So,
who gave the go signal?
GONZALES: I suppose it’s the Presidente. Kasi
lalo kung nagsasabi na wala is Secretary Roxas, wala is Secretary Ochoa,
sino pa?
TUNYING: Okay, out of the loop Secretary Roxas at saka iyong
PNP OIC. Ano ang masasabi ninyo?
GONZALES: Well, hindi tama na wala
is Secretary Roxas.
TUNYING: If you were Secretary Roxas. Ano po ang
gagawin ninyo?
GONZALES: Well, masuwerte siya, hindi siya kasali
ngayon sa gulo. Pero under normal time, he should be there nasa Council
iyan.
TUNYING: Okay, nangyari po nung Miyerkules, nung arrival honors
nung Huwebes hindi dumating ang Pangulo, naputakti po siya doon. Meron po
siyang ginawa nung Biyernes. At saka po may pronouncement na magpa-file ng
kaso laban sa MILF. Tingin n’yo po ba makakabawi ang Pangulo dito sa
damdamin ng bayan?
GONZALES: Kung damdamin ng bayan ang pag-uusapan,
mahirap. Hindi sapat na binibigyan na natin ng maraming benepisyo iyong mga
pamilya. Buong bansa ang nagdaramdam ngayon eh. Kailangang gumawa ang estado
ng mga pamamaraan para mai-ayos iyan. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng isang
Pangulo na hindi dumating sa arrival. Lahat ng nakikilala kong mga lider ng
bansa. Iyong mga ganyang event talagang kahit na ano ida-drop mo eh, para
makarating ka.
TUNYING: Opo. Iyon po bang pagpa-file ng kaso sa MILF.
Ano ang masasabi ninyo roon. May order na pong i-prepare iyong kaso.
GONZALES: Eh marami nang kasong ipinay nung araw na walang nangyari.
TUNYING: So, hindi kayo optimistic na.
GONZALES: Hindi iyon nag
solusyon.
TUNYING: Okay huli na lang po. Ano pong ending ang gusto
ninyong makita sa pangyayaring ito?
GONZALES: Una, asikasuhin natin
iyong nangyari sa bayan ngayon. Nagdaramdam ang lahat eh. Kailangang
makagawa ng isang okasyon para ma-express iyan. Kasi kapag iyan ay
kinikimkim sa loob, iba ang tatakbuhan niyan. Kaya kailangan isipin ng ating
pamahalaan kung papapaano ma-e-express iyong ating pagnanais na makapagpugay
man lang kahit na sa huling sandali. Kaya naiisip ko sana diyan, iyong
sinabi ni President Ramos, sabi niya wala sa regulasyon na ilibing ang mga
iyan sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, pero the President can do something about
that. Naiisip ko lang sana na puwedeng doon ilibing ang ating mga bayani,
kasi tinawag nating bayani at ipakita sa buong Pilipinas, imbitahin ang
sambayanan. Sabay-sabay tayo, sama-sama tayo na magpugay sa mga bayani.
Kailangan iyong expression na ganyan. Hindi natin alam kung paano tayo
mag-i-express ng ating pagdadalamhati o paggalang sa mga namatay. There has
to be an occasion for that.
TUNYING: Huling huli na lang po. Alam
natin meron dapat managot, pero hanggang sino po ang dapat managot?
GONZALES: Sa batas, siyempre Pangulo iyan, command responsibility. Hindi
lang command responsibility, dahil sa tingin ko, hindi gagalaw ito kung wala
siyang utos. Ganoon yun. Pero, hindi na iyan ang dapat pinag-uusapan ‘no.
Kailangan ayusin na natin ang…
TUNYING: Secretary Bert. Maraming
salamat po sa inyong oras. Matagal-tagal po namin kayong hindi nakikita,
from hibernation nandito po kayo sa piling namin. Thank you po.
GONZALES: Salamat.
TUNYING: Ang resulta po ng ating survey sa ating
katanungang: “Sa inyong tingin nakabawi na ba ang Pangulo sa kanyang mga
aksyon, pagkatapos po nang hindi niya pagdating sa arrival honors noon pong
Huwebes?” Ang nagsabi ng OO, nakabawi na - 20% at ang nagsabing HINDI - 80%.
Mga kapamilya, hindi po madaling makakalimot ang taumbayan tungkol sa
sinapit ng tinatawanag na po nating “Fallen 44” o ang mga SAF commandos na
napaslang sa Mamasapano, Maguindanao. Sa mga inisyal na kuwento bumabaon po
kasi sa ating damdamin at naitatak sa ating isipan ang bawat eksena nung
madaling araw na magiting na ginagampanan ng ating mga kawal ang kanilang
tungkulin hanggang sa kinahapunan na mamatay sila ng dahil dito. Nadudurog
po ang ating puso, nasasaktan ang ating kalooban para sa kanila at para sa
kanilang pamilya na kanilang naiwan at naulila. Ipinagluluksa po natin ito.
Ngunit ipinagdadalamhati rin po natin ang uri ng mga lider na meron tayo at
kung paano nila trinato ang mga pangyayaring ito mula nung isang linggo. Ang
hindi po pagpunta ng Pangulong Aquiono sa arrival honors sa Fallen 44 at
imbes ay inuna ang isang car event ay mistula pong pagbubudbod ng asin sa
sariwang sugat. Pinipilit po nating unawain kung ano ang nasa isip at
damdamin ng Pangulo nung panahon iyon ngunit kahit siguro ang Palasyo ay
tanggap na walang sukat na paliwanag para maintindihan ito ng publiko.
Naniniwala po ako na sa ngayon ay napagtanto na po ng Malacañang na ito
iyong mali, maling-mali. Hindi bagay sa isang statesman, hindi bagay sa
isang Commander-in-Chief. Ang pagbabad ng Pangulo sa piling pamilya ng mga
Fallen Heroes nung Biyernes at ang pahayag na kakasuhan ang MILF ay pruweba
ng pagtanggap ng kamailan sa mga naunang hakbang. Hindi po natin hinihingi
na magdeklara ng all-out war si PNoy. Ang nais lang po ay ipakita lang niya
at iparamdam sa bayang nagdaramdam na siya ang Ama ng ating bayan.
Bumabawi ang Pangulo, sige lang po, Mr. President. Sana nga po ay hindi pa
huli. |
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SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data
Processing Center |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
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DZMM / Radyo Patrol Balita by J Lincoran / R. Hidalgo
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01 February 2015
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JUN: Magandang umaga po, Secretary Coloma. Kumusta po kayo ngayong araw po
ng Linggo? Jun Lingcoran po at Junry Hidalgo.
SEC. COLOMA: Magandang
umaga sa inyo, Jun at Junry. Mainam naman po ang kalagayan natin sa ngayon.
Sana kayo rin po.
JUN: Maraming salamat po. At alam po natin na ang
Pangulong Aquino noong nakaraang araw po ay talagang nagbabad siya sa Camp
Bagong Diwa kaugnay po nung … siyempre, iyong personal na pakikipag-usap at
alamin n’ya mismo kung ano po iyong mga … bukod doon, iyong mga
kinakailangang maitulong ng pamahalaan sa kanila. So, sa pamamagitan po
ninyo, Secretary Coloma, puwede po bang malaman iyon pong mga specific
instruction ng Presidente, at iyon pong mga nabanggit niya sa mga pamilya po
ng SAF 44?
SEC. COLOMA: Unang-una po, pinakinggan niya ang kanilang
mga saloobin, at hiniling nila ang pagtamo ng katarungan para sa pagbubuwis
ng buhay ng kanilang asawa o kapatid. At tugon naman po ng Pangulo sa
kanila, ginagawa at gagawin pa ng pamahalaan ang lahat nang nararapat upang
makamit ang hustisya – una, sa pamamagitan nang patuloy na pagtugis kay
Usman at lahat ng mga terror suspect na lumilikha ng ligalig at panganib sa
ating bansa; at ikalawa, sa pagpapanagot sa mga responsible sa pagtambang at
pagpaslang sa kanilang mahal sa buhay habang sila ay nagsasagawa ng law
enforcement operation sa Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Tinanong din po ng
Pangulo kung paano makakatulong ang gobyerno sa pagsasaayos ng kanilang
kabuhayan. Batid naman po natin, ang bawat isa sa mga nasawi nating bayani
ay mga—well, karamihan po sa kanila ay padre de pamilya o di kaya ay
breadwinner para sa kanilang mga magulang at kapatid. Kaya sa kanilang
pagbubukas ng kalooban, isinalaysay nila at sinabi sa Pangulo ang mga
pangarap at mithiin ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, kabilang na nga po doon
iyong magkaroon ng disenteng bahay; ang mapagtapos sa kolehiyo ang kanilang
musmos pang mga anak o kaya’y matulungan ang kanilang mga kapatid na
makatapos ng pag-aaral at magkaroon ng empleyong matatag at matulungan din
ang mga magulang sa kabuhayan.
Kaya isa-isa po itong pinakinggan. At
bawat isa naman po sa kanilang mga kahilingan ay tutulungan pong makamit
ito. Halimbawa iyong sa employment, ang tagubilin po ng Pangulo dapat ito ay
permanent employment at hindi part-time lamang. Kaya iyon po ang tinutukoy
din.
JUN: At saka po iyong pag-aaral din ng mga anak na naiwan,
iyong mga maglalakihang anak nila, ano po.
SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga.
Hanggang kolehiyo po iyong commitment na iyon. Mayroon kasing mga (unclear)
sa kasalukuyan, kung ngayon lang po ang kolehiyo ay P22,000 per semester
pero tataas naman po ito, bukas sa pagtaas din ng tuition fee sa
kinabukasan. Ang tiniyak po ay iyong patuloy na pagkalinga sa kanilang
pamilya hanggang makatapos ng pag-aaral iyong kanilang mga anak.
Q:
Yes, at saka isa nga po sa napakinggan ko diyan ay iyong specific na sinabi
na report na mayroong isa na taga … iyong naapektuhan ng Yolanda, mas
bibigyan pa ng karagdagan doon sa kabuhayan na iyong bangkang maliit ay
gagawin medyo palalakihin. Tapos pabahay, opo. So, iyon iyong isang
halimbawa.
SEC. COLOMA: Oo. Halimbawa lang ‘no para lang malinaw:
iyong sa pabahay, tinatanong sila kung taga-saan ‘no. Halimbawa sinabing
taga-Zamboanga, may binanggit si NHA General Manager Chito Cruz na housing
project ‘no na nakalaan ang NHA. Tinatanong naman iyong pamilya kung okay ba
iyong location na iyon o malayo. Kung malayo, tinatanong kung mayroong
silang pagpapatayuan. Kasi kung meron na silang pagpapatayuan, yung NHA na
mismo ang magpapatayo sa lalong madaling panahon. Kung mayroon na silang
existing na pabahay, doon na mismo sa lugar nila tutulungang maipatayo iyon.
Q: Opo. Ang pamahalaan po ay, simula pa lang ng Aquino administration,
mayroon na hong libreng pabahay sa mga pulis, ano ho. So, iyong mga dati pa
na proyekto ng Aquino administration, baka iba pa ito sa—
SEC.
COLOMA: Iba ito ano. Para sa kanila talaga ito, para sa kanila mismo na sa
bawat isa sa kanila—halimbawa, sila ay nakikitira sa kanilang mga magulang,
nais nilang magsarili ay bibigyan sila ng tulong para magkaroon ng sariling
tahanan. Kung mayroon naman silang lote na puwedeng pagtayuan at handa nang
magpatayo, ipapatayo na po ng NHA iyong bahay para sa kanila.
JUNRY:
Paano po, Secretary, kung wala pong lupa iyong pamilya po?
SEC.
COLOMA: Kaya nga hahanap, Junry, nung pinakamalapit at pinakakumbinyente
para sa kanila. Tutulungan silang ihanap kahit na hindi ito NHA project.
Tutulungan silang ihanap dahil ang mahalaga ay matupad na iyong pangarap ng
kanilang mahal sa buhay na bayani natin.
Q: Secretary, may tanong
lang po ako. Isi-segue ko lang doon sa reward po na ibibigay po ng US
government doon sa sinumang—iyon ho bang reward para kay Marwan ay dead or
alive…
SEC. COLOMA: Sorry lang, Jun at Junry, hindi pa po namin
napag-usapan iyan. Wala po tayong kaalaman kung paano ito maa-administer
‘no. At ibabahagi ko lang iyong tanong dito nung isa doon sa mga pamilya na
nagdaramdam doon sa paulit-ulit na pag-uungkat ng isyu na iyan, dahil sa
kanila ay medyo nasasaktan po sila ‘no dahil sabi naman nila, wala ni
katiting na pagturing o pag-iisip doon sa reward na iyan dahil wagas sa
kalooban ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay iyong maglingkod sa bayan,
ipagtanggol po iyong ating seguridad at ganapin iyong tungkulin sa
pinakamahusay na paraan kahit na nga po isakripisyo iyong buhay. Kaya medyo
masakit po sa kalooban nila iyong patuloy na pag-uungkat hinggil diyan, as
if mayroon pong motibo ‘no. Eh ni katiting daw pong pag-iisip ay wala
(unclear) diyan sa reward money na iyan.
Q: Sige, sorry.
Kukumpirmahin po ng Palasyo na itong operasyon laban kay Usman at kay Marwan
ay may tulong po ito ng US government?
SEC. COLOMA: Hindi po. Dahil
wala naman po kaming impormasyon tungkol diyan, at ito po ay operasyon ng
atin pong pamahalaan sa simula’t sapol. Kung mayroon pong operasyon iyong
iba, wala po tayong impormasyon diyan. Ito po ay operasyon ng Republika ng
Pilipinas at ng mga law enforcement at Armed Forces po natin. Wala pong
katotohanan iyan.
Q: Opo. Kasi kaya ko naman po natanong iyan, at ito
rin po ay gusto namang itanong ng mga kababayan natin at nagkaroon ako ng
pagkakataon. Hindi naman po iisang beses lamang na namataan po sa
dalampasigan, nasa teritoryo ng Pilipinas iyong mga drone po ng Amerika,
iyong mga drones, at nung matapos po yung engkuwentro doon sa Mamasapano,
namataan po iyong ilang helicopter ng US na siyang nag-e-extricate po ng mga
bangkay po ng mga SAF troopers.
SEC. COLOMA: Hindi pa po bahagi iyan
‘no. Kasi nga po terror ope…—ano po iyan eh, retrieval na iyan ‘no. Pero
iyon po mismong operasyon na iyon, iyong pag-e-execute po nun, wala po
tayong hiniling na tulong diyan ‘no. At ang atin pong PNP-SAF ang nagsagawa
po ng operation na iyan. Baka po mas mainam iyong mga report na ganyan,
puwede naman po iyon maproseso sa maayos. Ang hindi lang po mainam ay kung
patuloy pong magpapalutang ng iba’t ibang klaseng haka-haka at ispekulasyon
na walang konkretong batayan. Kung mayroon pong relevant information, puwede
naman pong iproseso iyon.
Q: Iyon pong ano, iyong pag-check sa DNA ni
Marwan, hanggang kailan po ito aabutin at hanggang kailan po maku-confirm na
si Marwan nga po iyong napatay?
SEC. COLOMA: Gagawin po iyan sa
lalong madaling panahon dahil mahalaga naman po iyong kumpirmasyon dahil nga
doon sa naging karanasan noon na mayroon na pong claim na siya ay napaslang,
hindi pa pala. Pero pansinin din po natin, mayroon pong tuwirang ulat ang
ating SAF commander na iyon po mismo ang naiulat sa kaniya by radio nung
puwersa po natin na tumigis at nag-neutralize kay Marwan. Nai-report po
kaagad iyan nung operasyon nila. Nabanggit din po iyan sa talumpati ni Chief
Superintendent Taliño noong nakaraang Biyernes.
JUNRY: Ang
binabanggit po ni—ano daw ho ba ang status ngayon ni PNP Chief Alan
Purisima? Siya ho ba’y makakabalik pa sa puwesto?
SEC. COLOMA: Siya
po ay under suspension dahil sa utos ng Ombudsman. Six months preventive
suspension iyon, Junry.
JUNRY: Ma-lift pa ho ba iyong pagtatapos nung
suspension na iyon na siya’y makakabalik pa?
SEC. COLOMA: Eh wala po
tayong impormasyon. Sa ngayon, ang pinapairal po iyong suspension.
JUNRY: Opo, kasi po kaya po—
SEC. COLOMA: Nasa pagpapasya na po iyon
ng nakatataas po – ang Pangulo po at iyong SILG.
