"Caraga" is the region covering the north eastern corner of Mindanao. Specifically it consists of 4 Provinces: Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Suriago del Sur,Surigao del Norte along with the island province of Dinagat. There are very few Muslims, in fact 2 of its provinces, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur both have less than 1,000 each. They do have large populations of Lumads, the non-Muslim and non-Christian Tribes usually called,"Hill Tribes" in most other nations.
Being the most heavily forested region on the island it has a huge amount of logging and since it is abutting ComVal (Compostela Valley Province) it also is moderately involved with mining. The biggest security issue however is the NPA, the Maoist Insurgency. Indeed, it is the most NPA innundated region in the nation, especially when taken in combination with ComVal that abuts Agusan del Sur. Though 2 provinces are deemed "Pacified," Surigao del Norte and Dinagat both still posess sizable numbers of synpathisers (i.e. Base of Mass Support), Sectoral Front Organisations as well as a fair number of inactive guerillas so that it remains to be seen whether those provinces will indeed remain so. Though the region saw alot of confrontations between the NPA and candidates who refused to pay the obligatory (in NPA "Influenced" areas) PTC (Pay to Campaign) "permits." These confrontations were relatively peaceful (though weapons were used in all instances none was ever fired even in warning).
Overt political violence is rare in this part of Mindanao even though the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) perpetually placing dozens of regional municipalities on the "Watch List" would seem to make that happening counter-intuitive. Still, incidents DO happen, and so here we are...but first...
Perhaps the biggest news in Caraga this Election Season was the fall of the Barbers Dynasty. The Barbers Clan has ruled Surigao del Norte for nearly 2 decades, the duration of the post-Marcos Era. Gov.Robert"Ace"Barbers, the current patriarch of the family was swept out of office by a paltry margin of 2,214 votes. The victor? Former Department of Education Regional Director Sol Forcadilla Matugas. Madame Matugas is the wife of Francisco"Lalo"Tinio Matugas who coincidentally won his race for the Surigao del Norte 1st District Congressional Seat.
Francisco Matugas, an attorney and long time political activist with PPS (Partido Padajon Surigao) now becomes the regining partiarch of the region's newest dynasty. He had been running against a felow attorney, Constantino"Banjo"Navarro III, the scion of another local dynasty, the Navarro Clan (also well known to those that pay attention to the insurgency due to black sheep Father Navarro,aka the "Barefoot Priest," who became the ranking NPA CO for a decent amount of time), long allied with the Barbers. His victory could almost be considered a landslide given the steep margin of roughly 9,800 votes.
Fracnsico's brother, Ernesto"Mitoy"Matugas has become the new mayor of the province's largest city, Surigao City with his victory over ex-Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers Jr, namesake of the original partiarch, the late Senator Robert Lyndon Barbers Sr.
Perhaps most note worthy of all, the Matugas Party, PPS, swept the entire province with every town now being led by a PPS member. The closest comparison would be Lanao del Norte Province where all but 1 community is led by a single party, but of course the operative difference being that Surigao del Norte is TOTALLY in control of PPS. This doesn't bode well for the people of Surigao del Norte despite the former dynasty's alleged penchant for corruption and ineptitude. Given the personal struggle of Madame Matugas against an allegation of corruption when she was in charge of Region 13, in her former position (she retired from another region after transferring out of Region 13 because of that allegation, an allegation from which she was cleared), one hopes that the Matugas Clan will not become further proof of the ancient maxim, "Power corrupts absolutely..."
On Janurary 28, 2010 on Langihan Road in Barangay Upper Doongan, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte Province, 28 year old Roldan P.Curalde was riding his motorcycle when shot to death with a 45. Mr.Curalde who was self employed as a miner/prospector was a Campaign Organiser for MPM (Mabuting Pilipino Movement).
On May 08, 2010 in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, COMELEC had dropped off "flash cards" for the PCOS (Precinct Optical Scanners) machines to local representative Jay Actub Salinas earlier that day and Mr.Salinas had spent the better part of that day at the municipal elections office. He had just returned home that evening and was standing in front of his door when shot with a 45 caliber pistol.
Loreto, sitting on the Agusan River is isolated in terms of approaches by land so Mr.Salinas was bundled into a speed boat and transported up river to the provincial capitol, Prosperidad where he received treatment for a wound to his abdomen. Later transfered to a hospital in Tagum City in Davao del Norte Province he was able to make a recovery, albeit after a long convalescence.
Election Day, May 10, 2010, unknown parties in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur Province manufactured fake Arrest Warrants against particular candidates that sought to impeach their character in the eyes of voters.
Reversing chronologically, there were some important goings on in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, as well as a case in Surigao City in Surigao del Norte Province.
On June 25, 2009 in at Rotunda Circumfrential Park in Barangay Poblacion, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, Barangay Councilor and radio jounalist Jonathan "Athan"Lisondra Petalvero, 43, of Bayugan was shot to death as he stood talking with members of the BASVODA (Bayugan Association of Hired Van Operators and Drivers) having given a keynote speech inside a nearby resturant, by invitation of BASVODA President Sammy Mendoza.
Mr.Petalvero was a staunch supporter of Vice Mayor Genesis Efren, running for Mayor in 2010. Genesis Efren also owns the radio station where Mr.Petalvero worked, DXFM Frenster, in Bayugan.Efren's rival, Kim Lope Asis is the son of the (then) Mayor Magdalena Lope Asis as well as being both a Barangay Captain AND the Chairman of the ABC (Association of Barangay Captains).
Earlier that month, June of 2009, a Barangay Councilor for Barangay Ipil in Bayugan was also shot to death and like Petalvero he was a supporter of Vice Mayor Efren.
On July 28, 2009 at the Municipal Health Center[sic] in ComVal Province, 39 year old Crispin Lenaban was arrested in a joint apprehension by ComVal Provincial PNP (Philippine National Police), PNP RID (Regional Intelligence Division and PRO (Police Regional Office) #13. His Warrant was issued by RTC (Regional Trial Court) #30, Branch #32 in surigao City, for Double Murder, Hiway Robbery and Posession of Firearms. Some may recall that Lenaban was wanted in the murders of COMELEC Officer Wenifreda Taer, her son who was a serving Provincial Board Councilor for Surigao del Norte Province, Rodulfo Taer and fellow Board Councilor Dominador Dandan, all of Alegria, Surigao del Norte. He was 1 of 2 gunmen, 1 with a 45, the other with a 9MM pistol. The 2nd gunman remains unknown.
Showing posts with label Election 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election 2010. Show all posts
Monday, August 16, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Political Developments,Second Quarter of 2010,Part VI:Election Related Violence in Sulu and Tawi Tawi Provinces
With yesterday's attack against Sulu Governor Abdursakur Tan still ringing in our collective ears it is important to rember that what appears to be a Suicide Bombing is just the latest in a long history of political violence in the Southern Province.Unbeknownst to most outside of Mindanao,the Sulu Islands are collectively a province of Mindanao, as well as apart of the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao).Dominated by the Tausug Tribe,the islands are a hotbed of insurgency and Kidnap For Ransom (KFR).That said,this year's election on May 10th proved to be Sulu's least violent in history,or at least that is what the Government is proudly claiming.Governor Tan not only managed to hold onto his seat,he trounced both rivals with the MNLF's Chairman Nur Misuari coming in a very dismal third, with a ratio 0f 6:1 in terms of votes cast between him and Tan.Sulu of course is not only Misuari's home turf,it is the heartland of the MNLF.The fact that Misuari couldn't even garner 12,000 votes there says a whole lot about the relevancy of the MNLF in today's Mindanao,almost as much as it says about Misuari himself,a man who until 1999 could do no wrong in the eyes of Sulu.
On March 1st,2010 in Barangay Karungdung in the town of Kalingalan Caluang in Sulu Province former Barangay Captain/Chairman Abdullah Caluang and his supporters battled a former vice mayor and his men.2 of Caluang's men were shot to death in the firefight.The shooting ended the next afternoon with 1 man from the ex-vice mayor's group being critically wounded.
