City Mayor's Office Activities

Feeding program for children

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (30 March 2015) - A feeding program through the partnership of the Youth Affairs and Development Office and RD Foundation Inc. serve children in Barangay Sinawal during the Barangayan Friday, March 27. This feeding program, as well as other government services, are offered free every weekly Barangayan initiated by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

Kids learn in Barangayan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY  (30 March 2015) – The city government  brings the  Barangayan program to Barangay Sinawal Friday, March 27, so that City Hall and barangay officials could confer on local concerns. Services like storytelling for kids, feeding program, “libreng gupit”, free medical check-up and medicines, massage and civil registration are also accessed by the constituents. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

People first in Barangayan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (30 March 2015) – Residents of Barangay Bawing are prioritized in the free medical services given by the city government through its Barangayan program Friday, March 27. The city government also brought government services to Barangay San Jose on March 20 through the Barangayan program where residents availed of services like free medical check-up, medicines , massage  and civil registration. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

World TB Day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (30 March 28 2015) – The Department of Health (DOH), St. Elizabeth Hospital, Mindanao Medical Hospital, General Santos Doctors Hospital, Mother Children Hospital, Midwives Association, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Mahintana Foundation, PAMET South Cotabato Chapter, Public Health Center, doctors, nurses, midwives, and medical technologists support "World TB Day" as they teach the community how to treat tuberculosis (TB) at Barangay San. Jose on Tuesday, March 24. This activity aims to provide awareness of the illness called TB initiated by DOH and the City Health Office. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

To Honor or Dishonor CAB???

REBLOG FROM MY PREVIOUS BLOG WITH REVISION OF SOME MISSING POINTS.

The Historic Signing of Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro Peace Documents - CAB.

To Honor or Dishonor CAB???

By: Abs Damahan

Kalayaan Garden Malacanang Manila (ADLSTV and adlsntv.blogspot.com /3-27-2014 @ 7:46PM) The concluded signing of Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro document between the GPH-MILF has finally sealed off the 43 years old Bangsamoro struggle demanding for self-determination leaving the aspiration for Independent.

In their assembly point at Sofitel Hotel Luxury Hotel Pasay City all members of the front from the Central Committee figures down to the base Commanders all over Mindanao instead of using their regular uniform fatigues; they are in Americana attiresuits with the same colours dark blue to grace and witnesses the signing of CAB.

BriefInterviewed with one veteran Commander of the front in the name of Sheik Husain Abas the oldest fighter from their rank spent 40 years in fighting with the government troop. He is at 71 years of age to join his front comrade troop to Malacanang ferrying by the luxury Bus # 10 today on the historic signing of Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). He even joke me in their native tongue Maguindanaon translateshe said, “it’s an honor to wear American suit in which I am not aspire for it and then he smiled and laughed at me in a grimed face”,sabiniyasa akin (Sa wakasnakasuotakoAmerikananahindikopinangarap) sabaymalakasnatawaniyasa akin. That was Bapa Husain Abas.

It has been a long struggle BapaAbas said, 153,000 Bangsamoro killed and still counting damage to properties immeasurable and unaccountedin costing in forty-three(43) years of conflicts. Estimated Php640 Billion economic losses since 1972 to date, AFP spent Php132 Billion for combat operation, military hardware and equipment and still counted, MNLF Founding Chairman Prof. NurMisuari organized Moro struggle in 1969 as a revolutionary movement with only three (3) core group after the JABIDAH MASSACRE, then he recruited Moro Combatants in the early 70s to mobilize into armed fighters with a strong forces of 30,000 fully armed group against the government then declining after the 1976 Tripoli Agreement one fourth to one half of MNLF returned to the fold of law as surrenders (Suko o balikArmas)because of a strong policy attraction of then Dictator President Ferdinand E. Marcos Philippine ruled by Decrees and repressive laws at that time. And then the polarization of the revolutionary movement Patriarch leader UstadzHashimSalamat created separate revolutionary movement, the birth of MILF faction they started from 55 members in 1977 increased to 12,000 strong fully arms combatants for the year 2001 still counting of more followers, symphatizers and supporters to the revolutionary movement to date. At the height of a strong and powerful government campaigned against the MORO STRUGGLE. The mass victims affected by war accounted the numbers of displaced civilians of 2 Million and still counted as of to date.This was deeply painful experienced on past and history of the Bangsamoro. The next generation of the Moros should not experience the war we were started in the 70s against the government.

BapaAbas not recanted of his 40 years membership in the front of at least our struggle end with a peaceful solution. He is thanking the founder MILF by blood he is his first Cousin to UstadzHashimSalamat, and alsoKagiMurad Ibrahim Chairman of MILF, KagiGhadjaliJaafarVC for Political Affairs, KagiMohagherIqbal Chairman of the BTC and Cadre Officers of BIAF and to all front members who fought side-by-side depending the Moro homeland pagtataposniBapa Sheik Husain Abas.

By age factor of the trio leaders of revolutionary movement of KagiMurad Ibrahim Chairman of MILF, KagiGhadjaliJaafar VC for Political Affairs and MohagherIqbal Head of the peace negotiating panel and Chairman of the BTC, they are considers more accommodating and secular Moro leaders of MILF after them, we don’t know who will get the throne of MILF Chairmanship “I am afraid and in fear the next in line leader of the movement might be more radical than the three, who wanted for peaceful solution of the BANGSAMORO question??? As their legacy to the BANGSAMORO people.

“The summed up, the BANGSAMORO arepolitically, economically, socially and culturally divested of the legitimate rights to exist as distinct people for their Rights to Self-determination”.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION, FELLOW PEOPLE of GOD!

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 FOR YOUR INFORMATION, FELLOW PEOPLE of GOD!

           The ABS DAMAHANS LIVE STREAM NEWS TV, with this writer as the Anchor number 2 and Gemma G. Roda  as the Video-c camera director, and of course, Mr. Abs Damahan as our manager/director has made already 26 episodes in the social media and thru the AM Radio DXDX RPN 693 khz till last March 14, 2015.

          Due to the problem of coastal erosion in barrio Tinago, Barangay South, General Santos City, the DXDX RPN radio program was temporarily suspended.

           So, we express our regret to our listeners of RPN AM radio DXDX 693 khz for the temporary suspension of our program every 7pm to 8 pm every Saturday.

           However, through needed negotiation, we the ABS DAMAHANS group have arranged that starting March 28, 2015 (sat) at 3 to 4pm, We resume our program at RADIO ALERTO, PurokMalakas, Barangay San Isidro, Lagao.

           This time we ‘be arranged with the Radio alerto Management that our program will be modified.

           Since every Friday is the Barangayansa barangay as the scheduled by the local government, we also will follow by the activities in every scheduled Barangayan, We coordinate with the Barangay Captain per Barangay and go with the schedule of activities there.

            Starting this Friday march 27, the barangayan will be in sinawal. We will coordinate with the barangay Captain there so we could follow up the different activities in Sinawal.

           So we keep you informed of developments of activities, of the pros and cons of the barangay move towards progress and so on.

           Fellow Generals, located in 26 different Barangays of Gensan, be updated with what are  going on in our city, the highly urbanized one in Mindanao, the hub in business in this part of Region 12.

           As we move towards 2016, just 9 months away from now, you and do keep abreast of what are going in our environment, especially now we are in this ASEAN INTEGRATION (ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS) which comprises 6 rich nations like Brunie, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam and still 4 poor under developing countries, Combodia, Laos, Nyanmar and Philippines,

            What might be in store for us especially the still under developing country already mentioned elsewhere in this article?

           May we: Combodia, Laos, Myanmar and Philippines benefit much or only a little in this ASEAN integration in terms of economy and benefits?

           Some politically wise men say that as usual  great, rich nations will surely have a much bigger edge than those, poor, still under development nations.

            How much integration in terms of economy and entreprenual matters shall the 4 poor members of the ASEAN benefit from this merging of the ten nations in the South East of Asia?

           In terms of how to go about with running sophisticated business deals, the poor under developed nations Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Philippines would be and could be on two head’s and left behind by the 6 rich, highly sophisticated, already established countries of Brunie, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam!

If we were in a Basketball game, these 6 would surely gain much more than what the four country achieve considering their expertise and knowledge gained as far as running a business is concerned, wouldn’t they?

            But why have they (the four countries) accepted the challenged to deal with to dare to challenge those expert in entrepreneurship?

           Well, we’ve accepted the challenge.

           LET’S SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN!(ADLSNTV and adlsntv.blogspot.com)

HOW IS TRUE THAT 62% OF MINDANAWAN DOESN’T LIKE BBL???

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Inspiration-

                             The truth will set us free base on Justice!

