Morning News Monitoring Report January 13, 2015 GPH-MILF Charter framers endorse BBL - Manila Times / Top Stories Writer: ANGEL R. CALSO FOURTEEN of the 18 surviving framers of the 1987 Constitution have expressed full support for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the approval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). In their first formal meeting 29 years since the drafting of the Charter, the surviving members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission forged a consensus endorsing the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the BBL. “We believe that a new organic law is necessary to fulfil the vision and spirit that guided the constitutional provisions on autonomous regions,” they said in a statement on Monday. Those who signed were Felicitas Aquino-Arroyo, Adolfo Azcuna, Teodoro Bacani, Joaquin Bernas, Florangel Rosario Braid, Hilario Davide Jr., Edmundo Garcia, Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Christian Monsod, Ricardo Romulo, Rene Sarmiento, Jaime Tadeo, Wilfrido Villacorta and Bernardo Villegas. “We were aware in 1986 that we were imperfect instruments of the sovereign will of our people. But however imperfect our perceptions then or our fading memories today, recurring questions on the ‘constitutionality’ of the CAB and of the proposed BBL lead us to offer our insights,” the constitutionalists said. They explained that the core principle of the 1987 Constitution in mandating a special status for the autonomous regions is the human development of the people of Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras in Northern Luzon. “Bangsamoro is about the development of people, not about the constitutionality of words,” the Charter framers said, adding that “social justice that calls for genuine social change is the central theme of the 1987 Constitution.” They cautioned that an interpretation of any relevant provision of the Constitution that results in war and abject poverty would be contrary to its intention. Related Stories: Framers of 1987 Charter express support for establishment of Bangsamoro region – Business World / Nation Writer: Melissa Luz T. Lopez Other issues, themes in Pope’s visit – Inquirer / Opinion Writer: Rina Jimenez-David Indeed, solidarity with the poor and the suffering has been a constant theme of Pope Francis’ public messages. And the main reason for his visit to Leyte, he said at the time the visit was announced, was precisely to condole and meet with the survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” But could reconciliation also be part of the agenda? Like Sri Lanka, the country is just now recovering from the end of decades of armed conflict in Mindanao, between Philippine government forces and the previously separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Years of negotiations, culminating in the signing of a final peace agreement, have ensured the silencing of the guns of war, but “normalization” and autonomy are still elusive, with the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which would establish a transitional authority leading to the establishment of the Bangsamoro entity, still waiting for passage. MILF Chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim is said to have written to the Pope, the letter coursed through Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, asking the Pontiff to include Cotabato City during his visit. Although the visit to Cotabato is no longer in the cards, Ebrahim in his letter asked the Pope to address a few words to the Bangsamoro people and endorse the Mindanao peace process. Such an opportunity might arise when Pope Francis meets with leaders of various religions in his encounter with youths at the University of Santo Tomas. A local church official said the Pope will hold a “10-15-minute dialogue” with the dean of the country’s largest Islamic studies center and a Taiwan-based Buddhist leader. He will also meet with the Hong Kong-based regional head of the Greek Orthodox Church, as well as a Hindu leader, Protestant bishops, and a Manila-based rabbi. Here’s hoping a substantial portion of that inter-religious meeting will be devoted to the prospects of a full and workable peace in Mindanao, and reconciliation and cooperation between Muslims, Christians and native peoples in Mindanao. Despite decades of conflict, all have expressed a desire to see the region step out of the shadow of violence and into the sunshine of true and equitable development. That’s a dream I’m sure Pope Francis also shares. MILF to send delegation to welcome Pope Francis – 9news.ph / news Writer: Erwin Cabilbigan Cotabato City- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will send representatives to pay their respects to Pope Francis during his visit to the Philippines from January 15 to 19. In his announcement on Monday, January 12, MILF First Vice Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar said that the Central Committee agreed to send a group headed by Sheikh Abu Hurairah Abdulrahman Udasan, Grand Mufti of the Darul Ifta (Islamic House of Opinion). Jaafar added that the Central Committee acknowledge the importance of the visit of Pope Francis as the highest leader of the Catholic Church