On April 20th,2010 in Siasi,Sulu,Leon Ajid a supporter of mayoral candidate Wilson Anni was shot by a rival candidate and severely wounded.
That same day in Pata,also in Sulu,well known cleric Imam Bula was killed in the cross fire between supporters of incumbent mayoral candidate Nurmina Burahan and opposing candidate Hadji Zaldi Haddari after Haddari and his gunmen occupied Barangay Luuk Tulay,an outlying neighborhood.The Barangay Captain/Chairman notified the mayor who then had his paramilitary shell that barangay with 60MM mortars.
Fighting lasted until April 22nd when a detachment of AFP Marines were finally deployed.Occupations of barangays by politicians take place not so much as a show of power but to control voting,this is why the mayor felt the need to come out so strongly against the occupying force.Unfortunately though,the deployment of Marines caused COMELEC (Election authority) to cluster barangays into a single polling site.With barangays divided so strongly amongst opposing candidates,40% of the opposing candidate's voters were unable to vote.
On April 26th,2010 in Sitio Buta Buta in Barangay Parian Dakula in the municipality of Pandami in Sulu Province, Barangay Captain/Chairman Hadji Isa Sitin and his son were hanging campaign posters in the barangay,which adjoins their own barangay,Lahi,when Dakula's Barangay Captain/Chairman,30 year old Kitoh Aidani opened fire on them.Father and son both fired back and shot Aidani to death.Aidani as well as his son was badly wounded as was an onlooker,Sali Darul.AFP Task Force Comet then deployed a detachment of Marines to the barangays to try and stem the violence.
On Election Day, Monday, May 10th,2010 in the municipality of Tongkil in Sulu Province a candidate's supporters were beaten by an opposing candidate's security detail,consisting of PNP (Philippine National Police) officers.
That same day,Election Day,in Barangay Kulasi in the town of Maimbung on Jolo Island in Sulu Province a journalist was interviewing a Bajao Tribesmen to see if he had been unwittingly made to vote for an unintended candidate when supporters of the incumbent mayor prevented the journalist's crew from filiming or photographing the interview.The interview uncovered area Bajaos being paid up to P1000 (20 Euros) for their votes as well as a large number of juvenile Bajaos voting.In addition almost all of the Bajao on site lacked IDs.As the journalists argued with the group a small riot broke out injuring several people present.
The Bajao are commonly known to Westerners as"Sea Gypsies"due to their nomadic lifestyle and though nominally Muslim,they live on the fringes of settled communities,almost never attend schools and are abused and manipulated in many of these communities.
Also on Election Day,May 10th,2010 in Barangay Bunot in the town of Indanan on Jolo Island in Sulu Province the brother of mayoral candidate Hussin Ahajin destroyed PCOs (Precinct Optical Scanners,machines used to verifiy ballots in computerised voting) while 2 other clustered precincts in the town never opened due to threats of violence.Altogether these caused COMELEC to declare a Failed Election in the town.
That same day,in the town of Panglima Estino in Sulu Province voting had to cease after 81MM mortar shelling by a rival of incumbent Mayor Munib Estino.No reports of wounded,though often times these are kept under wraps for obvious reasons.81MMs can do ALOT of damage.
Election Day,May 10th,2010 in the municipality of Pandami in Sulu Province supporters of rival gubneratorial candidates Arbison and incumbent Governor Tan began beating each other up and the outbreak soon developed into a full scale riot.
That same day in the town of Luuk on Jolo Island in Sulu Province in what was a curious case of bad timing, candidate Hadja Amina was served with an arrest warrant for an incident that took place during the last Barangay Election.Rivals sit atop warrants only to deploy them like weapons at opportune times.
Also that day,in Barangay Gandasuli in the town of Patikul on Jolo Island in Sulu Province incumbent mayoral candidate Hayudini,a supporter from the Julkarnain Clan who is coincidentally related to Hayudini's rival candidate Datu Bahjin,attacked Bahjin's sons with 3 of them requiring hospitalisation with severe wounds about the head from bolos (machetes).
Also Election Day,in the town of Lugus in Sulu Province BEIs (Board of Elections Inspectors) at the town's clustered precincts were slapped by mayoral candidate Aradais when they refused to obey his demand to cheat.BEIs then fled en masse to Barangay Poblacion and sought protection with a detachment of AFP Marines who then deployed to the precints and seized PCOSs (Precinct Optical Scanners) and Election materiels.
That same day in Barangay Bangkilay in the town of Panguturan,which sits atop of islets sharing that same name in Sulu Province,the son of the Barangay Captain/Chairman and a supporter of mayoral candidate Police[sic-that is his name] Sali battled with supporters of rival candidate,incumbent mayor Ahmad Nano.The Captain/Chairman's son, eponymously named Ibnu,ended up shooting and critically wounding 3 men.
Late that same day,at 525PM,in Barangay Kulasi in the town of Maimbung on Jolo Island in Sulu Province,Governor Tan's son Samir was in a firefight with members of the Maldisa Clan with whom the Tans have been in Rido (Clan Feud) for quite some time.Shortly after that firefight cooled down a shot from an unknown source sniped the location where the governor's wife was resting though she wasn't wounded by the gunfire.
Samir Tan himself is running for Mayor of the town,his Clan's hometown,against incumbent Mayor Najib Maldisa.The Maldisa Clan blames Governor Tan for the death of Najib's brother who was Vice Govenor when killed.
Finally,rounding out that long and bloody Election Day,Tupay Loong,candidate for Congress in Sulu's 1st District, which includes Jolo Island,slapped his elder brother Hussin and bloodied his nose and mouth.Hussin himself ran for Mayor of Parang (Parang on Jolo Island in Sulu Province as opposed to Parang in Maguindanao Province).
The Loongs are Sulu's most formidable political dynasty and I will be talking about them in an upcoming entry about Sulu's Governor Tan.
So, while it was a less violent Election Day than usually takes place in Sulu Province,"violent"is a relative term in this part of the world.
I am including Tawi Tawi,though a separate province,it is part of the Sulu archipelago and a province of Mindanao to bootThe leading ethnic group are the Sama (Samal)nd the Jamamapun,2 Muslim tribes with populations in Indonesia and Malaysia as well as in the Sulu and Tawi Tawi islands.In fact there is a small population on Mainland Mindanao as well but that is neither here nor there.
The Turtle Islands are a group of 7 islands laying due south of Tawi Tawi and forming the last islands in the Philippines,a nation of 7,107 islands.Lying 45 minutes to 1 hour north of Borneo by boat the islands are home to an absolutely fantastic abundance of marine wildlife.
On October 26,2009 at 545AM in Barangay Poblacion on Great Bakkungan Island,in the Turtle Islands,Jabbar Sahibil a caretaker for incumbent Governor Sadikul A. Sahali's family properties on that island led members of the Governor's CVO (Civlian Volunteer Organisation,one of the 4 entities collectively known as the"CAA,"or"Civilian Active Auxiliaries"that serve as the lynchpin in the AFP's Counterinsurgency Programme on Mindanao) in a 5 hour attack on villagers.The next day,October 27th,75 more CVO soldiers arrived on 2 cigarette boats (racing boats with dual engines,primarily used for smuggling but also to show wealth),1 of which was definitely owned by the Governor since its name remained uncovered,"Thunder Bull."
The 75 CVO soldiers joined the small force stationed in the Turtle Islands and proceeded to burn out more than 100 families living in Barangay Poblacion.Most of the families fled to relatives on nearby islands but some fled to Sabah,a Malaysian state on Borneo which is less than 45 minutes away from that island,by regular motorised boat travel.At least 11 families came north to Mainland Mindanao,decamping in Zamboanga City where they promptly lodged an official complaint with the CHR (Commission on Human Rights).