           

            How the reliable survey result is conducted by Pulse Asia that 62% of the Mindanawan doesn’t like the BBL??? Is their recent survey reached the hinter-land of Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur??? I don’t think so; Pulse Asia, I sure you can’t reach them the fertile ground of the Arms Combatants continued fighting for 42 years of “self-determination”.

           In the past survey conducted by Pulse Asia there are some Political candidates they made to win, even they are not came out or included in the list of winning candidates in their survey.

          With this kind of evident the result of the survey is not reliable if we bank on the result of survey.

                

                                                                WHAT IS BBL?

             This BBL Law if it is approved in congress and passed into law, this becomes constitution or Basic Law of the Muslims including with the Indigenous people: B’laan, Tiboli, Caulo, Mansaka, Mamanwa, Higaonon, Kongkista and others.

            This BBL draft law objectives is for administrative governance for Bangsamoro, or if they follow the Federal system of Government push by some National and Local leaders of our nation. This federalism followed to American system of government every state, region, province, head their own governor, vice governor, sangguniang panlalawigan, mayor, vice mayor, sangguniang panglunsod, barangay captain and sangguniang barangay.

            If there are issues connected for National, they refer it to the National Government. Likewise, if there issues also in the local situation it is very easy to resolved the problem with-in their jurisdiction.

            This idea can be conformed and subscribed to the aspiration of our brothers and sisters in Bangsamoro, for “self determination”.

                                     IN WHAT KIND OF POSITIVE STRAGEDY OF NON MUSLIM RELATION

                                                           TO THE BANGSAMORO PEOPLE???

              The mind set of Muslim Pilipino brothers and sisters, the group of MILF, Bangsamoro Freedom Fighters, and other arms group they are considered them with the same privileges and rights in our system of governance?  But many of us our Muslim brothers and sisters should not treat them equally for the same privileges and rights should live together? Or we look upon them and treat them as a second class citizen of this nation. Or they are disobedient people or condoned as violence people?

                                                      WHO ARE THOSE DISOBEDIENT??

           We are disobedient both Muslim and Christian, We are all disobedient or destructed people? Or sinner?

           Why non-Muslim treated Muslim a second class citizen?

           Majority of us treated them as a “Bad people” because, we are bias towards them?

           According to one Professor of Theology  Theology – study of God) maybe we are surprise that many of our Muslim brothers and sisters they can enter the gate of heavens rather than many of us, we Christians in name who are arrogant and disobedient to God’s command and teaching!

           We should examine our conscience, according to the history book written by professor Rodil, that our Muslim brothers and sisters for the past 200 hundred years, they are under the ruled by Christian leaders that treated them with bad attitude and evil motives. In that case they cannot forget and erase what they have been experienced in the hands of the unruly Christians towards them up to now. Until now the Mindanawan look down our Muslim brothers and sisters of misconception, they are the victims of war without non-sense and purpose.

                     PEACE AGREEMENT OF THE MILF BETWEEN THE AQUINO GOVERNMENTS

            According to Mr. Mohagher Iqbal, Chief negotiator of the Peace Panel of MILF and chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), they have an agreement between the Aquino Government and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) they should not enter to the identified MILF camp without proper coordination with them first, Why PNP - SAF went inside directly to the 105 MILF Base Command without proper coordination???. If we based from the press statement of Iqbal, we cannot blame the MILF of what happening in Mamasapano incident. (Quote and unquote). Who is to blame? Or who are to blame? To those who are not respecting and does not fallow the peace agreement?

SUGGESTING THAT OUR “BIASES TREATEMENT” T0 OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS MUST BE ERASED

            Because they are also belong the same creation of God, as human being. Like us also the Christians the Son of God. They need also like us Christian a peace and independence without control from others who made them the second class citizen forever.

            Hoping this make it happened. (By: Prof. Rose A. Barrera Co-Anchor of ADSNTV and adlnstv.blogspot.com)

         

PEACE, AN ELUSIVE GIFT TO US...

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                                          Peace, an Elusive gift to us

           For many of us, wherever we are in the world, or whatever race we belong to and whatsoever stand we exposed, PEACE IS AN ELUSIVE GIFT.

            I had once a friend, a college teacher like me in Notre Dame of Dadiangas College, now Notre Dame of Dadiangas University. She confided to me her secret.

            “You know Rose”, she said, I can’t understand myself. Because till now all my 3 boyfriends (BF’s) are gone no matter how much I tried to hold them”.

           “At the time I felt I was close to each of them,” she went on, “He was gone! So I felt alone and disgusted!!

          Why, I asked her. “You know”, she said, “When we have an argument, I see to it that I win in it.”

           That’s why you lost all of them; I commented “yes” she sadly responded to me.

           Like a lover, peace is elusive. Why? Because we think of it and treat it as one which we can dominate, never to allow it to go free.

           When the lord rose from the dead, He appeared to His apostles and greeted them “Peace I give to you, not as the world gives it” In the guise of good, we greet peace. But in reality that peace is sugar-coated to appear delicious, in the guise of gold, diamonds, anything that glitters.

           But we never realize that   “not all that glitters is gold or diamonds.”

            Why is peace AN ELUSIVE GIFT to us? Because it needs to be fully free, without any mixture of selfishness, arrogance, condescension, domination. The more we release it, the better it would stick to us. Like a plastic bunching toy that we hold but we release it freely, we enjoy the game, don’t we?

            Peace, as the song says, STARTS WITH OURSELVES, with sharp care to be humble to be patient with ourselves and others.

           To listen more rather than to talk, to see the points of view of the others rather than our own, to allow the others to be themselves, never to dictate them what to do but just to suggest or offer an idea or solution to a problem—these can be avenues to building peace.

            Briefly, peace is the result of the truly human-heart to heart dialogue or relationship with anyone that looks forward to letting the other “free”

           Peace in Mindanao is a very big problem, why? Because the minority like the Muslims is made to feel that they are “second” or “third” class citizens of our country.

           So, we look down on them. We don’t allow them to be themselves. We dictate on them our own Values, our own culture, our own whims and caprices, considering that many of them are uneducated, Instead of us to lift them to decency, to righteousness, because we are Christians. (By: Prof. Rose A. Barrera Co-Anchor of ADLSNT and adlsntv.blogspot.com)

TESDA SEC. JOEL J. VILLANUEVA WITNESS SIGHNING OF MOA

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TESDA SEC. JOEL J. VILLANUEVA WITNESS SIGNING OF MOA                              

  BETWEEN TESDA REGION 12 AND MinTVET

            GENERAL SANTO CITY - Secretary Joel J. Villanueva witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Agreement between TESDA, Region 12 and Mindanao Technical Vocational and Educational Training on March 19, 2015 at Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City.

            The MOA was signed by TESDA Region 12 director Zeus Ampuyas and MinTVET, President Rey Albano of Holy Trinity College.

            Secretary Joel Villanueva first thanked TESDA partners, media partners, government partnership with MinTVET, He talked of sharing with all those who espouse TESDA. He said, “we don’t pretend to know and to do everything, But we make linkages with allthose interested in the TESDA advocacy and endeavor.

            A lot of money has been appropriated for TESDA scholars in the Regions of Mindanao regions: Caraga, Regions 9,10,11,12 and ARMM, in the amount  P30M.

           Secretary Joel Villanueva made it clear that TESDA helps would be students/scholars to know and to do what choices they have, for free. It has produced many excellent workers from different fields. Said Mr. Joel J. Villanueva, “we have allowed trainees in TESDA for world class workers because TESDA allows students to make choices of their own, with their invitation, “SA TESDA, MAY CHOICE KA!”

            Villanueva encourages the participants to maximize taking part in the program for students with and without special abilities for as long as they want to earn and make a living.

            The media from the Print, Radio and internet took part and asked questions in the presscon.

            By. Prof.  Rose A. Barrera Co-Anchor of ADLSNTV and adlsntv.blogspot.com

BIFF MOHAMMAD ALI TAMBAKO ARRESTED IN GENSAN

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EX-BIFFvice chair Tambako, 5 others arrested in Gensan;Usman still elusive

(Updated 10:25 am) General Santos City- wanted suspected terrorist Mohamad Ali Tambako, former vice chairman of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and five others were arrested Sunday night in General Santos City.

The operation was carried out by joint elements by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police who served warrant of arrest for murder and double frustrated murder against Tambako.

According to Officials, Tambako’s arrest is crucial because he can clarify whether alleged Filipino bomb maker Akmad Batamol Usman- alias Abdul Basit Usman is dead, wounded, or managed to escape the military operations carried out by the AFP against the BIFF.