in helping bring about peace and prosperity. The MILF representatives will also ask the Popes blessings for the success of the Bangsamoro in its proposed territory. According to Jaafar, before the MILF decided to send a representative, the Ateneo de Davao University and Notre Dame University, both in Davao City, suggested inviting Pope Francis to visit Cotabato City as part of his trip. But the Central Committee, Jaafar said, rejected the proposal foreseeing a problem in security. It opted instead to send a letter, through Udasan, to the Catholic Church welcoming Pope Francis. - 9News Online, from a report by Erwin Cabilbigan PIA Mindanao to help Bangsamoro Transitional Commission in communication planning – PIA / News Writer: PIA TAGUM CITY, DAVAO DEL NORTE January 12 (PIA) - - Directors of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) based in Mindanao offered its expertise to the Communications Group of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) in crafting a better and more responsive communications plan. PIA XI Regional Director Efren Elbanbuena, along with other regional directors in Mindanao, volunteered to facilitate the crafting of the BTC Communications Plan during a meeting held after the Media Roundtable Discussion on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on January 8. Dir. Elbanbuena stressed that it was good that the group already has a communication plan; nevertheless with the help of the PIA, it will be enhanced and more reflective to the needs of the targeted audience. The communication plan presented by BTC Com Group Head Abdullah Cusain focused on providing the right information so that the people will have favourable attitude, perception and support to the BBL, cultivating and enriching a positive discourse on the subject and building constituency for the prospective Bangsamoro government within its proposed core terriroty. Elbanbuena said that among the improvement, baseline data on the issues from concerned individuals will be incorporated in the plan including the central message. The group agreed that the communication planning workshop will be held in Cagayan de Oro after the third leg of Media Roundtable for BBL on the last week of January or earlier of February. Ferrer lauds Santiago’s move to conduct hearings on Bangsamoro constitutionality – PIA News / news Writer: OPAPP MANILA, Jan. 13 -- Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer lauded the move of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago to hold hearings on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law “as a venue to clarify the principles, concepts and specific provisions introduced in the Senate and House bills on the Bangsamoro that may have caused constitutional or political concerns.” The chief negotiator expressed her belief in a shared objective with Sen. Santiago to give life to the Philippine Constitution’s mandate for meaningful autonomy in the south. Sen. Santiago, who heads the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, is set to conduct the first committee hearing on the draft BBL, also known as Senate Bill 2804 on January 26 and February 2. Constitution mandates creation of Bangsamoro Coronel-Ferrer emphasized that “the envisioned Bangsamoro political entity is intended to serve as the living manifestation of what the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandated, which is meaningful autonomy for the Muslim Mindanao region.” The GPH peace panel had affirmed in dialogues with various stakeholders that the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), aims to establish a Bangsamoro region that will exercise genuine autonomy and remains part of the Philippines, not to be an independent state. The draft BBL is the enabling law of the CAB. Upon its passage and ratification, the envisioned Bangsamoro will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by 2016. Highlighting social justice, Coronel-Ferrer said that the creation of the Bangsamoro will also realize the mandate of the Constitution for “social justice for our brothers and sisters who have historically been marginalized politically, culturally and socially.” “I believe the wise senator shares our basic objective of giving life to these elements of our Constitution that have not been fully or effectively realized. and would need to be in accord with current needs and realities,” she said. On the issues raised about the draft BBL, Coronel-Ferrer said that they “can be effectively remedied through the fine-tuning of language or formulations.” Duterte reiterates support to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law – PIA / News Writer: PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines DAVAO CITY, Jan 12 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte reiterated his support to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, hoping that it will be passed into law in Congress and goes smooth sailing without legal question before the Supreme Court. Speaking in the public affairs program, “Gikan sa Masa, para sa Masa,” he said that the BBL is important to speed up the peace process. Duterte hopes that after the passage of the BBL, the government will also reach out to Nur Misuari of the Moro