Then on October 28th Mayor Omarkhan A.Aripin got into a gun battle with a retired PNP ( Philippine National Police) officer who is reportedly on the payroll of Govenor Sahali,over the issue of"Flying Voters."The usual scenario involves bussing people in,at times with false ID (though usually not even neccessary due to connivance of COMELEC officials),and registering them as residents in a particular municipality.These people are paid to vote for a particular candidate thus throwing an election.In the case of the Turtle Islands,a very remote location and easy to verify in terms of who lives there and who does not,these"new residents"were brought in by boat and got the added benefit of a new home courtesy of the locals who had fled over the previous couple of days due to the CVO.
On Janurary 29th,2010,CHR subpoened the Governor but as of this posting,in mid-August of 2010,he hasnt replied in any way,shape or form.On May 10th,2010,the election,he received 71.29% of the vote in the Turtle Islands despite only winning the entire province by a measly 3,304 votes.Also worth noting is the victory of his daughter,Rubi Sahali Tan who won re-election as Vice Governor for the province.
Indeed,it was an inlaw of Vice Govenor Sahali Tan who originally sold the entire island of Great Bakkungan to the Sahali family by way of a sale registered at P1.5 Million (US28,000 for the entire island),deeded to 3 Sahali children,courtesy of Rolando Tan and this is where Mayor Aripin segues back into the story;The Mayor filed an official complaint,as did the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),seperately,trying to void that sale on the grounds that the land in question is both Public Land as well as Protected Land.That case is still unresolved but alot of money remains at stake.With Eco-Tourism being the next great thing on the horizon and not neccessitating alot of capitol outlay,the island holds ALOT of potential.For his part,to quell some of the controversy Governor Sahali says his family is no longer really interested in developing the island.
On April 13th,2010 at 1150PM in Barangay Ungus Matata on Tandu Bas Island off of Tawi Tawi a political ralley for Governor Sahali turned violent when Hadji Asdala Salih,the son of mayoral and vice mayoral candidates of Tandu Bas, Pendatun Hula Salih and Rahiema Asdala Salih respectively,took out his 45 caliber pistol after a heated argument and shot Muhammed Bakrin and king Abbas.The 2 badly wounded men were rushed by speed boat to the capital,Bongao,on Bongao Island,for medical treatment.
Abbas is the 1st cousin of rival vice mayoral candidate Fahmy Jainal Alonso whose running mate for mayor happens to be Alano Hula Salih,brother of mayoral candidate Pendatun Hula Salih,father of the shooter.Ergo,the shooter tried to murder his own 1st cousin because both their fathers,who happen to be brothers,are running for the same mayoral position.Complicated I know,but that is par for the course here in Mindanao.
On Election Day,Monday,May 10th,2010 in the town of Panglima Sugala in Tawi Tawi Province journalists were threatend with death while trying to record election cheating.Aaaaaah...The Mindanao"experience"...Don't you just love the smell of Napalm on the morning breeze?
On March 1st,2010 in Barangay Karungdung in the town of Kalingalan Caluang in Sulu Province former Barangay Captain/Chairman Abdullah Caluang and his supporters battled a former vice mayor and his men.2 of Caluang's men were shot to death in the firefight.The shooting ended the next afternoon with 1 man from the ex-vice mayor's group being critically wounded.
On April 20th,2010 in Siasi,Sulu,Leon Ajid a supporter of mayoral candidate Wilson Anni was shot by a rival candidate and severely wounded.
That same day in Pata,also in Sulu,well known cleric Imam Bula was killed in the cross fire between supporters of incumbent mayoral candidate Nurmina Burahan and opposing candidate Hadji Zaldi Haddari after Haddari and his gunmen occupied Barangay Luuk Tulay,an outlying neighborhood.The Barangay Captain/Chairman notified the mayor who then had his paramilitary shell that barangay with 60MM mortars.
Fighting lasted until April 22nd when a detachment of AFP Marines were finally deployed.Occupations of barangays by politicians take place not so much as a show of power but to control voting,this is why the mayor felt the need to come out so strongly against the occupying force.Unfortunately though,the deployment of Marines caused COMELEC (Election authority) to cluster barangays into a single polling site.With barangays divided so strongly amongst opposing candidates,40% of the opposing candidate's voters were unable to vote.
On April 26th,2010 in Sitio Buta Buta in Barangay Parian Dakula in the municipality of Pandami in Sulu Province, Barangay Captain/Chairman Hadji Isa Sitin and his son were hanging campaign posters in the barangay,which adjoins their own barangay,Lahi,when Dakula's Barangay Captain/Chairman,30 year old Kitoh Aidani opened fire on them.Father and son both fired back and shot Aidani to death.Aidani as well as his son was badly wounded as was an onlooker,Sali Darul.AFP Task Force Comet then deployed a detachment of Marines to the barangays to try and stem the violence.
On Election Day, Monday, May 10th,2010 in the municipality of Tongkil in Sulu Province a candidate's supporters were beaten by an opposing candidate's security detail,consisting of PNP (Philippine National Police) officers.
That same day,Election Day,in Barangay Kulasi in the town of Maimbung on Jolo Island in Sulu Province a journalist was interviewing a Bajao Tribesmen to see if he had been unwittingly made to vote for an unintended candidate when supporters of the incumbent mayor prevented the journalist's crew from filiming or photographing the interview.The interview uncovered area Bajaos being paid up to P1000 (20 Euros) for their votes as well as a large number of juvenile Bajaos voting.In addition almost all of the Bajao on site lacked IDs.As the journalists argued with the group a small riot broke out injuring several people present.
The Bajao are commonly known to Westerners as"Sea Gypsies"due to their nomadic lifestyle and though nominally Muslim,they live on the fringes of settled communities,almost never attend schools and are abused and manipulated in many of these communities.
Also on Election Day,May 10th,2010 in Barangay Bunot in the town of Indanan on Jolo Island in Sulu Province the brother of mayoral candidate Hussin Ahajin destroyed PCOs (Precinct Optical Scanners,machines used to verifiy ballots in computerised voting) while 2 other clustered precincts in the town never opened due to threats of violence.Altogether these caused COMELEC to declare a Failed Election in the town.
That same day,in the town of Panglima Estino in Sulu Province voting had to cease after 81MM mortar shelling by a rival of incumbent Mayor Munib Estino.No reports of wounded,though often times these are kept under wraps for obvious reasons.81MMs can do ALOT of damage.
Election Day,May 10th,2010 in the municipality of Pandami in Sulu Province supporters of rival gubneratorial candidates Arbison and incumbent Governor Tan began beating each other up and the outbreak soon developed into a full scale riot.
That same day in the town of Luuk on Jolo Island in Sulu Province in what was a curious case of bad timing, candidate Hadja Amina was served with an arrest warrant for an incident that took place during the last Barangay Election.Rivals sit atop warrants only to deploy them like weapons at opportune times.
Also that day,in Barangay Gandasuli in the town of Patikul on Jolo Island in Sulu Province incumbent mayoral candidate Hayudini,a supporter from the Julkarnain Clan who is coincidentally related to Hayudini's rival candidate Datu Bahjin,attacked Bahjin's sons with 3 of them requiring hospitalisation with severe wounds about the head from bolos (machetes).
Also Election Day,in the town of Lugus in Sulu Province BEIs (Board of Elections Inspectors) at the town's clustered precincts were slapped by mayoral candidate Aradais when they refused to obey his demand to cheat.BEIs then fled en masse to Barangay Poblacion and sought protection with a detachment of AFP Marines who then deployed to the precints and seized PCOSs (Precinct Optical Scanners) and Election materiels.
That same day in Barangay Bangkilay in the town of Panguturan,which sits atop of islets sharing that same name in Sulu Province,the son of the Barangay Captain/Chairman and a supporter of mayoral candidate Police[sic-that is his name] Sali battled with supporters of rival candidate,incumbent mayor Ahmad Nano.The Captain/Chairman's son, eponymously named Ibnu,ended up shooting and critically wounding 3 men.