JUN: Oo. Secretary,
alam po namin na peace talk pa rin po iyong … doon pa rin naka-anchor iyong
government, ano ho, iyong ituloy iyong usapang pangkapayapaan. Pero gusto
lang ho naming malaman saan pupunta ngayon—hiniling ninyo ho ba sa MILF o ng
pamahalaan na sila rin mismo ay gumawa ng report at alamin kung sino iyong
dapat managot diyan sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front? Para—‘di lang po sa
pagpapatuloy ng usapang pangkapayapaan. Nire-require ho ba sila na ganoon?
SEC. COLOMA: Noon po mismo nagtalumpati ang Pangulo, noong Miyerkules,
at hayag naman po ang record nito, napanood po ito ng buong bansa; ang
transcript po ay available sa Official Gazette. Napakalinaw po ng
deklarasyon ng ating Pangulo. Humihingi po tayo ng mga kongkretong aksyon sa
kanilang panig para patunay, bigyan ng katunayan ‘no na sila ay dapat
pagkatiwalaan at sila ay ganap na kasama pa dito sa prosesong ito ‘no.
At kasama po doon sa sinabi ng Pangulo iyong pag… doon po sa operasyon
hinggil sa paghuli kay Usman at iyon pong pagkilala at pagpapanagot doon sa
mga actual na responsable doon sa naganap po noong Linggo at iyong
pagbabalik ng mga armas at mga personal na kagamitan. Napaka-specific po ng
mga binanggit ng Pangulo hinggil diyan noon pa pong Miyerkules, at inulit
din po niya iyan noong Biyernes. Ganap po iyong pagpapahayag hinggil diyan.
JUN: Kasi alam ninyo ho na alam natin din naman sa kabila na mayroon
talagang mga peace loving na kapatid na Muslim, na gusto talaga ng
kapayapaan. Pero ‘di ho ba nasa kasaysayan din naman at palagi namang
naobserbahan din nating lahat na tuwing may pag-uusap na ganiyan, habang may
nagkakasundo na, may nagbe-breakaway na naman. Para po hindi na po maulit
ulit iyong mga ganitong pangyayari, ano po iyong bago na dapat hong madinig
ng sambayanang Pilipino na para po doon sa tuluyan pong ikalulutas po ng mga
ganiyang problema, Secretary?
SEC. COLOMA: Ito po ay isang proseso na
kung saan ay kinakailangan talaga iyong matinding pakikipag-ugnayan at
pagtutulungan ng lahat po ng sektor ng ating bansa. At kung mapapansin ho
natin, iyong (unclear) marami din naman mga bansang tumutulong sa atin dito.
Sa katunayan, dito lang sa decommissioning process, nandiyan iyong bansang
Turkey, United Kingdom at Japan. Iyong sa International Monitoring Team,
nandiyan iyong Malaysia at iba pang mga bansa. Iyong United Nations po ay
nagpahiwatig din ng kanilang pakikiisa sa atin.
Ang bago dito siguro,
iyong makikita naman natin na naging sistematiko iyong paraan ‘no na ating
tinahak para mabuo nga po itong framework ‘no, magkaroon tayo ng kasunduan.
Napakalayo na po nang narating nito; ganunpaman, ang mahalaga ay iyong
katarungan nga ‘no at iyong pagtitiwala, kung sinuman iyong kasama natin
dito dahil hindi rin naman natin na matatanggap ‘no na magkakaroon ng isa
pang kaganapan na katulad nito. Kaya, iyon po ang mahalaga ‘no, na unawain
po ng ating mga mamamayan na sa deka-dekadang panahon na kung saan ay
sinubukan na iyong digmaan, iyong patuloy na pagtutunggali, iyong patuloy na
paggamit ng karahasan ay hindi po, hindi iyon ang naging … hindi po iyon
humantong sa kapayapaan. Kaya iyon nga po ang ating ginagawa ngayon, iyong
pagsisikap na makamit iyong kapayapaan na may katarungan.
JUN: Well
said, Mr. Secretary, opo. So, marami po iyong naghahangad pa rin talaga na
iyong kapayapaan, hindi lamang sa Mindanao, dahil marami pong umaasa,
maraming umaasa kasing mga kababayan na hustisya po kasi, iyon ang
nangingibabaw eh. Kailangan—wala, wala iyong mga sisihan; iyong hustisya,
pagtulung-tulungan para maresolba iyan. At masementuhan, sabi nga maging
konkreto iyong framework na ito at tuluyang maisakatuparan po para po diyan
sa mga kababayan natin sa Mindanao.
JUNRY: May panghuli lang siguro
akong tanong, Partner Jun. Secretary Coloma, siguro po’y ganito ang tanong:
ang huli ko hong na-monitor kasi ay mismong kinumpirma ni Secretary Mar
Roxas na nag-uusap na sila ni Secretary De Lima para sa pagsasampa po ng mga
kaso laban sa ilang indibidwal – MILF po siguro ang binabanggit dito. May
mga pangalan ho ba tayo? Ilan po sila? At ano ho siguro iyong mga naging
partisipasyon po nila
SEC. COLOMA: Natunghayan ko rin po iyong
binabanggit ninyo diyan, Junry. At siyempre, kapag nagsasampa ng kaso ay may
konkretong katibayan. At iyong konkretong katibayan, kinakalap iyan sa
pamamagitan ng imbestigasyon, pagkuha ng mga testamento sa mga testigong
mapagkakatiwalaan, at iyong konkretong ebidensiya. Kaya iyon po ang
konteksto noon ‘no, hindi naman po puwedeng bara-bara lamang o hanggang
press release lang po iyon. Kinakailangan ay idaan po ito sa tamang proseso
ng pagkalap ng konkretong batayan, at iyan po ang isinasagawa na sa
kasalukuyan. At kukuha din ng mga findings na makukuha doon sa pagsisiyasat
ng Board of Inquiry.
At iyon din po namang sa kabilang panig, sinabi
din ni Chairman Murad na mayroon silang mga … mayroon din silang isasagawang
imbestigasyon. Kaya’t kung may makukuha pong relevant information doon sa
lahat ng mga pagsisiyasat na iyan, iyon po ang gagamitin ng Department of
Justice sa kanilang pagsasampa ng mga kaso.
Q: Doon po sa Board of
Inquiry na iyan, Secretary, mauubliga ho ba ng binuong Board of Inquiry ang
MILF na magbigay din ng report sa kanila?
SEC. COLOMA: Siyempre
uunahin diyan nga iyong mismong sariling puwersa po natin, kung ano iyong
nakita nila diyan ‘no. At siguro, iyong sa susunod na stage ay puwedeng
i-consider kung mayroong i-o-offer na impormasyon iyong ibang … na
manggagaling sa ibang mga credible sources. Pero gagawin po ang kanilang
makakayanang gawin para alamin lahat ng mga dapat alamin.
Q: Kasi ho
parang ano eh, ang dami nanamang investigation ngayon – may CHR, tapos
mayroong—
Q: Both Houses may inquiry.
Q: —oo, may Senado; may
MILF. Papaano ho kaya magre-reconcile iyan eh ang dami na hong
imbestigasyon?
SEC. COLOMA: Lahat naman po niyan ay nasa pangangasiwa
ng pamahalaan. Kung ito po ay sangay ng Ehekutibo, katulad ng CHR ‘no at
pati ng AFP, lahat naman po iyan ay under po sa Ehekutibo, na under din
naman po sa Pangulo. Kaya’t lahat naman ay gagawin din para mabuo na iyong
salaysay hinggil diyan at mabatid ang buong katotohanan.
JUNRY: May
control pa ho ba ang Palasyo kay General Purisima? Kasi sabi ho ni Vice
President Jejomar Binay, ang hamon niya kay General Purisima ay lumantad
po’t magsalita dahil isa po siya doon sa mga personalidad na nasasangkot po
doon sa kontrobersya.
SEC. COLOMA: Siya naman po ay under pa sa
pangangasiwa ng Philippine National Police, at siya po ay nasa serbisyo pa
po. Tungkulin naman po niya na ibigay ang kinakailangang impormasyon sa
nalalaman niya dahil ayon naman po sa Pangulo, nag-umpisa pa doon sa
kaniyang kapanahunan iyong operasyong ito.
JUN: Opo. Secretary,
makakaasa po ba ng transparency ang publiko doon po sa gagawing Board of
Inquiry?
SEC. COLOMA: Eh siyempre po, ang hangad natin dito ay
mabatid ang katotohanan. At ayon po sa patakaran ng Pangulo sa tuwid na daan
at good governance, iyon lang po ang dapat na matamo – iyon pong ganap na
katotohan.
JUNRY: Okay. Maraming salamat po, Secretary, sa panahon
ho, sa oras at pagsagot ninyo sa tawag namin.
SEC. COLOMA: Maraming
salamat at magandang umaga sa inyo. |
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SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data
Processing Center |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
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DZRB / “Pilipinas! Pilipinas!” kasama sina Albert
Sebastian at Efren Montano
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01 February 2015
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MGA PAUNANG PAHAYAG
Malugod na tinatanggap ng pamahalaan ang
pagpapahayag ng suporta ng United Nations (UN) sa patuloy na pagtataguyod at
pagsulong sa prosesong pangkapayapaan ng pamahalaan. Malaki ang maiaambag na
tulong mula sa UN peace building fund upang tustusan ang iba’t ibang gawain
at programa patungkol sa prosesong pangkapayapaan.
Ang ikalawa po ay
‘yung ‘pag… Muli, ‘yung pagpapahayag ng Pangulo ng buong determinasyon ng
pamahalaan sa paggawad ng hustisya sa kabayanihan ng mga miyembro ng PNP-SAF
(Philippine National Police-Special Action Force). Ito ay ipinahiwatig niya
sa kanyang pakikipagpulong o diyalogo sa bawat isa sa pamilya ng 44 nating
mga bayani, ‘yung SAF 44 po.
Sila po ay kinapanayam ng Pangulo noong
nakaraang Biyernes sa Camp Bagong Diwa at ipinahatid niya ang pakikiramay po
sa kanila ng pamahalaan at ng buong bansa. Pinasalamatan at binigyang pugay
niya po ‘yung napakalaking sakriprisyo na isinagawa ng ating mga bayani at
kanilang mga pamilya.
At katulad nga ng naiulat ay pinakinggan (niya)
ang kanilang mga saloobin at inalam kung paano makakatulong pa ang
pamahalaan sa pagtugon sa kanilang—sa pagsasaayos ng kanilang kabuhayan
dahil padre de pamilya po at breadwinner ang kanilang asawa, anak, o
kapatid. Kaya sa ganoon pong pagkakataon ay binigyan sila ng katiyakan na
ipapahatid sa kanila ang lahat ng nararapat na tulong para po mailagay sa
ayos ang kanilang kabuhayan.
MGA TANONG AT SAGOT
Mr.
Sebastian: Alright, sir, question po galing kay Bernard Taguinod. Sabi niya
may report ang pulitiko.com na pinayuhan ni OPAPP (Office of the
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) Secretary (Teresita) Deles si
Pangulong Aquino na huwag magpadala ng reinforcement sa SAF na napasabak sa
MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) para hindi raw maapektuhan ang peace
talks sa MILF. Ano po ang masasabi rito ng Palasyo?
SEC. COLOMA: Wala
pong batayan ang pahayag na ‘yan. Mainam na sa kasalukuyan ay umiwas na lang
po tayo sa mga haka-haka at purong espekulasyon na walang batayan.
Mr. Montano: Okay po. At ‘yung tungkol naman po dito sa… ‘Yung timetable po,
kung mayroong timetable po tayo dito sa resulta nitong DNA test para
ma-erase po ‘yung doubts na namatay na nga itong si Marwan. May masasabi po
ba ang Palasyo ng Malacañang dito?
SEC. COLOMA: Inaantabayanan po
natin ‘yan at sinisikap naman na sa lalong madaling panahon ay matamo ang
kompirmasyon. Nabatid naman po natin mismo sa ulat ng SAF commander na
habang minomonitor ang operasyon, sa unang bahagi pa lamang nito ay maaga
‘yung natamong—‘yung natanggap na ulat mula sa field sa pamamagitan ng radyo
na na-neutralize po si Marwan. Kaya ito nga po ay kinukumpirma para maalis
po ang lahat ng alinlangan hinggil dito.
Mr. Sebastian: Sir, on
another issue naman. Updates na lang po doon sa appointment sa Department of
Health (DOH), saka sa COMELEC (Commission on Elections), at sa COA
(Commission on Audit) na rin po.
SEC. COLOMA: Wala pa po tayong
pormal na tinatang[gap]… Wala pa pong pormal na anunsyong ipinalalabas ang
Tanggapan ng Pangulo hinggil sa mga bagong opisyal sa mga nabanggit ninyo:
DOH, sa Commission on Audit, COMELEC, at Civil Service Commission. Doon po
sa mga binanggit nating constitutional bodies ay may nakatakdang pagreretiro
ng mga pinuno nila. Wala pa rin naman pong impormasyon hinggil diyan at
ipapaalam po kapag mayroon na.
Mr. Sebastian: Alright. Sir, Palace
take lang po doon sa nilagdaan recently lang na decommissioning on firearms
po between the government panel saka sa MILF.
SEC. COLOMA: Ayon po sa
OPAPP, ang decommissioning ng mga armas ay isang gradual at phased process
na kung saan apat na pulutong o batch ng mga MILF combatant at armas ay
isasailalim sa isang proseso at pagtatala sa anim hanggang 12 itatalagang
assembly at processing areas ng Independent Decommissioning Body. Ang mga
nakalap na armas ay ilalagak sa isang ligtas na sisidlan sa isang
guwardyadong imbakan hanggang sa ang mga ito ay hindi na magagamit pa.
Ang aktuwal na gawain ay may apat na yugto na pasisimulan ng isang
ceremonial turnover ng 75 high-powered weapons. Pagsapit ng aktuwal na
pagpapatibay o ratipikasyon ng Bangsamoro Basic Law, 30 porsyento ng MILF
combatants at armas ang pormal nang na-decommission. Matapos nito, 35
porsyento naman ang mai-de-decommission sa ikatlong yugto, at ang nalalabing
bilang ay masasakop na sa ikaapat at huling yugto.
Mr. Sebastian:
Alright, sir, question po galing kay Bernard muli. Sabi niya gaano kahanda
ang government forces sa bantang retaliation ng BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters)?
SEC. COLOMA: Handa po ang Sandatahang Lakas at
lahat ng puwersa ng pamahalaan para labanan po ang ganyang balak at tiyakin
ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan. Ganap po ang kahandaan ng Sandatahang
Lakas.
Mr. Sebastian: Alright. Follow-up po kay Bernard, sabi niya,
may number na po ba sa armas na isusuko ng MILF? Dati sa MNLF (Moro National
Liberation Front) hindi kasi isinuko lahat.
SEC. COLOMA: Ang layunin
po rito ay ‘yung decommissioning ng lahat ng mga armas at ito naman ay
susubaybayan ng isang Independent Decommissioning Body na ayon po doon sa
kasunduan. Ang pinuno po nito ay si Ambassador Hayder Berk of Turkey, at mga
kinatawan mula sa bansang Japan at United Kingdom, at mayroon din pong
dalawang Pilipino diyan sa IDB o Independent Decommissioning Body. Ang
gagawin din po dito ay iva-validate ‘yung imbentaryo ng mga sandata at
combatants. Kaya gagawin naman po ‘yan sa isang maayos na paraan para
matiyak na matatamo ang layunin ng decommissioning.
Mr. Sebastian:
Alright. Sir, ‘yun pong… Nagpahayag ng kahandaan ang MILF na isuko ‘yung
kanilang mga miyembro na sangkot doon sa insidente sa Mamasapano. So will we
still wait for the investigation bago nila i-surrender itong mga ito?
SEC. COLOMA: Malinaw naman po ang panawagan ng Pangulong Aquino sa
kanila, simula pa ‘nung nagtalumpati ang Pangulo noong nakaraang Miyerkules
na hinahanap po ng pamahalaan ang higit na matingkad at kongkretong
pagpapatunay sa bahagi nila ng kanilang pagiging matapat sa prosesong
pangkapayapaan, kaya’t inaasahan po ‘yung agarang aksyon nila at pagpapakita
ng mabuting intensyon at ng kanilang pagiging mapagkakatiwalaan hinggil
dito.