National Liberation Front. He said that any agreement in the peace process is not complete without Misuari. “Only Misuari is the person to talk to in that part of the world and no one else,” Duterte said. He also reiterated his support to the change in the system of government from unitary to federalism. Duterte said the unitary type of government had been the practice from the Spanish era down to the present system for control. He said given his way, he will invite the communist rebels and Nur Misuari and discuss to them the expanded authority for the type of federal system they aspire. “Mindanao has to crucial concerns: money and peace,” Duterte said. He said the federal system which is accepted by everyone is also acceptable to Nur Misuari. “We in Mindanao are always at the losing end with regards to allocation of funds by the current system. We pay even their electricity for the use of the Metro-Railway Transit and the Light-railway transit even if we from Mindanao do not use them,” Duterte said. OPAPP should not have rushed Bangsamoro – solon – Politiko / Post Writer: Politiko THE Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) should not have tried to complete the Bangsamoro process within the term of President Benigno Aquino III. Thus, said Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano, insisting that the Bangsamoro people would have to show first that they are able to lead themselves even after the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is passed by Congress. “What (OPAPP) wanted was to consummate everything during the term of the President. But the issue is, the actual transition would have after his term. So…I think we should trust the next leader of this country, after 2016,” Alejano said in a press conference. As such, the politiko reckoned that the planned election of Bangsamoro officials should take place in 2019 and not in 2016, when Aquino steps down. “That is our challenge to OPAPP. We need a longer period of time so that we can iron out the kinks,” he said. “Dapat ipakita ng mga kapatid nating Bangsamoro na kaya nilang pamunuan ang kanilang mga tao (Our Bangsamoro brethren should show that they can lead their own people).” Likening the Bangsamoro entity to a brand new car, Alejano said that it would only end up getting smashed if the person behind the wheel, the Bangsamoro people, doesn’t know how to drive it. The BBL, which serves as the enabling measure for the creation of the Bangsamoro sub-state, is set to be finalized by the House Ad Hoc Committee later this month. C/N/N Papal visit simulated; Reds pledge no threat – Manila Standard / Top Stories Writer: Joyce Pangco Panares THE Aquino administration has started simulating the events related to the visit of Pope Francis on Jan. 15 to 19 to prepare for all possible security scenarios, Malacañang said on Sunday. Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said the government was also hopeful that the communist rebels would keep their end of their staggered ceasefire during the papal visit. “The government is exerting all efforts to ensure peace and order during the stay of Pope Francis. We are hopeful the ceasefire will hold,” Coloma said. The Communist Party of the Philippines earlier assured the public that there would be no threats against the pope from the New People’s Army. “Together with the rest of the Filipino people, the CPP, the NPA and all revolutionary forces look forward to Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines,” the CPP said. On Sunday, Cabinet officials participated in a walk through in Malacañang to finalize the details of the pope’s arrival at the Palace and bilateral meeting with President Benigno Aquino III on Jan. 16. Another simulation will be done today for the convoy route from Villamor Airbase in Pasay City to the other major events that the Holy Father will attend in Metro Manila. Aquino calls for unity in campaign against terrorism – Gulf Today / Asia Writer: Manolo B. Jara MANILA: President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino on Monday called for international co-operation and unity in tackling global issues particularly terrorism and climate change, warning that countries could no longer look at these complex issues “with a parochial mindset.” Aquino made the call in his message at the annual New Year Vin d’Honneur he hosted at Malacanang Palace attended by members of the country’s diplomatic community, cabinet members, other government officials as well as businessmen and civil society leaders. Aquino said: “Now, more than ever, the truism of the saying ‘United we stand, divided we fall’ comes to the forefront. We are responsible for our world and its future.” “We can work together,” he added, “each person and each country doing its part to collectively solve all these issues.” In particular, Aquino cited the urgent need for the global community to unite in the war on terrorism whose “recent senseless forms of violence” have been experienced by such countries as Pakistan, Australia and the latest in France. The Philippines is not immune from such threats, Aquino said, citing the case of the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf extremists who continue to sow violence and terror in