NDF-EV slams 8th ID's US-funded “road to war”

Press Release
By NDF-EV
May 21, 2011

Calling it a “road to war” funded by the US government, the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today challenged the 8th Infantry Division and the Aquino government to come clean on the military's proposal for the construction and rehabilitation of roads on Samar Island and its connection to the $434 million grant for the same by the US Millennium Challenge Corporation last year.

“The NDF-EV believes the P4.6-billion road projects recently proposed by 8th ID chief Gen. Mario Chan to the Regional Development Council are part and parcel of the US MCC grant,” said Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF-EV spokesperson. “These projects are for military purposes and thus a “road to war.” Gen. Chan himself admits the target areas are priorities for attack by the 8th ID and the projects will facilitate troop deployment and mobility. The claim that basic services will be delivered to the people is a flimsy attempt to disguise the fascist and militarist aggression behind the road projects.”

Fr. Salas said US backing of the military's “counterinsurgency” operations in Samar is a gross violation of national sovereignty, as well as bad faith on the part of the Aquino government in its peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. “In doctrine, the military is already oriented with the US Counterinsurgency Guide which inspired Oplan Bayanihan. But the US hand in the Philippine military's “counterinsurgency” operations is made clearer in Samar by the US MCC grant. These tools of US intervention are meant to sugarcoat the violent suppression of revolutionary and anti-imperialist movements. The US-backed preparations for escalating “counterinsurgency” in Samar will thus surely stir patriotic outrage, while also putting into question the sincerity of the Aquino government for peace negotiations.”

The NDF-EV spokesperson also dismissed the military's claims the road projects will bring peace and development. “What the road projects will bring are more human rights violations and more corruption. The Aquino regime's Oplan Bayanihan continues to target social activists and alleged supporters of the revolutionary movement even though they are civilians.

Meanwhile, anti-corruption activists in Samar have been lambasting for years the road projects there as sources of official corruption. It is an ill omen that road projects in Samar are now being pushed by the military, an institution still being rocked by unresolved investigations into the massive corruption of its top brass.”

Fr. Salas said the US-funded road projects by the military will strengthen the anti-imperialist and antifascist solidarity of the people. “The people will certainly be inflamed with patriotic outrage at US intervention in the internal armed conflict in the Philippines. They will resist the fascist, militarist and US-backed escalation of the 8th ID's “counterinsurgency operations.” They will demand the pursuit of peace talks to discuss the socio-economic reforms they are struggling for, such as genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization, and economic emancipation from foreign domination.”

Miss Earth Foundation joins Greenpeace call for GMO-free agriculture

By GREENPEACE
May 22, 2011

TAGUIG  –  Greenpeace today held an Organic Cook-out with celebrity chefs and the Miss Earth Foundation to highlight the call for a ban on genetically engineered (GE) food crops, the protection of our organic farming industry from the threat of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.

“We welcome the support of the Miss Earth Foundation in our call for a GMO-free Philippines.  We do not need or want GMOs, especially since we have better, safer, more promising options readily available.  If we want food security, we should instead be more aggressively advancing organic farming and other sustainable agriculture practices. Organic methods use local resources and offers opportunities for increasing farmers’ incomes and improving their livelihood,” said Daniel M. Ocampo, Sustainable Agriculture Campaigner of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

The event was held at the Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the weekend foodie destination recently making waves for showcasing cutting edge food concepts, especially in the promotion of organics.  Top chef Darren Epp concocted a surprisingly varied course consisting primarily of eggplant, from appetizer to dessert.  He was ably assisted by celebrity host and outdoorsman Kiko Rustia, who is also a trained sous-chef, and by Miss Earth representatives.

“We focused on the eggplant to reiterate that there is no room in our plates for Bt talong (eggplant),” Ocampo added.

Greenpeace has been at the forefront of stopping the commercialization of GMOs in the Philippines. GMO proponents recently have been pushing for genetically modified eggplant to be the first GMO crop in the Philippines to be directly eaten if approved for human consumption, opening the floodgates for other GMOs to enter.

The Bt eggplant was developed through the insertion of genes from the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium to give the eggplant the ability to produce its own pesticide.  Thus far, it has proven to be less effective in thwarting pests than conventional methods.  In India, where it was first developed, its commercialization was rejected by farmers, legislators, consumers and scientists.  Typical for GMO food development, confined testing in laboratory conditions have not been thoroughly done on the Bt eggplant to determine conclusively the effects of genetic manipulation on people and the environment.