Five other suspected BIFF members were arrested along with Tambako-Mesharie Edio Gayak, Datukan Sato Sabiwang, Ali Valley Ludisima, Ibrahim Manap Kapina, and Abusahma Badrudin Gujamil.

They, along with Tambako, were on tricycle in Bgy. Calumpang heading towards the Sea fort in General Santos City at 9:00pm on Sunday when intercepted by combined military and police intelligence and operating troops.

During the arrest, three fragmentation grenades and two short firearms were also seized.

Tambako has a standing Warrant of Arrest for murder and multiple murder issued by Judge Jorge Jabido RTC Branch 15 in Cotabato City.

Justice for Islamic Movement

Tambako bolted by BIFF in November 2013 over differences with former comrades.

He established his own organization, Justice for Islamic Movement, said to be the closest to Usman. The five men arrested with Tambako are believed to JIM members.

Tambako was a member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) before he joined the BIFF.

It is not yet known whether Tambako’s group was planning to escape using the backdoor gateway going to Indonesia via the sea port in General Santos City or planning to plot another terror attack. Interrogation is still underway.

Authorities are hoping the capture of Usman and BIFF founder Ameril Umra Kato will happen soon following Tambako’s arrest. Source: GMA News.com

DOST Weather Report Update

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DOST

2015; 03;16 10;59 AM

S4AC: 24-Hour Public Weather Forecast Synopsis; Ridge of High Pressure Area (HPA) affecting Northern Luzon. Meanwhile at 4;00 am today, the Tropical Storm “BAVI” (International Name) Outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) was estimated  based on all available data at 2,100 km east of Bicol ?Region (13,4N, 143,5E), with maximum winds of 75kph and gustiness of up to 09 kph. It is forecast to move west southwest at 35 kph. Forecast: The whole archipelago will experience partly cloudy to the times cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, light to moderate winds blowing from the northeast to east will prevail over Luzon and coming from the northeast over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas. Pls. visit www.pagasa.dost.gov

IMT - TEAM ARRIVED IN MINDANAO

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The International Monitoring Team - Mindanao 10 (IMT-M10) arrived in Mindanao on Saturday to continue Malaysia's commitment in monitoring and observing the ceasefire between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The team arrived at the Awang Airport here on a C130-owned Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) before being taken to the IMT-M headquarters located about five kilometres away.

A ceremony to hand over duties and roles was then held between IMT-M10 Head of Mission Maj Gen Datuk Sheikh Mokhsin Sheikh Hassan and IMT-M9 Head of Mission Maj Gen Datuk Abdul Samad Yaakub.

It was witnessed by Chairman of the Government of Philippines-Ad hoc Joint Action Group (GPH-AHJAG) Brig Gen Manokuto O.Orense, Head of Government of Philippines-Coordinating Committees for the Cessation of Hostilities (GPH-CCCH) Secretariat Major Carlos T.Dol Jr and MILF-CCCH chairman Rasid Tan Ladiasan.

In line with the IMT-M slogan of "Together We Make It Happen", Sheikh Mokhsin said he was optimistic and confident that his team was capable of carrying out the responsibilities entrusted to them with dedication and discipline.

"We will continue to tread the path of excellence of the previous team in ensuring that the peace process can be achieved in the near future," he told Bernama.

The IMT-M10 comprises 16 members, of whom 11 are from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), two from Royal Malaysian Police and three others are civil servants from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Read more: www.malaysiandigest.com/…/545654-imt-m10-to-continue-malays…

MOHAGHER IQBAL SPEECH

PUBLIC

(Transcript of Message of Mohagher Iqbal during the Peace Rally of the Indigenous Peoples in Maharlika Plaza, Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao-March 7, 2015)

BISMILLAHI RAHMANIRAHEEM

Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat, at sa mga kasamahan natin sa presidential table.

Ngayon ay dumadaan tayo sa isang malaking pagsubok, kong hanggang saan ang pagtitiis natin, hanggang saan ang pagsisikap po natin, kong hanggang saan ang kaiportante ng kapayapaan sa ating lahat.

Ang Proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, ay nasa kongreso na ng Pilipinas. Naumpisahan na po ang pag deliberate sa kongreso, kaya lang noong mangyari ang very tragic incident , very unfortunate incident, ang Mamasapano, January 25, kong saan 44 ang mga SAF commandos ang namatay at marami pang ibang na wounded at sa parte ng MILF , ay 18 ang namatay, 14 ang sugatan, maliban pa doon may lima pang sibilyan na namatay, dahil sa engkuwentro na yun.

Malungkot na nangyari, nakakalungkot po, masakit sa atin , lalong lalo na sa ngayon na nag-uusap ang goberno at ang MILF at ang pinaka-iportanteng dokumento ay nadamay. Ang sinasabi ko dito ay ang Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro at iyong Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, kong saan iyong proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law ay doon po nakaangkla sa dalawang agreement na yan, at sana po kong hindi nangyari yun January 25 na insidente sa Mamasapano, ay malamang, sigoro naipasa na po ang proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Pero tayo lahat ay naniniwala na may Diyos, alam natin na ito na ang nangyari at ito na ang nangyari at wala ng ibang nangyari, ito na nangyari, kundi ito lang at dahil doon ay tatanggapin po natin ang mga pamamaraan kong papaano natin, isulong yung usapang pangkapayapaan at kong papaano natin maipasa ang proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Pero nakakalungkot po, na maraming indibiduwal, maraming mga grupo, mayroon din sa mga kasama sa grupo na yan na tinatawag natin na mga leaders of society, na instead na manawagan sila ng kapayapaan, ang panawagan nila ay giyera po. Giyera po. Sa tingin po natin mas madali nilang gawin dahil sila po ay hindi nila natikman ang giyera dito sa Mindanao. Ang nakikita lang nila ay ang napapanood nila ay sa mga pelikula, ang napapanood nila ay sa mga sine, hindi po nila natitikman ang lupit ng giyera. Kahit magkaroon tayo ng giyera dito sa Mindanao ay sila ay andoon sila sa Manila, andoon sa mga bahay nila, na masasarap ang pagkain nila, maganda ang nararamdaman nila, samantala tayo ay naghihirap dito Mindanao, lalo na dito sa proposed Bangsamoro area.

Kaya panawagan ko po sa lahat, maging Muslim man o maging Kristiyano o di kayay mga kapatid na Indigenous Peoples, dapat magkaisa tayo, manawagan po tayo na magkaroon ng kapayapaan, na maipasa po ang proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Kasi ang Bangsamoro Basic Law o BBL ang tawag natin, iyan ang daan sa kapayapaan, iyan ang daan sa development, iyan ang daan sa progress dito sa Mindanao, lalong-lalo sa mga probinsiya na napapaloob dito sa Bangsamoro area.

Alam natin gaano kahirap ang giyera, gaya ng sinasabi nila na giyera, katulad ng sinabi ko, kaya hanggat maari ay huwag na natin ulitin, na hindi na dapat mangyari ang giyera dito sa Mindanao.

Kaya manawagan po tayo, dapat magkaisa tayong lahat, para manawagan po tayo na magkakaroon ng kapayapaan dito sa Mindanao, dahil alam natin na sa giyera ay walang nanalo, lahat ay talo, tayong lahat ay matatalo.

Ang giyera dito sa Mindanao ay nag-umpisa noong 1972, 42 years na po, so hindi naresolba ang problema dito sa Mindanao sa pamamagitan ng giyera.

Alam natin na malakas ang goberno ng Pilipinas mayroon silang tangke, mayroon silang eroplano, mayroon silang barko, lahat ng kasangkapan ay mayroon kanila, hindi nila kayang talunin ang MILF ang gobrno ng Pilipinas, dahil malakas ang goberno ng Pilipinas. Pero hindi naman kayang talunin ng goberno ng Pilipinas ang Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Ang MILF, ay di kayang talunin ng goberno ng Pilipinas, kasi kaya naman ng MILF na mag-girelya di ba? Huwag lang sa confrontational warfare, dahil mas malakas ang goberno doon, pero pag girelya warfare, mas malakas ang MILF.

Kaya hindi na ho dapat ang panawagan natin na giyera, giyera dito sa Mindanao kasi walang nanalo gaya ng sinasabi ko at hindi ito matatapos kaya nga ho nagdedesyon ang goberno ng Pilipinas at ang mga Moro Islamic Liberation Front early as 1997, na instead na mag-giyera ay mag-uusap tayo ng kapayapaan para maresolba ito sa pamamagitan ito ng mapayapang paraan.

