Former Congressman Munir Arbison, who represented the Second District of Sulu, took another potshot at his arch nemesis, Sulu's Governor Abdusakur "Sakur" Mahail Tan when he filed yet another petition with the Ombudsman on January 27th, 2011. In the Philippine system of governance the Ombudsman functions in the capacity of a prosecutor in a specialised court system. Known as the Sandiganbayan, or "Guardian of the People," the court functions on par with the Court of Appeals so that any appeal within the special court automatically finds itself elevated to the Supreme Court. Ergo, any petition to the Ombudsman is in effect the filing of a criminal charge.
The complaint in this case involves two APCs, or Armored Personnel Carriers. The two MX-8 Barakos, by the Philippine-based Steelcraft Military Land Defense Vehicles Corporation entered Governor Tan's life after he survived two serious assassination attempts within the previous twenty months, both involving massive IEDs, or Improvised Explosive Devices (as in "bombs"). To protect himself the Governor obtained two of the recently developed APCs. On par with the V150 Simbas currently in use by the Philippine Military, in terms of armored capability, they resemble US-made Hummers with a bulky turret atop the roof that packs a 50 caliber gun. According to Tan they were a "present" from his daughter after the failed first attempt, a bombing against his motorcade in Patikul, on Jolo Island, or at least that was his final story.
At the time of Tan's acquisition Arbison was still sitting in Congress but facing the end of his term limit he had also jumped into the race for Governor. Pitted head to head against his former protoge, Arbison suffered a humiliating defeat in the May of 2010 balloting. He then decided to vent his pent up aggression against Governor Tan and continue a vindictive campaign that began with a flurry of letters to people higher up the foodchain. Most notably perhaps, he wrote to then Director General of Logistics for the Philippine National Police, Luizo Ticman, seeking verification of a PNP, or Philippine National Police, purchase order for the APCs, as is required by Philippine Law. The law is an attempt to check the formation of paramilitaries though in reality it is quite easy to circumvent the stricture.
In his letter to Ticman, dated February 15th, 2010 then Congressman Arbison complained that the purchase(s) were illegal, and requested any and all PNP paperwork related to the vehicles. General Ticman never replied and instead the letter made its way to General Victor Ibrado of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP. Ibrado already had received a similar letter from Arbison dated January 4th, 2010 but hadn't considered involving himself in the petty feuds that dominate the Philippine political landscape. Ibrado had in fact had an intimediary broach the subject with Governor Tan, banking a favor by warning him that Arbison was on the warpath.
In turn, Tan had the two APCs "donated" to the Sulu Provincial Government, for dedicated use by the Governor, though the papers said otherwise and dated the transaction January 14th, 2010 so that Arbison's "inquiries" to the PNP turned out to be "after the fact." Now badly frustrated, Arbison finally turned to the Ombudsman, bypassing the pre-requisite of "evidence" and going directly for the jugular. In his complaint to the Ombudsman Arbison cited four reasons for his petition:
1) Civilians, including Elected Officials are not allowed to purchase military hardware for personal use
2) Provincial funds were used to purchase the APCs
3) The MX-8's 50 caliber guns are for Tan's own personal use, another misuse of military hardware since 50 caliber rifles are illegal as personal weaponry
4) Tan uses the vehicles to intimidate the public, creating fear wherever he goes
The Ombudsman's routine correspondence with the PNP over the matter resulted in the Director of Sulu's PPO, or Police Provincial Office, Senior Superintendent Joseph Tabago Remac composing a routine report on the two vehicle's chain of paperwork. Ramac's findings cleared Tan though in the end it may have created more problems in manufacturing an entirely fictitious pedigree for the transaction. According to Sr. Supt. Ramac, one of the various self-appointed Sultans of Sulu, Akidjal Ingkang Attih, donated both APCs to Ramac's predecessor, the late Sr. Supt. Julasrim Ahadin Kassim who very soon after was killed in an ambush by the ASG, or the Abu Sayyaf Group. The donation mandated that the vehicles only be used by the PPO in the engagement of official duties. Interestingly, Ramac took the time to note that the 50 caliber guns were the property of the PNP. Seeing as how the APCs were already declared as such it seems superfluous to make that point. Of course the truth of the matter is that this was stated to cover Governor Tan's absolutely illegal acquisition of those two rifles, in case he was cleared with regard to the APCs themselves with the rifles handled as a separate issue.