GMO proponents have brought the Bt eggplant to the Philippines, planting seeds in seven open field testing sites around the country since late last year.  The tests are meant to determine the effectiveness of the built-in pesticide of the GE crop.  Greenpeace, other non-government organizations and some local government units have been trying to stop the field experiments, especially since these are likely to contaminate conventional and organic crops.

"GMO food crops pose risks to the health of people and the environment.  Their long term effects on soil, on biodiversity, and on consumers are unknown.  Most at risk are our organic farmers.  We have a rich culture of organic agriculture, and this is under threat whenever GMOs are tested.  We reiterate our call for the Department of Agriculture to immediately halt all Bt talong field trials and impose a ban on GMOs in the Philippines,” Ocampo concluded.

Gays hit Pacmom over transgender slur, reproductive health

By PROGAY Philippines
May 21, 2011

GAY and transgender rights activists cried foul at the remarks made by celebrity mom Ms. Dionisia Pacquiao in her spat with Senator Miriam Santiago over the controversial reproductive health bill.

Over the week, Ms. Pacquiao was quoted as saying "Tingnan mo, mga bakla, kaiinom ng pills, hindi na bagay inumin ng mga bakla kasi lalake sila. Ginagawa sila ng Diyos na lalake. Umiinom talaga sila ng pills para magsilaki ang dede. Bawal 'yan!" (Direct your attention to transgenders, God made transgenders to be males and they don't look good. They keep on taking contraceptive pills to enlarge their breasts and that is wrong and prohibited!)

Goya Candelario, spokesperson of the Progressive Organization of Gays (ProGay Philippines), said that she and her fellow Filipino transgenders are taking offense at the homophobia and transphobia that Pacquiao's remarks can help cultivate.

"With all due respect, we want Mommy Dionisia to know that we are deeply offended and scared that her words can again revive the disease model of homosexuality and transexuality in Philippine society," Candelario said.

The ProGay leader said that while it is true many low-income transgenders resort to taking over-the-counter female hormones in contraceptive pills in order to enhance their femininity, the practice should not be considered immoral, illegal or a state of mental disorder.

"Many of us have to take some form of female hormones because our livelihoods in the beauty and tourism industries depend on enhanced feminine features. However, because of expensive hormones that only high-income transgenders can afford, we urban and rural poor gays and transgenders can only access the cheaper birth control pills," Candelario added.

ProGay is also campaigning for the comprehensive reproductive health bill so that not only women of reproductive age can get access to health care but also the low-income Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) residents of the Philippines. Gay and transgender health advocates like Candelario are batting for the inclusion of health teachings among gay, transgender and lesbian working class populations so that we can better understand the effects of hormones and other reproductive health technologies.

"That is why we are pleading with Ms. Pacquiao to come out with a better view of transgenders and gays. She should understand our situation in order to see how much we can benefit from the approval of the RH Bill."

According to a survey made by ProGay among transgender groups in the slums of Manila, many trans girls take pills in their early teens on the advise of elder transgenders in order to get an early start at the job market of overseas entertainers. The group believes that harm-reduction education campaigns should be extended to this vulnerable group so that risks of contraceptive pill usage can be reduced.

The group has a health advisory service that counsels transgenders about the health risks of dosing on pills, and the risks include blood clots, obesity, liver disease and cardiovascular diseases.

"We should work to remove discrimination and homophobia in health care services for LGBTs, because the World Health Organization has already declared in 1990 that homosexuality is not a mental illness. Therefore, we ask people like Ms. Pacquiao to join us bakla, gays and transgenders in improving our health awareness, and not with hurtful words," Candelario said.

DILG-8 distributes P1.79M under "Pantawid Pasada" for tricycles

By MYLES COLASITO
May 20, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  In line with President Noynoy Aquino’s Pantawid Pasada program, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office-08  announced its preparations  for the release of around 1.79 million pesos in fuel assistance for registered motorcabs-for-hire (MCH) in Eastern Visayas.

DILG Regional Director Francisco C. Jose in a press conference called by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) with officials from the Department of Energy (DOE) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) on May 20, said the region received an allotment of 1,790,250 pesos for downloading to 78 local government units (LGUs) who shall be responsible for distributing the one-time gasoline subsidy of P150 cash per tricycle unit to motorcab operators. Among the officials on hand to explain about the Pantawid Pasada both for jeepneys and tricycles were DOE Dir. Antonio Labios and Engr. J. Rey Madeza from the Visayas field office, PIA-8 Director Olive Tiu, and LTO-8 Dir. Camilo Guarin.

