Bullozo is new Aurora anglers’ club prexy

BALER, Aurora, October 29, 2011-The 79-man strong Baler Anglers Club Inc. (BAC) has installed Mar Bullozo as its new president during its recent elections of officers in this town.

Bullozo’s election was the main highlight of the BAC meeting which discussed matters involving the welfare of the association.

The barely one-year old association of fishing enthusiasts, which was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in November last year, counts among its members those from this town and the central municipalities of San Luis, Maria Aurora and Dipaculao.

It was formed to foster camaraderie among fishing enthusiasts in the community and to encourage its members to actively participate in the collective effort to save and to protect the coastal resources of the province.

Also, it advocates coastal resources  management and protection, cooperate and  collaborate with the various local government units and other concerned agencies regarding its policies and fishery laws by serving as watchdogs and volunteer information disseminators.

Aside from Bullozo, also elected were Ritchell Rada (vice president); Bing Yngente (secretary); Val Rotas (treasurer); Attic Pasion (auditor); Garry Lombres and Cenon Bonifacio, public relations officers. The Board of Directors are composed of Paking Trinidad, Arthur Yngente, Boy Palispis, Loida Lapig, Roldan Duaso, Josue “Joe” Mora, Alex Exclamado and past president Bong dela Torre.

Dela Cruz, also known as Sir Bong, raffled various fishing gadgets and gear /paraphernalias to members during club meetings. (Jason de Asis)

Eco Group urges public to observe waste-free ‘undas’

MANILA, Oct. 28, 2011―An environmental watchdog urged the public going to cemeteries in observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day to preserve the solemnity of the occasion by not dumping garbage everywhere.

“Our cemeteries are sacred place and not graveyards for our unwanted trash. Let us commemorate the occasion with simplicity, spirituality and utter respect for both the dead and the living. Let us all do our share for our planet. Do not be a Zombasura!” said Roy Alvarez.

Alvarez, president of EcoWaste Coalition, also asked the public to segregate their garbage and practice composting waste.

He said doing so will not only address the impact of climate change but also reduce the proliferation of landfills and incinerators.

Meanwhile, Miss Earth-Philippines Athena Mae Imperial also called on the public to show their respect towards the environment as they visit their loved ones in the cemeteries.

"As we visit and commemorate our deceased loves ones, we need to express also our love and responsibility for the environment. Do not throw or burn your trash and avoid using plastic bags and disposable products and packaging. Let us keep our cemeteries clean and waste-free. These small steps will be a great gift to our Mother Earth!" she said.

The coalition, together with Miss Earth Foundation, Diocese of Caloocan-Ecology Ministry, representatives from the city government, Manila North Cemetery Administration, and civil society groups held a public event at the Manila North Cemetery to call on the public to get rid of their wasteful habits.

The groups paraded in the cemetery to show the people the harmful effects of improper disposal of garbage to the environment and public health, symbolized through “Zombasura” (a word jumble of “zombie” and “basura” or trash), a toxic monster who throws away garbage anywhere and litter the graveyard. (CBCPNews)

‘Get mastermind in Fr. Pops' slay'

MANILA, Oct. 28, 2011— The confreres of Italian priest Fr. Fausto Tentori in the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) urged the authorities to get the mastermind of his killing.

Fr. Gian Battista Zanchi, PIME superior general, said it would be good if the mastermind is brought behind the bar of justice.

“We need to find out who was behind the killing, the mastermind of this crime,” Zanchi told CBCPNews Oct. 26 at the Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish in Parañaque City.

But the PIME official admitted getting the mastermind would not be that easy. He expected the killer may be identified but to know the person or persons behind the crime would be too difficult.

Despite having three of their missionaries killed in separate incidents and two other confreres kidnapped and held by Muslim insurgents, all of the 21 missionaries from PIME will stay in the Philippines, in their respective assignments.