Late that same day,at 525PM,in Barangay Kulasi in the town of Maimbung on Jolo Island in Sulu Province,Governor Tan's son Samir was in a firefight with members of the Maldisa Clan with whom the Tans have been in Rido (Clan Feud) for quite some time.Shortly after that firefight cooled down a shot from an unknown source sniped the location where the governor's wife was resting though she wasn't wounded by the gunfire.
Samir Tan himself is running for Mayor of the town,his Clan's hometown,against incumbent Mayor Najib Maldisa.The Maldisa Clan blames Governor Tan for the death of Najib's brother who was Vice Govenor when killed.
Finally,rounding out that long and bloody Election Day,Tupay Loong,candidate for Congress in Sulu's 1st District, which includes Jolo Island,slapped his elder brother Hussin and bloodied his nose and mouth.Hussin himself ran for Mayor of Parang (Parang on Jolo Island in Sulu Province as opposed to Parang in Maguindanao Province).
The Loongs are Sulu's most formidable political dynasty and I will be talking about them in an upcoming entry about Sulu's Governor Tan.
So, while it was a less violent Election Day than usually takes place in Sulu Province,"violent"is a relative term in this part of the world.
I am including Tawi Tawi,though a separate province,it is part of the Sulu archipelago and a province of Mindanao to bootThe leading ethnic group are the Sama (Samal)nd the Jamamapun,2 Muslim tribes with populations in Indonesia and Malaysia as well as in the Sulu and Tawi Tawi islands.In fact there is a small population on Mainland Mindanao as well but that is neither here nor there.
The Turtle Islands are a group of 7 islands laying due south of Tawi Tawi and forming the last islands in the Philippines,a nation of 7,107 islands.Lying 45 minutes to 1 hour north of Borneo by boat the islands are home to an absolutely fantastic abundance of marine wildlife.
On October 26,2009 at 545AM in Barangay Poblacion on Great Bakkungan Island,in the Turtle Islands,Jabbar Sahibil a caretaker for incumbent Governor Sadikul A. Sahali's family properties on that island led members of the Governor's CVO (Civlian Volunteer Organisation,one of the 4 entities collectively known as the"CAA,"or"Civilian Active Auxiliaries"that serve as the lynchpin in the AFP's Counterinsurgency Programme on Mindanao) in a 5 hour attack on villagers.The next day,October 27th,75 more CVO soldiers arrived on 2 cigarette boats (racing boats with dual engines,primarily used for smuggling but also to show wealth),1 of which was definitely owned by the Governor since its name remained uncovered,"Thunder Bull."
The 75 CVO soldiers joined the small force stationed in the Turtle Islands and proceeded to burn out more than 100 families living in Barangay Poblacion.Most of the families fled to relatives on nearby islands but some fled to Sabah,a Malaysian state on Borneo which is less than 45 minutes away from that island,by regular motorised boat travel.At least 11 families came north to Mainland Mindanao,decamping in Zamboanga City where they promptly lodged an official complaint with the CHR (Commission on Human Rights).
Then on October 28th Mayor Omarkhan A.Aripin got into a gun battle with a retired PNP ( Philippine National Police) officer who is reportedly on the payroll of Govenor Sahali,over the issue of"Flying Voters."The usual scenario involves bussing people in,at times with false ID (though usually not even neccessary due to connivance of COMELEC officials),and registering them as residents in a particular municipality.These people are paid to vote for a particular candidate thus throwing an election.In the case of the Turtle Islands,a very remote location and easy to verify in terms of who lives there and who does not,these"new residents"were brought in by boat and got the added benefit of a new home courtesy of the locals who had fled over the previous couple of days due to the CVO.
On Janurary 29th,2010,CHR subpoened the Governor but as of this posting,in mid-August of 2010,he hasnt replied in any way,shape or form.On May 10th,2010,the election,he received 71.29% of the vote in the Turtle Islands despite only winning the entire province by a measly 3,304 votes.Also worth noting is the victory of his daughter,Rubi Sahali Tan who won re-election as Vice Governor for the province.
Indeed,it was an inlaw of Vice Govenor Sahali Tan who originally sold the entire island of Great Bakkungan to the Sahali family by way of a sale registered at P1.5 Million (US28,000 for the entire island),deeded to 3 Sahali children,courtesy of Rolando Tan and this is where Mayor Aripin segues back into the story;The Mayor filed an official complaint,as did the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),seperately,trying to void that sale on the grounds that the land in question is both Public Land as well as Protected Land.That case is still unresolved but alot of money remains at stake.With Eco-Tourism being the next great thing on the horizon and not neccessitating alot of capitol outlay,the island holds ALOT of potential.For his part,to quell some of the controversy Governor Sahali says his family is no longer really interested in developing the island.
On April 13th,2010 at 1150PM in Barangay Ungus Matata on Tandu Bas Island off of Tawi Tawi a political ralley for Governor Sahali turned violent when Hadji Asdala Salih,the son of mayoral and vice mayoral candidates of Tandu Bas, Pendatun Hula Salih and Rahiema Asdala Salih respectively,took out his 45 caliber pistol after a heated argument and shot Muhammed Bakrin and king Abbas.The 2 badly wounded men were rushed by speed boat to the capital,Bongao,on Bongao Island,for medical treatment.
Abbas is the 1st cousin of rival vice mayoral candidate Fahmy Jainal Alonso whose running mate for mayor happens to be Alano Hula Salih,brother of mayoral candidate Pendatun Hula Salih,father of the shooter.Ergo,the shooter tried to murder his own 1st cousin because both their fathers,who happen to be brothers,are running for the same mayoral position.Complicated I know,but that is par for the course here in Mindanao.
On Election Day,Monday,May 10th,2010 in the town of Panglima Sugala in Tawi Tawi Province journalists were threatend with death while trying to record election cheating.Aaaaaah...The Mindanao"experience"...Don't you just love the smell of Napalm on the morning breeze?
Friday, June 4, 2010
Politics,the Second Quarter of 2010:The Pacman Tries for Another TKO in Sarangani
On Monday, 4/26/2010, the day after the 5 Pacquiao campaign workers were arrested in the kidnapping attempt on Mayor Enrique Yap of G'laan,Sarangani Province,Provincial Governor Rene Miguel Dominguez travelled to visit his partymate and close ally,Mayor Yap. After all, with their close alliance,the attempt on Mayor Yap MIGHT have been a potshot at the Governor.Spending about an hour in G'laan,Governor Dominguez's convoy then began the return trip to GenSan (General Santos City) for a meeting with Presidential candidate Gilbert"Gibo"Teodoro who was scheduled to give a speech at Mindanao Polytechnic.
Governor Dominguez's SUV had just passed the foot of Lun Masla Bridge in Mapalatan when a powerful IED partially detonated.The device,centered upon a 105 MM Howitzer shell wired to a Motorola cellular phone was attached to an abandoned motorcycle parked near the shoulder of the road.Detonating at partial strength due to a problem with the shell, no casualties were reported and the convoy continued unscathed onto GenSan.
While things did manage to die down in G'laan, at least momentarily,the town was listed as an"Election Hotspot"by COMELEC (the governmental authority charged with overseeing all elections).On Election Day snafus resulted in a COMELEC decison to include G'laan on the list of municpalities to participate in the Re-balloting, yesterday, Thursday, June 3rd (re-edit: Mayor Enrique Yap is out of office and brother Victor James Yap has replaced him, while their sister Vivien is the Vice Mayor, noted on August 1, 2010). speaking of "Election Hotspots," most of the nation along with the very limited international coverage Mindanao receives have all focused on Maguindanao Province and the rest of the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) because of the "Maguindanao Massacare"to be discussed in a subsequent entry. To a lesser degree Lanao del Sur Province has received attention as well but most people have not even considered that there may have been a much more violent section of the island that had managed to evade scrutiny.
Region IX, the Zamboanga Peninsula with its 3 provinces saw more than 32 deaths this election season (beginning in eary November when candidates begin registering with COMELEC to declare their candidacy up until 6/03/2010 when this election's Re-balloting took place. That number is pretty amazing when COMELEC is declaring that the entire island had only 27 deaths (of course not including the almost 60 deaths from the "Maguindanao Massacre").