The distribution of the fund is part of the Pantawid Pasada or the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP) of the government, which was created under Executive Order No. 32, s. 2011 issued by President Benigno S. Aquino III.  The PTAP aims to provide assistance to the public transport sector to cushion the impact and the resulting effects of oil price hikes on the costs of fuel, food and other basic commodities.

Director Jose said that the 1.79 million pesos released to the region is based on the 11,935 registered Motorcabs for hire (MCH) submitted by LGUs as of March 28, 2011.  The allotment is broken down as follows: Leyte - P718,650 for 4,791 MCH units in 28 LGUS; Samar - P342,000 for 2,280 MCH units in 8 LGUs; Southern Leyte - P326,700 for 2,178 MCH units in 16 LGUs; Eastern Samar - P240,450 for 1,603 MCH units in 18 LGUs; Northern Samar - P108,900 for 726 MCH units in 7 LGUs; and Biliran - P53,550 for 357 MCH units in 1 LGU.

RD Jose explained that the sum is part of the P134.4 million released by the government through the Pantawid Pasada program to partly subsidize 896,024 certified tricycle franchisees nationwide.  He revealed that five (5) LGUs - Matalom in Leyte; Macrohon, Tomas Opus and Maasin City in Southern Leyte as well as Catbalogan City, Samar will be among the first to receive the amount as these were the first to complete the required documents such as Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and certified list of tricycle franchisees in their localities. He added that once these papers pass the pre-audit, the check will be released to the respective municipal/city treasurers through the concerned DILG field offices.

Earlier, DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo urged LGUs to provide counterpart funding in order to help tricycle franchise owners amid fuel price hike in the country.

The Department issued the implementing guidelines on the release of tricycle subsidy under the Pantawid Pasada. Under the implementing guidelines issued by the DILG, regional offices shall forge a memorandum of agreement with concerned local chief executives who shall prepare and certify the list of tricycle franchisees in their localities, including their addresses and the number of operating tricycles.

The list shall be the basis of DILG regional and field offices in the computation of the subsidy by the DILG regional and field offices. Likewise, under the guidelines, mayors are directed to set-up a PTAP Assistance and Complaint Desk to receive feedback and address the complaints of the beneficiaries.

LGUs are to inform the people about the date, venue and manner of distribution as well as post the certified list a few days before the scheduled release to MCH operators.  They are to submit liquidation reports to DILG within 15 days of the distribution of the fuel assistance.

PNP arrest suspects of attempted homicide and murder

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
May 20, 2011

CAMP RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  PCSupt Arnold Rayala Revilla, regional director, Police Regional Office 8 commends PNP personnel who does their call of duty, and that is to serve and protect the community.

In a recent report that reached the regional headquarters, suspects of attempted homicide and murder were arrested by PNP personnel in Sogod, Southern Leyte and Burauen, Leyte, respectively.

At about 5:00 pm of May 16, 2011, one Gudencio Calamba Hingpit, 55 years old, married, habal habal driver and a resident of Brgy. Suba, Sogod, Southern Leyte reported to Sogod Police that his brother Seferino Hingpit was shot by one Reylan Dumaan with the use of homemade shotgun locally known as bulldog but he was not hit. Elements of Sogod Police led by SPO4 Rolando Paloma responded which resulted to the arrest of one Reylan Galabia Dumaan, 25 years old, single, jobless and a resident of Brgy Olisihan, Sogod, Southern Leyte. Confiscated from his possession and control was one home made shot gun locally known as bulldog without serial number loaded with one live ammo for 12 gauge shotgun. A case for attempted homicide and illegal possession of firearms and ammos are being prepared for filing against the suspect. Suspect is now detained at Sogod police station lock up cell.

At about 8:15 pm of May 17, 2011, at Brgy Patag, Burauen, Leyte, elements of Burauen Police led by PSInsp Florencio Anasco Samontina, a cop together with five (5) personnel arrested one Charlito Quimson Jr. alias Bebe by virtue of warrant of arrest docketed under CC Nr. BN 11-04-4646 for the crime of murder issued by honorable judge Yolanda U Dagandan of RTC Branch 15, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Tacloban City with no bail bond recommended. Subject person was immediately brought to Burauen police station for documentation prior turn over to the court of origin.

PCSupt Revilla lauds the effort of PNP personnel in the field as well as the people in the community for intensifying their effort of maintaining the peace and order situation in their area of responsibility.