Gaya ng sinabi ni Chairman Salamat Hashim (Ya Yarhamo). Ang sabi niya sa English : “The most practical and most civilized way of resolving the conflict in Mindanao is thru a negotiated political settlement.” Siya mismo ang nagsabi, ang pinakamaganda, pinakamagandang paraan sa pagresolba sa problema ditto sa Mindanao ay sa pamamagitan ng mapayapaang paraan.

Iyan din po ang sinusunod ng leadership ng MILF sa pamamagitan ni Chairman Hadji Murad, yung mapayapang paraan. Kaya nakikita po ninyo, kahit gaano kahirap ay sinusunod po natin ang usapang pangkapayapaan dahil alam natin iyan ang daan patungo sa kapayapaan dito sa Mindanao, patungo sa development ang progress dito sa Mindanao.

Ngayon malakas ang panawagan ng giyera, sinasabi ko po sa inyo, God Willing, Insha Allah, malakas po ang ugnayan, partnership ng goberno ng Pilipinas under the presidency of Benigno Aquino III at ng mga kabinete at ng Moro Islamic Liberation, na isulong po ang kapayapaan at isulong din po ang Bangsamoro Basic Law sa kongreso ng Pilipinas.

Kaya nga po kong minsan maririnig natin na siansabi ng iba na namumuno sa atin sa Manila, sabi nila si Secretary Deles, Professor Miriam Ferrer, parang spokeman o spokemen ng MILF, dahil yung sinasabi po ng MILF, yun din ang sinasabi nila, dahil po ang presidente ngayon at ang administration ay sinusunod yung sinasabi na “tuwid na daan”.

Ano ba yung tuwid na daan? Ang tuwid na daan, kong ano ang napirmahan ng goberno at ng MILF Kong ano ang napirmahan, dapat ay sundin ng goberno ng Pilipinas at ng MILF. Kaya nagkaisa po ang boses nina Secretary Deles at Professor Miriam Ferrer at kami po. Dahil ang tinitingnan po naming ang tinutugunan po natin at sinusunod po natin ay yung mga dukomento at ng agreement na pinirmahan natin.

Kaya nagkaisa ang boses namin, ganoon na nga, makikita natin na isang boses naming dahil sa lang ang kasunduan na pinirmahan ng goberno ng Pilipinas at MILF.

Dahil po diyan tanungin po natin ang taong bayan, kaya po ba dito sa Upi? Yung mga local government executives po natin dapat kausapin po natin sila.

At saka yung mahirapan at wala ng kaya, manalangin na lang po tayo na dapat mangingibaw po ang kapayapaan dito sa Mindanao.

Nakikita natin, na dahil sa pagsunod ng goberno ng Pilipinas sa lahat ng kasunduan ng goberno at MILF at pagsunod ng MILF sa lahat ng kasunduan, umangat po ang pag-uusap ng goberno ng Pilipinas at MILF.

Tapos na po ang pag-uusap, tapos na po ang negotiation. Hindi na ho negotiation at discussion, tapos na po. Ang natitira lang dito ay maipasa po ang BBL.

Maliban pa doon sa kausapin natin ang mga leaders natin, mga congressman natin, mga gobernador natin, yung membro ng mga media, dapat din po na ang mensahe ng kapayapaan sa mga leaderist ng Pilipinas at saka yung mga kapuwa din natin na mga tao dito sa Pilipinas, para po lalaki (lalawak) po ang boses ng kapayapaan, at hindi ang boses ng nanawagan ng giyera.

Sa MILF po, inuubos po namin ang lahat ng paraan, para po tayo magtagumpay. Kami po ay naniniwala na kahit na nakikita natin ngayon na mahirap ang dinadaanan natin ngayon, kami ay naniniwala, kami po ay nanalig at the end of the day, ang boses ng kapayapaan, ay iyon po ang magtagumpay.

So hindi ko na pahahabain ang aking mensahe, dahil ho mayroon pa kaming pupuntahan pa, from here, di ko pahahabain pa ang pagsasalita ko dito. At pasesiya lang po kayo na hindi masyado ang aking pananalita ko dito. Ang iportante for the first time, ay napunta ako dito sa poblacion ng Upi. Ngayon lang po ako napunta dito. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Commissioner Melanio Ulama na inaanyayahan niya ako para Makita ko ang munisipyo ho ninyo pangalawa para ho makausap ko kayo, kahit papaano masabi ko dito abng mensahe ng kapayapaan.

Para sa ating lahat, maraming salamat

CDRRMC trains barangays for disaster response

PUBLIC

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 March 2015) – The Integrated Barangay Affairs and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) conducted a Rapid Community Response Program (RCRP) Wednesday, March 11, to train barangay volunteers for calamity  preparedness.

The RCRP is a two-day training-workshop implemented by the city government to equip barangay residents the basics of disaster preparedness and mitigation skills.

The participating barangays were Baluan, Fatima, Lagao, San Isidro, San Jose and Sinawal.

CDRRMC action officer Bong Dacera handled the seminar and introduced the volunteers to the plausible hazards their respective barangays are prone to.

He also taught them how the CDRRMO analyzes community risk assessment and tools for hazard assessment.

A simulation drill set on March 21 will be held after the one-week planning for simulation drill.

“After the two-day classroom seminar, they will go down the purok level and facilitate community organizing,” said Dacera.

“We give them one week to plan, and then the following week, Saturday, will be the drill simulation of the first batch,” he added.

The RCRP is also part of the advocacy of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to attain environmental security and rehabilitation through disaster risk resilience.

The city mayor plans to make the activity regular in order to empower barangays in times of disaster or emergency. (Gensan CPIO/ Sharmagne Villacastin)

CMO City Public Information Office

General Santos City

(083) 302-1164

Barangayan sa Barangay Bawing

ANIM NA BOMBA NAGTAGPOAN SA MALIAGAYA COLUMBIO

PUBLIC

SULTAN KUDARAT - Anim na bomba o improvised explosive devise (EID) ang na recover ng tropa ng gobyerno sa tulong PNP EOD team. Bandang alas 5:30 AM kahapon habang magpatrolya ang sundalo at CAFGU sa purok San Jose, Brgy. Maligaya Columbio, Sultan Kudarat ay isinumbong ng sibilyan na nagtanim ng mga bomba o mga landmines ang mga grupong NPA di-umano. Kaya matagumpay nakuha ito ng mga tropa. Kahapon din 8:00 AM din ay isinumbong ng mga Brgy.  opisyal ng Brgy. Banayal, Tulunan, North Cotabato sa tropa ng 39IB ang isang granada na iniwan malapit sa Purok 2, Brgy. Banayal, Tulunan which declared as peace zone. Gagawa ng kagulohan ang mga rebeldeng NPA para ma higlight ang kanilang anibersaryo sa Marso  29. (By: ADLSNTV & Blog)

FULL TEXT: ‘Binola ako’ ni Napeñas – Aquino

PUBLIC

FULL TEXT: ‘Binola ako’ ni Napeñas – Aquino

This is the transcript of President Aquino's response to a question on what exactly happened in Mamasapano on January 25

Rappler.com

Published 9:00 PM, Mar 09, 2015

Updated 11:38 PM, Mar 09, 2015

DON'T BLAME ME. President Benigno Aquino III delivers his message during the Malacañang Prayer Gathering at the Malacañan Palace Grounds on Monday, March 9. Photo courtesy of Malacañang Photo Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Below is a transcript from the Office of the President of the response of President Benigno Aquino III to a question posed by Pastor Ed de Guzman during a meeting with the Coalition of Christian Leaders in Malacañang on Monday, March 9. (READ: Aquino: Napeñas tricked me on Mamasapano)

De Guzman asked the President what exactly happened in Mamasapano on January 25. Below is the President's response:

‘Yung sa Mamasapano ho, alam naman po ninyo, ang objective natin dito mayroong tinutugis na dalawang kilabot na terorista. ‘Yung isa ang ngalan ay ‘Marwan,’ ‘yung isa naman ay isa Basit Usman. Si Marwan ay Malaysian at si Basit Usman naman po ay Pilipino.

Ngayon, mayroon hong outstanding warrants, and tanda ko po – kunwari si Marwan – 2002 pa ho tinutugis na. So miyembro ho raw si Marwan ng grupong tinatawag na Jemaah Islamiyah at miyembro ng central committee nila – mataas hong opisyal doon sa grupong ito – affiliated, allegedly, with al-Qaeda. Sila po ang inakusahan na nasa (likod ng) pambobomba sa Bali, Indonesia kung saan – kung tama ho ang tanda ko – lampas 200 katao ang namatay. Doon sa pambobombang ‘yon talagang gustong maghasik ng terorismo na nagpaputok ng isang bomba, hinintay magdatingan ‘yung first responders at saka, ‘yung sa ating kataga, ‘yung ‘usisero;’ ‘nung marami nang nagkumpol-kumpol doon, pinaputok ‘yung pangalawang bomba kaya ang dami hong namatay.