Mr. Montano: Okay po. Although nabanggit niyo na po ito kahapon
sa briefing kay Marie Peña-Ruiz, ‘yung tungkol po sa Truth Commission, kasi
may headline po sa isang newspaper ngayon kung ano po ‘yung stand natin dito
na… Kasi parang ang ipinapalabas doon ay kontra ang Palasyo sa Truth
Commission dahil nga mayroon nang Board of Inquiry. Ano po ba ‘yung
maika-clarify pa natin dito para maituwid kung ano ‘yung nabanggit?
SEC. COLOMA: Palagay ko ang tinutukoy mo, Efren, ay ‘yung headline ng Manila
Bulletin. Doon po sa headline ng Manila Bulletin nakasaad doon ‘Palace
against truth’ patungkol doon sa Truth Commission at may question mark.
Tinatanong kung… Kumbaga, tinatanong ng Manila Bulletin kung against. Pero
kung tutunghayan po natin ‘yung buong salaysay, ni isang salita po o isang
pangungusap, wala po doong nagpapahiwatig na laban po o ganap ‘yung paglaban
o ‘yung pagkontra.
Kasi po medyo misleading yata, kasi sa una pa lang
na pagbasa, parang laban sa katotohanan. E ‘di babasahin nang mabuti, ‘di
ba? Sa biglang tingin parang ‘Palace against truth.’ E hindi naman yata po
makatuwiran na sabihing tayo ay laban sa katotohanan. Malinaw naman po ‘yung
pahayag doon na sa kasalukuyan mayroon nang nabuong Board of Inquiry,
mayroon na rin pong counterpart panel doon sa kabilang panig.
‘Yun
pong International Monitoring Team at Coordinating Committee on the
Cessation of Hostilities ay may inisyatiba na rin po sila na gumawa ng ulat
dahil, pansinin po natin, sila po mismo ay nandoon sa pinangyarihan noong
nakaraang linggo at sila nga po ay tumulong pa doon sa extraction ng mga—o
retrieval operation at sa pagpapatigil para maipatupad muli ‘yung ceasefire.
Ang sinasabi lang naman po natin dito, marami nang mga inisyatiba.
Siguro po hayaan natin itong prosesong ito na maganap na. Sinasabi ko rin
naman po doon iginagalang namin ang tungkulin ng Senado at ang pagpapanukala
ni Senador (TG) Guingona o sino pa man hinggil dito. Mayroon din naman po
silang proseso bago pa sila humantong sa pagkakasundo nila, kung gusto pa po
nilang gawin ‘yon.
Ibig sabihin po, hayaan po natin lahat itong
prosesong ito sa paghahanap ng katotohanan na maganap. May mauuna po, siguro
kung hindi po tayo ganap pang—kung hindi pa ganap na matutugunan lahat ay
pwede namang palawigin pa ito o palalimin. Basta po malinaw naman dito ‘yung
ating commitment sa paghahanap ng ganap na katotohanan. Sabi nga po ni
Pangulo, ‘the truth will set us free.’
Ngayon, ‘yung sa mismong hugis
at porma nito, siguro po pabayaan na muna natin na maganap ‘yung mga
talakayan tungkol diyan. Pero dapat namang maumpisahan na ‘yung mga inquiry
na nai-anunsyo na ng pamahalaan. ‘Yon lang po, ano. Hindi po kami laban sa
paghananap sa katotohanan.
Mr. Montano: Okay po. Malinaw po ‘yan,
malinaw po ‘yan. Thank you.
Mr. Sebastian: Alright. Sir, question po
galing kay Butch Fernandez, ang tanong niya: Is the government heeding the
call of General (Edilberto) Adan of AGFO (Association of Generals and Flag
Officers) for President Aquino to demonstrate more resolve in getting
justice for the slain SAF troopers?
SEC. COLOMA: Sa lahat po ng
pagkakataon ay ipinapahayag at ipinaparating po ng ating Pangulo ‘yung buong
determinasyon niya bilang Pangulo at ang determinasyon ng buong pamahalaan
din para makamit ang katarungan, para po mapanagot ang lahat ng responsable,
at maipagpatuloy po ‘yung ating laban sa paglaban sa terorismo at ‘yung
pagpapalawig din ng proseso sa paghahanap ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan.
Maaari lang pong nagka[kaiba], kumbaga, nagkakaiba ng timing ‘yung mga
pagpapahayag na ‘yan doon sa mga aktuwal din na naging pahayag ng Pangulo.
Natunghayan ko rin po ang statement ng AGFO at iba pang mga grupo at
nakikita ko naman po doon na kahalintulad din naman ‘yung kanilang pagnanasa
na magawaran ng katarungan ang pangyayaring ito.
Mr. Sebastian:
Alright. Sir, question lang, naka-full alert pa rin, ano, nasa red alert
status sa Mindanao ang AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) at PNP? Patuloy
pa rin po ba ang red alert status?
SEC. COLOMA: Basta po ang atin
pong batid diyan ay ganap ang kahandaan ng ating pamahalaan na ipagpatuloy
ang pagpapatatag ng ating depensa laban sa lahat ng panganib at banta sa
kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan.
Mr. Sebastian: Sir, will this
include—
SEC. COLOMA: Kailangan ko lang pong… Kailangan ko lang
i-verify ‘yung actual alert status. Ngayon lang po na… Ive-verify po natin
‘yan pero ganap po ‘yung kahandaan ng ating pamahalaan na ipagtanggol ang
kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan.
Mr. Sebastian: Alright, sir. Ka
Efren?
Mr. Montano: Wala na po yatang mga question na naipapadala,
kasi natalakay na po natin kahapon, lalo na ‘yung halos marathon na
pakikipag-usap ng ating Pangulo diyan sa mga relatives, pamilya ng mga
fallen 44 po.
SEC. COLOMA: Ganoon nga, Efren, ano. Mainam na
naitunton mo muli ‘yan kasi po talaga namang ganap po ‘yung pag-ukol ng
Pangulo ng oras at ng atensyon doon sa sitwasyon ng mga nagdadalamhating mga
pamilya at ganap din po ang pakikiramay niya at nating lahat sa kanila pong
pagdadalamhati. Mayroon lang po kasing mga nagpopokus doon sa iba’t ibang
aspeto ng naganap noong nakaraang Biyernes. Nagkaroon din po ako ng
pagkakataon na makasama ang Pangulo doon sa buong lampas 13 oras na siya ay
nakipag-usap.
Sa bawat isa naman po doon sa mga pamilya, bagamat
mabigat po ‘yung kanilang damdamin, mataas ang emosyon, sila naman po ay
nagpakita rin ng pagkilala na ginagawa naman ng pamahalaan ang nararapat at
pinakinggan din po nila ang pagpapaliwanag ng Pangulo hinggil sa naganap na
operasyon at hinggil po sa gagawin ng pamahalaan para mailagay sa tamang
ayos ‘yung kanilang kabuhayan at ‘yun pong ganap na hustisya para sa
ginawang sakripisyo ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay.
Mr. Sebastian:
Sir, question po galing kay Gen Kabiling, sabi niya: Will the government
rule out pardon or amnesty for the rebels behind the killing of the 44 SAF
troopers in Mindanao?
SEC. COLOMA: Mahalaga muna ‘yung malaman ang
katotohanan, mahalaga na matiyak muna kung sino ang mga responsable, at
magkakaroon naman ‘yan ng proseso ng pagsisiyasat, prosekusyon, at
paglilitis kapag sila ay nasampahan na ng mga demanda sa hukuman. Kaya
antabayanan po natin ‘yung ganap na proseso hinggil dito.
Mr.
Sebastian: Alright. Sir, may follow-up si Gen, sabi niya: May timeframe ba
sa pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa mga rebelde?
SEC. COLOMA: Siyempre po
susunod po ito doon sa proseso ng pagtanggap ng mga katibayan at
pag-establish po ng kaso na pwede na pong mai-file sa hukuman. Mayroon po
kasing mga pamantayan hinggil diyan.
Mr. Sebastian: Alright. Question
po galing kay Bernard Taguinod, sabi niya, paano po maiibsan ang sama ng
loob ng mga tao kay PNoy sa ‘di pagpunta sa arrival honors?
SEC.
COLOMA: Kailangan pong unawain ng ating mga kababayan na ang kaganapan po,
‘yung buo pong latag ng mga pangyayari, at siguro naman po sa nakita po
natin na panahon na iginugol ng Pangulo na kasama ang mga pamilya ay hindi
po matatawaran din ‘yung kanyang pagpapakita ng kanyang pakikipagdalamhati
sa [kanila]. ‘Yon po kasing tinutukoy na pangyayari noong nakaraang Huwebes,
ang una pong concern po diyan ay ‘yung matanggap ng mga pamilya ‘yung labi
ng kanilang mahal sa buhay dahil ito po isasaayos pa for viewing, at nandoon
naman po ‘yung mga matataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan.
Ang para sa
Pangulo din naman po, nirerespeto po (niya) ‘yung pagkakaroon ng private
time para po doon sa mga pamilya na sila ay makagawa ng nararapat.
Iginagalang din po niya ‘yung kanilang mga saloobin. Siya po ay dumaan din
sa ganyang mabigat na karanasan noong pinaslang ang kanyang sariling ama.
Pero kahit kailan po ay hindi po nagkaroon ng kaisipan na hindi magiging
ganap ‘yung pakikiisa sa kanilang pagdadalamhati at ito naman po ay
ipinahiwatig nang personal doon po sa kanila.
Kaya nga po closed-door
po ito, except po doon sa mga ilang larawan lang para may record.
Closed-door po, iginagalang po ‘yung privacy ng mga pamilya, at nag-ukol po
talaga siya ng panahon, pinakinggan po niya kung ano ang mga saloobin nila.
Hindi po kasi… Ang preference po ng Pangulo ay doon sa ganoong paraan ng
masinsinang pag-uusap at ‘yung para magkaroon ng ganap na pag-unawa sa
kanilang mga saloobin at kanilang mga pangangailangan at para matulungan po
sila. Baka naman po masyadong microscopic ‘yung pagtuturing natin kung
magpopokus lang tayo doon sa mga naunang naganap at tatawaran natin itong
buong pag-ukol ng pansin sa kanilang mga saloobin at pangangailangan sa
bahagi ng ating Pangulo.
Mr. Montano: Maliwanag po, maliwanag po
‘yan, ‘yung ating paliwanag.
Mr. Sebastian: Alright. Sir, balikan ko
lang po ‘yung sa inyong pahayag kanina ukol doon sa UN peace building fund.
Mayroon pong figures na sinabi ang United Nations or may figures tayo rito
kung magkano?
SEC. COLOMA: Wala po akong natunghayan. Ito ay
ipinadala lamang po ng United Nations sa atin at ‘yon po ang kanilang
nabanggit.
Mr. Montano: Okay. So ‘yung parting message po natin at
wala na po tayong natatanggap na mga katanungan galing sa Sunday group ng
Malacañang Press Corps. Nasa inyo po ang pagkakataon para sa mga iba pang
mensahe natin dito sa Sunday habit sa Radyo ng Bayan, ‘Pilipinas!
Pilipinas!’
SEC. COLOMA: Habang nakaburol po at pinaglalamayan ang
mga labi ng ating mga bayani na PNP-SAF 44, mainam po siguro na ang buong
bansa ay makidalamhati at makiramay sa kanila. Mag-alay po tayo ng
panalangin at isama po sa ating mga panalangin at pag-iisip ‘yon pong
kanilang mga pamilya na nagbibigay po ng malaking sakripisyo kaagapay na rin
‘nung supreme sacrifice na inalay ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Mabibigyan
po natin ng ganap na katarungan ‘yung kanilang malaking sakripisyo kung tayo
po ay magkakaisa bilang isang bansa sa layunin na pigilin po at tapusin na
‘yung ligalig at panganib na hatid ng terorismo, dahil ‘yan naman po ang
kanilang misyon na ginampanan sa Maguindanao, at makiisa rin po tayo sa
pagtamo doon sa paghahanap ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan.
Katulong po
natin dito ang maraming nakikiisa rin sa atin mula pa sa ibang bansa. Sana
po ay kilalanin natin na matagal nang panahon ang umiral na kung saan ang
ginamit ay digmaan at tunggalian ng mga puwersa pero hindi po ‘yan nagbunga
ng katatagan at kapanatagan sa hanay ng ating mga mamamayan. Kaya mainam po
siguro ‘yung pagtalima natin doon sa panawagan na ‘give peace a chance.’
Magkaisa po tayo sa layuning matamo ito habang ipinupursigi po natin ‘yung
paggawad ng katarungan at pagpapanagot sa mga naganap sa Maguindanao noong
nakaraang linggo.
Mr. Sebastian: Alright. With that, sir, marami pong
salamat sa inyong oras na ibinigay po sa bayan.
SEC. COLOMA: Maraming
salamat at magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat. |
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SOURCE: Presidential News Desk (PND) |
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INTERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY HERMINIO COLOMA,
JR.
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DZMM / DOS POR DOS with Anthony Taberna and Gerry
Baja
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30 January 2015
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BAJA: … puntahan muna natin ang press conference, baka may mga mahalagang
announcement mula ho sa Palasyo ng Malacañang. Nandoon sa press conference
sa Camp Bagong Diwa si Radyo Patrol Zander Cayabyab. Come in, Zander.
CAYABYAB: Pakinggan natin si Secretary Herminio Coloma dito sa Camp Bagong
Diwa kaugnay ng pulong ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa mga pamilya ng SAF44.
SEC. COLOMA: …doon po sa pagdadalamhati natin pati sa paggawad ng katarungan
sa naganap. Ito po ay isang okasyon para hindi magkawatak-watak tayo, pero
magkabuklod-buklod, magbayanihan dahil seryosong problema po iyong kinalaban
o kinakalaban ng ating pamahalaan na terorismo. Seryosong problema po iyong
pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa ating mga mamamayan laban sa pagbobomba at
pananakit at pagpatay. Kaya siguro po mas mainam magpopokus tayo doon sa
talagang—sa prayoridad na isyu ngayon ‘no, iyong paglaban natin o pagsupil
sa terorismo.
Pansinin po natin, hindi po biro-biro iyong hinarap nilang panganib dahil
international terror suspects po ito na wanted sa buong rehiyon natin. And
sub-committee ng Jemaah Islamiyah, isa sa mga responsable sa Bali Bombing,
marami pang ibang mga insidente. Hindi po biro-biro, napakamapanganib,
maligalig at kumplikado iyong operasyon, at naisagawa po ito nang matagumpay
ng ating mga magigiting na miyembro ng SAF. Bigyan po natin ng karangalan na
dapat lang maigawad sa kanila. Huwag naman po nating ma-trivialize iyong
usapin, na kung saan-saan na po nagpupunta ito. Huwag na po tayong maglako
ng mga haka-haka na wala namang batayan.
Q: Mayroon pong panawagan si …(unclear)… sa …(unclear)… military officers.
Bago raw pagkatiwalaan ang MILF, dapat …(inaudible)... Iyong Palace po ba
siyempre, …(inaudible)… panawagan din para …(inaudible)…?
SEC. COLOMA: Balikan na lang po natin sa konkreto iyong sinabi ng Pangulo
noong Miyerkules ng gabi. Napakalinaw po sa kaniyang sinabi, “Kailangan ang
kongkretong pagpapatunay sa bahagi ng MILF,” at ini-spell out po iyong bawat
isa doon, kasama na iyong operasyon laban kay Usman; kasama na iyong
pagbabalik ng mga armas at personal na gamit; kasama na iyong pangkalahatang
pagtulong para mapanagot iyong mga dapat na managot; at iyong pag-alam ng
buong katotohanan sa kaganapan. Napakalinaw na po na sinabi ng Pangulo
hinggil diyan at nakapakongkreto na iyong mga inilistang mga prayoridad.
Q: (inaudible)
SEC. COLOMA: Eh siyempre po, lahat po ng pagtulong ay pinapasalamatan natin.
Mainam na naipunto mo iyan dahil lilinawin ko lang ‘no, mayroon kasing mga
nagtatanong, bakit pa daw humihingi ng kontribyusyon samantalang mayroon
namang sapat na pananalapi ang pamahalaan. Iyon pong pagbubukas ng special
account para sa mga nasawi, sa mga pamilya nila ay bunsod po iyon ng
kahilingan ng mga pribadong indibiduwal at mamamayan na humahanap ng paraan
kung paano daw po sila makakapagbigay ng ambag. Para rin po iyan doon sa mga
tumutulong sa mga naapektuhan ng kalamidad. Nasa puso po nila iyong gustong
tumulong sa ating mga—sa pamilya po ng mga nasawing bayani natin, kaya naman
po nagbukas tayo ng special account para makapagbigay po sila doon. Wala na
pong ibang layunin.