Most deaths revolved around the mayoral race in Labangan in Zamboanga del Sur Province and most victims were members of the Liberal Party in that municipality. Vice Mayor Wilson "Kitty" Nandang, cousin of the current mayor, Abubakar Afdal was the central figure in all deaths in that area.
I) The first to die, on record at least, was Ensor Pakil, a Liberal Party organiser in Labangan. He was shot to death on 12/29/2010.
II) On 1/04/2010 "habal-habal" driver (motorised tricycle built from a motorcross "dirtbike") Rascal Afdal was letting his son drive, on National Hiway in Barangay Dao, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur Province. 48 year old Afdal was cut off by 2 men on a single motorcyle. Immediately the passenger on the rear of the motorcycle killed Afdal. Rascal Afdal is a supporter of Vice Mayor Wilson "Kitty" Nandang, as well as being his cousin and his personal driver (though by a stroke of co-incidence un-related to the mayor with whom he coincidentally shares a surname).
III) On 1/11/2010, Rosalinda "Rose" Pajente, an Operations Manager for the National Food Authority (Philippine equivalent to the American FDA) was on her way home and fast approaching a PNP (Police) checkpoint on National Hiway, in Barangay Tiguma, Pagadian City. 2 men on a motorcycle drove up on her left, the man on the rear shot her to death before fleeing. Rose was an organiser for the Liberal Party in neighbouring Labangan.
IV) On 1/16/2010, at 5PM, Hadja Anira Abdullah Agcong , a supporter Wilson "Kitty" Nandang and a major backer for his stab at the mayoralty was at Pagadian City's Gaisano Mall to purchase medicines for her ailing son, who waited in the SUV. As soon as Ms. Agcong stepped out of her vehicle she was shot in the chest and killed by an assailant holding a 45 caliber pistol. He then calmly walked away, hopped on the back of a motorcycle and drove off.
V) The next day, 1/17/2010, Motalliden "Steve" Pacman Tapodoc, a cadidate for Town Council in Labangan on the Liberal Party ticket was walking behind the Pagadian City Hall compound in Barangay Poblacion. As he neared the corner nearest the Philippine Independant Church 2 men on a motorcyle shot him to death with a 45 caliber pistol.
VI) On 2/09/2010, incumbernt Barangay Councilor and former Barangay Captain on the Liberal Party ticket, Joel Autida of Barangay Cabgan in Tambulig, a municipality adjoining Labangan was shot to death with a 45 caliber pistol.
VII) On 3/09/2010, Liberal Party Organiser, 32 year old Jay Durangparang of Purok Bayabas, Barangay Kalubi, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur was shot to death by PNP (Police). 5 Police Officers and the chief of Aurora PNP have been arrested and charged with his murder.
VIII) On that same day, 3/09/2010, 42 year old Edilberto Monticillo was also killed, in Aurora. The Liberal Party campaign worker is believed to have been killed by the same officers charged in Mr. Durangparang's death but noone has been charged as of posting.
IX) On 3/14/2010 Liberal Party campaign worker Alfredo Labor Dalingding of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur was killed by 45 caliber pistol.
X) The next day, 3/15/2010, Liberal Party campaign worker Tuaher Dakula was killed in his hometown of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur.
XI) On 4/01/2010, 42 year old Habib "Andi" Maulana of Barangay Campo Islam, Labangan was taking his wife and young children for a ride in his "habal-habal" in Pagadian City"s Barangay Tiguma...when the Liberal Party organiser reached the intersection of National Hiway and the Access Road for the integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) his vehicle was cut off by 2 men on a motorcycle. The man on the rear calmly leaned over and shot Mr. Maulauna 5 times in the head with a 45 caliber pistol.
XII) On 4/03/2010, at 11AM, Victoriano "Jun" Olila of Somniot, Zamboanga del Sur Province and that town's Liberal Party coordinator was on his motorcycle when 2 men on a motorcycle pulled up next to him and shot him to death with a 45 caliber pistol.
XIII) On 4/05/2010 in Purok African Daisy, Barangay Catibog in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, a man on a motorcyle rode by the compound of radio station 103.1 FM, "Magic FM" and threw a hand grenade into the station's compound. The grenade hit a billboard and inadvertantly landed very near to the street where 1 hapless pedestrian was unluckily walking. The unidentified man was critically wounded. The station is owned by Zamboanga Sibugay's Governor, George Hofer, the patriarch of the Hofer political dynasty.
Prior to the attack the station had been receiving threatening text messages warning it to ease up against a comepeting political dynasty, the Jalosjos clan. the Jalosjos had been unseated by the Hofers roughly 10 years before but are running in this year's election despite their patriarch Romeo Jalosjos just being released from prison this past March (2010). Romeo Jalosjos, a former Congressman from Zambonga del Norte Province spent the past 16 years serving time for the rape of a child. His original sentence of Life was commuted by President Arroyo.
Governor George Hofer is reaching the end of his term limit and is now running for mayor of Ipil, the second major Christian* town in Region IX. Daughter Dulce Ann Hofer, who usually goes by her middle name (Ann) is running for her father's gubneratorial seat. Her brother Jet Hofer is running for the 2nd District Zambomga Sibugay congressional seat, vacated by sister Dulce Ann so that she might in turn fill their father's surrendered gubneratorial seat. "Musical Chairs."
*"Christian" in the South Philippines is an ethnicity as well as a religious label.
Running againt Jet Hofer is John John Jalosjos, son of former Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, and brother to Rommel Jalosjos who is himself running for Governor against Ducle Ann Hofer.
In 2/2010 Jet Hofer supported the allegations of the Barangay Captain* of Barangay Veterans, Dan Erasmo who filed a petition with COMELEC, the Philippine 's Election Authority, with regard to Rommel, accusing the older son of Romeo Jalosjo of lying on his COMELEC application when he claimed to be residing with his brother in Ipil.
XIV) On 4/08/2010 in Barangay Poblacion, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay a senior PNP (Police) officer and campaign worker for the Lakas-KAMPI-CMD* Party had 2 grenades thrown at his house. Only 1 detonated but luckily, apart from shock there were no casualties.
*Lakas-KAMPI-CMD is the ruling party.
XV) On Sunday, 4/11/2010, Liberal Party Organiser Bernardo Aying of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur was shot to death with a 45 caliber pistol.
XVI) On Monday, 4/12/2010 Rolando Mayormita, a Liberal Party campaign worker in Labangan was shot to death, by 45 caliber pistol in adjoining Pagadian City.
XVII) That same day, 4/12/2010, also in Zamboanga Sibugay, a Liberal Party campaign rally a grenade attack left 4 people seriously wounded, 1 critically. 3 of those people were young children.
XVIII) On Tuesday, 4/13/2010, a convoy of Lakas-KAMPI-CMD workers in the hinterlands of Zamboanga Sibugay Province were strafed with automatic gunfire but luckily incurred no casualties.
XIX) That same day, 4/13/2010, in Zamboanga Sibugay Province a gathering of politicians at the barangay level were fired upon, wounding 1 of them moderately.
XX) At 8PM on Thursday, 4/15/2010, Mayoral candidate Gerge Castillo (Lakas-KAMPI-CMD), of Barangay Poblacion in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay found a primed IED at his doorstep. Luckily authorities sapped it prior to detonation.
XXI) That same day, 4/15/2010, at 830 PM a Lakas-KAMPI-CMD rally in the Barangay Hall of Titay's Barangay San Antonio was the scene of a stampeding mob after the PNP (Police) discovered an IED inside a plastic bag in the hall's phone booth. The bomb consisted of PVC and black powder (gun powder),i.e. a "pipe bomb."