So mula 2002 hanggang itong taon nga hong 2015 ay talagang nagkakalat (siya) ng kanyang kaalaman sa paggagawa ng bomba sa iba’t ibang mga grupo na gustong magpatuloy ng karahasan. So marami pong operations na nangyari na bago pa noong panahon ko para madala itong si Marwan, si Usman, at iba pang mga terorista sa ating mga korte. Ito hong huling plano ay tinawag na ‘Oplan Exodus.’ Napakarami na hong mga planong hinain. ‘Yung sa panahon ko, mayroon akong naalala noong 2012, may mga operations noong 2013, at mayroong mga operations din noong 2014. Kung minsan po AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) ang nangunguna sa operations—sila ang may tinatawag na actionable intelligence—mayroon naman po kung minsan ang PNP (Philippine National Police).

So dito po sa plano, dapat papasok ang – ‘yung tinatawag nilang seaborne na SAF (Special Action Force) – sila po… Well, ‘yung explanation sa akin ‘nung umpisa, 160 na seaborne SAF ang mag-a-undertake ng mission na kung saan susuportahan – sa aking utos – sila ng AFP, lalo na doon sa pagpasok stealthily, paglabas. Mayroon ho kasing kalaban na tinatayang mula tatlo hanggang apat na libo (3,000 to 4,000) – parang potential na kalaban. Nandiyan po ‘yung grupo ng BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters); nandiyan po ‘yung MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front); nandiyan po ‘yung private armed groups na diumano ng Ampatuan. 2013 po nag-service ng warrant para sa isang suspect sa Maguindanao massacre, at ‘nung sinerve (serve) po ito, lumaban; napatay po ‘yon, nahuli ‘yung kanyang mga kasamahan; paglabas po kasama ng mga naaresto, nangyari po ‘yung tinatawag sa practice sa Mindanao, ‘yung tinatawag nilang ‘pintakasi.’ ‘Yung nagsama-sama ang kung anu-anong puwersa, kadalasan Muslim, at ‘pag maliit ‘yung puwersa ng estado ay – sa Tagalog po – ‘kinukuyog.’ E (sa) pagkakataong ‘yon maganda ho ang coordination. Tatawagan ‘yung mechanized brigade, pasok ‘yung mechanized brigade, nailigtas po ‘yung ating mga miyembro ng PNP regional office sa ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao).

So dumating po itong operation. Mayroon po tayong ‘nung mga, unang-una, actionable intelligence. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ‘non? Itong si Marwan, si Usman, pinpointed ang tinitirhan. Hindi ho nakita dito, nakita diyan. Normally, ‘pag sinabing ‘sighting,’ may isa tayo o dalawang ahente ng intelligence na wala hong magagawa kung nag-iisa o dalawa. Pero ngayon po, medyo ilang buwan na silang pumirmi, tumigil at nagcu-cultivate po ng maayos na pagkilos dito sa lugar nga ho sa Mamasapano. So gumawa ho ng plano, prinisenta sa atin ‘yung pinakahuling version ‘nung January. Prinisenta po sa atin ‘yung buong plano sa pamamagitan ng isang Power Point presentation na kung titingnan po natin ay nakapa-thorough ‘nung planning. Ultimo po ‘yung ano bang phase ‘nung buwan, ‘yung gaano kalakas ba ang illumination ng buwan, naka-plot po doon sa kanilang mga dates. Bakit namin pinili itong petsang ito? Ipaliwanag ko lang po nang konti, pasensya na ho kayo medyo mahaba ‘yung details, ano.

‘Yung night vision ho, device, siyempre ‘pag walang buwan o mahina ‘yung buwan – palubog ‘yung buwan – maximum ‘yung effect niya dahil ‘yung kalaban natin na walang night vision siyempre madilim ang ino-operate. So ang lamang po ng ating puwersa, mayroong night vision device, pipili ng araw kung saan mahina ‘yung illumination ng buwan o may cloud cover na dagdag para ma-maximize ‘yung advantage nila. So pupuntahan ‘yung target, papasukan, nag-jump off ng 10:00 ng gabi – ‘yon pong detalye nalaman ko na after—pero gabi, papasok doon, madaling araw – mga ala-una, alas-dos – matatapos ‘yung misyon, tapos lalabas. ‘Nung prinesent (present) na po ‘yung plano, siyempre, hindi ho lahat ng detalye hiningi ko. ‘Yun bang, ‘ano ba ‘yung actual na rutang tatahakin? Ilan ba ang tatahak sa rutang ito?’ Mayroon pong tinatawag sa gobyernong ‘presumption of regularity.’ ‘Yung taong kausap ko hong expert, dapat hindi ko na siya turuan ng… Kunwari ho, college level na, hindi ko na tatanungin ng ‘paki-recite mo nga ‘yung A, B, C, D,’ ‘di ba? So parang sa presentation mukhang pinag-isipan lahat, ang hindi ko lang ho—o hindi ako masaya doon sa plano, sabi ko, 160 ‘yung gagamitin mo diyan at 3,000 to 4,000 ‘yung potential na baka maging kalaban, baka naman mapintakasi tayo o siguradong mapipintakasi tayo at mabibilad ‘yung mga tao mo.

So sinabi ko sa kanya kailangan makipag-coordinate ka sa AFP. ‘Yung AFP po kasi – kausap ko dito si Director (Getulio) Napeñas – ‘yung AFP ho ang may kanyon, may armored vehicles, may eroplano. ‘Pag sinabi hong coordinate… Sabi niya sa akin, ‘sir, magko-coordinate kami sa jump-off’ – kumbaga, pagkilos. Sabi ko hindi pwede ‘yung pagkilos dahil patungo ka na doon sa objective. Kailangan i-posisyon ‘yung kanyon; kailangan i-posisyon ‘yung tangke; kailangan i-posisyon ‘yung eroplano; kailangan i-posisyon ‘yung tao; kailangan i-posisyon ‘yung gasolina at saka ‘yung bala ng kanyon, ‘yung bomba ‘nung eroplano, et cetera. Hindi mo naman magagawa ‘yan in 30 minutes or less. Sabi nila, ‘sir, ‘yung operation on security.’ Kausapin niyo ‘yung pinakamataas na kailangang kausapin na pwede niyang utusan lahat itong subordinate units na pumunta sa kani-kanilang mga puwesto para reding (ready) umalalay.

Ngayon ho, ‘yung sagot niya sa akin ‘nung una, ‘jump-off;’ hindi ako pumayag. In-insist ko several days before, pinakamataas, dahil nabilinan ko rin po beforehand doon sa ibang operation – Chief of Staff ng AFP at saka Director General ng PNP – mag-coordinate kayo para hindi kontrahan ‘yung mga ginagawa ninyo, para matugis itong dalawang ito. So sinagot po niya sa akin: ‘Yes, sir.’ Dumating ‘yung araw, January 25, ‘di po ba – baka itatanong niyo kung bakit tandang-tanda ko ‘yung petsa? Birthday po kasi ng nanay ko ‘yon e, at tumungo kami sa Zamboanga dahil doon sa pambobomba na nangyari na kung saan lampas 50 katao ang nasugatan, may dalawang patay. Una kong natanggap na text, nandito pa ho sa telepono ko, parang pinadala ng 5:45 – aminin ko nakapatay ‘yung telepono ko, 7:00 more or less ‘nung pagbangon (ko) binuksan, sinagot ko siya ng about 7:30 or so – at sinabi sa akin doon sa text ni Director General (Alan) Purisima… Sa kanya ko ho dinadaan kasi parati mula nung umpisa ‘yung mga mensahe ng director ng SAF. Hindi ko ho kausap ‘yung director ng SAF e, diretsuhan, mula ‘nung umpisa. So naabot si Marwan, na-neutralize, nagkaroon ng firefight at napaatras sila. Sa dulo ho sa palitan namin, tinanong ko – kasi nakalagay ho sa text niya 15 hanggang 20 katao ang lumaban dito sa puwersa natin – so ang tanong ko sa kanya: ‘160 ‘yung ipinadala ninyo, mayroong suporta ng AFP at saka PNP units pa, bakit aatras ‘yung 160 kung ang lumalaban 15 hanggang 20?’

