Task force sa NegOcc massacre, suportado

BORACAY ISLAND – Suportado ng Department of National Defense (DND) ang pagububo ng task force
para madaling maresolba ang pagpatay sa siyam na sakada sa Negros Occidental, kamakailan.

Ito ang inihayag ni DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana nang dumalo ito sa reopening ng Boracay Island,
kahapon.

Aniya, naniniwala siya na mga rebeldeng New People’s Army (NPA) ang nasa likod ng pamamaril sa siyam
na sugarcane farmers sa Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City nitong Oktubre 20.

Matagal na umanong may record ang NPA ng pagpatay sa mga dating kasamahan nito kaya hindi
malayong muli nila itong ginawa.

Patuloy pa rin ang imbestigasyon sa insidente.

-Jun Aguirre

DAR tutulong sa pamilya ng mga minasaker sa NegOcc

HANDANG magbigay ng legal assistance ang Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) sa mga pamilya ng
siyam na sakadang napatay sa loob ng Hacienda Nene sa Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, nitong Sabado ng
gabi.

Inihayag ito noong Lunes ni Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones sa press conference, dahil lubha
niyang kinokondena ang pagpaslang sa mga miyembro ng National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW),
kabilang ang tatlong babae at dalawang menor de edad.

Siniguro ni Castriciones na gagawin ng DAR ang lahat ng makakaya nito upang bigyan ng hustisya ang
mga biktima.

Aniya, gumagawa ng paraan ang DAR upang makatulong tungo sa ikabubunyag ng katotohanan sa likod
ng massacre. “We’d like to get to the bottom of this,” aniya.

Ayon sa mga news reports ilang ‘di kilalang armadong lalaki ang may kagagawan ng krimen.

Inihayag naman ni Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas director, na
ang mga kasapi ng New People’s Army (NPA) sa Negros Island ang suspek sa mga pamamaslang.

Ayon kay Castriciones, ang hacienda umano ang sentro ng away sa lupa sa pagitan ng mga may-ari ng
lupa at ng mga sakada sa lugar.

Klinaro ni Castriciones, gayunman, na hindi isinusulong ng DAR ang karahasan upang resolbahin ang mga
away sa lupa.

Lagi umanong isinusulong DAR ang mapayapang resolusyon ng mga away sa lupa sa pagitan ng mga may-
ari nito at mga magsasaka.

Aniya pa, itinataguyod din ng DAR ang mga dayalogo at mediation meeting upang mapayapang mapag-
usapan ang mga gusot.
Nakapag-aalinlangan pa rin ang mga detalye ng massacre, ayon naman kay DAR Undersecretary David
Erro.

“As of now, there’s still nothing specific,” sabi niya.

Samantala, inihayag naman ni Castriciones na ipagpapatuloy ng DAR ang pagbibigay ng lupain sa mga
agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Magbibigay din ang DAR ang training, farm inputs at iba pang uri ng suporta para sa ARBs upang
kalaunan ay matulungan silang makaahon sa kahirapan.

Sa pinakabagong datos na ipinakita ng DAR, nakapamahagi na ito ng tinatayang 4.8 milyong ektarya ng
lupa sa may 2.8 milyong ARBs sa buong bansa simula 1972 hanggang Hunyo 2018.

-PNA

DAR chief tagilid sa CA

i Leonel M. Abasola

Sinuspinde kahapon ng Commission on Appointment (CA) ang pagdinig para kay Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR) Secretary John Rualo Castriciones, dahil na rin sa pagkuwestiyon sa kanyang kakayahan na
pamunuan ang kagawaran.

Kumpirmado naman ang appointment ni Commission on Audit (CoA) Commissioner Roland Pondoc.

Si Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin ang kumontra kay Castriciones, sinabing wala umano itong sapat na
kakayahan upang pamunuan ang DAR.

“If you are a secretary, you should hit the ground running on day one. Without the necessary
qualification, such appointee not be able to do so. There are farmer-beneficiaries who I have personally
talked to have written the DAR secretary about the implementation of their certificates of land
ownership [award] (CLOA) but no action has been taken,” ani Villarin.

Aniya, nasangkot din si Castriciones sa kontrobersiya noong undersecretary pa ito ng Department of

Interior and Local Government (DILG) at isa sa mga nag-akusa kay dating DILG Secretary Ismael Sueño ng
kurapsiyon.

Iginiit naman ni Castriciones na pamilya ng mga magsasaka ang kanyang angkan sa Nueva Ecija, at
marami rin siyang kasong hinawakan na may kaugnayan sa repormang agraryo.

“I belong to a family of farmers, in my practice as lawyer I have given advises to my province mates and
my law students who are now lawyers and judges. I am qualified for the position as most of the functions
in the department as secretary does not necessary need for you to be a farmer to understand. We have
to dwell on matters that are legal in nature and that is probably the reason cases have filed up,” ani
Castriciones.