volatile Mindanao. The Abu Sayyaf has gained notoriety through a spate of kidnap-for-ransom cases since 2001 involving foreigners and Filipinos, which were highlighted by the beheading of their hostages. As a result, the US and European countries have included the Abu Sayyaf in their list of “foreign-based terror groups” along with the New People’s Army, the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines that has been waging a Maoist-style insurgency against the government for 46 years, considered the longest in Asia and the Pacific. Security experts have also confirmed the link of the Abu Sayyaf to the global Al Qaeda terror network through the Indonesia-based Jemaah Islamiyah militants. At the same time, Aquino also urged international co-operation and unity in the face of the threats and dangers posed by climate change, which has caused “increasingly erratic weather patterns.” ‘Millions of Filipinos will protect the Pope’ – Inquirer / Global Nation Writer: Jocelyn R. Uy The government and the military said Monday that there was no terrorist threat against the Pope. Emmanuel Bautista, head of government security for the papal visit, said all security forces had their “ears on the ground” but no threat, including from terrorist groups, had been monitored. “Terrorist threats have been factored in in our security plan. So far, we have not monitored any terrorist threat. But we are prepared. We continue to keep our ears on the ground,” Bautista, a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, told the Inquirer on the phone. The military, too, said there was no threat against the Pope. Col. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, said “people surge”—uncontrolled rush of people—in venues of the Pope’s public events remained the only security concern so far. Fresh concerns over security followed reports that Philippine National Police intelligence units had been placed on alert for possible attacks from foreign terrorists. But Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, PNP officer in charge, denied the reports, maintaining that the PNP had not issued a “terror warning” for the papal visit. Padilla said no such information had come from military intelligence units, adding that even the communist New People’s Army (NPA) has declared a ceasefire for the duration of the Pope’s visit. Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, denied the reports of a terrorist threat against the Pope. He also denied the issuance of orders for police intelligence units to track down foreigners linked to terrorist groups. “At any rate, all of our actions and operations are part of our security measures for the papal visit,” Mayor said. Detainee’s daughter urges mass actions during Pope Francis’s visit – Business Mirror / Regions Writer: Marvyn N. Benaning THE daughter of detainee Renante Gamara has called on human-rights advocates and activists nationwide to press Pope Francis to look into the unjust detention of 491 people nationwide, many of whom have been slapped with trumped-up charges. In an open letter to activists and the people at large, Nicolette “Nikki” Gamara, 25, said her father, an urban-poor organizer and labor leader, was arrested in 2012 and slapped with criminal charges. “His abduction and imprisonment is part of, and not an exceptional case of, political persecution of activists, organizers and leaders of workers and the urban poor critical of anti-worker and anti-poor policies of the government and social inequities in our society,” the younger Gamara said. In the same year, Gamara was practically “orphaned” as her mother, Amelita Bravante and her fellow trade union and urban poor activists, were also charged with criminal offenses. “My parents are not criminals. In fact, they are two of the most kind-hearted persons I know, which is not a rarity in the social movement of which they and I are part of. We strongly believe that they are being persecuted because of the work they and all political activists do for the poor and oppressed, of the hope that they inspire so that meaningful change will come through people’s collective action,” she said. “Hope is something we, families of political prisoners, hold true and fast, even as we nurture it with our loved ones behind prison bars. It is something that cannot be taken away from us, even as we face various big and small challenges that hinder our loved one’s release from prison,” Gamara added. Now working as a volunteer at Defend Job Philippines, Gamara pleaded for support for her campaign to free her father and the 490 others languishing in detention facilities all over the country, including 14 alleged peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. NPA postpones release of 3 cops in Surigao – report – GMA News / Regions Writer: Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News Communist New Peoples Army rebels have postponed the release of three police personnel in Surigao del Norte they seized in November 2014, a Mindanao news site reported. The NPA accused the military and local officials for not agreeing to conditions for the release, according to a report on MindaNews. National Democratic Front-Mindanao spokesman Jorge “Ka Oris” Madlos said the military and the provincial