Mayroon hong doctrine sa militar kasi, ‘pag mayroon kayong gustong i-take na objective,’ minimum ratio is three-to-one (3:1). ‘Yung aatake ho dadaan sa open ground, ‘yung nagdedepensa naman nakakubli, so mas maraming malalagasan sa nag-a-attack. When you want to take an objective, the ratio therefore of attackers to defenders is three-to-one, and when you want to take and hold their objective, it has to be eight-to-one. So 160 po ‘yung atin, 15 to 20 ‘yung sa kanila, bakit umatras ‘yung 160 natin? At parang doon po, medyo napag-isip na ako, ‘mukhang may kulang yata dito sa sinasabi.’ Tapos ang paliwanag nakihalo raw po ‘yung BIFF kaya naobliga hong umatras ang ating mga puwersa.

Ngayon ho, ‘yung… Marami hong detalye e. Ayoko naman ho kayong lunurin sa detalye, pero simpleng-simple ho, ganito ‘yung mga nakita natin sa umpisa’t umpisa: ‘Yung kung saan ho kayo nakaupo ngayon – damuhan, ‘di ho ba? – ngayon, ganyan ho ‘yung hitsura ‘nung 80 percent ng lupain dito sa area na ito. Kumbaga ho, ang idea, ‘yung seaborne lulusob; ‘yung SAF 55 ang aalalay sa kanila; babantayan ‘yung escape route. Ang problema ‘yung babantayan na lugar, ganyan, damuhan; walang punong kukublihan – kung mayroon man, mga ilang punong niyog, ilang puno ng saging, ‘yung iba maisan. ‘Yung mais ho hindi haharang ng bala; ‘yung saging hindi rin siguradong haharang ng bala. Ngayon, isipin po ninyo, 38 ang lumusob na SAF na seaborne; ang sasalo sa kanila 36 ng SAF 55. Kung ‘yung 38 umatras, ibig sabihin may humahabol na puwersang malakas, tama ho ba? Kung malakas ‘yung puwersa na hindi mahinto ng 38, siguro mas hindi matutulungan ng 36, maliban na lang ho kung mayroong tinatawag na… ‘Di ba, mayroong itinuturo sa ating ‘choose your battlefield?’ Ibig sabihin ‘non, hanap ka ng terrain, lamang ka. Mayroon kang pagkukublihang mga malalaking bato; mayroong mga punong magtatago ng puwesto mo; may oras ka na gumawa ng foxhole, ‘di ba? Tapos magugulat ‘yung humahabol. Pero ang problema nga ho, ganyan pala ‘yon. Hindi ho sinabi sa aking… ‘Yung picture na ipinakita sa akin iba-ibang – ‘yung darkness ho ng green e. So parang ‘pag tinitingnan mo, ‘o dito mukhang makapal na makapal ang puno; ‘pag dito tiningnan mo – o dito mukhang cultivated land,’ so mayroong… Pipili ka ng puwesto… May in-establish ho kasi ‘nung papasok at dalawa ‘yung exit route; babantayan ‘yung exit route na lamang ka sa puwesto – ‘yon may posibilidad ‘yon na kaya mong harangin ‘yung mas malaking puwersa.

So ang problema nga ho nito, bakit walang foxhole? Wala hong entrenching tool pala itong SAF. Entrenching tool ho ‘yung puwedeng pala, puwedeng piko, gagawa ka ng foxhole. Wala palang terrain na pagkukublihan. Tapos ang masakit pa ho, inutusan lahat itong mga susunod na aalalay doon sa seaborne, bawa't platoon – tawag ho nila ‘company,’ pero actually ang dineploy (deploy) doon platoon – ‘yung platoon ho mga 30 katao. Babantayan ang tatlong waypoint. ‘Yung tatlong waypoint, maghahati pa pala itong 30, tapos tatayo sa damong ganyan. Kung alam ko ho ‘yung parte ng planong ‘yon, palagay ko ho hindi na natin in-approve. Sandali lang, paano haharang ito, paano aalalay kung wala silang advantage ng terrain?

Ngayon po, ano ang mga nangyari pa? Pagtawid una ‘nung seaborne, biglang mataas ‘yung tubig at malakas ‘yung current. Ang nakatawid doon sa 38, 13. So ‘nung ginawa ‘yung plano – ‘yung seaborne na operator po kasi 50-plus e – hindi ginamit ‘yung buong 50-plus, ang ginamit 38. So 38 was deemed enough at mayroon kang reserved, kung tutuusin, doon sa unit para ma-accomplish ‘yung pagtira doon sa dalawang target and then ‘yung pagkuha. ‘Nung nangyari ‘yon, 13 na lang ang natira, one-third na lang ng puwersa mo; puwede na hong nagsabing ‘abort.’ Teka muna, kailangan natin times three, ang dadalhin natin one-third; mukhang malabo itong planong ito. First time na – ‘yung sa pagtingin pa lang po doon sa nangyari. ‘Yung SAF 55 naman po na umabot sila sa waypoint 12, ang debate po dapat nasa waypoint 19 sila. Waypoint po parang ‘yung sa GPS (global positioning system), dapat nandito kayo sa puwestong ito. So ang distansya po bawa't waypoint between 100 to 200 meters, so malayo sa puwesto para makaalalay ‘yung SAF 55. Puwedeng… ‘Nung nalaman ko… Ang makakaalam po nito ‘yung tactical command post kung saan nandoon si Director Napeñas. Kulang ‘yung seaborne na nakatawid muna ‘nung ilog, malayo ‘yung aalalay, pwede na niyang sinabi ‘yung ‘abort.’ Dahil nahuli sa pagpuwesto ‘yung SAF 55, ‘yung SAF 41 to 45 na nauna na bumabantay ng ruta at saka ng kalsada, nahuli rin. Dapat silang i-deploy 2:30 ng umaga, dineploy sila nang 5:30 ng umaga. Ang problema po ng 5:30 nang umaga, malapit nang sumikat ‘yung araw, wala nang silbi ‘yung night vision mo—hindi ka na lamang. Puwede na namang sinabi ‘yung ‘abort.’ Parang makikita naman niyang, ‘Uy! 2:30, e 3:30 na hindi pa nakapuwesto; 4:30 na hindi pa nakapuwesto; 5:30 na hindi nakapuwesto’—puwedeng i-abort. Sasabihin—[baka ho may] magtatanong: ‘bakit hindi siya nag-abort?’ Hindi ko ho alam. Dahil marami ho silang ibang operation na nag-abort at iba-iba ang dahilan.

Sa totoo lang ho, dito sa pagkakausap ko sa SAF, doon sa plano parati pong mayroong isang pahina na sinasabing ‘kailan tayo pwedeng mag-abort?’ Dito ho tinanggal ‘yung pahina. Nawala doon sa operations nila na mayroong parang pahintulot na puwede kayong mag-abort. Ngayon ho, ang masakit, pagdating nitong SAF 41 to 45, pagbaba nila ng sasakyan, ang testimonya ng mga hepe nilang nandoon, nagpuputukan na. Ang dapat siguro ‘non—mga 300 mahigit po ito, mga 318 o 319—inipon mo ‘yang puwersang ‘yan, dinikitan mo na as much as possible, sinubukan mong tulungan ‘yung SAF 55. Ang inutos daw ho sa kanila, ‘punta kayo doon sa mga waypoints ninyo.’ Parang tinuloy ‘yung plano na nagbago na ‘yung nangyayari o ‘yung kondisyones. Tapos ‘nung hinati-hati dito sa kanilang mga waypoints—siyam na waypoints yata silang hinati doon sa 300—hindi, sandali ho. ‘Yung tatlong kompanya, hinati sa siyam; tapos ‘yung dalawang kompanya pa o platoon, actually, iniwan doon sa kalsada para bantayan ‘yung kalsada, hindi sila ma-ambush doon sa kalsadang ito. ‘Nung hinati-hati ‘yung puwersa, bigla nang nakapag-isip, mukhang kailangan nating tulungan ‘yung 55, ipunin lahat ‘yan. Siyempre, tumatakbo na po ‘yung oras, nagbabakbakan na; hinati-hati mo, iipunin mo; by the time na nakalapit po sila, ang testimonya sa akin, napalibutan na nang husto ‘yung SAF 55—hindi sila makalapit. Sumubok hong tumulong, supposed to be, ‘yung SAF 45 sa isang side; tapos ‘yung bumabalik po na seaborne, sumubok ring makipag-link up dito sa SAF 55. Pero masyadong malakas daw ho ‘yung putukan, ‘yung mortar, hindi sila makalapit.