Dahil dito, sinupinde ni Senator Grace Poe ang pagdinig at pinagsusumite si Castriciones ng mga
hinawakan niyang kaso sa DA.
Mga sundalo, ipahihiram sa Customs

Payag si Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, ng Department of National Defense (DND), sa mungkahi na
i-deploy ang mga sundalo sa Bureau of Customs (BoC) para tumulong sa pagpapatakbo sa ahensiya.

Gayunman, ayon kay Lorenzana, kung may ide-deploy mang mga sundalo sa BoC ay pansamantala
lamang habang nasa proseso pa si newly appointed Customs chief, retired General Rey Leonardo
Guerrero sa pagbuo ng sariling trusted civilian team.

Ayon kay Lorenzana, walang problema sa kanya ang temporary deployment ng mga sundalo sa BoC.

Sinabi naman ni Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo na
nakahanda ang militar na tumulong sa dating chief-of-staff.

Giit ni Arevalo, nais nilang tumulong sa dati nilang pinuno para maging matagumpay ang misyon nito sa
Customs.

Una rito, itinalaga ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte si Guerrero bilang bagong Customs chief, kapalit ni Isidro
Lapeña.

Inatasan ni Duterte si Guerrero na gamitin ang technical people mula sa Philippine Army at Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) para linisin ang ahensiya.

-FER TABOY

Ret. Gen. Danilo Lim bagong MMDA chief

May bagong pinuno na ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sa katauhan ni retired
Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, ayon sa Malacañang.

Kinumpirma ni Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea na itinalaga ni Pangulong Duterte bilang bagong
chairman ng MMDA ang dating Scout Ranger commander ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), at
napaulat na posibleng pirmahan na ni Pangulong Duterte ang appointment nito ngayong Lunes.

Mananatili naman sa kanyang posisyon bilang general manager ng MMDA si Tim Orbos, na kasalukuyang
officer-in-charge ng ahensiya.

Matatandaan na naging Bureau of Customs (BoC) Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence si Lim sa
administrasyong Aquino noong Setyembre 2011 ngunit nagbitiw din sa puwesto noong Hulyo 2013.

Taong 2010 nang kumandidato siyang senador bilang independent candidate sa ilalim ng Liberal Party,
subalit hindi pinalad.

Taong 2006 naman nang makulong si Lim sa pagkakasangkot sa pag-aalsa ng militar laban kay dating
Pangulo at ngayo’y Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa standoff sa Manila Peninsula
Hotel sa Makati City, kasama ang ilang junior officers na konektado sa Oakwood mutiny noong 2003.
Ngunit nakalaya si Lim nang pagkalooban siya ng amnestiya ni dating Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.

Si Lim ang ika-12 dating opisyal ng militar o pulisya na itinalaga ni Pangulong Duterte sa pamahalaan.

Una nang itinalaga sina National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Office of the President
Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista, National Irrigation Administration Chief Ricardo Visaya, Defense
Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan,
National Food Authority Administrator Jason Aquino.

Itinalaga rin ni Duterte sina National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director
Ricardo Jalad, Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu,
Land Transportation Office Chief Edgar Galvante, at incoming Interior Secretary at AFP Chief of Staff Gen.
Eduardo Año. – Bella Gamotea at Beth Camia

2 pang heneral itinalaga sa MMDA

Itinalaga kahapon ni Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim ang dalawang
retiradong heneral ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) bilang bagong opisyal ng dalawang
departamento ng ahensiya.

Nabatid na itinalaga ni Lim si Roberto Almadin bilang Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Assistant General Manager
for Operations ng MMDA, habang si retired Gen. Joe Campo naman ang magsisilbing OIC ng Office of the
Assistant General Manager for Planning.

Bukod dito, itinalaga rin ni Lim sa MMDA sina Jose Arturo Danilo Jr., OIC ng Planning and Concurrent
Chief of Staff; Atty. Romano Artes, OIC ng Finance and Administration; Atty. Vic Pablo Trinidad, OIC ng
Legal Affairs; at Atty. Michael Salalima bilang deputy chief of staff.

“Ang mga taong ito ay may mga record na magaganda. Hindi matatawaran ang kanilang serbisyo, pound-
for-pound they can compete with all the others, at tsaka kilala ko itong mga ito,” sinabi ni Lim sa mga
kawani ng MMDA sa flag ceremony sa ahensiya kahapon. (Bella Gamotea)

MMDA: ‘Di totoong ‘di na manghuhuli ang enforcers

Ni Jel Santos

Nilinaw kahapon ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) na fake news ang report na
kumalat sa social media na hindi na paparahin ng mga traffic enforcer ang mga motorista sa anumang
paglabag sa batas-trapiko dahil sa pagpapatupad ng ahensiya ng “no contact apprehension” policy
(NCAP).

Alinsunod sa NCAP, gagamitin ang mga closed circuit television (CCTV) camera sa pagtukoy sa mga
pasaway sa batas-trapiko.
Hinimok ni Jose Arturo “Jojo” Garcia, MMDA OIC general manager, ang publiko na itigil ang pagpapakalat
sa online ng mga mali-maling report.