crisis committee failed to reciprocate their unilateral ceasefire. Still in NPA custody are PO1 Democrito Polvorosa and PO1 Marichel Contemplo of the Alegria police station, snatched last Nov. 12; and PO1 Junrie Amper of Malimono police station, who was abducted Nov. 16. Madlos was quoted in the report as saying only the three policemen from Surigao del Norte are still in NPA custody, with six other captives released last December. Madlos as citing continued military operations despite government’s claim of a suspension of military and police operations from Dec. 19 to Jan. 19. Related Stories: Reds postpone release of 3 cops in Surigao Norte; cite continuing military drive – Mindanews / Top Stories Writer: Roel Catoto Panayam kay Jose Maria Sison – PRWC / Statements Writer: PRWC 1. Quoted kayo dati na okay lang si former AFP chief of staff Emmanuel Bautista na maging bagong chairman ng GPH negotiating panel dahil sa retired military officer na siya. Pero marami naman ang nagsasabi na kung siya ang i-appoint ni Aquino sa ganoong posisyon bale binabastos niya ang NDFP at buong kilusang rebolusyonaryo dahil nagmamalaki siya na siya ang utak o designer ng Oplan Bayanihan. Sa tingin niyo ba ay wala nang ibang mapipili ni Aquino na maging chairman ng kanyang panel. Siya na ba ang pinakamagaling o pinakaangkop kahit na mastermind siya ng Oplan Bayanihan? JMS: Prerogative ni Aquino na piliin ang kahit sinumang sibilyan na maging chairman ng GPH negotiating panel. Technically, si General Bautista ay civilian dahil retired na. Pero totoo rin na marami ang nagsasabi na insulto sa NDFP at buong kilusang rebolusyonaryo kung siya ang gagawin ni Aquino na panel chairman niya sa punto na self-proclaimed na utak siya ng Oplan Bayanihan. Hindi baleng retired military officer siya kung katulad siya ni former General Fidel Ramos na marunong sa peace negotiations. Pero umaabot din sa NDFP ang mga ulat na garapal na militar ang mentalidad niya at wala siyang gusto kundi ipataw daw niya ang pagsurender ng NPA dahil sa natatalo na raw ito at kung hindi payag ang NPA tuloy pa rin ang balasik ng kanyang Oplan Bayanihan. Palpak naman itong Oplan Bayanihan, lalong lumakas ang NPA. Sa tingin ko, kung seryoso si Aquino sa peace negotiations, makakapili siya ng mas angkop at mas magaling na chairman ng kanyang panel. Baka naman hindi interesado si Aquino sa pag-usad ng peace negotiations. 2.Maraming naguguluhan sa pagpapatakbo ni Aquino sa peace negototations sa NDFP. Si Aquino ba mismo ang dahilan ng gulo o si Deles? Ang balitang nasagap namin ay lusaw na ang GPH negotiating dahil sa pagresign ni Alex Padilla bilang chairman at may pag-aatubili pa si Aquino tungkol sa appointment ni General Bautista bilang Chairman o member na lang ng panel? Sa kabila ng kaguluhan sa panig ni Aquino, makakaasa kaya ang mga political prisoner na ma-release kaugnay ng bisita ng Papa at mga panawagan ng mga religious at human rights organizations? JMS: Sa tingin ko, parehong magulo si Aquino at Deles. Pero mas magulo si Deles. Nakita na ng NDFP ang panggugulo ni Deles magmula pa noong 2004 sa panahon ni Arroyo. Ika nga ng ilang observer, magulo ang utak ni Aquino pero si Deles sadyang nanggugulo. Ang balita ng NDFP hindi nabubuo agad ang GPH negotiating panel dahil gusto ni Deles na isaksak sa panel ang mga katulad niyang rabid anti-communist at mga uto-uto niya. Kabado rin siya kay General Bautista dahil baka hindi niya kayang utus-utusan kahit magkahawig sila sa pagiging pusakal na anti-komunista. Tungkol naman sa pagrelease ng mga political prisoners, may mga umaasa na baka magrelease ang marami si Aquino dahil sa posibleng paggalang niya sa Papa at sa mga religious at human rights organizations na nanawagan ng pag release sa mga political prisoner. Pero sa karanasan ng NDFP, matigas, walang puso at walang awa si Aquino sa mga political prisoner. Wala siyang respeto sa JASIG na nagbabawal sa pagkulong at pagpatay sa mga NDFP consultants. Wala rin siyang respeto sa CARHRIHL na nagbabawal sa pagkulong sa mga political prisoner dahil sa mga sabay-sabay na charges of rebellion at common crimes o kaya common crimes sa halip na rebellion.### I’m a Christian, I’m a Jew, I’m a Muslim! - The Philippine Star / Opinion Writer: Bobit S. Avila In the Philippines, we’ve seen a four decades old insurgency by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), our homegrown terrorists that continue to rampage in our countryside because too many of our politicians play around with the communists or their allied front organizations. Frankly speaking if we Filipinos only came up with a united front against Communism, we can defeat them in less than a year. Alas, we failed in what the late President Ramon Magsaysay once quipped in order to stop the communist insurgency with his four “F’s”: Find, ‘em, Fool, ‘em, Fight ‘em and Finish ‘em and offer them the hand of peace. But even today, the Aquino regime is “friendly” to those allied front organizations supporting our homegrown terrorists. Therefore we must all unite to fight this evil scourge. ARMM Peaceful resolution of disputes to settle rido the best option – DILG ARMM – PIA / News Writer: PBChangco-PIA Cotabato City COTABATO CITY, Jan 12 (PIA)—The Department of the Interior and