Arbison's long time ally, Provincial Councilor Alganarham Adam noted that the Sultan, who is anything but wealthy, could not have donated anything to Sr. Supt. Kassim since Kassim was long dead and buried by January 14th, 2010, the official date on the paperwork covering the PNP's receipt of the APCs. Moreover, Tan was listed as the donor and the Sultan's name was nowhere to be found.
To date, in that I am composing this entry in the Third Quarter of 2011, the case has fallen by the wayside after the massive shakeup at the Ombudsman's Office in the wake of the Major General Carlos F.Garcia Scandal and its ever widening implications for the AFP and the Government in general.
On March 11th, 2011 a bodyguard for the Lagbas Clan was shot to death by a security guard after trying to divest another security guard of his weapon after first smashing him in the face. 35 year old Edwin O.Paler and his brother Francis O.Paler of Sitio Zone #8 in Cagayan del Oro City's Barangay Carmen rode tandem on a Honda XRM motorcyle to the Oro Homes Furnishing Canter on Kauswagan National Hiway, also in Cagayan del Oro City, in Misamis Oriental Province. As the two brothers rushed a sleeping security guard, 29 year old Sem Vismanos, breaking his arm with a brick, a second security guard, 21 year old Rogelio Tangcay working at a private residence next door rushed to fight off the attackers. The Paler brothers had already robbed Vismanos of his 38 caliber revolver.
The second security guard, Tangcay, was able to rush to his comrade's aid and quickly fired off three rounds from his 45 caliber pistol. Of the three bullets, two met their mark striking Edwin in the elbow and chest, killing him almost immediately. Before escaping on the motorcycle though, Francis was able to stab Dangcay five times in the back. Tangcay, employed by Rober Eagle Security Agency, and Vismanos, employed by Sagittarius Security Agency, were then transported to an area hospital for treatment. Vismanos admits he was sleeping on duty but defends his laxity by saying that he had had a toothache. Cagayan del Oro City CPO (City Police Office) personnel were able to quickly locate Francis O.Paler by simply following the address listed on Edwin's identification and captured both him and Vismanos' stolen revolver. Both brothers are ex-AFP soldiers who had been discharged for various transgressions making them the prototypical "bodyguards" on Mindanao.
On March 12th, 2011 the municipality of Sumisip in Basilan Province held a special election for Mayor that quickly evolved into open warfare between supporters of candidate Haber Asarul (Lakas-KAMPI-CMD) and Gulam "Boy" Salliman Hataman (Liberal) at Sapah Langay Elementary School in the town's Barangay Lower Cabengbeng. The school was housing five clustered precincts, more for security reasons than anything else, with a mere 927 potential voters able to cast ballots. In the original election, held on May 10th, 2011, Arasul had emerged victorious only to have his rival, Hataman, successfully contest that victory with COMELEC, the national electoral authority. COMELEC then nullified the election result in October of 2010, citing statistical improbability as the main raison d'etre; Barangay Cabengbeng proper tallied all of its 874 votes in favor of Arasul, despite that being the barangay where Hataman himself voted, not to mention his family to boot.
The special election retained the tallies from the original election in all but the five precincts, all located in that same barangay of Cabengbeng proper. This time Hataman scored 202 votes, bringing his overall tally to 8,393 votes versus 8,182 for Arasul, despite the latter candidate tallying 363 votes in the special election. Notably, only 581 of the 927 registered voters in those 5 precincts (16 of the votes cast were disqualified for various reasons) even bothered to vote.
After Hataman was declared the winner Arasul's gunmen attacked Hataman's friends and family, sparking an intense firefight. Luckily a brigade strength (1,500 men) composite force of PNP/AFP (Philippine National Police/Armed Forces of the Philippines) was on site though after the composite force intervened both Hataman and Arasul's men turned on the PNP/AFP, before finally withdrawing to their respective sections of the municipality. The Arasul/Hataman feud is a long running and very violent dispute. Hataman had succeeded his brother Hadjiman "Jim" Salliman Hataman as Mayor of Sumisip in 2004. In 2007 though, Arasul wrested control of the town. As Hataman set his sights on re-claiming the Mayoralty in the May of 2010 Election both camps began attacking one another.