“It’s fake news. We deny such reports. It is not true there’s no more ground apprehension,” sinabi ni
Garcia sa press conference sa MMDA headquarters sa Makati City.

Aniya, tanging sa mga opisyal na social media account ng MMDA sa Facebook at Twitter nagpapalabas ng
mga pahayag ang ahensiya.

Giit pa ni Garcia, istriktong ipinatutupad ng ahensiya ang NCAP, sa utos ni MMDA Chairman Danilo
“Danny” Lim.

Umaabot na sa mahigit 100,000 traffic violation ang naitala ng NCAP simula Disyembre 2017 hanggang
Pebrero 28, 2018, batay sa datos ng MMDA.

Sangkot sa palpak na pabahay, pinakakasuhan

Iginiit kahapon ni Eastern Samar (Lone District) Rep. Ben Evardone na dapat makasuhan ang mga nasa
likod ng substandard housing program na nakalaan sa mga biktima ng lindol sa Central Visayas noong
2017.

Ito ang reaksiyon ni Evardone nang mapanood niya sa social media ang viral na footage hinggil sa
mahinang pagkagawa ng pabahay sa Ormoc, Leyte na para sana sa mga naapektuhan ng lindol noong
Hulyo 2017.

“Charges should really be filed against those responsible,” diin ng kongresista.

Tinukoy niya ang sunud-sunod na Facebook videos, na may petsang Setyembre 24, 2018, kung saan
nakitang ininspeksiyon ni Ormoc City mayor Richard Gomez ang isang bahagi ng housing unit sa
Barangay Gaas.

Sa nasabing footage, dismayado ang alkalde sa pamnunuan ng

National Housing Authority (NHA) dahil pinapayagan nila ang contractor ng proyekto na gumamit ng
mahinang kalidad ng hollow blocks.

Napansin naman ng mambabatas ang pader ng nasabing nabanggit na pabahay na “wala sa ayos” dahil
hindi ito ginamitan ng interlocking system na magpapatatag sana sa istruktura.

-Ellson A. Quismorio

Casino ban sa Boracay, pinaboran

BORACAY ISLAND – Suportado ng grupo ng mga negosyante sa Boracay Island ang rekomendasyon ng
inter-agency task force ng pamahalaan na kanselahin ang lisensya ng tatlong casino sa isla.
HINDI PA TAPOS? Tila naging itim ang buhangin sa Boracay Island matapos ang anim na buwang
rehabilitasyon, kahapon.

(TARA YAP)

Sa panayam, inihayag ni Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) executive director Pia Miraflores na matagal na
nilang inayunan ang nasabing panukala ng gobyerno bago pa man isara sa publiko ang nasabing
pangunahing tourist destination sa bansa noong Abril 26, eksaktong anim na buwan na nakalilipas
kahapon.

“We’re happy in a way. It is aligned with what we wanted, but it’s not entirely what we wanted,” aniya.

Nauna nang hiniling nina Secretary Roy Cimatu, ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR); Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, ng Department of Tourism (DoT); at Eduardo Año ng Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) sa

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) na ibasura ang lisensiya ng mga casino sa isla.

Ayon kay Miraflores, dati na nilang tinututulan ang plano ng Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) at
Leisure Resorts World Corp. (LRWC) na magtayo ng casino sa 23-ektaryang lupain ng Boracay.

Aniya pa, bago pa magdesisyon si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na isara sa turista ang isla ay nag-o-operate
na ang mga

small-time casino kung saan ang mga banyaga lamang ang pinapahintulutang maglaro.

Nanawagan naman sa publiko ang Department of Tourism (DoT), partikular sa mga turista, na maging
responsable kasunod ng pagbubukas ng isla, kahapon.

“The Boracay experience is the ultimate lesson in balancing development and protecting the
environment. The lessons here are not for Boracay alone, but also for the other island destinations
around our beautiful country,” pahayag ni Puyat nang dumalo ito sa re-opening ceremony ng isla.

“The reopening of Boracay is not just the culmination of our journey on sustainable tourism, it is just the
beginning. Together, let us ensure that generations from now, our children, our children’s children will
still say that ‘it is more fun in the Philippines,” dagdag pa ni Puyat.

-Analou De Vera at Tara Yap

DoT handa na sa Boracay opening

Pinaghandaan nang husto ng pamahalaan ang muling pagbubukas ng Boracay Island ngayong araw,
matapos ang anim na buwang rehabilitasyon nito.

TARA NA ULI SA BORACAY! Muling binuksan sa publiko ang Isla ng Boracay sa Malay, Aklan, ang
pangunahing tourist destination sa bansa. (TARA YAP)
Ito ay nang ihayag Department of Tourism (DoT) na aabot sa 2,100 tourism front line workers ang
nakatapos ng training, na layuning mapalawak pa ang kaalaman ng mga ito sa pagharap sa mga turista
isla.