Also he urges the people who have any important information that might be useful to the police to not hesitate to call the police hotline anytime day or night, 323-7267 or 323-3023.

PNP arrest suspects of attempted homicide and murder

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
May 20, 2011

CAMP RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  PCSupt Arnold Rayala Revilla, regional director, Police Regional Office 8 commends PNP personnel who does their call of duty, and that is to serve and protect the community.

In a recent report that reached the regional headquarters, suspects of attempted homicide and murder were arrested by PNP personnel in Sogod, Southern Leyte and Burauen, Leyte, respectively.

At about 5:00 pm of May 16, 2011, one Gudencio Calamba Hingpit, 55 years old, married, habal habal driver and a resident of Brgy. Suba, Sogod, Southern Leyte reported to Sogod Police that his brother Seferino Hingpit was shot by one Reylan Dumaan with the use of homemade shotgun locally known as bulldog but he was not hit. Elements of Sogod Police led by SPO4 Rolando Paloma responded which resulted to the arrest of one Reylan Galabia Dumaan, 25 years old, single, jobless and a resident of Brgy Olisihan, Sogod, Southern Leyte. Confiscated from his possession and control was one home made shot gun locally known as bulldog without serial number loaded with one live ammo for 12 gauge shotgun. A case for attempted homicide and illegal possession of firearms and ammos are being prepared for filing against the suspect. Suspect is now detained at Sogod police station lock up cell.

At about 8:15 pm of May 17, 2011, at Brgy Patag, Burauen, Leyte, elements of Burauen Police led by PSInsp Florencio Anasco Samontina, a cop together with five (5) personnel arrested one Charlito Quimson Jr. alias Bebe by virtue of warrant of arrest docketed under CC Nr. BN 11-04-4646 for the crime of murder issued by honorable judge Yolanda U Dagandan of RTC Branch 15, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Tacloban City with no bail bond recommended. Subject person was immediately brought to Burauen police station for documentation prior turn over to the court of origin.

PCSupt Revilla lauds the effort of PNP personnel in the field as well as the people in the community for intensifying their effort of maintaining the peace and order situation in their area of responsibility.

Also he urges the people who have any important information that might be useful to the police to not hesitate to call the police hotline anytime day or night, 323-7267 or 323-3023.

PNP recovers abandoned lumbers

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
May 19, 2011

CAMP RUPERTO K KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  PCSupt. Arnold Rayala Revilla, regional director, Police Regional Office 8 announced the accomplishments of the Philippine National Police on the campaign against illegal logging which is being implemented by authorities without fear or favor.

In a press statement issued today, PCSupt. Revilla stressed that accomplishments on illegal logging has been reported to his office from the different police provincial offices.

About 7:03 pm of May 16, 2011 in Sitio Palanas, Brgy. Vigan, Gen. Macarthur, Eastern Samar, elements of Gen. Macarthur police station led by PInsp. Elmerson Conde Badilla, cop together with five (5) PNCOS responded to a text message received from PD, ESPPO regarding illegal cut lumbers stocked at the vicinity of said place. Responding policemen discovered and recovered abandoned lumbers with the following quantities and dimensions: sixteen (16) pcs 2”x2”x12” sawn lumbers with a total volume of 64 board feet and estimated market value of One Thousand Six Hundred pesos (P1,600.00). Said lumbers were brought to Gen. McArthur police station for documentation prior turn over to CENRO, Gen. Macarthur for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, at about 10:20 am of May 17, 2011, a telephone call was received by Merida police station from the municipal mayor regarding illegal logging activities in Brgy. Mahalit, Merida, Leyte. Immediately, elements of Merida police led by PInsp Florande Relente, cop proceeded at said place and recovered abandoned lumbers in different dimensions with a total volume of 803 board feet. Said lumbers were temporarily deposited at the barangay hall of said barangay and received by Brgy. Chairman Joel B. Agustin for safekeeping and proper dispositive action.

In a separate operation, at about 1:35 pm of May 16, 2011 in Brgy. Cadahunan, Burauen, Leyte, elements of Burauen police led by PSInsp. Florencio Samontina while conducting mobile patrol discovered and recovered abandoned thirty (30) pcs 2”x2”10” sawn lumbers with a total volume of 99 board feet. Said lumbers were brought to Burauen police station for proper disposition.

PCSupt. Revilla encourages all the people in the communities, the barangay tanods and force multipliers under police regional office 8 to help the police in the campaign against illegal logging in order to prevent any flooding comes the rainy season in June.