CAYABYAB: Yes Sir Gerry at Anthony, oo, parang bilang background lamang.
Kanina ay—alas diyes ng umaga nang dumating si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino dito
sa Camp Bagong Diwa para doon sa necrological services, at—
BAJA: Brother…
CAYABYAB: Yes Gerry?
BAJA: Baka puwede mong hatakin si Secretary Coloma’t magtanong rin tayo.
CAYABYAB: Yes, mayroong lang kausap, Gerry.
BAJA: Oo, sige’t tiyempuhan natin ha.
CAYABYAB: Oo. Alas diyes kanina nang dumating si PNoy dito para nga sa
necrological services. Hanggang ngayon nandito pa rin ang Pangulo—
BAJA: Ah andiyan pa rin? Talaga ha? So, mula kaninang alas diyes ng umaga—
CAYABYAB: Hanggang ngayon.
BAJA: Hanggang ngayon nandiyan.
CAYABYAB: Otso oras na nandito.
BAJA: Oo, kau-kausap iyong mga pamilya?
CAYABYAB: Ah, Secretary Coloma, si Gerry Baja po and Anthony Taberna nasa
kabilang linya sir, kung puwedeng kausapin kayo.
SEC. COLOMA: Magandang hapon sa inyo. Gerry at Anthony.
BAJA: Magandang hapon po, Secretary.
TABERNA: Secretary, maghapon na ho pala kayo diyan ano.
SEC. COLOMA: Ah, ganoon nga Tunying ‘no, kanina pa po dito, at hindi po
aalis ang Pangulo hangga’t hindi nakakausap ang bawat isa ‘no sa pamilya ng
apatnapu’t apat na nasawi.
TABERNA: As of today po, as of this hour po, gaano karami na ho sa kabuuang
more than 40 families ang—
SEC. COLOMA: Noong lumabas po ako kani-kanina lang, nasa number 18 na eh.
BAJA: Eighteen.
TABERNA: Mahaba pa iyan.
SEC. COLOMA: Tila 40 po iyong kakausapin dito. Hindi po aalis ang Pangulo
hangga’t hindi sila nakausap lahat at makikipagpulong din sa mga miyembro ng
SAF.
TABERNA: Napakaganda po niyan Secretary, iyang ginagawa na iyan ng Pangulo.
Ang laking—iyong bigat na dinadala ng pamilyang ‘yan eh mababawasan dahil sa
mismong Pangulo mismo ang kumakausap sa kanila, nakikidalamhati at siguro—mayroon
ho ba kayong puwedeng sabihin, Secretary, na binibigay na pahayag, kung
anuman ang assurance, na specific na assurance o pahayag na binibigay ng
Pangulo sa bawat kapamilya ng mga namatay na SAF?
SEC. COLOMA: Unang-una, Tunying at Gerry ‘no, ang ginagawa ng Pangulo ay
binibigyan ng pagkakataon ang bawat pamilya na magpahayag ng kanilang
saloobin, dahil napakaimportante na mailabas nila iyong kanilang tunay na
nararamdaman, kanilang mga hinaing at iyong tunay na saloobin nila. Iyon po
ang unang bahagi ng bawat pagpupulong – para po masabi po nila ang kanilang
saloobin. At karamihan naman po sa kanila ay nagpahayag nga noong katulad ng
naipahayag kanina sa programa, iyong pagnanasang makamit ang katarungan para
sa mga nasawing bayani po natin ng PNP-SAF. At pinaliwanag naman po ng
Pangulo sa kanila lahat ng ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan para po makamit
iyong katarungan, at nakipagtalakayan sa kanila sa iba’t ibang mga concerns
nilal.
Pagkatapos po ay tinanong din sila kung paano makakatulong ang pamahalaan na
mailagay sa ayos ang kanilang buhay dahil nga po napakalaking kawalan—pagkawala
‘no, iyong pagkamatay po ng kanilang padre de pamilya o breadwinner. Marami
po doon sa mga sundalo po natin o mga bayani po natin, sila po’y nagpapaaral
pa ng kanilang mga—
TABERNA: Kapatid.
SEC. COLOMA: At kaya po inaalam kung paano makakatulong, kung may mga
kapatid na nag-aaral pa, kung mayroong mga kapatid na matutulungan sa
pagkakaroon ng empleyo, at maging kung kailangan po nila ng housing. Lahat
po ng magagawa ay inihahain na po doon, at tinatanong iyong bawat pamilya
kung paano makakatulong ang pamahalaan.
TABERNA: Secretary, binabanggit po ng pamilya iyong katarungan. Ang
nakapatay po sa kanilang mga kapamilya ay MILF. Ipinapangako po ba ng
Pangulo, ang ginagarantiya po ba ng Pangulo na katarungan, papapanagutin ang
MILF?
SEC. COLOMA: Papapanagutin po iyong responsable dahil hindi pa naman po
tayong ngayon nagbibintang ng kahit sinong tao, indibiduwal o grupo dahil
magsasagawa pa nga po nitong pormal na board of inquiry. At iyon pong MILF,
ayon din po kay Chairman Murad, mayroon din po silang formal investigative
commission. Kaya kailangan pong maalam ang kongkretong kaganapan, kailangan
pong malaman ang katotohanan, at importante sa lahat, mapanagot iyong mga
responsable sa nangyari sa Maguindanao.
TABERNA: Mabuti po iyan, mapapanagot iyong responsable, pero may tsansa po
ba, o may probability pa po ba na ang responsable ay hindi MILF?
SEC. COLOMA: Aalamin nga po iyan ‘no doon sa proseso ng pagsisiyasat. Pero,
linawin ko rin po ‘no, Anthony at Gerry, isa rin po sa importanteng aspeto
ng pagkamit ng katarungan ay iyong paghuli kay Usman dahil siya po ay isa
rin sa mga subject po noong mission na isinagawa ng PNP-SAF. Kailangan po
siyang mahuli dahil kasama po siya doon sa naghahasik ng lagim, panganib at
pumapatay po ng mga inosenteng Pilipino ‘no, sa dami po ng mga pagkasangkot
nila sa mga terror at bombing incident sa ating bansa.
BAJA: Tama po kayo.
TABERNA: With due respect po, ako po, I’m sure lahat po ng nakikinig po sa
atin at nanonood ay gusto pong mahuli si Usman. Kaya lang po Secretary, ang
dating po kasi doon sa—kanina pong umaga, matapos magtalumpati ang Pangulo,
may natanggap na po akong text: “Bakit si Usman ba ang nakapatay sa 44?”
Ganoon po ang tanong eh, pakisagot ninyo nga po iyong ganoong obserbasyon.
SEC. COLOMA: Unawain po natin iyong konteksto ‘no. Kaya po nagkaroon ng
operasyon, ito po ay isang delikadong misyon na ang pakay o layunin ay
hulihin at papanagutin ang dalawa pong terror suspect ‘no. Iyong isa po
international dahil central committee member ng Jemaah Islamiyah itong si
Marwan; at si Usman din po ay napakataas sa wanted list ng mga terror
suspect. Kaya iyon po ang misyon ng PNP-SAF na nagbunsod po sa kanilang
magsagawa ng operasyon sa Maguindanao. Kaya hindi po iyon maaalis sa
konteksto ng ating pinag-uusapan.
BAJA: Opo. Well, Secretary tutal nabanggit ninyo na iyang si Usman. Bago pa
ho nagsalita ang Pangulo, may mga impormasyon na rin kaming natatanggap na
itong si Marwan ay napatay. At kanina, may pahayag po iyong
Officer-In-Charge ng SAF na si General Noli Taliño na hindi nasayang o may
kabuluhan ang pagkamatay ng mga SAF men dahil napatay ang teroristang si
Marwan. Mayroon na po ba tayong official declaration tungkol dito,
Secretary?
SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy pa rin po iyong kumpirmasyon ‘no dahil ayaw na po
nating maulit iyong dating naganap na may deklarasyon na siya ay patay pero
hindi pa naman ‘no. Pero lahat naman po ng mga malalakas na indikasyon pati
na rin iyong ulat mismo nga ni Chief Superintendent at OIC Noel Taliño,
malaki po talaga iyong probabilidad, very high likelihood po talaga iyan, at
mayroon din pong mga nailabas nang mga larawan. Talaga pong napakatingkad
naman po iyong resemblance doon sa larawan noong napaslang at doon sa mga
kinikilalang larawan ni Marwan.
Kaya sa una ko palang pong pahayag, sinabi ko na po iyong saloobin ng
Pangulo na iyong isinagawang misyon ng PNP-SAF ay demonstrasyon ng kanilang
katapangan at propesyunalismo dahil natamo naman po nila iyong kanilang
primary objective sa pag-neutralize kay Marwan.
TABERNA: Opo. Ano na lamang po ang hinihintay, Secretary, para magkaroon
tayo ng official or certainty tungkol doon?
SEC. COLOMA: Eh siyempre po, mayroon pong mga accepted pong mga procedure
tungkol diyan, katulad noong confirmation by …(unclear)… forces, iyon
pong—at nabanggit na rin po iyong sa DNA processing. Kaya ito ang hinihintay
pa po natin sa ngayon.
TABERNA: So, mayroon pong participation ang U.S. government dito as to—kasi
iyon po, iyong pagtiyak o pagtukoy kung si Marwan nga iyong napatay?
SEC. COLOMA: Wala po akong impormasyon. Ang tangi ko lang pong impormasyon
ay hinggil sa mga programa at proyekto ng ating pamahalaan. Wala po akong
impormasyon sa partisipasyon ng anumang dayuhang gobyerno.
TABERNA: May tanong po itong si Dean Amado Valdez. Kakasuhan daw po ba o
magpa-file daw po ba ng criminal case against the MILF leadership?
SEC. COLOMA: Kailangan pong makalap ang mga relevant pong impormasyon.
Kailangan pong magkaroon ng kongkretong ebidensiya na magiging batayan sa
paghain ng anumang kaso laban po sa mga responsable dito. Kaya, isinasagawa
po iyang pagsisiyasat at iyong pagbubuo ng kongkretong ebidensiya.
BAJA: Opo. Nabanggit ninyo po iyong mga tulong sa mga naulila. Nito pang
nakaraan ay laging nababanggit, noon palang mismong araw na nangyari ito, sa
mga sumunod na araw ay laging nababanggit iyong reward money para dito kay
Marwan na $6 million. Magkakaroon ho ba ng bahagi doon ang—ano hong
posibilidad na magkaroon ng bahagi doon ang pamilya ng mga napatay na SAF?
SEC. COLOMA: Wala po kaming tinatalakay na kahit ano hinggil diyan sa
aspetong iyan. At siguro po maibabahagi ko rin sa inyo, Tunying at Gerry,
doon po sa paglalahad ng saloobin ng mga pamilya, eh medyo nagdaramdam po
sila doon sa mga nagpapalutang ng mga usapin na kung bakit daw naging
interesado ang pamahalaan o kung bakit daw isinagawa ito ay dahil sa reward
o bounty money. Eh nasasaktan po ang mga pamilya diyan po sa mga
pagpapalutang ng ganiyang mga pangungusap ‘no. Dahil sabi po nila, sa
pagkaalam po nila ang kanilang mga nasawing kamag-anak ay nagtungo doon
bilang paglilingkod sa bayan. Naghain po sila ng pinakamataas na sakripisyo,
iyong pagbibigay ng kanilang buhay dahil naniniwala sila sa kawsa na doon po
sa misyon, na kinakailangang supilin ang terorismo, kinakailangang
pangalagaan ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan, at hindi ito dapat
mabahiran ng ispekulasyon o intriga hinggil po sa salapi.
TABERNA: Totoo po iyon. Actually po, for your information po, Secretary
Coloma, as early as Monday, kami po ni Gerry dito ay nagsabi na napakasakit
at nakaka-insulto at nakakagalit na ang mga pulis natin ay nagbuwis ng buhay,
eh paghihinalaan—
BAJA: Paghihinalaan natin ng ganoon.
TABERNA: —ng ganoong klase ng—
BAJA: Na ang motivation ng kanilang operation ay pera. Noon pa ho namin
sinasabi iyan ,Secretary.
TABERNA: Opo.
SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga’t sana nga ay mapokus po tayo doon sa pagbibigay ng
karapat-dapat na pagpaparangal sa kabayanihan at katapangan ng ating mga
PNP-SAF. Sila po ay tunay na bayani ng ating bansa, nag-alay po ng kanilang
buhay, napakalaking sakripisyo po ito. Hindi po nila inalintana iyong
panganib. At sila po ay nagtungo doon para ipagtanggol po ang buhay ng bawat
Pilipino.
TABERNA: Ang sabi po ni General Taliño kanina sa kaniyang talumpati ay
ganito: “General Napeñas is a good man. He is a good leader. We thank him
for his leadership. Sana maging maayos ang lahat para makabalik na siya.”
May tsansa pa po bang makabalik si General Napeñas sa kaniyang puwesto?
SEC. COLOMA: Iyon naman pong pagsasagawa ng pagsisiyasat ng Board of Inquiry
…(unclear)…pagiging patas sa makatuwiran, at wala naman pong prejudgment
tungkol diyan. Kaya dahil katarungan po ang ating hinahangad, dapat lang po
ay maging makatuwiran at makatotohanan ang lahat ng gagawin sa pagsisiyasat.
TABERNA: Magiging transparent po ba itong Board of Inquiry na ito na binuo
para po sa kasong ito?
SEC. COLOMA: Eh kailangan din po kasing mapaalam sa ating mga mamamayan ‘no
iyong mga mahalagang resulta. Hindi pa naman po nabubuo iyong kanilang mga
detailed procedures, pero makakaasa po tayo na gagawin ang nararapat para
maging credible po ‘no ang imbestigasyon na ‘to at maparating sa ating mga
kababayan iyong mahalagang mga findings ‘no, para po maitatag po kung ano
talaga ang totoong kaganapan.
BAJA: Opo. Secretary, balikan ko lang po iyong tulong sa mga pamilya. Iyon
ho bang parangal na ibinigay sa mga pulis, eh iyon na iyong pinakamataas na
pagkilala’t parangal na maibibigay sa kanila? At ano ho bang katumbas na
benefits noon para sa mga pamilya nila?
SEC. COLOMA: Ang Medalya ng Katapangan na iginawad ng Philippine National
Police ay iyon pong equivalent ng Gold Cross sa AFP. Hindi ko po kabisado
kung ano iyong mga specific benefits. Ang alam ko lang po ay iyong package
na benefits na naigawad na ibinibigay po sa pamilya batay po sa mga umiiral
na batas ‘no at mga patakaran ng National Police Commission at ng PNP. At
kabilang na po diyan iyong lifetime pension; mayroon pong one year gratuity
na equivalent to one year salary. Mayroon pa ring additional monthly pension
for the first 5 years after death; mayroon pong insurance coverage benefit,
PAGIBIG Fund claim, commutation of leave. Iyon pong cash equivalent po niyan,
up to 800,000 at the minimum, depende po kasi sa ranggo at sa length of
service. So iyan po iyong initial na amount na matatanggap na hindi kabilang
iyong monthly pension.
Bukod pa riyan ay tinanong ng Pangulo sa bawat pamilya, paano po
matutulungan sa pamamagitan ng scholarship. Entitled po iyong mga—
BAJA: Ang ganda noon.
SEC. COLOMA: Marami po sa kanila, mayroon pong mga musmos na anak, iyong iba
pa nga po ay on the family way ang kanilang mga widow. Iyon pong mga anak
nila ay binibigyan po ng scholarship assistance ng up to college po. At
mayroon din pong employment and livelihood assistance—
BAJA: May housing pa kayong nabanggit kanina?
SEC. COLOMA: Oo, may housing din.
BAJA: Ayon.
SEC. COLOMA: So lahat ng kung paano makakatulong ang pamahalaan sa pag-aayos
ng kanilang pagbabagong tatag ng kanilang buhay ay natalakay sa pagpupulong
sa bawat pamilya.
ANTHONY TABERNA: Parang … on the average, mga gaano katagal yung oras na
ginugugol sa bawat isang pamilya?
GERRY BAJA: Bawat pamilya?