“Since the island’s temporary closure, we have been providing free training for our frontliners or the
ones who will work face-to-face with our tourists,” paglalahad ni DoT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-
Puyat.

Patuloy pa rin, aniya, ang isinasagawang training session at seminar, na pinamumunuan ng DoT-Western
Visayas, Boracay Field Office at ng Boracay Compliance and Monitoring Office, kahit pagkatapos muling
buksan sa publiko ang isla.

Kabilang sa mga sumalang sa serye ng training at seminar ang mga porter, receptionist at hotel and
resort office staff.

Naging benepisyaryo rin nito ang mga bangkero ng Caticlan, Tabo, Cagban at Tambisan ports; jetty port
checkers; ticket collectors; land transport drivers; tour guides; at travel and tour operators.

“While Boracay is still a work in progress, we are optimistic that these frontliners will help us in
showcasing the ‘Better Boracay’ we are working towards,”

Kaugnay nito, paiigtingin ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang pagbabantay sa
isla sa posibleng mga insidente ng paglabag sa batas-pangkalikasan.

Iniutos na ni DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año sa lahat ng

regional office ng ahensiya na magsumite ng listahan ng mga ordinansa ng mga lalawigan, lungsod o
munisipyo na may kinalaman sa environmental conservation, building construction, at easement
regulation.

“The DILG will evaluate the status of sewage treatment facilities, power and water supply service
capacity, and Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Land Use Plan of local government units (LGUs) that
have beach tourism destinations,” pahayag ni Año.

Gagamitan naman ng moderno ngunit environment-friendly transport system ang isla.

Ito ay gagamitin sa pagsundo sa mga turista sa reopening nito ngayon.

Ang New Boracay Integrated Transport System ay inilunsad ng he Department of Transportation at ng

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) upang maprotektahan ang kalinisan at
kagandahan ng isla.

Partikular na tinukoy ng LTFRB ang Hop On-Hop Off jeep system na pangangasiwaan ng Boracay Task
Force, Department of Energy, Grab Philippines, Hirna at Southwest company.

-ANALOU DE VERA, CHITO CHAVEZ at ALEXANDRIA DENNISE SAN JUAN

Drug trade sa Boracay, binabantayan

ILOILO CITY – Todo higpit sa pagbabantay ang Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 6 (PDEA-6) sa
umano’y drug trade sa Boracay, kasunod na rin ng papalapit na pagbubukas nito sa Oktubre 26.
“We know that people in Boracay are not just in the hundreds, but in the thousands. We are preparing,”
paniniyak ni Assistant regional director for Western Visayas Mark Damaso ng PDEA.

Aniya, layunin ng kanilang ahensya na matigil ang pagpupuslit ng ilegal na droga sa Boracay, sa tulong na
rin ng ipakakalat na K-9 units.

Kasunod na rin ito ng naging panukala ni Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-
Puyat na ipagbawal ang mga kasayahan, pag-iinom at paninigarilyo sa lugar.

“Regardless there are parties or not, syndicates will continue with their illegal drug business,” pahayag ni
Damaso.

Idinagdag pa nito na tutulong din sila sa Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at
Philippine Navy (PN) sa dobleng higpit na pagbabantay sa entry at exit points ng isla.

-Tara Yap

DRU at San Beda, nakahirit sa NCAA Juniors Final Four duel

BINURA ng Jose Rizal University ang taglay na insentibo ng defending champion La Salle Greenhills
kahapon upang ilagay ang duwelo sa patas na laban sa Final Four round ng juniors division ng NCAA
Season 94 basketball tournament sa Filoil Flying V Center.

NAKIPAGSABAYAN sa rebound si last year MVP CJ Perez ng Lyceum of the Philippines laban sa
determinadong karibal na Letran Knights sa kainitan ng kanilang laro sa NCAA Season 94 Final Four
match up. (RIO DELUVIO)

Nalusutan ng Light Bombers ang ratsada ni Joel Cagulangan at di bumigay sa matinding hamon ng Junior
Blazers sa endgame para maiposte ang 81-78 upset at maipuwersa ang do-or-die game.

Taglay ng Greenies ang ‘twice-to-beat’ sa semifinal duel bunsod ng pagiging top seed.

Tumayong tagapagsalba si Thomas Vasquez para sa JRU matapos isalansan ang pito sa kanyang 17
puntos sa huling apat minuto na dinagdagan pa ng siyam na rebounds at tatlong assists.

“Mula pa start ng season, yung dedication ng mga players, sobra-sobra. Nakaka-proud,” pahayag Light
Bombers coach Vic Lazaro.

Lamang pa ang Junior Blazers ng apat, 70-66, mahigit apat na minuto pa ang natitirang oras, bago
naglatag ang JRU ng 7-0 blast sa pangunguna nina Vasquez at John Amores upang maagaw ang bentahe,
73-70.

Lumamang pa ang LSGH sa huling pagkakataon, 78-77 matapos ang isang layup ni Cagulangan may 36.7
segundo ang nalalabing oras sa laban.