Zanchi, now on his second six-year term said that immediately after the funeral of Tentorio, also known as “Fr. Pops”, in Kidapawan City last Tuesday, the missionaries decided to stay and continue their mission.

It was learned Zanchi was in Japan visiting his priests when he learned of Tentorio’s murder in Arakan, North Cotabato. He said he flew to Manila and to Mindanao to be with his confreres.

“After this tragic event, we are not afraid, not just leave the place and go back to Italy and will even strengthen our mission,” Fr. Zanchi said.

He added that though risks still exist, life will continue and the resolution of the PIME community in the Philippines is to attend to their usual activities.

Zanchi revealed that a young PIME missionary is willing to take over Tentorio’s assignment.

He said there are 21 missionaries in Manila, Mindoro, Antique and Mindanao.

Asked of the specific charism of PIME missionaries, Zanchi said it is to proclaim the Gospel to those who don’t know.

However, he hastened to add they are in the Philippines, a Christian nation, because of another provision in their congregation’s Constitution and that is to provide additional manpower to dioceses which lack priests.

“We are ready to go there and help the Church to grow and when the sufficient number is reached, we are ready to go to another place,” he explained.

He further said their foreign assignments grew immediately after the Second Vatican Council. There are PIME mission houses in Brazil, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, and five years ago, they sent a missionary to Algeria, at the request of the local bishop.

According to him, some 19 missionaries have been killed. Of the 19, three have been killed in the Philippines.

He said they have a group of PIME martyrs who were killed in China, five missionaries killed in Burma and some of them were similarly situated with Tentorio who stayed in the village, to help the poor, to stand for justice and in the end, the missionaries were killed to silence them.

Zanchi said he is about to end his second six-year term s PIME superior general and this was the first time a missionary was killed under his watch.

Fr. Zanchi returned to Japan, where is currently based, on board a 2:00 p.m. flight from Manila on Oct. 26. (Melo M. Acuna)

Juvenile justice law should be amended says Sotto

MANILA, October 27, 2011-Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III calls to amend the country’s juvenile justice law and is proposing the lowering of the exemption from criminal responsibility to the age of 11 from the current 15 in the reports that drug syndicates exploiting minors to peddle illegal substance in the growing incidence of drug trafficking in the country.

“There is a pressing need to amend juvenile justice law in that worst scenario, saying that the minors’ exposure in the drug industry also makes them vulnerable to substance abuse,” Sotto said, admitting that drug dependence is a prevalent problem among minors today.

“That's why I filed a bill calling for the amendment of the Juvenile Justice Act. I proposed to bring back to the age of 11 and below the exemption of those in conflict with the law from criminal liability. The current law provides for the exemption of 18 years old and below,” the Majority Leader said.

He explained that it is the problem now confronting the country’s drug enforcers and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) because whenever they apprehend drug users and pushers aged between 15 to 16 years of age, they cannot even interrogate them. Most of the times, the lawyers of the drug syndicates they’re working for would immediately come to their rescue.

Sotto filed Senate Bill No. 43, a child above 11 years but below 13 years of age who acted without discernment at that time of the commission of the crime, shall be exempt from criminal responsibility but subjected to appropriate intervention program.

Authorities, who have taken them into custody, have the duty to immediately release the child to his or her parents or guardian and in the absence of such, to the nearest relative.

Authorities will also be mandated to notify the local social welfare and development officer who will determine the appropriate programs in consultation with the person having custody over the child.

If the parents, guardians or nearest relatives cannot be located, or if they refuse to take custody, the child may be released to any of the following: a duly registered nongovernmental or religious organization; a barangay official or a member of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC); a local social welfare and development officer; or when and where appropriate, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

If the child happens to be abandoned, neglected or abused by his parents or in the event that the parents will not comply with the prevention program, the proper petition for involuntary commitment shall be filed by the DSWD or the local social welfare and development office pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 603, otherwise known as "The Child and Youth Welfare Code.”