SEC. COLOMA: Para pong … kasi nag-umpisa kanina ng mga before 11, bago siya
nagsalita doon sa kapulungan kanina, dawang pamilya lang, nag-average ng
mahigit 30 minutes yung naunang dalawa. Simula kanina hanggang ngayon, kung
umpisahan natin ng—
TABERNA: Ng 11:oo
SEC. COLOMA: 11:00 to 12:00, naka-dalawa, tapos 12:30 hanggang ngayon na
tig-30, halos anim na oras, ay siguro lumampas pa lang sa kalahati, kaya—hindi
naman—talagang iuukol ng Pangulo ang lahat ng panahon para magkaroon ng
masinsinang pakikipagusap sa bawat pamilya para ma—
TABERNA: Bumabawi ba ang Pangulo?
SEC. COLOMA: Sa simulat sapul ay buong-buo naman ang kanyang pakikidalamhati,
at pinaparamdam niya iyon sa bawat pamilyang nakikipagpulong sa kanya.
TABERNA: Actually, yung talumpati niya kanina, maganda yung pagkakasabi niya
na hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin para mapagaan yung kalooban ng mga
nagdadalamhati. Totoo naman iyon, at I’m sure naranasan ninyo rin iyon,
Secretary. Kaya lang, batid naman natin na mula pa kahapon ay actually
nag-trending pa sa Twitter worldwide, hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo. Iyon ba’y
naitanong din ng mga pamilya sa Pangulo, at ano ba ang sinasagot niya roon?
SEC. COLOMA: Walang nagtanong sa kanya tungkol doon. Ang ginagawa lang nila
yung pagpapahiwatig ng kanilang saloobin at yung pagsasabi na nais nilang
makamit ang katarungan; at yung pagsasabi rin kung paano maari makatulong
ang pamahalaan. Iyon ang tema ng mga pinaguusapan.
TABERNA: Yaman din lang at nabanggit na natin, masyadong—mayroon siguro
kayong naririnig na mga masasakit na mga salita patungkol sa inuna pa ng
Pangulo ang isang car event kaysa doon sa pagsalubong sa mga labi ng mga
namatay. Sa inyo na manggaling, Secretary Coloma, kausapin ninyo ang ating
mga netizens na maaring nanonood o nakikinig ngayon. Ano ulit ang official
na sagot ng Pangulo doon, bakit hindi siya nagpunta sa arrival honors, at sa
halip ay nagtungo sa isang car event sa Laguna?
SEC. COLOMA: …(unclear)…, ang Pangulo natin ay buong-buo ang pakikidalamhati
sa lahat ng mga pamilya ng bawat isa sa mga nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay.
Noong nabatid ito ay naglatag ng programa hinggil sa pagdating ng kanilang
mga labi, at humantong nga doon sa necrological …isang memorial service
kaninang umaga. At iyon ang talagang tampok na pupuntahan ng Pangulo, at
nakaukol nga yung buong panahon niya doon sa pakikipagpulong sa mga pamilya
ng mga nasawi. Kasi yung aspect na pagdadala ng kanilang mga labi, nagkaroon
na rin ng paiba-ibang schedule iyan bunsod na rin ng mga partikular na
sitwasyon. Alam naman natin medyo malayo yung pinanggalingan ng … yung
pinagdausan, yung Maguindanao malayo dito sa atin. Iyong mga pamilya din,
galing sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng ating bansa, kaya mayroong mga iba’t ibang
mga requirements yung mga pamilya. Yung nasa pagkaalaam ko, yung unang
schedule nga ay kagabi pa lang dapat naiuwi sa … nadala sa Villamor, nai-advance
iyon ng umaga. Kaya nagkaroon ng pabago-bago. Pero sa lahat naman ng mga
scheduling na iyan, ang naitakda talaga ay yung pakikiisa ng Pangulo sa mga
pamilya sa araw na ito. Wala namang layunin o kagustuhan na maliitin o hindi
bigyan ng pansin yung pagdating ng mga labi. Lahat naman ay ginagawa para
maisaayos ang pagtanggap sa mga labi ng ating mga bayani.
TABERNA: Pero hindi ba tinatanggap ng Pangulo o ng Malacañang na mas maigi
nga siguro yung nakita man lang, kahit hindi nagtalumpati o nagsalita,
makita lang siya doon sa arrival honors, at napuntahan din niya at the same
time yung pamilya ngayon, at napuntahan din niya yung car event kahapon doon
sa Laguna. Sapagkat si dating Pangulong Fidel Ramos pala ay nakarating doon
sa Mitsubishi event, at nakapunta rin siya doon sa arrival honors.
SEC. COLOMA: Basta lang para sa amin, ang Pangulo naman ay buong-buo ang
kanyang loob na matukoy itong ating pambansang concern ngayon. Buong-buo din
yung kanyang pakikipagdalamhati at pakikiramay. Kung mayroong ibang pananaw,
tinatanggap naman yung pagpapahayag ng ibang pananaw. Sana lang ma-focus din
naman tayo sa mas mahalagang usapin, yung pagbibigay ng katarungan sa ating
mga nasawing bayani; yung pagbibigay ng karampatang pagpaparangal sa kanila.
At iyan naman ang inaasikaso ng ating Pangulo at ng ating buong pamahalaan.
BAJA: Secretary, mukhang matatagalan pa diyan ang Pangulo. Sabi ninyo nga
baka mahigit nasa kalahati pa lang. Paano iyan? Ki-nansel na ba yung ibang
schedule ng Pangulo for the whole day hanggang mamayang gabi?
SEC. COLOMA: Wala siyang ibang schedule. Ito lang ang … (overlapping voices)
…
BAJA: Ah, iyon na lang para makumpleto.
SEC. COLOMA: Kaya diyan—-pinakamahalaga para sa kanya dahil unawain natin
galing talaga sa iba’t ibang lalawigan yung mga naulilang pamilya, at talaga
ito lang yung pagkakataon. Ngayon lang, habang naguusap tayo, patuloy na rin
yung pag-alis sa Camp Bagong Diwa ng mga labi, dahil yung ibang mga pamilya
ay gusto na talagang makarating sa kanilang mga sari-sariling komunidad, at
naghahantay na rin.
BAJA: Sasagutin—may naririnig ako kanina, pino-problema yung paguuwi ng labi
ng kanilang kapamilya sa probinsiya, sa Ifugao yata yung binabanggit kanina.
SEC. COLOMA: Wala na silang dapat—
BAJA: Sasagutin ba iyan ng gobyerno?
SEC. COLOMA: Opo. Lahat ng gastusin mapatungkol sa kanilang pag-uwi at
pag-uwi sa kanilang mga labi at paglilibing, lahat ng resources ng
pamahalaan ay deployed para tulungan sila.
BAJA: Ah okay, Secretary, baka hinahanap na kayo ni Presidente.
SEC. COLOMA: Ito, marami nang nighihintay na …(unclear)…
TABERNA: Salamat sa forever coolness ninyo. Kami ay nagagalak at kayo ay
aming nakausap ngayong hapon. Magandang gabi sa inyo.
SEC. COLOMA: Patulong lang doon sa pagpapanawagan sa ating mga kababayan.
Kailangan tayo magkaisa. Iyan ang pinakamainam na paraan para mabigyan natin
ng hustisya ang mga nagbuwis ng buhay para sa bayan.
###
Republic of the Philippines
Presidential Communications Operations Office
NEWS AND INFORMATION BUREAU
PCOO-NIB Building, Malacañang Compound, Malacañang, Manila
Telephone Number: 734-3829
TRANSCRIPTION
INTERVIEW WITH PCOO SECRETARY HERMINIO ‘SONNY’ COLOMA
DOS POR DOS with ANTHONY TABERNA and GERRY BAJA, DZMM
January 30, 2015
BAJA: … puntahan muna natin ang press conference, baka may mga mahalagang
announcement mula ho sa Palasyo ng Malacañang. Nandoon sa press conference
sa Camp Bagong Diwa si Radyo Patrol Zander Cayabyab. Come in, Zander.
CAYABYAB: Pakinggan natin si Secretary Herminio Coloma dito sa Camp Bagong
Diwa kaugnay ng pulong ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa mga pamilya ng SAF44.
SEC. COLOMA: …doon po sa pagdadalamhati natin pati sa paggawad ng katarungan
sa naganap. Ito po ay isang okasyon para hindi magkawatak-watak tayo, pero
magkabuklod-buklod, magbayanihan dahil seryosong problema po iyong kinalaban
o kinakalaban ng ating pamahalaan na terorismo. Seryosong problema po iyong
pagbibigay ng proteksyon sa ating mga mamamayan laban sa pagbobomba at
pananakit at pagpatay. Kaya siguro po mas mainam magpopokus tayo doon sa
talagang—sa prayoridad na isyu ngayon ‘no, iyong paglaban natin o pagsupil
sa terorismo.
Pansinin po natin, hindi po biro-biro iyong hinarap nilang panganib dahil
international terror suspects po ito na wanted sa buong rehiyon natin. And
sub-committee ng Jemaah Islamiyah, isa sa mga responsable sa Bali Bombing,
marami pang ibang mga insidente. Hindi po biro-biro, napakamapanganib,
maligalig at kumplikado iyong operasyon, at naisagawa po ito nang matagumpay
ng ating mga magigiting na miyembro ng SAF. Bigyan po natin ng karangalan na
dapat lang maigawad sa kanila. Huwag naman po nating ma-trivialize iyong
usapin, na kung saan-saan na po nagpupunta ito. Huwag na po tayong maglako
ng mga haka-haka na wala namang batayan.
Q: Mayroon pong panawagan si …(unclear)… sa …(unclear)… military officers.
Bago raw pagkatiwalaan ang MILF, dapat …(inaudible)... Iyong Palace po ba
siyempre, …(inaudible)… panawagan din para …(inaudible)…?
SEC. COLOMA: Balikan na lang po natin sa konkreto iyong sinabi ng Pangulo
noong Miyerkules ng gabi. Napakalinaw po sa kaniyang sinabi, “Kailangan ang
kongkretong pagpapatunay sa bahagi ng MILF,” at ini-spell out po iyong bawat
isa doon, kasama na iyong operasyon laban kay Usman; kasama na iyong
pagbabalik ng mga armas at personal na gamit; kasama na iyong pangkalahatang
pagtulong para mapanagot iyong mga dapat na managot; at iyong pag-alam ng
buong katotohanan sa kaganapan. Napakalinaw na po na sinabi ng Pangulo
hinggil diyan at nakapakongkreto na iyong mga inilistang mga prayoridad.
Q: (inaudible)
SEC. COLOMA: Eh siyempre po, lahat po ng pagtulong ay pinapasalamatan natin.
Mainam na naipunto mo iyan dahil lilinawin ko lang ‘no, mayroon kasing mga
nagtatanong, bakit pa daw humihingi ng kontribyusyon samantalang mayroon
namang sapat na pananalapi ang pamahalaan. Iyon pong pagbubukas ng special
account para sa mga nasawi, sa mga pamilya nila ay bunsod po iyon ng
kahilingan ng mga pribadong indibiduwal at mamamayan na humahanap ng paraan
kung paano daw po sila makakapagbigay ng ambag. Para rin po iyan doon sa mga
tumutulong sa mga naapektuhan ng kalamidad. Nasa puso po nila iyong gustong
tumulong sa ating mga—sa pamilya po ng mga nasawing bayani natin, kaya naman
po nagbukas tayo ng special account para makapagbigay po sila doon. Wala na
pong ibang layunin.
CAYABYAB: Yes Sir Gerry at Anthony, oo, parang bilang background lamang.
Kanina ay—alas diyes ng umaga nang dumating si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino dito
sa Camp Bagong Diwa para doon sa necrological services, at—
BAJA: Brother…
CAYABYAB: Yes Gerry?
BAJA: Baka puwede mong hatakin si Secretary Coloma’t magtanong rin tayo.
CAYABYAB: Yes, mayroong lang kausap, Gerry.
BAJA: Oo, sige’t tiyempuhan natin ha.
CAYABYAB: Oo. Alas diyes kanina nang dumating si PNoy dito para nga sa
necrological services. Hanggang ngayon nandito pa rin ang Pangulo—
BAJA: Ah andiyan pa rin? Talaga ha? So, mula kaninang alas diyes ng umaga—
CAYABYAB: Hanggang ngayon.
BAJA: Hanggang ngayon nandiyan.
CAYABYAB: Otso oras na nandito.
BAJA: Oo, kau-kausap iyong mga pamilya?
CAYABYAB: Ah, Secretary Coloma, si Gerry Baja po and Anthony Taberna nasa
kabilang linya sir, kung puwedeng kausapin kayo.
SEC. COLOMA: Magandang hapon sa inyo. Gerry at Anthony.
BAJA: Magandang hapon po, Secretary.
TABERNA: Secretary, maghapon na ho pala kayo diyan ano.
SEC. COLOMA: Ah, ganoon nga Tunying ‘no, kanina pa po dito, at hindi po
aalis ang Pangulo hangga’t hindi nakakausap ang bawat isa ‘no sa pamilya ng
apatnapu’t apat na nasawi.
TABERNA: As of today po, as of this hour po, gaano karami na ho sa kabuuang
more than 40 families ang—
SEC. COLOMA: Noong lumabas po ako kani-kanina lang, nasa number 18 na eh.
BAJA: Eighteen.
TABERNA: Mahaba pa iyan.
SEC. COLOMA: Tila 40 po iyong kakausapin dito. Hindi po aalis ang Pangulo
hangga’t hindi sila nakausap lahat at makikipagpulong din sa mga miyembro ng
SAF.
TABERNA: Napakaganda po niyan Secretary, iyang ginagawa na iyan ng Pangulo.
Ang laking—iyong bigat na dinadala ng pamilyang ‘yan eh mababawasan dahil sa
mismong Pangulo mismo ang kumakausap sa kanila, nakikidalamhati at siguro—mayroon
ho ba kayong puwedeng sabihin, Secretary, na binibigay na pahayag, kung
anuman ang assurance, na specific na assurance o pahayag na binibigay ng
Pangulo sa bawat kapamilya ng mga namatay na SAF?
SEC. COLOMA: Unang-una, Tunying at Gerry ‘no, ang ginagawa ng Pangulo ay
binibigyan ng pagkakataon ang bawat pamilya na magpahayag ng kanilang
saloobin, dahil napakaimportante na mailabas nila iyong kanilang tunay na
nararamdaman, kanilang mga hinaing at iyong tunay na saloobin nila. Iyon po
ang unang bahagi ng bawat pagpupulong – para po masabi po nila ang kanilang
saloobin. At karamihan naman po sa kanila ay nagpahayag nga noong katulad ng
naipahayag kanina sa programa, iyong pagnanasang makamit ang katarungan para
sa mga nasawing bayani po natin ng PNP-SAF. At pinaliwanag naman po ng
Pangulo sa kanila lahat ng ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan para po makamit
iyong katarungan, at nakipagtalakayan sa kanila sa iba’t ibang mga concerns
nilal.
Pagkatapos po ay tinanong din sila kung paano makakatulong ang pamahalaan na
mailagay sa ayos ang kanilang buhay dahil nga po napakalaking kawalan—pagkawala
‘no, iyong pagkamatay po ng kanilang padre de pamilya o breadwinner. Marami
po doon sa mga sundalo po natin o mga bayani po natin, sila po’y nagpapaaral
pa ng kanilang mga—
TABERNA: Kapatid.
SEC. COLOMA: At kaya po inaalam kung paano makakatulong, kung may mga
kapatid na nag-aaral pa, kung mayroong mga kapatid na matutulungan sa
pagkakaroon ng empleyo, at maging kung kailangan po nila ng housing. Lahat
po ng magagawa ay inihahain na po doon, at tinatanong iyong bawat pamilya
kung paano makakatulong ang pamahalaan.
TABERNA: Secretary, binabanggit po ng pamilya iyong katarungan. Ang
nakapatay po sa kanilang mga kapamilya ay MILF. Ipinapangako po ba ng
Pangulo, ang ginagarantiya po ba ng Pangulo na katarungan, papapanagutin ang
MILF?
SEC. COLOMA: Papapanagutin po iyong responsable dahil hindi pa naman po
tayong ngayon nagbibintang ng kahit sinong tao, indibiduwal o grupo dahil
magsasagawa pa nga po nitong pormal na board of inquiry. At iyon pong MILF,
ayon din po kay Chairman Murad, mayroon din po silang formal investigative
commission. Kaya kailangan pong maalam ang kongkretong kaganapan, kailangan
pong malaman ang katotohanan, at importante sa lahat, mapanagot iyong mga
responsable sa nangyari sa Maguindanao.
TABERNA: Mabuti po iyan, mapapanagot iyong responsable, pero may tsansa po
ba, o may probability pa po ba na ang responsable ay hindi MILF?