XXII) That night, in the overnight hours between 4/15/2010 and 4/16/2010 fisherman Jun Borja of Olutanga on Olutanga Island in Zamboanga Sibugay was readying his gear when a gunman approached him and shot him to death with a 45 caliber pistol. Mr. Borja was an organiser for an Olutanga (Olutanga is also the name of 1 of 3 municipalities on the small island) candiate for mayor.
XXIII) On Sunday, 4/18/2010, at 730 PM in Barangay Poblacion, Kabansalan, Zamboanga Sibugay a Lakas-KAMPI-CMD rally in the town gymnasium was the scene of yet another hand grenade attack. The group of 4 young men gravely wounded woman and her young child were seriously wounded.
XXIV) At 8AM on Tuesday, 5/04/2010 Liberal Party Organisers and assistants were riding in 2 flatbed trucks owned by Mayoral candidate Wilson "Kitty" Nandang, en route to Labangan's isolated Barangay Langatod when they were forced to stop at an impromptu checkpoint by armed men. The gunmen made everyone dismount and walk home (roughly 20 kilometers through the bush). As the passnegers began walking the gunmen shot and killed both drivers (Bakel Samal, of Labangan and an employee of candidate Nandang, and an unidentified 2nd man) and then set both trucks and bodies on fire.
XXV) On Friday, 5/07/2010 , Purok Gin-awa, Barangay Tawagan Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, gunmen with M16s set upon a roup of habal-habal drivers who supported Wilson "Kitty" Nandang and killed 2 of them: Hashim Abang Maguindra and Hussain Maguindra Manarasol (no blood relation), and wounding a 3rd unidentifed driver.
XXVI) On Sunday, 5/09/2010, the night before election an IED detonated 3 meters from the mayoral office in Ipil's Barangay Poblacion, at the War Monument on Rizal Street. Because of the late overnight hour nobody was present . The Ipil Department of Education building was severely damaged.
XXVII) At just after midnite, 5/10/2010, Election Day, 2 men on a motorcycle shot and killed the brother of the provincial vice governor in Zamboanga City.
XXVIII) On Election Day, Monday, 5/10/2010 at 215 AM in Barangay Poblacion, R.T. Lim (town, a.k.a. Roseller Town) in Zamboanga Sibugay , a convoy of campaign workers and Organisers for mayoral candidate Rogelio Lopez refused to stop at a PNP/AFP (Police/Army) checkpoint. As the AFP went in pursuit the convoy began firing at the pursuing soldiers. Reaching Lopez's compound in Barangay Surabay the fleeing men piled out of their SUVs and began fanning out taking up defencive positions. As the AFP, and then the PNP quickly arrived a 3 hour firefight broke out. After the smoke cleared 3 of Lopez's men were killed and 8 people were wounded, 3 of whom were PNP officers.
Not suprisingly, the local and national media reported that it was a "peaceful election." an additional Liberal Party campaign worker, Toto Lagana of Labangan was shot to death by a 45 caliber pistol but scant information, including the date of his death are available.
Governor Dominguez's SUV had just passed the foot of Lun Masla Bridge in Mapalatan when a powerful IED partially detonated.The device,centered upon a 105 MM Howitzer shell wired to a Motorola cellular phone was attached to an abandoned motorcycle parked near the shoulder of the road.Detonating at partial strength due to a problem with the shell, no casualties were reported and the convoy continued unscathed onto GenSan.
While things did manage to die down in G'laan, at least momentarily,the town was listed as an"Election Hotspot"by COMELEC (the governmental authority charged with overseeing all elections).On Election Day snafus resulted in a COMELEC decison to include G'laan on the list of municpalities to participate in the Re-balloting, yesterday, Thursday, June 3rd (re-edit: Mayor Enrique Yap is out of office and brother Victor James Yap has replaced him, while their sister Vivien is the Vice Mayor, noted on August 1, 2010). speaking of "Election Hotspots," most of the nation along with the very limited international coverage Mindanao receives have all focused on Maguindanao Province and the rest of the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) because of the "Maguindanao Massacare"to be discussed in a subsequent entry. To a lesser degree Lanao del Sur Province has received attention as well but most people have not even considered that there may have been a much more violent section of the island that had managed to evade scrutiny.
Region IX, the Zamboanga Peninsula with its 3 provinces saw more than 32 deaths this election season (beginning in eary November when candidates begin registering with COMELEC to declare their candidacy up until 6/03/2010 when this election's Re-balloting took place. That number is pretty amazing when COMELEC is declaring that the entire island had only 27 deaths (of course not including the almost 60 deaths from the "Maguindanao Massacre").
Most deaths revolved around the mayoral race in Labangan in Zamboanga del Sur Province and most victims were members of the Liberal Party in that municipality. Vice Mayor Wilson "Kitty" Nandang, cousin of the current mayor, Abubakar Afdal was the central figure in all deaths in that area.
I) The first to die, on record at least, was Ensor Pakil, a Liberal Party organiser in Labangan. He was shot to death on 12/29/2010.
II) On 1/04/2010 "habal-habal" driver (motorised tricycle built from a motorcross "dirtbike") Rascal Afdal was letting his son drive, on National Hiway in Barangay Dao, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur Province. 48 year old Afdal was cut off by 2 men on a single motorcyle. Immediately the passenger on the rear of the motorcycle killed Afdal. Rascal Afdal is a supporter of Vice Mayor Wilson "Kitty" Nandang, as well as being his cousin and his personal driver (though by a stroke of co-incidence un-related to the mayor with whom he coincidentally shares a surname).
III) On 1/11/2010, Rosalinda "Rose" Pajente, an Operations Manager for the National Food Authority (Philippine equivalent to the American FDA) was on her way home and fast approaching a PNP (Police) checkpoint on National Hiway, in Barangay Tiguma, Pagadian City. 2 men on a motorcycle drove up on her left, the man on the rear shot her to death before fleeing. Rose was an organiser for the Liberal Party in neighbouring Labangan.
IV) On 1/16/2010, at 5PM, Hadja Anira Abdullah Agcong , a supporter Wilson "Kitty" Nandang and a major backer for his stab at the mayoralty was at Pagadian City's Gaisano Mall to purchase medicines for her ailing son, who waited in the SUV. As soon as Ms. Agcong stepped out of her vehicle she was shot in the chest and killed by an assailant holding a 45 caliber pistol. He then calmly walked away, hopped on the back of a motorcycle and drove off.
V) The next day, 1/17/2010, Motalliden "Steve" Pacman Tapodoc, a cadidate for Town Council in Labangan on the Liberal Party ticket was walking behind the Pagadian City Hall compound in Barangay Poblacion. As he neared the corner nearest the Philippine Independant Church 2 men on a motorcyle shot him to death with a 45 caliber pistol.
VI) On 2/09/2010, incumbernt Barangay Councilor and former Barangay Captain on the Liberal Party ticket, Joel Autida of Barangay Cabgan in Tambulig, a municipality adjoining Labangan was shot to death with a 45 caliber pistol.
VII) On 3/09/2010, Liberal Party Organiser, 32 year old Jay Durangparang of Purok Bayabas, Barangay Kalubi, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur was shot to death by PNP (Police). 5 Police Officers and the chief of Aurora PNP have been arrested and charged with his murder.
VIII) On that same day, 3/09/2010, 42 year old Edilberto Monticillo was also killed, in Aurora. The Liberal Party campaign worker is believed to have been killed by the same officers charged in Mr. Durangparang's death but noone has been charged as of posting.
IX) On 3/14/2010 Liberal Party campaign worker Alfredo Labor Dalingding of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur was killed by 45 caliber pistol.
X) The next day, 3/15/2010, Liberal Party campaign worker Tuaher Dakula was killed in his hometown of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur.
XI) On 4/01/2010, 42 year old Habib "Andi" Maulana of Barangay Campo Islam, Labangan was taking his wife and young children for a ride in his "habal-habal" in Pagadian City"s Barangay Tiguma...when the Liberal Party organiser reached the intersection of National Hiway and the Access Road for the integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) his vehicle was cut off by 2 men on a motorcycle. The man on the rear calmly leaned over and shot Mr. Maulauna 5 times in the head with a 45 caliber pistol.