Hataman's brother Jim, now the Congressman for the Lone District of Basilan, along with another brother, ANAK Mindanao Partylist Congressman Mujiv Salliman Hataman are the men behind the spectacular IED that killed Jim's predecessor, former-Governor Wahab Akbar, whom I discussed in my entry "Portrait of a Warlord, Part I: Wahab Akbar." The Hataman Clan, along with politician and former BMA, or Bangsamoro Army (the military wing of the MNLF) Commanding Officer for Basilan, Abdulgani "Gerry" A. Salapuddin and allied politicians had the assassination take place in the Batasang Pambasa, or Congressional Building, in Metro Manila's Quezon City. The 2007 bombing left the Lone District seat open after Jim Hataman filed a petition with Congress to bar any interim appointments. In 2010 he easily slid into the seat after forming tacit alliances with Akbar's two wives, current Governor Jum Akbar and Mayor of Isabela City, Cherry Santiago Akbar.
Arasul is himself brother to Nasser Arasul, a legislator in the ARMM, or Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. Just three weeks after this Special Election in Sumisip, Nasser's 7 year old son Amir Nasser Arasul would be kidnapped while walking in his Isabela City neighborhood. The reason? Haber Arasul, the unsuccessful candidate in that Special Election, had failed to re-pay a P300,000 ($6,500) loan floated by Ronnie Keseng of Tuburan, who chairs that municipality's Association of Barangay Chairman, or ABC. The boy was released after two and a half days when the Director of the Police Provincial Office of Basilan, Senior Superintendent Abubakar Tulawie escorted Nasser Arasul to Tuburan where Tulawie and Vice Mayor of Tuburan, Durie Kalahal successfully negotiated a loan re-payment, plus interest (despite Islam forbidding interest), plus a 10% commission for the Director, another for Vice Mayor Kalahal, and an additional gratuity for young Amir's "room and board" as it is euphamistically known here in the Southern Philippines.
After Boy Hataman won that Special Election in Sumisip his first course of action was to file for an audit of the municipality's finances. It seems that just before that new election the town had received its IRA, or Internal Revenue Alottment, of P3 Million ($63,000). Co-incidentally that sum then vanished, having been withdrawn from the town's bank account. Considering how Haber Arasul defaulted on that P300,000 loan from Ronnie Keseng that isn't entirely shocking.
Showing posts with label Election Related Violence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Election Related Violence. Show all posts
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Ampatuan Files, Part I: List of Massacre Victims
Operating under the assumption that most anyone reading this entry will have at least a cursory understanding of the Maguindanao Massacre, as it is popularly known, I will simply segue directly into a list of that tragedy's 58 victims, categorised as to whether or not a victim was a member of the Mangudadatu Clan, the intended target of this gross violence, an attorney, a media representative, or simply a hapless motorist. That was victimised simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The word "Bai" is an honorific given to Maguindanowan women of status, the female equivalent of "Datu." All Clan and kin are from the Clan stronghold, Buluan, in Maguindanao Province, abutting Sultan Kudarat Province.
Mangudadatu Clan and Kin
1) Bai Genalin Tiamzon Mangudadatu, 36 year old wife of the intended victim, Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, currently Governor of Maguindanao Province
2) Bai Eden Gaguil Mangudadatu, 45 years old, sister of "Toto" and a politician in her own right, serving as Mayor of the municipality of Mangudadatu, in Maguindanao Province at the time of her death
3) Bai Farinah Mangudadatu Hassan, age 24, the youngest sister of "Toto"
4) Rowena Ante Mangudadatu, age 33, a paternal aunt of "Toto"
5) Surayyda Gaguil Bernan, a maternal aunt of "Toto," 36 years of age
6) Wahida Ali Kaliman, Clan member of "Toto," age 39
7) Mamotabai Mangudadatu, another Clan member of "Toto," 40 years old
8) Raida Abdul Sapalon, another Clan member, age 41
9) Faridah Sabdullah Gaguil, a maternal family member, 33 years old
**************************************************************************************************************
Attorney for "Toto"