Unless they were found to have acted with discernment at the time of the commission of the crime, they shall be subjected to an appropriate diversion program.

On the other hand, those who are 11 or above but below 18 years of age who are found to have acted with discernment and is charged, prosecuted and or convicted of an offense punishable under R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the provisions of that law will apply.

They will serve sentence upon reaching the age of 18 years.

The Majority Leader has also taken into consideration the fact of the lack of a national penitentiary for drug crimes.

“With due respect to the author and the members of Congress during that time when the law was passed, I think they overlooked the issue on illegal drugs,” he said.

Sotto said information that has reached him showed that more than 50% of those convicted of drug trafficking in the country confined in city and provincial jails, continue to operate even behind bars.

He pointed out that establishing a national penitentiary for drug crimes will give teeth to government’s campaign against illegal drugs. (Jason de Asis)

Mindoro Catholic radio station burned down

MANILA, Oct. 26, 2011― Some P2.8 million worth of private property went up in smoke as unknown men razed DZVT-CMN radio station to the ground at about 1 a.m. Wednesday. 


Police reports said the Catholic church-owned radio station, located at Barangay Labangan Poblacion in San Jose City, Occidental Mindoro, was burned down by still unknown persons.

Lito Villador, DZVT station manager sought police assistance immediately upon learning of the incident.

Fire Officer 2 Edgardo Salvacion and the San Jose Scene Of the Crime Office (SOCO) led by PCInspector Teresita M. Catchillar conducted immediate investigation.

Two caretakers identified as Takip Sebastian and Alfredo Salvador were awakened when flames engulfed the rear portion of the building. The fire was declared under control at 4 a.m.

Investigators and employees still face a blank wall as to the motive behind the arson. (Melo M. Acuna)

Trillanes bats for senate inquiry on MILF encounters

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TAU GAMMA PHI Rome and Aurora to PNOy: Give ‘diyya’ to Celestino “Dondon” Lanuza

BALER, Aurora, October 25, 2011-The brotherhood of Tau Gamma Phi (TGP), Triskelion Grand Fraternity in Rome, Italy and Aurora province, Philippines renewed their calls to President Aquino to help their brother who is in death throw in the Middle East especially to Celestino “Dondon” Lanuza who is now facing trials in Saudi Arabia court.

Lito Lopez, adviser of TGP Rome said that the Aquino should pay attention in the situation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) like their brother Lanuza who has been consistently appealing to raise blood money for his release.

Lanuza, who accidentally killed a Saudi national out of self-defense, was in Dammam Central Jail since year 2000.

Noel Aragon Gofredo, Adviser of TGP Aurora province Philippines who is now in Rome said that the family of the offended party is willing to issue an affidavit of desistance if Lanuza can give a blood money (diyya) worth some thousands of US dollars to save lives of OFWs in death row.

“Mrs. Rowena Lanuza, Dondon’s mother, sought our assistance to help her with Vice President Jejomar Binay, also presidential adviser on OFWs concerns,” Gofredo said who is also a member of Migrante International organization.

The said international brotherhood organization continues to raise money to save Dondon.

Meanwhile Dondon updates in his facebook account for his countrymen stated that “Good day po! Nais ko lang po ipaalam sa inyo na sinabi ng Embassy na wala daw po formal settlement para sa Bloodmoney and they advice po na itigil ang solicitation ko dahil Government lang daw ang pwedeng magbigay ng Bloodmoney at di daw po ang akusado.”

“Sinabi po ni Usec Seguis na walang fund ang Government at tulungan siya sa solicitation. Ano po ba talaga ang problema ng Embassy? Di na nga po sila nakakatulong ay pinapahirapan pa nila ako. Remember po na dapat year 2001 ay nakalaya na sana ako pero Embassy ang naglagay sa Abante News ng Baklang Arabo na gusto ako gahasain na translated po sa Arabic na nabasa ng Aggrieved Family kaya binawi ang patawad sa akin,” Lanuza stated.