Ngunit, isang di inaasahang midrange jumper ang ipinasok ni Vasquez sa harap ng nakataas na mga
kamay ng 6-foot-8 na si Ladis Lepalam upang ibalik sa JRU ang lamang, 79-78.
Nabigo naman si Sidney Mosqueda na ibigay ang panalo sa Junior Blazers matapos magmintis ang
kanyang triple attempt bago sinelyuhan ni Marwin Dionisio ang panalo sa pamamagitan ng dalawang
freethrows.

Ito ang unang playoff win ng JRU mula noong Setyembre 2008.

“Tuwang-tuwa kami kasi sa three seasons namin, ‘di pa namin ntatalo LSGH. What a game para matalo
namin sila,” ani Lazaro.

Si Dionisio ay tumapos na may 11-puntos at 17-rebounds kasunod si John Delos Santos na may 16
puntos, 7 rebounds, at 3 assists.

Nanguna naman para sa Junior Blazers si Cagulangan na may career-high 29 puntos.

Sa isa pang laro, pinangunahan ng graduating na si Jade Talampas ang San Beda sa pagbura ng twice-to-
beat advantage ng second seed Malayan Science High School matapos nitong pangunahan ang Red
Cubs,84-71.

Tumapos si Talampas na may double-double 26-puntos at 10-rebounds upang makasama ng Light

Bombers na bumalik sa Lunes para sa kani-kanilang rubbermatch.

“Good thing we got the win today, we’re still alive. Kung magagawa namin ulit ‘to sa Monday, it’s a good
accomplishment for us,” pahayag ni San Beda coach JB Sison.

-Marivic AwitanO-OR-DIE!
ENGLISH

Govt not taking Trillanes case to CA

By CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT

October 25, 2018

MALACAÑANG has abandoned its plan to go straight to the Court of Appeals to question a Makati court
ruling dismissing the Department of Justice’s motion to arrest Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th for a revived
coup d’ etat case.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters by phone that Solicitor General Jose Calida had
decided to defer to the DoJ, which wanted to file instead a motion for reconsideration (MR) with the
Makati Regional Court (RTC).

Panelo earlier said that Calida would “very soon” file a petition before the Court of Appeals.

But Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he and Calida had agreed to file the motion for partial
reconsideration before the Makati court first.

“If it is denied, that’s the time the solicitor general will take over…If the ruling will not be reversed, go to
the Court of Appeals. That’s it. It’s the same,” he added.

he DoJ plans to file the motion of partial reconsideration before the Makati RTC Branch 148 “not later
than Friday (October 26).”

On Monday, Judge Andres Soriano of Makati RTC Branch 148 issued an order denying the DoJ’s motion
seeking the issuance of an alias arrest warrant against Trillanes, a former navy officer.

The DoJ filed the motion after President Rodrigo Duterte issued Proclamation 572, which declared as
void ab initio or void from the beginning the amnesty of Trillanes over his participation in the 2003
Oakwood mutiny and 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

The Palace argues that Trillanes, a leading Duterte critic, did not admit to his guilt. Also, his amnesty
application could not be found at the Department of National Defense.

Another court, Makati RTC Branch 150, revived the rebellion case against Trillanes and ordered his arrest
on September 25. The senator was allowed to post bail on the same day.

Panelo said Duterte would not intervene in the next moves of the DoJ and the Office of Solicitor General
on the case of Trillanes.

Panelo said Duterte’s mere directive was to “do what is best.”

‘Yeah right,’ says Lorenzana on Sison claims govt behind killing of 9 Negros farmers

By The Manila Times

October 25, 2018

“Yeah right!”

This was how Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana responded to allegations by Communist Party of the
Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison that the Duterte administration was behind the killing
of nine sugarcane workers in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

“Yeah right! Coming from the mastermind of the Plaza Miranda bombing, the killing of hundreds of New
People’s Army (NPA) cadres suspected of being agents of the government, as well as assassination and
killings of innocent civilians in the past 50 years?” Lorenzana said in a statement on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Sison accused the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National
Police (PNP) of being the perpetrators of the killing of the nine farmers in Hacienda Nene.

“Come on, Mr. Sison. Don’t be quick to point your finger as your other fingers are pointing back at you.
You have been unmasked as the man behind these atrocities by no less than your former comrades,”
Lorenzana said.

The defense chief said the NPA rebels themselves committed the massacre.

Lorenzana also reiterated that the “psywar” of Sison will no longer work in the Philippines, as even his
fighters in the NPA were allegedly surrendering in droves.

“As I’ve said before, you will be consigned to the dustbin of history as a pathetic revolutionary failure
who has achieved nothing of not but who, instead, wrought bloodshed and suffering to the Filipino
people,” he said.

Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., AFP chief of staff, insisted that the massacre was connected with the alleged “Red
October” plot to oust Duterte despite a declaration from Lorenzana that it had fizzled out.