SEC. COLOMA: Aalamin nga po iyan ‘no doon sa proseso ng pagsisiyasat. Pero,
linawin ko rin po ‘no, Anthony at Gerry, isa rin po sa importanteng aspeto
ng pagkamit ng katarungan ay iyong paghuli kay Usman dahil siya po ay isa
rin sa mga subject po noong mission na isinagawa ng PNP-SAF. Kailangan po
siyang mahuli dahil kasama po siya doon sa naghahasik ng lagim, panganib at
pumapatay po ng mga inosenteng Pilipino ‘no, sa dami po ng mga pagkasangkot
nila sa mga terror at bombing incident sa ating bansa.
BAJA: Tama po kayo.
TABERNA: With due respect po, ako po, I’m sure lahat po ng nakikinig po sa
atin at nanonood ay gusto pong mahuli si Usman. Kaya lang po Secretary, ang
dating po kasi doon sa—kanina pong umaga, matapos magtalumpati ang Pangulo,
may natanggap na po akong text: “Bakit si Usman ba ang nakapatay sa 44?”
Ganoon po ang tanong eh, pakisagot ninyo nga po iyong ganoong obserbasyon.
SEC. COLOMA: Unawain po natin iyong konteksto ‘no. Kaya po nagkaroon ng
operasyon, ito po ay isang delikadong misyon na ang pakay o layunin ay
hulihin at papanagutin ang dalawa pong terror suspect ‘no. Iyong isa po
international dahil central committee member ng Jemaah Islamiyah itong si
Marwan; at si Usman din po ay napakataas sa wanted list ng mga terror
suspect. Kaya iyon po ang misyon ng PNP-SAF na nagbunsod po sa kanilang
magsagawa ng operasyon sa Maguindanao. Kaya hindi po iyon maaalis sa
konteksto ng ating pinag-uusapan.
BAJA: Opo. Well, Secretary tutal nabanggit ninyo na iyang si Usman. Bago pa
ho nagsalita ang Pangulo, may mga impormasyon na rin kaming natatanggap na
itong si Marwan ay napatay. At kanina, may pahayag po iyong
Officer-In-Charge ng SAF na si General Noli Taliño na hindi nasayang o may
kabuluhan ang pagkamatay ng mga SAF men dahil napatay ang teroristang si
Marwan. Mayroon na po ba tayong official declaration tungkol dito,
Secretary?
SEC. COLOMA: Patuloy pa rin po iyong kumpirmasyon ‘no dahil ayaw na po
nating maulit iyong dating naganap na may deklarasyon na siya ay patay pero
hindi pa naman ‘no. Pero lahat naman po ng mga malalakas na indikasyon pati
na rin iyong ulat mismo nga ni Chief Superintendent at OIC Noel Taliño,
malaki po talaga iyong probabilidad, very high likelihood po talaga iyan, at
mayroon din pong mga nailabas nang mga larawan. Talaga pong napakatingkad
naman po iyong resemblance doon sa larawan noong napaslang at doon sa mga
kinikilalang larawan ni Marwan.
Kaya sa una ko palang pong pahayag, sinabi ko na po iyong saloobin ng
Pangulo na iyong isinagawang misyon ng PNP-SAF ay demonstrasyon ng kanilang
katapangan at propesyunalismo dahil natamo naman po nila iyong kanilang
primary objective sa pag-neutralize kay Marwan.
TABERNA: Opo. Ano na lamang po ang hinihintay, Secretary, para magkaroon
tayo ng official or certainty tungkol doon?
SEC. COLOMA: Eh siyempre po, mayroon pong mga accepted pong mga procedure
tungkol diyan, katulad noong confirmation by …(unclear)… forces, iyon
pong—at nabanggit na rin po iyong sa DNA processing. Kaya ito ang hinihintay
pa po natin sa ngayon.
TABERNA: So, mayroon pong participation ang U.S. government dito as to—kasi
iyon po, iyong pagtiyak o pagtukoy kung si Marwan nga iyong napatay?
SEC. COLOMA: Wala po akong impormasyon. Ang tangi ko lang pong impormasyon
ay hinggil sa mga programa at proyekto ng ating pamahalaan. Wala po akong
impormasyon sa partisipasyon ng anumang dayuhang gobyerno.
TABERNA: May tanong po itong si Dean Amado Valdez. Kakasuhan daw po ba o
magpa-file daw po ba ng criminal case against the MILF leadership?
SEC. COLOMA: Kailangan pong makalap ang mga relevant pong impormasyon.
Kailangan pong magkaroon ng kongkretong ebidensiya na magiging batayan sa
paghain ng anumang kaso laban po sa mga responsable dito. Kaya, isinasagawa
po iyang pagsisiyasat at iyong pagbubuo ng kongkretong ebidensiya.
BAJA: Opo. Nabanggit ninyo po iyong mga tulong sa mga naulila. Nito pang
nakaraan ay laging nababanggit, noon palang mismong araw na nangyari ito, sa
mga sumunod na araw ay laging nababanggit iyong reward money para dito kay
Marwan na $6 million. Magkakaroon ho ba ng bahagi doon ang—ano hong
posibilidad na magkaroon ng bahagi doon ang pamilya ng mga napatay na SAF?
SEC. COLOMA: Wala po kaming tinatalakay na kahit ano hinggil diyan sa
aspetong iyan. At siguro po maibabahagi ko rin sa inyo, Tunying at Gerry,
doon po sa paglalahad ng saloobin ng mga pamilya, eh medyo nagdaramdam po
sila doon sa mga nagpapalutang ng mga usapin na kung bakit daw naging
interesado ang pamahalaan o kung bakit daw isinagawa ito ay dahil sa reward
o bounty money. Eh nasasaktan po ang mga pamilya diyan po sa mga
pagpapalutang ng ganiyang mga pangungusap ‘no. Dahil sabi po nila, sa
pagkaalam po nila ang kanilang mga nasawing kamag-anak ay nagtungo doon
bilang paglilingkod sa bayan. Naghain po sila ng pinakamataas na sakripisyo,
iyong pagbibigay ng kanilang buhay dahil naniniwala sila sa kawsa na doon po
sa misyon, na kinakailangang supilin ang terorismo, kinakailangang
pangalagaan ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan, at hindi ito dapat
mabahiran ng ispekulasyon o intriga hinggil po sa salapi.
TABERNA: Totoo po iyon. Actually po, for your information po, Secretary
Coloma, as early as Monday, kami po ni Gerry dito ay nagsabi na napakasakit
at nakaka-insulto at nakakagalit na ang mga pulis natin ay nagbuwis ng buhay,
eh paghihinalaan—
BAJA: Paghihinalaan natin ng ganoon.
TABERNA: —ng ganoong klase ng—
BAJA: Na ang motivation ng kanilang operation ay pera. Noon pa ho namin
sinasabi iyan ,Secretary.
TABERNA: Opo.
SEC. COLOMA: Kaya nga’t sana nga ay mapokus po tayo doon sa pagbibigay ng
karapat-dapat na pagpaparangal sa kabayanihan at katapangan ng ating mga
PNP-SAF. Sila po ay tunay na bayani ng ating bansa, nag-alay po ng kanilang
buhay, napakalaking sakripisyo po ito. Hindi po nila inalintana iyong
panganib. At sila po ay nagtungo doon para ipagtanggol po ang buhay ng bawat
Pilipino.
TABERNA: Ang sabi po ni General Taliño kanina sa kaniyang talumpati ay
ganito: “General Napeñas is a good man. He is a good leader. We thank him
for his leadership. Sana maging maayos ang lahat para makabalik na siya.”
May tsansa pa po bang makabalik si General Napeñas sa kaniyang puwesto? |
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| SOURCE: News Information Bureau - Data
Processing Center |
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| Opening
Statement of Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer at the GPH-MIL Press
Conference in Kuala Lumpur |
| Source:
http://www.opapp.gov.ph |
|
The road to peace is paved with good intentions but that road
too is full of twists and turns.
On Jan 25, we all witnessed an ugly turn of events.
What was a legitimate law enforcement operation turned into a
combat situation, with combatants from all sides killed and
wounded. Forty-four gallant members of the SAF; almost 20 MILF
members, an undetermined number of BIFF persons died in a fierce
gun battle that lasted for hours, until the disengagement
facilitated by the government and MILF ceasefire committees and
the IMT allowed for the withdrawal of SAF troops and the
retrieval of the dead and the wounded.
As in any war situation, civilians were also killed and for them
we equally grieve. For them, these nameless, faceless villagers
we also grieve.
In this unwanted, unexpected mini-war that erupted in Mamasapano,
we praise our police officers and remember them for their
sacrifices and the unflinching service they have rendered to the
nation. We know that more than anything they wanted to be
remembered in this way – as heroes. As heroes first and
foremost.
This is not the first ugly turn we have endured in this
difficult journey to peace in Mindanao, to peace in our country.
But we want it to be the last.
In this regard, we are exerting all efforts to continue on with
the road to peace, peace with our brothers and sisters in
Mindanao. To achieve peace through peaceful means with our
brothers and sisters in the MILF as we have set out to do in our
negotiations and now in the implementation of the Comprehensive
Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
As part of our confidence-building measures, the GPH and MILF
Panels have agreed to undertake the following steps:
1. Begin preparations with the help of the IDB and our other
security mechanisms (JNC, JPSC, JPST, CCCH) for the turning in
of the first set of MILF weapons. This ceremonial event will
signal the start of the decommissioning process laid out in the
Annex on Normalization as Phase 1.
Actually, last January 22 (three days before the fateful events
in Mamasapano), MILF Chair Ebrahim Murad already personally
handed over the list of 75 weapons (20 crewserved, 55
high-powered arms) , including their make and serial numbers to
IDB Chair Turkish Ambassador Haydar Berk and the rest of the
members of the IDB who visited him in Camp Darapanan.
The list of first 145 MILF members to be decommissioned, we
understand will be handed over to the IDB this week. Government
in turn will prepare the socio-economic package that will be
given to the decommissioned combatants in order to facilitate
their path to productive, civilian lives in their respective
communities.
This turning-in ceremony will happen next month. Details will
provided as we move along but do understand that serious care
will have to be undertaken in ensuring the safety of all those
concerned.
2. The GPH and MiLF panels have agreed to hold within this month
a joint security assessment of the situation that will address
criminality and terrorism, with the end in view of enhancing the
security cooperation between the GPH and the MILF.
As you know we have standing protocols pertaining to the
ceasefire and the conduct of law enforcement operations. These
were well thought out protocols that had from the very beginning
involved AFP and police generals. They were a product precisely
of the complex context in which the war, and now the peace
agreement, operates. They aim to prevent unwanted hostility
between the ceasefire parties without – I repeat, without-
impeding law enforcement operations.
These protocols have served as well in the past. They have
helped save lives, prevented escalation of conflict, and also
provided a stable environment for the peace negotiations, and
now the difficult phase of implementation. Operationally, they
are not perfect. Therefore there is room for improvement. And
there is more to be done in order to quell the infiltration of
terrorist cells and neutralize all sorts of lawless elements in
these marshlands, hills, coasts and cities of Mindanao.
As such, we have agreed to hold this joint security assessment.
It would be participated by high ranking security officials on
the government side and on the side of the MILF, especially of
the BIAF.
3. Investigations will continue. As far as our mechanisms are
concerned, the IMT has already announced the conduct of its own
official field verification mission. Today, the IMT is in fact
in the encounter sites, accompanied by our ceasefire officers.
Both parties pledge full cooperation to this mission and the
other investigations being undertaken by the Board of Inquiry
and the Special Investigative Commission of the MILF.
There are many more pending items that we discussed in the last
two days pertaining to administrative and policy matters for our
different mechanisms and tracks. We believe we have managed to
come up with concrete resolutions on these many items, soberly
and responsibly as can only be expected of parties that have
committed each other to a peace agreement.
The results will not be immediately become evident. We will
remain under scrutiny. We will have to regain the people’s
trust.
Let our actions then speak louder than our words in due time.
Before I end, let me thank the Government of Malaysia for
hosting this meeting that as usual was ably facilitated by
Tengku Ghafar. We thank also the Government of Turkey for the
presence here today of Ambassador Berk, and the friends of the
process, the ICG who have kept the faith and accompanied us in
all these twists and turns.
Thank you. |
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GPH, MILF peace panels sign protocol on decommissioning of MILF
weapons and combatants |
| Source:
http://www.opapp.gov.ph |
|
KUALA LUMPUR – The government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front
peace panels signed yesterday the 10-page implementing
guidelines for the decommissioning of weapons and combatants of
the MILF.
“Standing by their commitment to achieve the objectives of the
normalization process, the Parties finalized and signed the
Protocol on the Implementation of the Terms of Reference of the
Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB),” the Joint Statement
issued by panel chairs Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Mohagher Iqbal
in Kuala Lumpur reads.
The IDB is the recent addition to the set of mechanisms that
will implement the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
(CAB). It is tasked to supervise and monitor the decommissioning
process.
According to the protocol, the IDB will conduct the inventory,
verification and validation of the members, arms and weapons of
the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF); develop and
implement the schedule of decommissioning of BIAF members; plan,
design, and implement techniques and technologies for weapons
collection or retrieval, transport, and storage and putting
weapons beyond use in accordance with the agreements of the
Parties.
The IDB is also tasked to ensure that the Parties comply with
all the necessary steps and processes for decommissioning.
The Protocol was a product of three months deliberations between
the parties and the IDB. It drew from international standards
established in the course of implementing the decommissioning of
combatants and weapons in different parts of the world such as
in Nepal, Northern Ireland and Aceh, said GPH panel chair
Coronel-Ferrer.
Gradual and phased process
According to the Protocol, four batches of MILF combatants and
weapons will be processed and registered in six to twelve
selected Assembly and Processing Areas (APAs). The collected
weapons will be placed in secured containers in guarded storage
areas until such time that these are put permanently beyond use.
The decommissioning will be done in four phases. Under Phase 1,
a ceremonial turning in of 75 high-powered weapons will signal
the actual start of the process. By the time of the ratification
of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, 30 percent of MILF weapons
and combatants would have been decommissioned. Another 35
percent will follow under Phase 3 and the balance, under Phase
4.
Security Cooperation
Responding to the public clamor for the MILF to prove its
commitment and sincerity in abiding by the signed agreements,
the two parties agreed to discuss measures that they would
undertake in order to jointly quell criminality and terrorism in
affected Mindanao communities.
“In accordance with the statements made by President Aquino and
Chair Murad in relation to this tragic incident, the Parties
reaffirmed their commitment to the attainment of peace that has
long eluded Mindanao. In this vein, they resolved to strengthen
their cooperation and coordination in addressing security
concerns in the most effective and appropriate manner, and also
in rebuilding trust and public confidence in the peace process,”
the Joint Statement reads.
The parties again expressed “deep sympathy and grief for the
loss of lives in the early morning of January 25, 2015 in
Mamasapano, Maguindanao” and pledged support for the
investigations being conducted by the Board of Inquiry and the
MILF’s Special Investigative Commission.
These bodies were separately created to determine the actual
events and specific accountabilities.
The Panels further commended the members of its ceasefire
mechanisms, particularly the International Monitoring Team (IMT)
and the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities
(CCCH) "for their determination that led to the reinstatement of
the ceasefire in the affected areas." It must be noted that due
to the efforts of the ceasefire mechanisms, the situation in
Mamasapano, Maguindanao was stabilized and evacuation of the
wounded and the sick began mid-afternoon of the same day and
completed morning of Monday.
According to the Joint Statement, the courageous efforts of the
ceasefire mechanisms "prevented further loss of life and put to
safety those who might have been put in harm's way had the
fighting escalated."
Return to civilian life
Financial assistance and sustainable socio-economic programs
will be given to the decommissioned BIAF members and their
communities based on a needs assessment survey of combatants.
To qualify for assistance, combatants must be registered,
regardless of whether they possess firearms or not. Registered
MILF combatants will be issued identity cards which they may use
for securing socio-economic assistance.
“We are looking to a future where ploughshares, not weapons will
be the order of the day in these communities long saddled by an
unwanted war, but this requires a lot of time, patience and
trust,” said government panel member Senen Bacani. |
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| Cash prizes
at stake in PhilHealth’s 2nd Simultaneous Run |
| Source:
http://www.philhealth.gov.ph |
|
UP to P145,000.00 in cash prizes are up for grabs in the second
nationwide, simultaneous run to be staged by the Philippine
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Sunday, February
15, 2015.