Ngayon ho, ‘yung ginawa ho ni Director Napeñas, ‘yung sinabihan niya akong 160 ang gagamitin dito, ang dinala niya doon over 390. Tapos, siyempre, iniisip natin bakit niya ginawa ito? ‘Nung sinabi ko sa kanyang ‘yung 160 manipis, inisip niya: ‘teka muna, kumuha na ako ng lahat ng madadala ko diyan.’ So ‘yung 160, times two, 320; dinagdagan pa niya kaya naging 390. Siya lang ho—at ilan sa kanila doon sa senior na group—ang nakakaalam na hindi sila nag-coordinate sa AFP. ‘Yung coordinate po: ‘Dito kami papasok, dito kami lalabas; ito ang potensyal na haharang sa amin, ito ang kailangan naming alalay sa inyo,’ ‘di ba? ‘Yon ho ang coordination e. Ngayon, sana ho pwede kong masabing ‘tatanga-tanga si Napeñas, hindi niya alam ‘yung lugar.’ Ang problema ho siya ‘yung regional public safety battalion commander ‘nung 2007 to 2008. Alam po niya ‘yung terrain; alam po niya ‘yung kultura. Siya po ang may alam na hindi siya nag-coordinate sa AFP. Idagdag ko pa ho, nagkaroon ng… ‘Yung AFP bakit naman nila alam na may ganitong operation? ‘Nung AFP Day po ‘nung 2014, nagkaroon ng coordination meeting, na para bang nag-usap ng concept. Walang sinabing detalye. Sa dulo po ‘nung meeting, hihintayin ng AFP ‘yung mga detalye para makapagplano sila ng kanilang papel. Nagkaroon ng pangalawang meeting sa Zamboanga, wala pa rin ‘yung detalye. So ang pananaw ng AFP, walang operation, hanggang humihingi na ng saklolo alas-sais ng umaga—pabalik na. Tandaan ho ninyo, nangako siya ‘nung una, ‘jump-off’ – 10:00 ng gabi ‘yon – sabi ko, days before. Hindi nagawa ‘yung days before, hindi nagawa ‘yung 10:00, ginawa po niya ‘nung pabalik na ‘yung tropa – ‘yung ‘time on target’ na tinatawag nila.

Ngayon, ‘yung AFP ho sumubok tumulong, ‘yon bang… Sa totoo lang ho, may mga radyong sophisticated na ginagamit po ng Sandatahang Lakas at saka ng pulis. Sa pulis po dalawang klase pa ang mga radyo. Pero ‘nung araw na ‘yan parang maraming gumamit ng cellphone. At ‘yung cellphone hindi ho maganda ang signal sa ibang lugar, nagkaroon pa ng question ng load, ‘yung mga ganoon ho – kasama na ho ‘yon sa itutugis ng Board of Inquiry. Pero ang bottom line ho, kung alam ko na ganito ang gagawin niya from the start, ay hinindian ko ho itong misyon na ito. Parang ‘yung puwedeng-puwedeng maging successful na misyon, sa ginawa niyang plano, parang naging mission impossible. Ngayon ho, ‘yung masakit ho nito sa totoo lang, bago ako umalis at tumungo ng Zamboanga, nakatanggap ako ng dalawang text: isa galing kay Director General Purisima kung saan nilagay doon na ‘yung artillery saka ‘yung armor ay tumutulong na. Hindi ‘tutulong’ pero nakalagay po doon are ‘all ready in support.’ Nag-text po si Napeñas, ipinadala niya sa liderato ng PNP – kay General (Leonardo) Espina – mga alas-singko na ng umaga, o baka alas-sais na ng umaga, kung saan ang pinaka-importanteng parte doon sa ipinadala niya… Sinabi naman ho ‘yung ‘si Marwan nakuha, umatras ‘nung may nakipaglaban…’ – ganyan. Sa dulo po ‘nung text ni Napeñas, nakalagay doon, ‘extraction ongoing.’ Hindi ho ‘extraction is imminent’ or ‘extraction started’ – ‘extraction is ongoing.’ So binalikan ko po itong mga text dahil sabi ko, ‘bakit ba wala akong sense of urgency na delikado ang mangyayari o nangyayari doon sa SAF 55?’ ‘Pag sinama niyo ‘yung dalawang texts, tapos ‘yung nag-‘yes, sir’ sa akin… Ako lang naman po ‘yung Commander-in-Chief, sinabi ng subordinate ko na tutuparin niya ‘yung utos ko—at mayroon naman pong nangyari noong 2013 na ‘pag tama ang coordination ay hindi ho napapahamak, ‘di ba, ‘yung ating tropa—akala ko ho tapos na ‘yung insidente. Pagdating ko ho ng Zamboanga City, doon naging klaro, halos walang may alam. Naging maliwanag na walang coordination. ‘Yung nasaan ba actually ang tinutulungan natin?

‘Yung seaborne ho na SAF, sa totoo lang hapon na, late afternoon bago tayo sinabihan na mayroong – dalawa pala ang sinasalba nating SAF units, hindi lang ‘yung 55. Ngayon ho, ‘yung… Sa totoo lang, naghanda tayo pati eroplano. Pag-alis ko ho sa Villamor patungo ng Zamboanga, sabi ko sa commanding general ng Air Force, sabi ko ‘yung operation natin kay Marwan ha, siguraduhin mo ‘yung available assets talagang available.’ Sagot sa akin: ‘Yes, sir.’ Alam ko nag-coordinate sila lahat e. Pag-alis ko, tumawag siya sa Western Mindanao Command, sinabi ‘ano ba ‘yung operation kay Marwan?’ So talagang mayroon pa hong mga ibang detalye na pababayaan ko na ‘yung Board of Inquiry. Pero madaling… Mapapakita po sa lahat ng ebidensya – cellphone records, witnesses, et cetera – sinolo ni Napeñas, siya ang nag-desisyon, at ang dami niyang mga desisyon… Parang may times hindi yata nag-desisyon, may times ho ‘yung desisyon niya palpak. Pero pag-alis na pag-alis niya sa akin noong January 9, or thereabouts, mukhang lumalabas ngayon wala siyang intensyon na tuparin ‘yung utos ko sa kanyang makipag-coordinate.

Ngayon ho, kung may coordination sana, ‘yung seaborne ho… Nagkaroon… Una, isa lang ang sugatan sa kanila, pero ‘nung hinabol nang hinabol sila umabot ng siyam ang kanilang casualties. ‘Yung kaya nasalba nakapaputok ang AFP ng tinatawag nilang marking rounds: papuputok ng artillery round, makikita mo kung saan tatama, mag-a-adjust kayo – iabante ninyo, iatras ninyo, igilid ng kanan, kaliwa. Nagpaputok ng isa, hindi nakita; nagpaputok ng pangalawa para makita ulit; at inabutan ng pangatlo para manigurado. ‘Yung kalaban, nakita tatlo na ang pumutok, akala po nila dahil ‘yon ngang… Normally, ‘pag nagpaputok ka ng marking, ‘yung una sobra; ‘yung pangalawa, kulang; ‘yung pangatlo, sentro—pagtapos ‘nung pangatlo… So tatawag na ngayon ‘yung commander on the ground ng ‘fire for effect,’ bubuhusan na ng rounds ‘yon. So ‘nung pumutok ‘yung tatlo, akala ng kalaban parating na ‘yung artillery na bubuhos sa kanila, umatras—doon na-rescue ‘yung seaborne. Kung nag-coordinate sa umpisa’t umpisa, sa atras nila mayroon na tayong artillery na haharang doon sa humahabol, iba ho ang usapan. Pero dahil wala hong sinabihan, hindi nag-coordinate; ‘yung coordinate ho saan ba manggagaling… Saan ba nakapuwesto ‘yung artillery ninyo? Ano ba ang maximum distance niyan? Hindi ka pwedeng dumaan doon sa kung saan tatakbo ‘yung artillery round, kailangan sa gilid. Saan ba dapat babagsak ‘yan? Anong oras ba dapat mong ipadala ‘yan? ‘Yung minuto ho importante e. ‘Nung dumating ho, sabi ng AFP, may parteng hindi maibigay ‘yung eksaktong puwesto. So ngayon, ‘yung kausap mo nandito siya, ‘nung dumating ‘yung bala nandoon siya, e doon mo ipinadala ‘yung artillery rounds, hindi ho puwede, kaya kailangan may coordination na maganda—patung-patong ho ‘yan hanggang, ‘yon na nga ho, nabilad. Medyo ‘yun ‘yong ikinasasama ko ng loob e. Hindi dapat mangyari ito: [kung] sumunod ka na lang sa utos, iba na sana ang nangyari. At the very least, mababawasan ‘yung casualty natin. Sana hindi mo na rin plinano na lulusob diyan stealthily, kuno-kuno, na wala naman palang pagkukublihan. Sana hindi mo na dineploy ng 5:30 nang umaga na wala nang silbi ‘yung night vision mo.