Galvez also said that the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) was linked with the CPP and NPA,
saying the slain farmers were recruited into the organization the same day of the massacre.

The nine farmers were killed on Saturday evening while having dinner at a tent in the farmland. Police
said it was looking at three angles to the killing. DEMPSEY REYES

Senators oppose PH withdrawal from IPU

By The Manila Times

October 23, 2018

home / News / Latest Stories / Today's Breaking News / Senators oppose PH withdrawal from IPU

SENATORS Franklin Drilon, Panfilo Lacson, and Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday rejected the proposal of
House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that the Philippines withdraw from the Inter-Parliamentary
Union (IPU).

Drilon, Lacson and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto were part of the Philippine delegation this
month to the 139th IPU conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Aside from Arroyo, House members present in the same IPU meeting were Representatives Gustavo
Tambunting, Ron Salo, Rodante Marcoleta, and Eric Martinez.

With 178 members and 12 associate members, the IPU is an organization of national parliamentarians
worldwide. Formed in 1889, the IPU aims to “protect and build global democracy through political dialog
and concrete action.”

“House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should mind her own and we will mind our own. I oppose the
proposal of Arroyo that we withdraw from the IPU just because this global body of parliamentarians
expressed its concern over the political persecution of our fellow Senators Leila de Lima and (Antonio)
Sonny Trillanes,” Drilon said.

“Arroyo’s proposal is despairing, defeatest and will be seen by the world as a tacit admission that indeed
critical lawmakers are being persecuted under the Duterte administration,” said Drilon, also Senate
minority leader.

The Senate majority bloc said that the supposed inquiry by the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of
Parliamentarians into the alleged political persecution of de Lima and Trillanes is still in the
recommendation stage “and is thus not binding for now.”

Asked to comment on Arroyo’s proposal to withdraw from IPU, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd said,
“I am inclined to concur but after due consultation with my colleagues.”

“Perhaps the IPU’s human rights committee should be reminded that the Philippines is a sovereign state
with a working judicial process, and a Constitution that decrees the separation of powers for the
executive, legislative and judicial branches,” Sotto said in a text message.

Lacson said Arroyo’s recommendation is based on the wrong premise. “The IPU has yet to act on its
Human Rights Committee’s recommendation to the IPU Governing Council. Having said that, it is
premature, if at all, to denounce the IPU as a whole, much less withdraw membership from the body.”
“Second, by withdrawing, it would imply that the Philippine Senate acknowledges the political
persecution of opposition senators. Third, it is the Senate, not the House of Representatives, that is a
member of the IPU, so I’m not sure where Speaker GMA is coming from,” he said in a text message.

Hontiveros said the plan to withdraw membership in the IPU is a “virtual admission of guilt on the part
of the Duterte government.”

“It only confirms the IPU’s serious concerns about our country’s worsening human rights record. If this
goes on, the way it’s going, the Philippines will soon run out of intergovernmental bodies that it can be
part of. President Rodrigo Duterte cannot withdraw our country from the world,” Hontiveros said.
BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

Gov’t urged to reconsider operating Bataan nuclear plant to bring down power rates

By The Manila Times

October 28, 2018

THE government should consider reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to lower electricity costs,
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said.

“You know, we have all the safety measures so we should really consider the revival of the Bataan
Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP),” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd told reporters in a recent
interview.

The 620-megawatt power plant BNPP was built under the Marcos regime but never became operational
amid allegations of corruption during its construction.

Dominguez said that by updating its facilities, the power plant may bring down rates, making it a good
investment for the government. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Boracay rehab ‘a lesson of political will’ — Palace

By CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT

October 28, 2018

Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte was pleased with the rehabilitation of Boracay, adding the
bold move of shutting down the island for six months was “a lesson of political will.”

“Boracay is a lesson of political will, as exhibited by PRRD (Duterte) and yet, it is also a lesson of neglect,
misfeasance and malfeasance by responsible persons in office,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said
in a statement on Saturday.
“The cesspool that was Boracay would not have happened if political will was exhibited by those in
authority and if only officials of the island paradise, as well as the stakeholders, operated following the
law and the rules and regulations of pertinent government agencies,” he added.

Panelo said the public should take these lessons to heart so Boracay can be recognized as a world-class
beauty.

“It has to take the strong and decisive leadership of the President to put things in order and we should
all learn from these lessons so that Boracay will become an attraction not only in this country but in the
world,” he said.

“We commend the different departments for the evolution and development of Boracay, as well as the
patience and cooperation of everyone,” he added.

Boracay was closed in April this year after the President declared it a “cesspool.”

It was reopened on October 26, although the government said the rehabilitation of the island would be
completed by the end of 2019.

‘Maybe it’s better if we don’t suspend it’

By MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO, TMT

October 19, 2018

Recommendation to shelve 2019 fuel tax hike could be recalled – Pernia

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is open to recalling a recommendation to
suspend fuel tax hikes scheduled next year, its chief said on Thursday.