The first male and first female to cross the finish line in the
20K category in the National Capital Region will each receive
P15,000.00 while the second place winners will receive
P10,000.00 each. Third place winners will receive P7,000.00
each.
In the 10K category, which stretches from the Quezon City
Memorial Circle’s Commonwealth Avenue entrance up to Meralco
Commonwealth and back, the first place finisher wins P10,000.00,
the second placer wins P7,000.00 and the third place winner gets
P5,000.00.
In the 5K category, which will bring runners up to Luzon Avenue
and back, the top three will receive P8,000.00 P5,000.00 and
P3,000.00, respectively, while top three finishers in the 3K leg
will receive P5,000.00, P4,000.00 and P2,000.00.
Dubbed “PhilHealth Ready, TSeKaP, Go!”, the run is among the
major activities that will unfold as PhilHealth marks its 20th
Anniversary. It is primarily aimed at increasing public
awareness on the health care benefits that PhilHealth provides
its members, and how these may be availed of. It also intends to
instil the importance of preventive care among PhilHealth
members, especially among the Indigent and Sponsored members.
Interested runners may choose from four (4) race categories :
20K, 10K, 5K and 3K. Prizes await the top three finishers in the
different race distances.
The Run, which is being supported by People’s Television
Network, Inc., Pfizer Philippines, Nine Media Corporation,
Tupperware Philippines, Oishi, Smart Communications, Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Gaming and Amusement
Corporation and Air Juan, will be held in 13 sites nationwide,
namely, in the cities of Quezon, Baguio, Dagupan, Tuguegarao,
Naga, Lipa, Lucena, Iloilo, Cebu, Tacloban, Davao and Koronadal,
as well as in Subic.
“I encourage everyone to participate in the PhilHealth 2nd
Simultaneous Run on Feb. 15, 2015. What makes this Run very
significant is the chance to help the less fortunate through an
activity that helps us maintain our health and well-being,” said
Alexander A. Padilla, PhilHealth President and CEO. Complete
details may be found on run2015.philhealth.gov.ph. |
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Sandiganbayan convicts water execs for excessive salary
|
| Source:
http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph |
|
The Sandiganbayan convicted General Manager Ranulfo Feliciano
and Board of Directors (BOD) member Cesar Aquitania, former
executives of the Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD), of
Malversation and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No.
3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for authorizing the
increase in the salary of the General Manager without proper
authority.
In a Decision promulgated on 27 January 2015, the Sandiganbayan
found that the former Board of Directors of LMWD issued
Resolution No. 98-33 approving the salary increase of Feliciano
from P18,749.00/month to P57,146.00/month without authority and
in total disregard of the prescribed compensation based on the
Plantilla of Personnel authorized by the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM). The anti-graft court also found that
Feliciano approved and received the salary increase in the total
amount of P506,246.26.
The Decision stated that “the compensation rates of the officers
and personnel of the LMWD must conform with the salary schedule
being implemented by the DBM pursuant to the provision of
Republic Act No. 6758, or the Compensation and Position
Classification Act of 1989.”
For violating the anti-graft law, the court sentenced Feliciano
and Aquitania to suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six years
and one month as minimum, to 10 years as maximum. For committing
Malversation, Feliciano was sentenced to suffer the penalty of
imprisonment of 10 years and one day of prision mayor as minimum
to 18 years, eight months and one day of reclusion temporal as
maximum, and was ordered to pay a fine of P506,246.26. Feliciano
was also ordered to indemnify LMWD the amount of P506,246.26.
Feliciano and Aquitania were also meted out the penalty of
perpetual disqualification from public office.
Co-accused former BOD members Honorio Gerez, Concepcion Medalla,
Virginia Flores, Franklin Sicoy and Accounting Section Head
Virginia Jo Abayata died during the pendency of the case. |
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| DSWD aids
families of slain SAF commandos |
| Source:
http://www.dswd.gov.ph |
|
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be
helping the families of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF)
commandos recently killed in an encounter in Mamasapano,
Maguindanao.
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said the Department
received a list of the slain policemen.
“I was instructed by President [Benigno] Aquino to provide
assistance to the bereaved families… We shall extend
government’s help to them since they lost their breadwinner. We
also extend our sympathies and condolences to our fallen SAF
policemen,” Sec. Soliman explained.
The DSWD will provide psychosocial counseling to the policemen’s
families, as well as educational and livelihood support.
Other forms of aid will be given to the families, which will be
determined by the results of the counseling sessions.
At the same time, Sec. Soliman said that a bank account has been
opened to receive donations for the families.
Interested donors may deposit to Landbank of the Philippines (Batasan
Branch) Peso Current Account No. 3122-1026-28 under DSWD
Donation Account for Armed Conflict in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Aid for displaced families
Since Monday, the DSWD has distributed more than 600 food packs
to the displaced residents in Mamasapano who have fled their
communities because of the incident.
The Department has also provided P25,000 in assistance each to
the families of four civilians killed in the encounter.
On the other hand, P10,000 was given to each of the four wounded
civilians. One is still recuperating in the hospital, while the
three others have already been discharged. |
|
|
|
| 1st Meeting
of Philippines-Viet Nam Joint Commission on concluding a Strategic
Partnership held in Manila |
| Source:
http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
30 January 2015 - At the invitation of Foreign Affairs Secretary
Albert F. del Rosario, Viet Nam’s Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh visited the
Philippines on 29-30 January 2015. During the visit, the two
Ministers co-chaired the meeting of the Philippines-Viet Nam
Joint Commission on concluding a Strategic Partnership.
During his stay in Manila, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh
also paid a courtesy call on Vice President Jejomar Binay.
On the Proposed Strategic Partnership
On the basis of amity, equality, mutual respect and cooperation,
the two sides stressed that bilateral relations between the
Philippines and Viet Nam are growing in various aspects,
including in political, trade and investment, fisheries, marine
and oceanic affairs, as well as defense and security
cooperation, among others.
As a follow up to the agreement between the leaders of the two
countries, both sides began discussions towards the
establishment of a Strategic Partnership and its elements with a
view to elevating the level and intensity of bilateral exchanges
between the two countries.
On Regional Issues
The two sides exchanged views on regional and international
issues of common concern. On the South China Sea (SCS), the two
Ministers expressed their serious concern over the ongoing
massive reclamation activities that pose threats to the peace
and stability in the region as well as to the lives of many
people across the various coastal states in the SCS.
The two Ministers agreed that concerned Parties should adhere to
the ASEAN-China Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South
China Sea (DOC) and soon conclude a Code of Conduct (COC) in
view of the urgency of the issue and exercise restraint from
undertaking any action that may escalate tension in the SCS. The
two Ministers reaffirmed their commitments to a peaceful
resolution of disputes in the SCS in accordance with
international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They reiterated their commitment to continue bilateral and
multilateral cooperation towards the forging of an ASEAN
Community and upholding the centrality and unity of ASEAN in the
evolving regional architecture.
The two Ministers also reaffirmed the invaluable friendship
between the Philippines and Viet Nam and the importance of their
partnership in ASEAN. |
|
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|
| ‘A
regionally-integrated PH services sector contributes to
inclusive growth’ – NEDA |
| Source:
http://www.neda.gov.ph |
|
MANILA— The Philippines’ current leadership in the APEC Group on
Services can provide a necessary boost to the dynamism of our
services sector and the attainment of inclusive growth,
according to the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA).
“Services is the largest economic sector and is a major employer
in most APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) economies,
including the Philippines. For full-year 2014, it accounted for
56.7 percent of our country’s GDP and 53.6 percent to total
employment,” said Deputy Director-General Emmanuel F. Esguerra,
who serves as the convenor of the APEC Group on Services (GOS).
“This is a manifestation of how big our services sector is. Yet,
there are still underlying potentials that must be tapped and
developed. The APEC fora provide good venues to pursue these,”
he added.
For the First Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM1) of the GOS, the
Philippines, along with other APEC member economies, aims to
enhance current initiatives by building on last year’s
developments and focusing on the integration of Small and Medium
Enterprises into services global value chains (GVCs).
Many services are being undertaken in the production and sale of
a product, whether it is a good or a service. Other sectors such
as manufacturing have a number of services embedded in their
processes. These include design, quality control, inventory
systems, transport, logistics, wholesale/retail,
marketing/advertising, repair/maintenance,
installation/construction, finance after-sales services.
Firms in the services sector itself also outsource or move their
non-core services functions offshore to their affiliates, as
they seek to move up the value chain. The services then become
value added to the final product.
“This ‘tasking’ in the production process of firms or in the
GVCs are where opportunities for SMEs in the services industry
reside,” said Esguerra.
For the APEC region, total services exports account for 20.27
percent. However, when viewed through a value-added lens,
services share to total exports increases to 39.08 percent.
“Looking at services this way shows us that it has an important
role not only in big industries engaged in production but also
in our small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In fact, among APEC
economies, the Philippines has the highest GVC participation in
electrical and optical equipment,” said Esguerra.
“These are only among the reasons why the government is keen on
enhancing regional cooperation and engaging in partnerships in
services. In our pursuit of inclusive growth, services open
numerous opportunities for employment generation and poverty
reduction – goals that we have set in the Updated Philippine
Development Plan 2011-2016,” he added.
For full-year 2014, services grew by 6.0 percent and generated
599,000 jobs, the highest among the country’s major sectors.
The NEDA is also host to four other related meetings of the APEC
SOM1 from January 31 to February 7, 2015 in Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga. |
|
|
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| PNP confers
posthumous promotion to fallen police commandos |
| Source:
http://www.pnp.gov.ph |
|
The Philippine National Police will bestow posthumous promotion
to 44 PNP Special Action Force personnel who were Killed in
Police Operation (KIPO) in Maguindanao in recognition of their
“supreme sacrifice” in line of duty.
PNP Officer-in-Charge, Police Deputy Director General Leonardo A
Espina has approved, for endorsement to Napolcom, the
recommendation of the PNP Special Promotion Awards and
Decorations Board (SPADB) to confer meritorious promotion
(posthumous) to the fallen police commandos killed in a police
operation against high–value terrorist targets last Sunday.
With this promotion, all financial benefits and pension due to
the surviving kin will be computed based on the salary scale of
the new rank, Espina said.
At the same time, Espina also announced the availability of PNP
educational benefits to qualified dependents of the 44 deceased
PNP-SAF personnel. This PNP scholarship program is bankrolled by
revenue from gun licenses and permits collected by the PNP.
During the necrological services on Friday, President Benigno S
Aquino III assured widows and orphans of the fallen police
heroes of government assistance to alleviate the effect on their
lives of the tragic loss.
“”Makakaasa rin po kayo: Pipilitin nating bawasan ang agam-agam
sa inyong kinabukasan. Tutugunna po natin ang inyong mga
pngangailangan nang sumusunod sa lahat ng batas at patakaran.
Gagawin po nating lahat, sa abot ng ating makakaya, upang
tulungan ang bawat pamilya ng ating mga bayaning kapulisan.”
President Aquino said.
Surviving kin of slain policemen in Maguindanao encounter are
entitled to receive death benefits ranging from P1.5-million to
P2-million.
Death benefits for policemen killed in line of duty include
P250,000.00 from the President’s Social Fund; between
P141,000.00 up to P181,000.00 as Special Financial Assistance
(SFA) from the PNP; burial benefits worth P50,000.00; and
P200,000.00 gratuity from the National Police Commission.
PNP members of the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund are also
entitled to death insurance ranging from P225,000.00 to
P417,000.00 depending on rank.
These death benefits are on top of the monthly lifetime pension
from the PNP ranging from P15,000.00 to P25,000.00 depending on
rank; and roughly the same amount of pension for five years from
the Napolcom. (PNP-PIO) |
|
|
|
| PNP opens
account for SAF casualties in Maguindanao |
| Source:
http://www.pnp.gov.ph |
|
In support to the families of the Special Action Force
casualties in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Sunday (Jan 25), the
Philippine National Police opened an account with the Land Bank
of the Philippines (LBP) for cash donations intended for the
said PNP SAF casualties.
Donations for the families of the late policemen maybe deposited
to the account "PNP Special Assistance Fund Account
1862-1027-77".
Donors may contact thru text Police Chief Inspector Renante F
Pinuela of the PNP Directorate for Comptrollership (DC) at
mobile number 09178576020 for the details of the donation.
The donations will be in line to the benefits that will be given
to the surviving kin of SAF casualties. (PNP-PIO) |
|
|
|
| GSIS opens emergency loan to more
than 27,000 members in Misamis Oriental, Dinagat Islands |
| Source:
http://www.gsis.gov.ph |
|
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is now granting
emergency loan to active members hit by typhoon Ruby and Seniang
in Misamis Oriental and Dinagat Islands in Mindanao.
More than 27,000 members working or residing in the two
provinces may apply for the loan. Those who will avail of the
loan program for the first time may borrow P20,000.00. Members
with existing emergency loan may apply for a renewal, with a
loan ceiling of P40,000.00. Payment of 12 monthly amortizations
on the existing emergency loan is no longer a requirement for
loan renewal.
Qualified to apply are members who are not on leave of absence,
have no arrears in paying their mandatory monthly premium
contributions, and have no loans in default.
Carrying a 6 percent interest rate per annum, the loan is
payable in 36 monthly instalments. It is covered by a loan
redemption insurance, which means that in case of a member’s
demise, the loan will be deemed fully paid.
Interested members may apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated
System (GWAPS) kiosks located in GSIS branch offices, provincial
capitols, city halls, selected municipal offices, and large
government agencies such as the Department of Education, and
selected Robinsons Malls.
Loan proceeds are electronically credited to members’ GSIS
eCard or unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card.
The deadline for application is February 26, 2015.
For more details on the emergency loan, members may call the
GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747. |
|
|
|
| OFW families from Regions 4-B, 11
rroclaimed MOFYA 2014 Grand Winners |
| Source:
http://www.owwa.gov.ph |
|
The families of Bartolome C. Cadavero of Puerto Princesa,
Palawan and Fe S. Lao of Bansalan, Davao del Sur emerged as
national winners of the 10th MOFYA (Model OFW Family of the Year
Award ) in the sea-based and land-based categories after a
year-long search conducted in 2014. The honor rite was held
January 26 in Blue Leaf Filipinas, Parañaque City.
After 33 years of overseas employment, sea-based winner Captain
Cadavero acquired farm lands, real estate properties, and a
plantation of exotic, high value trees like rubber and gmelina
while land-based winner Fe S. Lao’s toils abroad was put into
good use by her husband whose expertise in agriculture resulted
in a multi-million integrated, organic farm enterprise with
supplemental by-products.
As grand prize winners, Cadavero and Lao received trophies, cash
prize of P500,000 and appliances.
Meanwhile, special awards, Best in Community Projects and Best
in Entrepreneurship were bestowed on the families of Engr.
Isidro M. Cabantac of Region 1 and Capt. Juan M. Cope of Region
V. The Cabantacs received numerous awards from various
organizations in public and private sectors for their
agricultural projects benefiting the community while the Copeses
translated their advocacies in advancing health and wellness and
education into a school and a hospital.
Special awards winners were given plaques of recognition and
P100,000 each.
MOFYA is an annual, nationwide search of the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration to honor and recognize outstanding
families of Filipino migrant workers who have shown exemplary
example of family solidarity, financial stewardship,
civic/community involvement, and entrepreneurship.
Major sponsors for the 10th MOFYA are Bank of the Philippine
Islands (BPI), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development
Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Banco de Oro (BDO). Insular
Life and Duty Free Philippines provided additional logistical
support. |
|
|
|
| DOF-BLGF opens 197 positions to
re-energize, reform local finance |
| Source:
http://www.dof.gov.ph |
|
Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has instructed the Bureau of
Local Government Finance (BLGF) to fast-track the filling up of
the bureau’s 197 vacant positions as part of the DOF’s revenue
agency reform and modernization program.
“We are re-energizing the BLGF by hiring more young and
competent individuals committed to public service so we can
improve the quality of our supervision of the revenue operations
of all local government units (LGUs). As a percentage of GDP,
LGU revenues have fallen from 0.9% in 2009 to 0.8% in 2012. The
BLGF has much to do to help LGUs improve their fiscal
performance,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima noted.
The filling up of positions had been authorized by the
Department of Budget and Management in December 2014 to
implement the BLGF’s approved Rationalization Plan and Notice of
Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action.
The BLGF, with 15 regional offices, is the technical and
administrative arm of the DOF in supervising local treasury and
assessment operations of the 81 provinces, 144 cities, and 1,490
municipalities.