XII) On 4/03/2010, at 11AM, Victoriano "Jun" Olila of Somniot, Zamboanga del Sur Province and that town's Liberal Party coordinator was on his motorcycle when 2 men on a motorcycle pulled up next to him and shot him to death with a 45 caliber pistol.
XIII) On 4/05/2010 in Purok African Daisy, Barangay Catibog in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, a man on a motorcyle rode by the compound of radio station 103.1 FM, "Magic FM" and threw a hand grenade into the station's compound. The grenade hit a billboard and inadvertantly landed very near to the street where 1 hapless pedestrian was unluckily walking. The unidentified man was critically wounded. The station is owned by Zamboanga Sibugay's Governor, George Hofer, the patriarch of the Hofer political dynasty.
Prior to the attack the station had been receiving threatening text messages warning it to ease up against a comepeting political dynasty, the Jalosjos clan. the Jalosjos had been unseated by the Hofers roughly 10 years before but are running in this year's election despite their patriarch Romeo Jalosjos just being released from prison this past March (2010). Romeo Jalosjos, a former Congressman from Zambonga del Norte Province spent the past 16 years serving time for the rape of a child. His original sentence of Life was commuted by President Arroyo.
Governor George Hofer is reaching the end of his term limit and is now running for mayor of Ipil, the second major Christian* town in Region IX. Daughter Dulce Ann Hofer, who usually goes by her middle name (Ann) is running for her father's gubneratorial seat. Her brother Jet Hofer is running for the 2nd District Zambomga Sibugay congressional seat, vacated by sister Dulce Ann so that she might in turn fill their father's surrendered gubneratorial seat. "Musical Chairs."
*"Christian" in the South Philippines is an ethnicity as well as a religious label.
Running againt Jet Hofer is John John Jalosjos, son of former Congressman Romeo Jalosjos, and brother to Rommel Jalosjos who is himself running for Governor against Ducle Ann Hofer.
In 2/2010 Jet Hofer supported the allegations of the Barangay Captain* of Barangay Veterans, Dan Erasmo who filed a petition with COMELEC, the Philippine 's Election Authority, with regard to Rommel, accusing the older son of Romeo Jalosjo of lying on his COMELEC application when he claimed to be residing with his brother in Ipil.
XIV) On 4/08/2010 in Barangay Poblacion, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay a senior PNP (Police) officer and campaign worker for the Lakas-KAMPI-CMD* Party had 2 grenades thrown at his house. Only 1 detonated but luckily, apart from shock there were no casualties.
*Lakas-KAMPI-CMD is the ruling party.
XV) On Sunday, 4/11/2010, Liberal Party Organiser Bernardo Aying of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur was shot to death with a 45 caliber pistol.
XVI) On Monday, 4/12/2010 Rolando Mayormita, a Liberal Party campaign worker in Labangan was shot to death, by 45 caliber pistol in adjoining Pagadian City.
XVII) That same day, 4/12/2010, also in Zamboanga Sibugay, a Liberal Party campaign rally a grenade attack left 4 people seriously wounded, 1 critically. 3 of those people were young children.
XVIII) On Tuesday, 4/13/2010, a convoy of Lakas-KAMPI-CMD workers in the hinterlands of Zamboanga Sibugay Province were strafed with automatic gunfire but luckily incurred no casualties.
XIX) That same day, 4/13/2010, in Zamboanga Sibugay Province a gathering of politicians at the barangay level were fired upon, wounding 1 of them moderately.
XX) At 8PM on Thursday, 4/15/2010, Mayoral candidate Gerge Castillo (Lakas-KAMPI-CMD), of Barangay Poblacion in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay found a primed IED at his doorstep. Luckily authorities sapped it prior to detonation.
XXI) That same day, 4/15/2010, at 830 PM a Lakas-KAMPI-CMD rally in the Barangay Hall of Titay's Barangay San Antonio was the scene of a stampeding mob after the PNP (Police) discovered an IED inside a plastic bag in the hall's phone booth. The bomb consisted of PVC and black powder (gun powder),i.e. a "pipe bomb."
XXII) That night, in the overnight hours between 4/15/2010 and 4/16/2010 fisherman Jun Borja of Olutanga on Olutanga Island in Zamboanga Sibugay was readying his gear when a gunman approached him and shot him to death with a 45 caliber pistol. Mr. Borja was an organiser for an Olutanga (Olutanga is also the name of 1 of 3 municipalities on the small island) candiate for mayor.
XXIII) On Sunday, 4/18/2010, at 730 PM in Barangay Poblacion, Kabansalan, Zamboanga Sibugay a Lakas-KAMPI-CMD rally in the town gymnasium was the scene of yet another hand grenade attack. The group of 4 young men gravely wounded woman and her young child were seriously wounded.
XXIV) At 8AM on Tuesday, 5/04/2010 Liberal Party Organisers and assistants were riding in 2 flatbed trucks owned by Mayoral candidate Wilson "Kitty" Nandang, en route to Labangan's isolated Barangay Langatod when they were forced to stop at an impromptu checkpoint by armed men. The gunmen made everyone dismount and walk home (roughly 20 kilometers through the bush). As the passnegers began walking the gunmen shot and killed both drivers (Bakel Samal, of Labangan and an employee of candidate Nandang, and an unidentified 2nd man) and then set both trucks and bodies on fire.
XXV) On Friday, 5/07/2010 , Purok Gin-awa, Barangay Tawagan Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, gunmen with M16s set upon a roup of habal-habal drivers who supported Wilson "Kitty" Nandang and killed 2 of them: Hashim Abang Maguindra and Hussain Maguindra Manarasol (no blood relation), and wounding a 3rd unidentifed driver.
XXVI) On Sunday, 5/09/2010, the night before election an IED detonated 3 meters from the mayoral office in Ipil's Barangay Poblacion, at the War Monument on Rizal Street. Because of the late overnight hour nobody was present . The Ipil Department of Education building was severely damaged.
XXVII) At just after midnite, 5/10/2010, Election Day, 2 men on a motorcycle shot and killed the brother of the provincial vice governor in Zamboanga City.
XXVIII) On Election Day, Monday, 5/10/2010 at 215 AM in Barangay Poblacion, R.T. Lim (town, a.k.a. Roseller Town) in Zamboanga Sibugay , a convoy of campaign workers and Organisers for mayoral candidate Rogelio Lopez refused to stop at a PNP/AFP (Police/Army) checkpoint. As the AFP went in pursuit the convoy began firing at the pursuing soldiers. Reaching Lopez's compound in Barangay Surabay the fleeing men piled out of their SUVs and began fanning out taking up defencive positions. As the AFP, and then the PNP quickly arrived a 3 hour firefight broke out. After the smoke cleared 3 of Lopez's men were killed and 8 people were wounded, 3 of whom were PNP officers.
Not suprisingly, the local and national media reported that it was a "peaceful election." an additional Liberal Party campaign worker, Toto Lagana of Labangan was shot to death by a 45 caliber pistol but scant information, including the date of his death are available.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Politics,Second Quarter of 2010:the 2010 Election
As the 2010 election winds down with the last re-scheduled balloting on Mindanao taking place today, 6/03/2010,it is shaping up to be one of the most interesting races in recent memory.Aside from the requisite violence,intimidation and outright fraud the fact that both the Aquino AND the Marcos clans have been given yet another chance to run the country is fascinating in and of itself.
Though the tabulating continues it is assured that Benigno"Nonoy"Aquino III is the nation's next President.The Senator from Tarlac,in Central Luzon,is of course the son of the late Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. (the difference in speling in their monikers is deliberate),a noted Senator himself and a onetime Presidential hopeful before being murdered at Manila's International Airport that now bears his name as he returned from exile abroad,to challenge the Marcos dictatorship.His mother,the late Corazon Conjuangco Aquino instead became the 1st post-Marcos President.