“Maybe it’s better if we don’t suspend it. We really have to study it seriously first,” Socioeconomic
Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters at the sidelines of a business conference.

Pernia said that economic managers, who earlier this week announced the possible deferral of the fuel
tax hike, should meet again to discuss latest price developments.

“We can revisit it. We can talk about it,” he added.

The NEDA chief’s statements came after the Department of Finance (DoF) indicated that the suspension
may no longer be necessary.
“While Dubai oil price levels for the next six months using October 8 futures prices would have required
suspension of the adjustment in excise tax for the next 6 months, the latest prices levels show
otherwise,” the Finance department said in an economic bulletin on Wednesday.

It showed that from $82.577/barrel on October 8, Dubai crude prices had dropped 2.9 percent on
October 12 to $80.188/barrel.

Also, the DoF said that Dubai crude oil futures for the next six months had dropped below $80/barrel.

Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino 2nd, however, pointed out that the
recommendation to suspend the tax hike still stood and that the Finance department still expected
Malacanang to formalize the move.

“The review will happen at some point next year after the suspension is implemented,” he also told
reporters on Thursday.

Higher taxes on fuel products were implemented under the Tax Reform of Acceleration and Inclusion
(Train) law that took effect at the start of 2018.

Under the law, a second round of fuel tax hikes is scheduled to take effect at the start of next year. It can
only be suspended “when the average Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts

Singapore (MOPS) for three months prior to the scheduled increase of the month reaches or exceeds
$80 per barrel.”

The tax hikes under Train have been blamed for rising inflation, which hit a fresh nine-year high of 6.7
percent in September. Legislators earlier this year called for the suspension of the fuel tax hike as
consumers complained of rising prices, a move that was rejected by the DoF.

In a related development, Pernia said that newly approved minimum fare hikes for both public utility
jeepneys (PUJ) and buses will likely have a minimal impact on inflation.

“Maybe the impact to inflation is not that significant. We have already factored in transport price hikes in
our projections,” he told reporters.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday announced the
approval of an increase in the minimum jeepney fare to P10 from P9 and followed this up on Thursday
with a P1 increase in bus fares to P11 and P13 in Metro Manila.

Jueteng money used to buy votes – PCSO

By RHAYDZ B. BARCIA, TMT

October 28, 2018

LEGAZPI CITY: Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan said
the charity office wants to stop the operation of illegal numbers game (jueteng) in the country as it is
being used to buy votes by some local government units (LGUs).
“We want to fully eradicate jueteng because this is the source of LGUs to buy votes,” he told reporters in
a media briefing held here on Thursday.

Although, he admitted that jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling are hard to curtail, the Small
Town Lottery (STL) will help kill or stop jueteng operations in the country.

“If the STL is strong, it will eradicate jueteng, but if jueteng is stronger in one area, it would also kill the
small town lottery operation,” he said.

Balutan pointed out that in the past, jueteng was a way of life of Filipinos but STL operations have
generated multi-million remittances monthly for the government in a single area alone.

The PCSO’s small town lottery operation generated more than P7.4 billion or an increase of 43 percent
from July to September.

He said that in Batangas alone, the LGUs remitted P104 million monthly except in Albay province where
the STL operation failed to remit the appropriate share to the PCSO due to presence of bookies.\

It was said that jueteng and STL co-exist or operate together in Albay, which prompted Balutan to warn
the LGUs to stop their involvement in illegal number games or he will divulge their names in the coming
months.

The PCSO, according to Balutan, is strictly monitoring LGUs across the country involved in jueteng ope-
rations that could face legal action.

In Albay, the STL was affected by the existence of jueteng, resulting in the cancellation of its operation.
PCSO cancelled the franchise of Lucky V Prime Enterprises Corp. to operate STL in Albay over its failure to
remit a total of P259.4 million in monthly sales.

Balutan said Lucky V subcontracted the STL to another operator that resulted in poor collection and
cancellation of franchise. “Albay has a shortfall in STL remittances that’s why we terminated the
contract,” he said.

Also, the Albay provincial government cancelled the franchise of Lucky V management a few months ago
for failure to remit monthly sales.

The Lucky V management started operations in Albay in May 2017 after it secured a license to operate
STL. But the gaming firm, then headed by Alex Herman Alemania and corporate secretary Alexander
Javier, became controversial after a shooting incident.

Alemania was gunned down inside his van with a female companion at the parking area of Ayala mall
here in November 2017 over an alleged internal dispute among its Authorized Agent Corporations.
Alemania died but his female companion survived.
BIFF detonates 2 IEDs as 9 members surrender

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL, TMT

October 28, 2018

CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao: Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
believed to be owned by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) exploded in separate locations in
Ampatuan, Maguindanao on Friday.

The explosions happened as nine BIFF members surrendered to security forces in General Salipada K.
Pendatun, also in Maguindanao, on the same day.