Prior to this, during the 43^rd anniversary worldwide of Tau Gamma Phi, Rome President Ted Pangan and Aurora President Pedro Sison called their fellow triskelion to help their brother Lanuza in Saudi Arabia and urged them to give donations for their brother who is in need. (Jason de Asis)

Drilon to PNoy: Peace process in Mindanao needed

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1st Aurora society of information technology convention held

BALER, Aurora, October 23, 2011-The 1^st Aurora society of information technology convention was held yesterday at Baler Sports Complex attended by 269 participants from the high school, colleges and universities in the province led by the “Society of Information Technology Enthusiast-Aurora (SITE-A)”.

As per SITE-A president Christopher G. Marmol the theme was “Take responsibility to safeguard information assets from disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Be a human firewall, information security is everyone’s responsibility” where their  general  objective  shall  be  the  promotion  of the quality of information technology for the province of Aurora in terms of education, work and professionalism as a whole society.

Marmol furthered that the organization’s specific objective is to serve   as   a   venue for the optimization and development   of   the academe, government or non government sectors involving Information Technology (I.T.), I.T. enthusiast, for projects,   research,   resources,   linkages,   and assistance in policy formulation related to I.T..

“Our organization was organized last October 12, 2011 with the said mission together with the I.T.’s of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), Aurora Polytechnic College (APC), Asia Pacific International (APISC), Wesleyan University Philippines–Aurora (WUP-Aurora), Mount Carmel College (MCC) and the Lyceum of the East – Philippines (Lyceum),” Marmol said.

SITE-A business manager Francis James Gose said that nowadays, information technology is very vital in our everyday lives as part of modernization in the country and in abroad.

Gose said that the province continue to develop and the role of I.T’s is needed in the growth and development in Aurora which is very rich in natural resources, agriculture, animal industry, weaving to mention a few of its wealth.

He encouraged the participants to re-affirm the commitment of the organization to develop and to implement an effective and sustainable response to the challenges and opportunities of building a truly global information society that will benefit all Aurorans.

Gerard Francia, head technology support group, iSeNS Asia, member of Internet Society Philippines discussed the internet society, Carol A.  Lozano, General Manager of iSeNS Asia shared the adaption of Linux and the threat of Monoculture Technology, Randall R. Lozano, President of the ISeNS Asia Inc. gave inputs on information technology awareness and Sheridan Leroy P. Laroza of Internet Society Philippines shared the IPv6: An Emerging Technology.

SITE-A officers who took oath were Christopher G. Marmol, Vice-President Jerome H. Lopez, Secretary Joseph Laurence T. Angara, Treasurer PIO B. Bofill Jr., Auditor Mathew Christian L. Vergara and Business Manager Frances James Gose. Their Coordinators were Jason Francisco V. de Asis of Lyceum of the East, Sherwin Glorioso of Aurora State College of Technology, Billy Joel A. Avellaneda of Aurora Polytechnic College, Florabel B. Aragon of Mount Carmel College, Raymond B. Dadero of Asia Pacific International System College, Marlon M. Sumait of Wesleyan University-Philippines-Aurora and Florence Gay G. Santiago of Maria Aurora National High School. (Jason de Asis) 

Alcala to NIA execs: comply with revamp or resign

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija, October 22, 2011-Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has called on officials of the National Irrigation Administration to comply with the wide-ranging revamp of the agency, saying those who could not accept the order should resign and find employment somewhere else.

Speaking to newsmen at the sidelines of a dialogue with local officials and farmers at the city hall here Thursday afternoon, Alcala said people in government such as those in NIA should respect decisions of their superiors, including their prerogative to reassign people.

“’Pag namasukan ka, ‘pag sinabing don ka madedestino at ‘pag ayaw mong malipat, magtayo ka na lang ng sariling negosyo (When you enter government service, when you are told that you will be assigned in a particular place and you don’t want to be transferred, then just put up your own business),” he said.