As another Aquino assumes the Presidency,another Marcos becomes a freshman Congresswoman at the age of 80.Imelda Marcos,widow of the late dictator Ferdinand,has won election to Illocos Norte's 2nd District,a seat her family has controlled for most of the last 25 years.Indeed that slot was just vacated by son Ferdinand Jr.,better known as "Bong Bong,"who will himself ascend to the Senate.Bong Bong is a former Governor of Illocos Norte, the family stronghold.Now filling the Governor's seat is sister Imee Marcos who vacated the Senatorial seat Bong Bong is assuming, and so it goes,welcome to politics,Philippine style.
This is a country where nepotism is not only legal,it is something to be admired,.the Philippines is a nationn where cronyism is seen as normal and though there IS a Term Limit Law (3 Terms),there are no real Ethical Guidelines or Regulations in place.Nothing bars a politician reaching their Term Limit from running for an associated office,such as a govenor running for vice govenor.after winning an associated position and serving just a single term they are then free again to hold their former office for another 3 consecutive terms.Quite often a wife or child will hold the position to circumvent the Term Limit issue while ensuring familial control of the position.Illustrated simply: A mayor,upon reaching his limit runs for vice mayor while his wife simaltaneously runs for mayor.Both win,after 1 term the former mayor again runs for mayor and holds it for another 3 consecutive Terms.If such things are common in the Philippines,they are the rule of the day here on Mindanao where an almost feudal society prevails.
Such systems offer very little suprises. The biggest upset on Mindanao this election has been the loss of the Chingobian political dynasty to a political newcomer for the lone Congressional seat in Sarangani Province. More than a member of the Chingobians losing,it was the person who won that position that fueled most of the drama,.none other than famed boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao had become the new congressman from Sarangani Province.His opponent,Roy Chingobian,was a political newcomer as well but in Mindanowan society,as I noted in my previous paragraphs,family is everything.The Chingobians,like almost all politicians on the national level,are fabulously wealthy.The bulk of their fortune rests with"Eastern Shipping Lines,"a Manila based,family owned company that specialises on shipping to Japan.
This was actually Congressman Pacman's second foray,having ran and lost against Congresswoman Nancy Antonio Custodio for the 1st District of South Cotabato Province and General Santos City (the latter being a municipality in the adjoining province of Saranagni) in the 2007 Election. Ms. Custodio is herself a member of yet another political dynasty, the Antonio family.Re-positioning himself in his wife Jinkee's home province of Sarangani,Pacquiao finally got his wish.
Of course Pacquiao's election was not without its own bumps and bruises;
On Sunday, 4/25/2010 at a little after 10PM, Mayor Enrique Yap of G'laan,Sarangani Province was en route to a meeting with local supporters when 2 vans suddenly swung into the middle of the road to form an impromptu roadblock in Barangay Pang-yah.As men holding weaons piled out of the vans the mayor's driver swung hard and circumvented the ambush. Quickly making his way to safety he notified the G'laan PNP (police) who rather quickly caught the 2 vans and 5 men.Finding an M16 and a single 45 pistol the men were jailed.Upon further investigation however it was discovered that at least 1 of the Toyota L300 vans is registered to Jinkee Pacquiao,wife of Manny.This is in addition to the garbage bags full of Pacquiao campaign related material also found inside both vans.
Pacquiao disavowed any connection to the men or the incident though he decried the"dirty tricks"being used against him,via his attorney Orlando Santandre.
That Friday, 4/30/2010 at their 1st court appearance,lo and behold all 5 were represented by none other than Mr. Santandre who managed to get the case thrown out based upon Section 5, Rule 113 of the Revised Rules Criminal Procedure (in layman terms,"a bad search").This time Pacquiao lauded the Philippine justice system that vindicated these "innocent" men.
Aaaah,what a tangeled web we weave...
Though the tabulating continues it is assured that Benigno"Nonoy"Aquino III is the nation's next President.The Senator from Tarlac,in Central Luzon,is of course the son of the late Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. (the difference in speling in their monikers is deliberate),a noted Senator himself and a onetime Presidential hopeful before being murdered at Manila's International Airport that now bears his name as he returned from exile abroad,to challenge the Marcos dictatorship.His mother,the late Corazon Conjuangco Aquino instead became the 1st post-Marcos President.
As another Aquino assumes the Presidency,another Marcos becomes a freshman Congresswoman at the age of 80.Imelda Marcos,widow of the late dictator Ferdinand,has won election to Illocos Norte's 2nd District,a seat her family has controlled for most of the last 25 years.Indeed that slot was just vacated by son Ferdinand Jr.,better known as "Bong Bong,"who will himself ascend to the Senate.Bong Bong is a former Governor of Illocos Norte, the family stronghold.Now filling the Governor's seat is sister Imee Marcos who vacated the Senatorial seat Bong Bong is assuming, and so it goes,welcome to politics,Philippine style.
This is a country where nepotism is not only legal,it is something to be admired,.the Philippines is a nationn where cronyism is seen as normal and though there IS a Term Limit Law (3 Terms),there are no real Ethical Guidelines or Regulations in place.Nothing bars a politician reaching their Term Limit from running for an associated office,such as a govenor running for vice govenor.after winning an associated position and serving just a single term they are then free again to hold their former office for another 3 consecutive terms.Quite often a wife or child will hold the position to circumvent the Term Limit issue while ensuring familial control of the position.Illustrated simply: A mayor,upon reaching his limit runs for vice mayor while his wife simaltaneously runs for mayor.Both win,after 1 term the former mayor again runs for mayor and holds it for another 3 consecutive Terms.If such things are common in the Philippines,they are the rule of the day here on Mindanao where an almost feudal society prevails.
Such systems offer very little suprises. The biggest upset on Mindanao this election has been the loss of the Chingobian political dynasty to a political newcomer for the lone Congressional seat in Sarangani Province. More than a member of the Chingobians losing,it was the person who won that position that fueled most of the drama,.none other than famed boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao had become the new congressman from Sarangani Province.His opponent,Roy Chingobian,was a political newcomer as well but in Mindanowan society,as I noted in my previous paragraphs,family is everything.The Chingobians,like almost all politicians on the national level,are fabulously wealthy.The bulk of their fortune rests with"Eastern Shipping Lines,"a Manila based,family owned company that specialises on shipping to Japan.
This was actually Congressman Pacman's second foray,having ran and lost against Congresswoman Nancy Antonio Custodio for the 1st District of South Cotabato Province and General Santos City (the latter being a municipality in the adjoining province of Saranagni) in the 2007 Election. Ms. Custodio is herself a member of yet another political dynasty, the Antonio family.Re-positioning himself in his wife Jinkee's home province of Sarangani,Pacquiao finally got his wish.
Of course Pacquiao's election was not without its own bumps and bruises;
On Sunday, 4/25/2010 at a little after 10PM, Mayor Enrique Yap of G'laan,Sarangani Province was en route to a meeting with local supporters when 2 vans suddenly swung into the middle of the road to form an impromptu roadblock in Barangay Pang-yah.As men holding weaons piled out of the vans the mayor's driver swung hard and circumvented the ambush. Quickly making his way to safety he notified the G'laan PNP (police) who rather quickly caught the 2 vans and 5 men.Finding an M16 and a single 45 pistol the men were jailed.Upon further investigation however it was discovered that at least 1 of the Toyota L300 vans is registered to Jinkee Pacquiao,wife of Manny.This is in addition to the garbage bags full of Pacquiao campaign related material also found inside both vans.
Pacquiao disavowed any connection to the men or the incident though he decried the"dirty tricks"being used against him,via his attorney Orlando Santandre.
That Friday, 4/30/2010 at their 1st court appearance,lo and behold all 5 were represented by none other than Mr. Santandre who managed to get the case thrown out based upon Section 5, Rule 113 of the Revised Rules Criminal Procedure (in layman terms,"a bad search").This time Pacquiao lauded the Philippine justice system that vindicated these "innocent" men.
Aaaah,what a tangeled web we weave...
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