Maj. John Arvin Encinas, spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) on Saturday said the first
explosion happened at about 8:40 a.m., some 400 meters away from the troops of the Philippine Army’s
2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion who visited Barangay Poblacion to conduct an activity for the
community.

Encinas said that when the troops were about to respond to the blast site, another IED exploded about
100 meters away, 15 minutes after the first explosion.

The troops immediately secured the blast sites and conducted road clearing to secure motorists passing
along the highway as the 32nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (32EOD) conducted safety procedures
and assessment.

The 32EOD found that the first IED was made of 81mm unexploded mortar ordnance while the second
was made of black powder placed in a can.

Initial investigation and reports from civilians in the area pointed to Samad Simpal, a BIFF commander, as
perpetrator of the twin explosions.

“The BIFF’s recent IED attacks are manifestations of their being desperate and weak already. They could
no longer fight face to face with the government forces that secure the Filipino people,” said Maj. Gen.
Cirilito Sobejana, 6ID commander.

Sobejana also said that Simpal was responsible for the series of harassments of military troops and
detachments.

Meanwhile, nine BIFF members, including a commander, surrendered in General Salipada K. Pendatun
town after their families convinced them to return to the fold of law.

They surrendered to Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, with a certain
commander Banog who arranged a meetingto formalize their surrender.
“Commander Banog said his family members were instrumental in convincing him to finally surface in
the name of peace,” Cabunoc said.

The BIFF members handed over two .50-caliber sniper rifles, three anti-tank rocket launchers, two rifles
and two grenade launchers.

A total of 39 BIFF militants have already surrendered to the 6th ID since April 2018.

With a reports from AL JACINTO AND ROY D.R. NARRA

2 suspects charged for death of 9 farmers

By The Manila Times

October 27, 2018

Police have filed a multiple-murder case against two members of a sugar workers’ group for the death of
nine sugarcane workers in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, last week.

In a statement, the Sagay City Police Station said it slapped Rene Manlangit and Rogelio Arquillo, both
members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NSFW), and John Does with multiple-murder
charges over the mass killing.

It described Manlangit and Arquillo as recruiters.

According to the Sagay police, they have gathered statements from complainant-witnesses, including a
minor who survived the incident.

Based on examination of the statements, police said they found that the two recruiters “deceived the
victims and enticed them” to join the NFSW by promising them a parcel of land once the sugar
federation’s supposed cause succeeds.

They added that they also found in their investigation that the nine farmers used to be members of the
Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and were part of Oplan (Operation
Plan) Bungkalan and Okupasyon.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde defined the operation plan as a “grand design to
occupy private and government property using their (CPP-NPA) mass base and to create untoward
incident then blame it on the government.”

“Let this incident be an eye-opener to everyone not to be persuaded by the promises of these groups
claiming that they want to help the people when all have only their selfish and ill motives to put down
the government,” the statement read.
The police slammed some human rights groups for “hampering” their investigation.

“What puzzles us are the human rights groups who, instead of joining the PNP in pursuing justice for the
victims, they hamper our investigation by taking away our witnesses and discouraging other family
members from cooperating in the filing of the case,” they said.

The police assured the families of the victims that justice will be served to them and they will not stop
until all the assailants are identified and arrested.

Albayalde previously claimed in a radio interview that the NSFW is a “legal front” of the NPA.

He said the nine victims were not legitimate tillers and they were just recruited by the same federation.

In response, the NSFW slammed Albayalde’s tag on them and said his statements made it look like the
victims deserved their deaths.

Chief Sup. John Bulalacao, police regional director of Western Visayas, said they are also looking at other
angles in the death of the nine farmers. ROY NARRA

Locsin, Chinese FM to sign bilateral deals

By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

October 28, 2018

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Saturday said he was looking forward to welcoming
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi when he arrives in President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown of Davao
City today, Sunday, to sign bilateral documents regarding the government’s infrastructure, law
enforcement and humanitarian assistance programs.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wang would meet with Duterte’s economic managers
regarding the government’s massive infrastructure program at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao on
Monday.

After the meetings, bilateral documents will then be signed by Wang, Locsin and Duterte’s economic
managers.

Wang’s visit comes amid negotiations for a proposed energy exploration deal between the two countries
in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), which was the initial agenda on the scheduled
visit last September 16 to 18.

The visit was cancelled due to the onslaught of Typhoon “Ompong.”

The DFA, however, did not say if the proposed joint exploration deal would be included in the bilateral
documents.

Former foreign secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who resigned to run for a House seat, previously said
government was seeking to have the framework agreement, which would allow the two countries to
undertake energy exploration, signed this year.

“The two sides are also expected to continue discussions on oil and gas cooperation, with the view of
coming up with a framework of cooperation that conforms to respective rules and regulations and
international laws,” the DFA previously said.

Cayetano had assured the public that any planned energy exploration deal with rival claimant China
would not violate any provisions of the Philippines’ 1987 Constitution and international laws.

Wang’s visit will also be an opportunity for the two governments to prepare for the Philippine visit of
Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.