Local Government in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DILG-ARMM) adopts a peaceful or amicable settlement of rido cases involving warring clans in the region. DILG ARMM regional secretary Anwar Malang said they believe and still adopts the peaceful settlement of rido cases through dialogue among feuding groups taking into account, consideration and full understanding of the “Moro culture.” Based on experience, Malang said, the agency is in the process of revising the Katarungang Pambarangay system incorporating the traditional system of Moro through the council of elders in the mechanisms for rido settlement citing the successful proactive approach in addressing disputes in the province of Maguindanao. “We try somehow to revise the Katarungang Pambarangay incorporating the Moro traditional system like the council of elders to resolve rido and security issues of villages,” he said. Citing the need for full understanding of the Moro culture, the official aded, settling the disputes in peaceful dialogue among the involving parties with the participation of the council of elders is the best approach rather than filing of corresponding cases in the court. The problem with the Moro culture, court decisions have not really addressed and resolved disputes in the region, he pointed out. “Even before as a practicing lawyer, I would rather settle the case rather than file a case in court kasi ang problema natin sa Moro na-file mo iyung kaso, nanalo ka sa kaso but afterwards nandoon pa rin iyung kaso. Pero kung naayos natin even for instance through the “blood money” system, despite criticisms against this practice but ultimately resolve the problem and render justice and the greatest form of justice is reconciliation of warring parties.” He said, working closely with the Regional Reconciliation and Unification Council (RRUC) and Regional Human Rights Action Center (RHRAC), they encourage peaceful settlement while at the same time the filing of appropriate cases in court The RRUC has been created by the ARMM regional government mandated to address and resolve disputes and misunderstanding among feuding groups in the region with the support of local government units and Commission on Human Rights (CHR), he said. As this developed, Malang said, the local governments department is strengthening its capacity-building and enhancement program as well as the monitoring of LGU functionality, operations/governance and performance. OTHER STORIES 2 dead, 15 others injured in Capiz grenade blast - Manila Times / Top Stories Writer: PNA ILOILO CITY: Two persons were confirmed dead and scores were injured in a grenade explosion past noontime today, Monday, in Barangay Lantangan, Pontevedra, Capiz. In a telephone interview, PO1 Leah Batuigas, desk officer of the Pontevedra Police Station, declined to give further details on the sketchy bloody incident She said a team of investigators is presently in the area to conduct a thorough investigation on what had really transpired and to determine the motive behind as well as the identities of the slain victims. Batuigas said sketchy information have it that strong explosion caused by a fragmentation grenade rocked the vicinity of the Hontiveros Memorial School in Barangay Lantangan that killed two people and injured 15 others. The bloody incident, she said, happened just after an unidentified male passenger alighted from the tricycle and walked his way several meters away from the school. Batuigas said those injured, mostly minors, were rushed to the Bailan District Hospital, also in Pontevedra town for immediate medical treatment. She said the identities of the slain victims have yet to be known pending the result of an investigation led by Police Inspector William Limjoco, Jr., chief of police of the Pontevedra PNP Station. Barangay Lantangan is located some 16 kilometers from Pontevedra town proper. PNA Related Stories: (UPDATE) 2 killed, 15 others injured in blast near Capiz school - The Philippine Star / Headlines Writer: Xinhua Capiz blast leaves 2 dead - The Philippine Star / Nation Writer: Jennifer Rendon Cotabato City binulabog ng pagsabog - Mindanao Examiner / In the news Writer: Mindanao Examiner COTABATO CITY – Ginulantang ng malakas na pagsabog ang lungsod ng Cotabato matapos na sumambulat sa downtown area ang isang rifle grenade, ngunit walang inulat na sugatan o nasawi ang mga awtoridad. Hindi pa mabatid kung sino ang nasa likod ng pagsabog, ngunit nagdulot ito ng takot sa mga residente ng Rosary Heights nitong gabi ng Enero 11. Sumabog ang rifle grenade sa Gonzalo Javier Street di-kalayuan sa mga hanay ng building sa lugar. Walang umako sa atake, ngunit ayon sa militar ay isang bala mula sa M203 grenade launcher o M79 ang pinasabog sa lugar. Patuloy naman ang imbestigasyon ng mga awtoridad sa naganap na halos kasabay lamang ng pagkakadiskubre ng isang bomba sa labas ng isang mosque sa bayan ng Midsayap sa lalawigan ng North Cotabato na ilang beses ng inatake ng Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. (Mindanao Examiner) *Press CTRL and CLICK the headline to open the complete news story online.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 01:31:03 +0000
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