Alcala was referring to the top-level NIA revamp implemented by the Department of Agriculture and the NIA Board which he chairs on orders of President Aquino. The revamp affected three officials from the NIA central office, eight regional managers, two operation managers and one project manager.

NIA Administrator Antonio Nangel, who accompanied Alcala here, said that the reshuffle is meant to vigorously implement the rice self-sufficiency program (RSSR) and the food self-sufficiency program (FSSR) of the Aquino administration.

He said the redistribution of NIA personnel is also intended to better achieve the mission, vision and objectives of the NIA as spelled out by President Aquino and Alcala.

The overhaul was ordered by Mr. Aquino after NIA accomplished only 25 percent of its target of 30,958 hectares while spending over 60 percent of its P14.88 billion budget.

Certain NIA officials have voiced their displeasure over the revamp which led to the re-assignment of regional officials who have been in their posts for over 10 years already. One of those affected  lobbied for his retention with the backings of certain politicians, which prompted the secretary to lose his temper in a rare outburst.

Alcala said the Aquino administration needs to implement the revamp because many of them are overstaying in their posts and have so familiarized themselves with the local conditions that they are no longer effective in their posts. “That’s where the problem lies. They are no longer productive. And they have become friends with local politicians,” he said, without naming names.

He said the revamp was compelling, noting that in one particular area, P2 billion worth of funds for irrigation projects was already spent but no single drop of irrigation water flowed. When pressed to identify the particular area, he refused.

A NIA official affected by the revamp who did not want to be identified said that while the NIA management has the best interests of the agency in mind when it effected the personnel changes, this did not spare certified performers.

“If you are performing above the performance indicators, of course to you the revamp would not do you good,” he said.

The official said that while some of his colleagues affected by the revamp were dismayed by the personnel movement, now that there has been an order then everyone should comply. “I don’t want to be replaced and transferred somewhere else but if the order is already out, by all means I will comply with it,” he said.

Relieved in the NIA central office through Board of Directors Resolution 7708-11 were deputy administrator for engineering and operations Democratico Grana Jr., internal audit services department manager Robert Suguitan, operations department manager Gregorio Dumandan and Region 7 engineering and operations division manager Dexter Patrocinio.

Also replaced were regional managers John Celeste (Region 1), Manuel Collado (Region 3), Efren Roqueza (Region 4-A), Modesto Membreve (Region 7), Alberto Lacuaren (Region 9), Julius Maquiling (Region 10), Felix Razo (Region 11) and Alejandro Aberca (Region 13); operation managers Mariano Dancel and Reynaldo Puno and project manager Reinerio Irinco. (Jason de Asis)

           

National Youth Commission calls for peace in Mindanao

MANILA, Oct. 21, 2011―In light of the recent incident in Basilan involving government soldiers and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the National Youth Commission expressed its sympathy with the families of those who died during the prolonged encounter that claimed 19 lives.

NYC Commissioner Earl P. Saavedra, who also hails from Basilan, said in a press release that it is imperative to promote lasting peace in Mindanao.

“We recently celebrated the Peace Month, culminating in a Peace Parade and a Commitment Activity on September 29, 2011 in Butuan City, where Mindanao stakeholders signed a manifesto for Peace calling for support in the peace process as part of social development,” Commissioner Saavedra also said.

Saavedra added that to address peace concerns, the NYC together with the local government agencies regularly hold a series of peace advocacy activities involving young people in Mindanao.

The said commission also called for a culture of peace and tolerance among the Filipinos, especially the youth, as part of its new peace and development banner which is the Mindanao 2020 youth agenda.

The commission also pledged its support to government efforts in establishing an all-out peace in Mindanao and at the same time in championing the voice of young Mindanaoans.

Saavedra emphasized it is important that the community values the voice of the youth in Mindanao.