Ang mga deboto po nating kapatid na Muslim, ‘yung mga iba ho nagdadasal alas-quatro ng umaga. So ‘pag dumating ka ng alas-singko y medya medyo gising na gising na, at ‘yun ‘yong iniiwasan mo na makakita sa’yo para nga hindi ka mapintakasi, pero alam niya ‘yon e. Dumating ng 5:30, pinabayaan pa rin. Ngayon, ano ba ang alam ko doon? So marami hong operation; na-abort for one reason or another, tapos ito sinabi sa akin from January 23 to 26. Tapos bigla na lang January 25, umaga, ito na ‘yung tinetext. Sana, sana nasabihan ako: ‘sir, napaligiran na ‘yung tropa natin dito, medyo mabagal ang kilos ng AFP’—parang ganoon—iba ang usapan. Pero ang sinabi, pag-alis ko, bago ako umalis ng bahay papunta ng airport: ‘nililigtas na lahat at tumutulong na lahat ng dapat tumulong.’ Hindi pala totoo ‘yon. Ang totoo lang ho kasi, ‘yung armor support umalis ng kampo…’ ‘Di ba, ‘yung text ho 7:30, mga 8:20 nakaalis ‘nung kampo. Anim na V-150 at isang platoon dahil inipon lahat ‘yon muna. Hinanap ‘yung tatao diyan tapos pinatakbo ‘yung anong mayroon sila – ‘yon po ‘yung quick reaction force. Tapos ‘nung nagkatanungan, saan ba exactly ‘yung pupuntahan namin? Ayun, naglabas ng Google map, banda rito. Talagang may lack of professionalism.

‘Yon na ang point, kasama siya sa mananagot. Siyempre, may mga tumutuligsa sa atin dito. Inutusan daw siya, isinasalba ko ang sarili ko, ganoon – aba, hindi ah. Kung ako ang may kasalanan dito, bakit hindi ko aakuin lahat? Pero ‘pag nakita ho ninyo ‘yung pagpaplano nito, napakahusay ho ‘nung Power Point presentation. Sa—‘pag binansagan po kalsada sabi nila, ‘ang ganda ng plano kaya lang drowing pala ito.’ Alam ninyo, may isang pahina pa ho doon nilagay kung sino ang contact na liaison sa presentation. ‘Pag kailangan mo ‘yung mechanized brigade, ito; ‘pag kailangan mo ‘yan, ito – anong unit niya, et cetera. Sabi ng mga operator ngayon, para bang doon tinanong, ‘paano ho kami magko-coordinate? Sagot raw ni Napeñas, ‘ako na ang bahala.’ Importante ho ‘yung ground commander, ‘yung talagang nandoon, ‘yung operating: ‘Sir, nandito na kami at this time sa puwestong ganito. Ang kalaban ay nasa ganitong direksyon. Ang dami nila ay ganyan. Kailangan namin ng artillery support sa ganitong grid.’ Ang makakaalam ‘non ‘yung nandoon. Hindi ‘yung ibabato niya kay Director Napeñas, si Napeñas ibabato sa AFP; AFP magtatanong, balik kay Napeñas; si Napeñas balik dito sa tropa. E kung naghahabulan kayo, baka by the time natapos lahat ‘yon, tapos na ‘yung bakbakan—‘di ho ba? So ‘pag tinanong niyo ako kung bakit nag-isip ng ganito, ewan ko ho. Mayroon akong mga duda, anong motivating factor niya, pero maliwanag na maliwanag ho na mali. ‘Yung sabi ko sa kanya, ‘baka mapintakasi tayo rito. Hindi puwede ‘yung 160 mo bahala na doon sa katapat na 3,000 to 4,000. Kailangan nating maniguradong may backup at ‘yung backup ‘yung AFP. Nandiyan ang tangke, eroplano, sundalo, artillery. Itinago sa kanila. Tapos sinubukan pa sigurong, ‘di ba, parang remedyuhin—‘kaya ko pa ito.’ E lahat ng pagreremedyong ‘yon, bumawas nang bumawas ‘yung oras para matulungan natin in a timely manner ‘yung ating mga ipinadala doon.

‘Nung tinanong po ako ng mga pamilya, sabi sa akin, ipinadala po ninyo doon at tila napabayaan. Bakit ho ganoon ang nangyari? At sa totoo lang ho, para sa akin, the truth is, I was given the wrong information by the people who knew most what was happening, and unfortunately, the others who did not know anything could not give me any further information rather than very raw information. ‘Yung kailangan mayroon silang tinatawag na ‘situational awareness’ e. ‘Yung ground commander has to know, has to be close enough to the battle scene to be able to see all of his operating units. But he shouldn’t be too close to the battle scene that he can only see one component of all the units. Si Napeñas po was 15 kilometers away. So ‘yung, ‘di ba, parang in a chessboard ina-arrange lahat ‘nung pieces. Hindi ko alam at some point kung saan niya nabitawan ‘yung situational awareness tapos diretso nang nataranta. Ang problema ‘yung nataranta, to a large degree, siya lang ang may alam ‘nung maraming detalye na kakailangin ‘nung aalalay.

Now, having said that, the mission itself is inherently risky. ‘Yung target ho IED (improvised explosive device) ang ginagawa e, booby traps. You can expect na mayroon silang force multiplier na ‘pag lulusubin mo ito, mayroon itong mga traps. Mayroong mga other plans po na—and let me just share that with you—sorry ang haba ng sagot ko. ‘Yung isa ho sa operations kasi was supposed to be waterborne. Tapos tamang-tama, gagamitin si seaborne, so may capabilities to operate watercraft. Marshy area po – may mga rivers, may swamps, et cetera – so ‘yung boats would have given them an opportunity to enter stealthily and approach the target from just about 200 meters away instead of walking four kilometers. Siyempre, mas konti ‘yung makaka-detect sa inyo sa 200 meters, kaysa sa 4,000 meters. So ‘nung last briefing nga ho, ‘nung January 9, bigla na lang naging land march. Ano nang nangyari doon sa pinaplano ninyong waterborne? Ang sagot sa akin ‘yung tubig daw ho bumaba na. Hindi na raw kayang i-support ‘yung waterborne operation. After the incident, out of curiosity tinanong ko po ang DOST (Department of Science and Technology), and through them tinanong ang PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), ang sagot po sa akin water levels in December and in January were practically the same. Napapag-isip ako ngayon: ‘Drowing din ba ‘yung hindi na kaya ‘yung tubig?’ Can I just add: When they actually launched this previously at nag-abort, why was it aborted? ‘Nung sumakay na sa kanilang mga boats at nag-proceed na doon sa target area, three out of five—if I remember correctly—were taking in water. Lumulubog po itong mga boats, so in-abort, balik sa pinagdaungan. Doon ko ho unang nakilala si Napeñas e. Sabi ko, seaborne, ikaw ang commander, bakit naman hindi pa ninyo matantiya ‘yung kakayahan ng boat versus ‘yung ilalagay doon sa boat? Medyo, sabi sa akin, ‘sir, ‘nung tao, equipment lang, okay;’ ‘nung nilagay ‘yung armor—‘yung body vests, helmets, et cetera—sumobra na raw. Sabi ko parang dapat yata nakikita ‘yon sa practice pa lang e. Kaya ‘nung January 9 nagtanong ako, kako, may night vision. Sanay ba ‘yung mga tao mong gumamit? ‘Sir, halos ara-araw nagpapraktis sila’ – ganoon.

Ngayon, siguro ‘yung pinaka-generous way of looking at it, maraming wishful thinking si Napeñas as opposed to reality. Pero maliwanag sa akin, binola niya ako. Ngayon, ano ho ang responsibilidad ko at this point in time? May kasabihan ho e: ‘Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.’ At wala akong balak na ma-‘fool me twice,’ kaya ho humanda ho lahat ng… Tinawag ko hong liderato ng PNP, sabi ko, ‘alam niyo ‘pag may utos tapos nag-deviate kayo, siguraduhin ninyo mayroong justification for the deviation—nagbago ‘yung facts on the ground, for instance—dahil ‘pag hindi ninyo na-justify, one degree ng deviation na wala nang benefit of the doubt, insubordination kaagad ‘yan and you will be out and you will be parang filed the appropriate charges. Now, the task before us, siyempre (is) to take care of the families that were left behind and reconstitute the SAF to rebuild its esprit de corps, its morale, especially and given the fact that next year, the police will play a very vital role in ensuring that we have safe, orderly, and peaceful elections. So they have to be ready before that period comes in. I hope that gives you a bird’s eye view of what transpired. Thank you po. – Rappler.com