“The Secretary has set his agenda for us, so we want to recruit
the best possible personnel to be part of the BLGF,” OIC
Executive Director Salvador M. Del Castilllo emphasized.
The BLGF is now receiving applications for the 153 vacant first
and second level positions.
Among the key positions that will be filled in the BLGF Central
Office are five Division Chiefs (Salary Grade [SG] 24-25), and
six SG 22 positions, namely, Financial Analyst IV, Local
Assessment Operations Officer IV, Local Treasury Operations
Officer IV, Supervising Administrative Officer, Supervising
Administrative Officer, and Supervising Tax Specialist. These SG
22 positions are also available in 22 vacancies in various
regional offices.
In addition, there are 40 vacant SG 18 positions (10 Central, 30
Regional), 35 vacant SG 15 positions (10 Central, 24 Regional),
5 vacant SG 14 positions (all Regional), 25 vacant SG 11
positions (4 Central, 21 Regional), and 16 vacant positions
under SG 8-10.
Applicants must submit personally or by mail the following
documents to the BLGF, with office address located at 8F EDPC
Building, BSP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila:
§ Application letter addressed to Atty. Salvador M. Del
Castillo, OIC Executive Director;
§ Personal Data Sheet (PDS) per CSC Form 212 (Revised 2005);
§ NSO Birth Certificate;
§ Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Civil Service
Commission, Professional Regulation Commission, or Supreme
Court, as appropriate;
§ Transcript of Records and Diploma;
§ Relevant certificates of trainings and seminars attended, if
any; and
§ Performance Rating Report for the last two (2) rating periods
for those who are already working in government offices.
The deadline for the submission of application for first and
second level positions is on February 16, 2015.
For third level positions, three director positions are vacant
in the BLGF Central Office, while the Regional Director position
is vacant in 13 BLGF regional offices. Applicants for director
positions must submit their application letter directly to the
Secretary of Finance, with office address located at 6F DOF
Building, BSP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
The complete list of job vacancies is available at
www.blgf.gov.ph/downloads/listofvacantpositions.pdf and
www.blgf.gov.ph/downloads/vacant3rdlvl.pdf |
|
|
|
| Baldoz says only one OFW injured
in Libya hotel attack; victim in stable condition |
| Source:
http://www.dole.gov.ph |
|
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz
yesterday said the overseas Filipino worker, a female, who
sustained five gunshot wounds when terrorists stormed a luxury
hotel in Tripoli, Libya, is the only Filipino injured in the
attack, but she is now safe and recuperating at a Tripoli
hospital.
“She is recuperating. Once she is repatriated, she and her
family will receive proper assistance from the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration even if she is not an active member,”
said Baldoz, after she received a report on the condition of the
OFW from Labor Attache Nasser Munder.
The female OFW, was deployed as employee to Kentz Engineers and
Constructors. She sustained five gunshot wounds during the
attack—two in the chest, one in the arm, one in the knee, and
one in the leg—but has been declared out of danger.
“She is now in stable condition at the Metiga Hospital. Her
husband, a brother, and a sister are with her and watching over
her,” Baldoz said.
The labor and employment chief added that because the hospital
do not the ample equipment, the existing government in Tripoli
had offered to airlift the OFW to Malta or Turkey where she can
get better treatment while awaiting repatriation to the
Philippines.
The OWWA, through Acting Administrator Josefino Torres, said it
will provide OFW, with repatriation assistance, which includes
such services as airport assistance, temporary shelter at the
Halfway Home, psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, and
provision of transport services or fares for her onward travel
to her home province, if she is from one.
When she comes home and decides not to go abroad anymore, she
can avail of training on value formation, financial literacy,
entrepreneurial development training (EDT), techno-skills and
capacity building before she decides whether to work again
locally or engage in some entrepreneurial activities.
Baldoz said the POEA will also assist in facilitating the
payment of her salaries and benefits from her employer.
Initial reports said two OFWs died in the attack, but Secretary
Baldoz said the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli and the Philippine
Overseas Labor Office said the two were not Filipinos.
“Our local hire in Tripoli had accompanied Charge d’ Affaires
Adel Cruz to the Central Hospital Mortuary in Libya where the
two alleged Filipino workers were brought, but they were advised
to go to the Tripoli Central Police Station where the case was
first reported. There, the chief of police confirmed that the
court had already seen the documents of the dead bodies and that
they were not Filipinos, but Kazakhs who only looked like Korean
or Filipinos,” Baldoz said. |
|
|
|
| Materials Engineers' accreditation
exam set on March 14 |
| Source:
http://www.dpwh.gov.ph |
|
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will conduct
accreditation examination of Contractors' and Consultants'
Materials Engineers on March 14, 2015.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said that accreditation
examination is to strengthen Quality Assurance Program of the
Department and to ensure that only qualified and accredited
Materials Engineers can be assigned by Contractors and
Consultants to DPWH projects.
All registered and licensed civil engineers, including
foreigners, may apply for accreditation.
Applicants have to file their applications in any DPWH Regional
Offices for initial processing. The evaluated applications
received, stamped and sealed by authorized DPWH Quality
Assurance and Hydrology Division personnel in any Region have to
be submitted to Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS) Director
Judy F. Sese not later than February 13, 2015 or one (1) month
before the scheduled examination.
In 2014, 1,897 engineers took the two (2) batches of
accreditation examination conducted on March and September. Only
191 were accredited as Materials Engineer I while nine (9) were
accredited as Materials Engineer II.
An accredited Materials Engineers I may be assigned to one (1)
DPWH projects not more than P100 Million or three (3) projects
located within the same province with an aggregate cost of not
more than P20 Million. Materials Engineers II can handle one (1)
project with no cost limit or two (2) projects located within
the same province with an aggregate cost of not more than P100
Million. |
|
|
|
| Roads to draw tourist adventure in
Ilocos Region completed |
| Source:
http://www.dpwh.gov.ph |
|
The completion of four (4) roads to declared tourism
destinations topped the lists of projects accomplished in CY
2014 by the Department of Public Works and Highways in Ilocos
Region.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, DPWH Region
1 Director Melanio C. Briosos said that road
construction/improvement project leading to three (3) tourism
sites in Pangasinan and one (1) in Ilocos Norte were completed.
Tourism road completed in the Province of Pangasinan are the
Bangrin Mangrove Road in Bani, Bobonot-Tambobong Road in Dasol,
and Poblacion-Patar Road in Bolinao.
Other than leading to Bangrin Marine Protected Area, the Bangrin
Mangrove Road also serves as farm-to-market road for the farmers
and fisher folks living in Barangays San Jose, Luac and Aporao
while Bobonot-Tambobong Road and Poblacion-Patar Road facilitate
access to attractive beaches.
Different waterfalls and trails waiting to be explored by
outdoor enthusiast are now accessible via the completed Pancian-Pagudpud-Adams
Road to give boost to the ecotourism potential of Adams, Ilocos
Norte.
DPWH and Department of Tourism partnership under the Tourism
Road Infrastructure Program complements the aggressive
government program of drawing local and foreign tourists’
adventure to scenic places of the Philippines. |
|
|
|
| 2015 Palarong Pambansa to
highlight peace |
| Source:
http://www.deped.gov.ph |
|
PASIG CITY -- The Department of Education (DepEd) signed a
Memorandum of Agreement with the Provincial Government of Davao
del Norte, the host for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2015 in
Tagum City.
With the theme, “Breaking borders, Building Peace,” DepEd and
the partner LGU aim to highlight the importance of sports and
solidarity in pursuing and inculcating peace among young
Filipinos. Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that,
“Davao del Norte is known not only for promoting peace and
development within their region but of the whole of Mindanao.
That is why when people ask, ‘Is it safe to do the games in
Mindanao,” we answer, ‘Why not?’”
Luistro extended his gratitude and congratulations to the host
region and said, “We are pleased that the winner of the bidding,
as host for the coming games, had come from Mindanao. We thank
the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte for taking charge
of Palaro 2015.”
The Palarong Pambansa houses thousands of student athletes
participating in various sporting events. Host region Davao del
Norte will be providing the facilities for the events, the
billeting quarters for the sports officials and technical staff,
and the transportation of all participants, among other things.
Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario highlighted the
importance of this competition, not only for the region but for
the whole nation. He said, “With this great privilege, comes a
big responsibility of advancing both physical and social
significance of the national games – particularly in promoting
the ideals of harmony, solidarity, and tolerance.” He also
mentioned that for the coming national games they will “show the
world that sports may be a tool to achieve peace.”
DepEd Assistant Secretary and Palarong Pambansa Secretary
General Tonisito MC Umali, Esq. highlighted the importance of
the national games and said, “Napakahalaga nitong Palarong
Pambansa 2015 dahil una itong pagkakataon na isasagawa ang
Palaro sa ilalim ng bagong batas na na nagngangalang Palarong
Pambansa Law.”
Luistro then challenged the congregation and said that “This
event is a perfect avenue to promote peace. There is no other
perfect way to do that but through sports, where most of our
student athletes will live out and dialogue with other players,
not necessarily through words but through deeds, gestures, and
actions which show that peace is possible, that peace is here
and now.” |
|
|
|
| DOST's ADMATEL helps build a stronger
semicon industry in Ph |
| Source:
http://www.dost.gov.ph |
|
Clients for the country’s first state-of-the-art electronics and
semiconductor test lab, the Advanced Materials Testing
Laboratory (ADMATEL) of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), are expected to double this year as the global
electronics and semiconductor (S&E) industry sees a stronger
outlook.
This was learned during DOST’s media briefing “Agham na Ramdam”
at the ADMATEL facility in DOST Complex, Bicutan, Taguig City.
“It has been two years since President Aquino came here to
inaugurate this facility which is DOST’s contribution to
invigorate our local manufacturing industries,” says DOST
Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro. “And the public should
know the strides that ADMATEL had since then.”
ADMATEL’s services, since the lab opened its doors in 2013, have
steadily picked up the pace as clients from the local S&E
industry send sample hardware for testing and analysis in the
facility.
The laboratory offers local testing and analytical services on
electronic chipsets, virtually slashing rates by 40 percent.
Also, ADMATEL has a shorter turn-around time of 24 hours on test
results compared with a 5- to 6-day turn-around time when done
outside the country. This means chips productions resume with
less delays.
Reports say that local companies are spending $9-18M annually in
tests and analysis which are the identified gaps in a study by
the Nomura Research Institute.
According to ADMATEL General Manager Virgilio Aguinaldo, in 2013
alone, the electronics testing lab has received more than 40
electronics components for failure analysis and materials
characterization from various S&E companies.
Aguinaldo added that the number of client companies has doubled
since then. He said that he is expecting to serve 170 clients
this year.
Surprisingly, Aguinaldo reveals that 38 percent of ADMATEL’s
clients came from outside its target industry. Companies from
the allied industries such as construction and energy, medical,
and automotive industries have been sending samples for
analyses.
“We had a client from the auto industry who had us test a
specific model because of the model’s lack of power when driven
off-road. And the result showed us that the unit’s oil filter
had foreign objects that block the air flow,” explains
Aguinaldo.
ADMATEL is looking forward have a round-the-clock operations
once the demand for testing and analysis will rise in the next
few months.
ADMATEL does five types of testing in the facility. It conducts
failure analysis to determine the cause of the product
inefficiencies. It also undertakes process development testing
to help manufacturers optimize their procedures. Also, ADMATEL
aids in product development, quality inspections, and research
and development.
Aguinaldo says that the laboratory is open for R&D collaboration
with the academe. “That is what we really are encouraging our
students to do. Actually, we have students coming here to have
their hardware tested for their thesis. Some are joining
robotics events,” explains Aguinaldo.
For students, Aguinaldo says that ADMATEL is offering a
socialized fee while clients from the micro, small, and medium
enterprises are billed at a 20-percent reduced rate.
The lab has already applied for ISO 17025 accreditation for its
three laboratories.
ADMATEL is one of DOST’s initiatives in strengthening the
manufacturing industry. With the S&E as one of the country’s
leading and important industries, and giving support to the
manufacturing industry, it generated $21 billion in 2013.
DOST is now pushing the industry to hit $50 billion by the year
2016 and become a major player in the global electronics supply
chain.
“Agham na Ramdam”, organized by the DOST-Science and Technology
Information Institute, is a series of media briefings
highlighting DOST program milestones and updates. |
|
|
|
| APEC Senior Officials to Conduct
Public-Private Dialogue on Services at First APEC Senior Officials’
Meeting in Clark |
| Source:
http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
30 January 2015 – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Senior Officials, in partnership with the APEC Business Advisory
Council (ABAC) of the Philippines and the Pacific Economic
Cooperation Council (PECC), will have a Public-Private Dialogue
on Services on February 03 at the Clark Freeport Zone as one of
the related meetings of the ongoing First Senior Officials’
Meeting (SOM1).
The event is the first in a series of dialogues on services in
2015 envisioned to guide APEC’s public and private stakeholders
in examining developments, challenges, and opportunities for the
services sectors; identifying new strategies for building the
full potential of the services sectors; generating policy
options towards removing barriers to services trade; developing
an innovative approach in pursuing the services agenda of APEC;
and fostering collaboration and best practice exchanges to
promote services in trade.
Twenty two (22) speakers, including representatives from the
academe and private sector from across the Asia-Pacific region
as well as from international organizations such as the
International Trade Centre and the Asian Development Bank, have
been invited to share their expertise on Information Technology
and Business Process Management (IT-BPM), Creative Industries,
and Research and Development Services.
Government representatives from the APEC member economies,
together with their private sector counterparts,will evaluate
the current work on services being done in various APEC fora,
and discuss how APEC could promote services in the region.
A second Public Private Dialogue is set at the margins of the
Second Officials’ Meetings this May in Boracay, which will focus
on services relevant to trade in goods. The first Regional
Conference of Services Coalitions and Service Industries will be
held at the margins of the Third Senior Officials’ Meeting later
in the year in Cebu.
The First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings
(SOM1) runs from January 26 to February 07 at the Clark and
Subic Freeport Zones. |
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| 48 Filipinos from Libya arrive in
Manila today |
| Source:
http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
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30 January 2015 – Forty eight (48) overseas Filipinos from Libya
are scheduled to arrived in Manila today at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport.
The first batch composed of 24 Filipinos will arrive at 3:10
p.m. today via flight QR926, Terminal 1. The second batch
composed of another of 24 Filipinos will arrive at 4:00 p.m. on
board flight EK332, Terminal 3.
These arrivals bring the total number of Filipino repatriates
from Libya to 4,107. DFA and Overseas Workers Welfare
Administration (OWWA) representatives will be at the airport to
brief and assist them.
The DFA appeals to our remaining Filipino nationals in Libya to
immediately get in touch with the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli
and register for repatriation. Filipinos can reach our Embassy
through this number +218916656134 and through the e-mail
addresses tripoli.pe@gmail.com and tripoli.pe@dfa.gov.ph. The
next-of-kin may also contact the Office of the Undersecretary
for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) through the phone number
(02)834-4996 or send their queries by e-mail to
oumwa@dfa.gov.ph. |
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| Filipinos bag top ASEAN Tourism
Award |
| Source:
http://www.dfa.gov.ph |
|
30 January 2015 - The ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA)
presented the best ASEAN conservation effort award to Mr. Edgar
Cases, managing director of Project Sharklink, a non-profit
organization, and the best ASEAN cultural preservation effort
award to Ms. Regina “Gina” Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN
Foundation, Inc., at the opening ceremony of the recently
concluded ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
from January 22 to 29.
ASEANTA’s best conservation effort award recognizes Mr. Cases’
efforts, through the Project Sharklink, to protect Malapascua
Island’s thresher shark.
Besides Mr. Cases, Ms. Gina Lopez also received the best ASEAN
cultural preservation effort award which recognizes her active
involvement, through the Green Initiative of the ABS-CBN
Foundation’s Bantay Kalikasan, in the development of the village
museum in Lamlifew, Datal Tampal in Malungon, Saranggani as a
sustainable eco-tourism destination.
The Green Initiative, a collaborative effort between the ABS-CBN
Foundation, Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), and Ateneo de Manila University aims to
preserve biodiversity and eradicate poverty in 11 selected sites
throughout the country.
In Lamlifew, Saranggani, the Green Initiative assists the local
government in developing the village into a sustainable
eco-tourism destination that preserves the culture and
traditions of the B’laan tribe and provides sustainable
livelihood to the community.
The ASEANTA Awards for Excellence recognizes individuals and
organizations with positive contribution to the development of
tourism in ASEAN. |
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(02) 926-5701
or you may send e-mail 