“The youth play a vital role in ensuring a peaceful and developed society in the future where principles, beliefs, and cultures are respected. Les us ensure that this incident will not compromise the welfare of our people in Basilan and in Mindanao,” Saavedra explained. (Jandel Posion)

Toddler victim of hit-and-run sparks rethinking of life values

MANILA, Oct. 20, 2011—While the fate of a two-year-old Chinese girl hangs in the balance after being run over by two different vehicles a week ago, people around the world have been weighing in on the incident, mostly condemning what is seen as a callous disregard for people’s lives and a general decline in morality.

On October 13, Wang Yue was seriously injured in two hit-and-run incidents by two different vans in the town of Foshan in China’s Guangdong province. Over a dozen bystanders and one motorcyclist simply passed by the little girl lying and bleeding on the street after the incident, which was caught on a closed-circuit security camera.

Based on reports, around 10 minutes later a 57-year-old trash collector saw the child and pulled her to the side of the street. She started calling around for help, thus alerting the toddler’s mother who was within earshot.

The girl is currently on life support at Guangzhou Military District General Hospital. According to a report by ABC News Online Radio, the two drivers are in police custody. One was arrested by the police and the other turned himself in.

“I watched the video two nights ago on CNN. It was horrible. My first reaction to it was how the Chinese view children because of their disregard for life,” observed Alan Dacanay of Families Against the RH Bill.

“If the story is true about the babies found on the Yangtze river when they were building the Three Gorges Dam in China, then this will not be a surprise for the locals. They seem to have very little regard for life. The passersby and the motorist were unmindful of the toddler. What a sick society,” he lamented further.
Looking inward

Others looked inward and urged Filipinos to keep certain cultural values alive.

“May this indifference and callousness to the plight of others’ suffering not be found in the Philippines. Compassion (“awa”), caring for others (“kawanggawa”) and a sense of community (“bayanihan”) are part of our values as Filipino people. We are not individualistic,” said Pro-Life Philippines Board Member Dr. Lissa Poblete.

“Because we are a God-fearing nation, Filipinos from all walks of life are quick to show acts of kindness and mercy. Heroism and kindness are still alive in the Philippines.”

Apparently, the victim’s mother subscribes to the same other-centered values, based on comments she told China Daily newspaper which indicated an absence of bitterness over the situation.

“Let them make their own judgment. If they are married and have children, they will know. But I bear no grudge and refuse to be disappointed by society. Many kind people have come to help,” she was quoted to have said to the China paper, according to an October 19 The Telegraph story.

Not only in China

Despite the Chinese government’s much-criticized one-child policy and cases of forced abortion in the country, some refuse to label last week’s incident as characteristic of a nation’s lack of soul.

“The tendency to be individualistic is not peculiar to the people in China. Why would Jesus use that parable [of the Good Samaritan] if such a situation would not apply to us? And it happened back then, too — that’s [part of] the message to us. Hindi isolated sa China ‘yon,” said Jose Descallar, pro-life advocacy officer of BUHAY Party List Rep. Michael Velarde.

“It’s a reflection of an instrumentalist culture, yes. Kapag ang kapwa ay nangangailangan, iiwasan mo kasi you have to go out of your way [to help], ayaw mong ma-involve. And the irony of things is, in this incident, the ‘lowly and oppressed’ is the one who helped. Kung sino ‘yung mahirap, siya pa yung tumutulong.”

Descallar pointed out that while more moneyed individuals riding vehicles could have easily stopped and lent assistance to the bleeding child, no such thing happened in this case.

“Ang tumulong sa nangangailangan ay yung wala — basurero. Ang basurero, isa sa mga marumi o pinaka-inaayawan na trabaho,” he said.

Essentially, it was the shunned in society, one engaged in trash-collecting, who rescued another who is being shunned — in this case, the child, Descallar mused.

It was a case of the poor being the generous one, he added. (CBCP for Life)