10) Cynthia Oquendo Ayon, age 35, of Cotabato City, a resident of Pomolok, South Cotabato Province
11) Catalino Oquendo, the 75 year old father of Ms. Ayon, along for the ride. He was the retired Municipal Treasurer for the municipality of Pomolok in South Cotabato Province
12) Concepcion Brizuela Jayme, of Kidapawan City, North Cotabato Province
***************************************************************************************************************
Supporters of "Toto"
13) Pinky Balayman, of Buluan, Maguindanao Province, 35 years old
14) Lailani "Ella" Balayman, age 25 and also of Buluan
15) Eugene Demillo Pamansag, 35 years old and also of Buluan
16) Abdillah Ayada, also of Buluan
17) Rahima P.Palawan, also of Buluan, 43 years old
18) Meriam Calimbol, also of Buluan
*************************************************************************************************************
Media (I will include their employer after their name)
19) Gina de la Cruz Carpenteros, Saksi
20) Marife Montano Cordova, Saksi, Balita, (radio station) DXCP, age 44
21) Jephon Cadagdagon, Saksi & Balita
22) Andres M.Teodoro, Inquirer (columnist) & People's Forum, age 59, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Province
23) Marites Cablitas, publisher of News Focus (in General Santos City in Sarangani Province), and (radio station) DXDX, age 38
24) Rosell Morales Vivas, News Focus, age 34
25) Bienvenido Legarta, publisher of Prontiera News (Koronadal City)
26) Joel V.Parcon, Prontiera News (Koronadal City)
27) Francisco "Ian" Subang Jr., publisher of Periodica Ini
28) Arturo Betia, Peridico Ini
29) John Caniban, Periodico Ini
30) Rey V.Marisco, Peridico Ini, South Cotabato Province, age 34
31) Fernando "Ranny" P.Razon, Periodico Ini (sales manager), South Cotabato Province, age 44
32) Jose "Joy" Duhay, Goldstar, Sultan Kudarat Province
33) Ronnie L.Perante, Goldstar, Sultan Kudarat Province, 43 years old
34) Rubello R.Bataluna, Golstar, General Santos City, age 44
35) Benjie H.Adolfo, DZRH (radio station), General Santos City, 20 years old
36) Henry H.Araneta, DZRH, age 44
37) Victor O.Nunez, UNTV (TV station), General Santos City, age 24
38) Jolito Evardo, UNTV, General Santos City (cameraman)
39) Daniel Tiamzon, UNTV, Genral Santos City (driver)
40) Mac "Macmac" Delbert Areola, UNTV, General Santos City, (cameraman), 20 years old
41) Ernesto "Bombo Bart" S.Maravilla Jr., Bombo Radyo, Koronadal City
42) Santos "Junpee" Gatchalian Jr., Mindanao Daily Gazettw
43) Romeo "Palak" Kimmy Cabillo, Midland Review, Koronadal City
44) Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, Midland Review (photographer) BODY NEVER FOUND, EXCEPT FOR DENTURES
45) Hannibal D.Cachuelo, Star (Mindanao Bureau Chief), age 51
46) Noel Decena, Penafrancia, Midsayap, North Cotabato Province, age 25
47) Napoleon Salaysay, Clearview Gazette (publisher), age 57
48) Lindo Lupogan, Mindanao Daily Gazette, Davao City
49) Eleanor "Leah" Dalmacio, Socsargen News TodayN General Santos City (publisher & editor), 38 years old
50) Alejandro M.Reblando, Freelancer, General Santos City, age 54
**************************************************************************************************************
Passenger Van Drivers (form of public transportation, in this case chartered) for the Mangudadatu Clan, family, and supporters
51) Norton "Sedick" Edza Ebus, age 33, Buluan in Maguindanao Province
52) Razul Daud Bulilo, the personal driver of former Governor and Congressman of Sultan Kudarat Province, Datu Pax Mangudadatu, uncle to "Toto" and currently the Clan patriarch, he was 35 years old
**************************************************************************************************************
Hapless motorists who just happened to have gotten to the PNP, or Philippine National Police, checkpoint at exactly the same time as the targetted convoy
53) Wilhelm S.Palabrica, a 43 year old city employee in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Province. He was driving his co-worker, Eduardo D.Lichonsito, and their wives to Cotabato Regional Medical Center. Earlier Mr.Lichonsito had suffered a moderate stroke and was heading into Cotabato City to receive it. Their red Toyota Vios van was inside one of the open pits, filled with bodies and pummeled by an excavator bucket to try and flatten it so that they could use more of the pit.
54) Eduardo D.Lichonsito, 53 year old city employee of Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Province
55) Cecille Lichonsito, 52 year old wife of Eduardo
56) Mercy Catalino Palabrica, 32 year old wife of Wilhelm and a co-worker of Eduardo Lichonsito in Tacurong City
57) Daryll Vincent de los Reyes, 28 year old co-worker of Eduardo D.Lichonsito and along for the ride into Cotabato City
58) Anthony A.Ridao, a city employee of Cotabato City, driving alone in his Toyota sedan when he passed a vehicle and cut into the Mangudadatu convoy, causing him to be mistaken as a participant in the convoy.
Mangudadatu Clan and Kin
1) Bai Genalin Tiamzon Mangudadatu, 36 year old wife of the intended victim, Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, currently Governor of Maguindanao Province
2) Bai Eden Gaguil Mangudadatu, 45 years old, sister of "Toto" and a politician in her own right, serving as Mayor of the municipality of Mangudadatu, in Maguindanao Province at the time of her death
3) Bai Farinah Mangudadatu Hassan, age 24, the youngest sister of "Toto"
4) Rowena Ante Mangudadatu, age 33, a paternal aunt of "Toto"
5) Surayyda Gaguil Bernan, a maternal aunt of "Toto," 36 years of age
6) Wahida Ali Kaliman, Clan member of "Toto," age 39
7) Mamotabai Mangudadatu, another Clan member of "Toto," 40 years old
8) Raida Abdul Sapalon, another Clan member, age 41
9) Faridah Sabdullah Gaguil, a maternal family member, 33 years old
**************************************************************************************************************
Attorney for "Toto"
10) Cynthia Oquendo Ayon, age 35, of Cotabato City, a resident of Pomolok, South Cotabato Province
11) Catalino Oquendo, the 75 year old father of Ms. Ayon, along for the ride. He was the retired Municipal Treasurer for the municipality of Pomolok in South Cotabato Province
12) Concepcion Brizuela Jayme, of Kidapawan City, North Cotabato Province
***************************************************************************************************************
Supporters of "Toto"
13) Pinky Balayman, of Buluan, Maguindanao Province, 35 years old
14) Lailani "Ella" Balayman, age 25 and also of Buluan
15) Eugene Demillo Pamansag, 35 years old and also of Buluan
16) Abdillah Ayada, also of Buluan
17) Rahima P.Palawan, also of Buluan, 43 years old
18) Meriam Calimbol, also of Buluan
*************************************************************************************************************
Media (I will include their employer after their name)
19) Gina de la Cruz Carpenteros, Saksi
20) Marife Montano Cordova, Saksi, Balita, (radio station) DXCP, age 44
21) Jephon Cadagdagon, Saksi & Balita
22) Andres M.Teodoro, Inquirer (columnist) & People's Forum, age 59, Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Province
23) Marites Cablitas, publisher of News Focus (in General Santos City in Sarangani Province), and (radio station) DXDX, age 38
24) Rosell Morales Vivas, News Focus, age 34
25) Bienvenido Legarta, publisher of Prontiera News (Koronadal City)
26) Joel V.Parcon, Prontiera News (Koronadal City)
27) Francisco "Ian" Subang Jr., publisher of Periodica Ini
28) Arturo Betia, Peridico Ini
29) John Caniban, Periodico Ini
30) Rey V.Marisco, Peridico Ini, South Cotabato Province, age 34
31) Fernando "Ranny" P.Razon, Periodico Ini (sales manager), South Cotabato Province, age 44
32) Jose "Joy" Duhay, Goldstar, Sultan Kudarat Province
33) Ronnie L.Perante, Goldstar, Sultan Kudarat Province, 43 years old
34) Rubello R.Bataluna, Golstar, General Santos City, age 44
35) Benjie H.Adolfo, DZRH (radio station), General Santos City, 20 years old
36) Henry H.Araneta, DZRH, age 44
37) Victor O.Nunez, UNTV (TV station), General Santos City, age 24
38) Jolito Evardo, UNTV, General Santos City (cameraman)
39) Daniel Tiamzon, UNTV, Genral Santos City (driver)
40) Mac "Macmac" Delbert Areola, UNTV, General Santos City, (cameraman), 20 years old
41) Ernesto "Bombo Bart" S.Maravilla Jr., Bombo Radyo, Koronadal City
42) Santos "Junpee" Gatchalian Jr., Mindanao Daily Gazettw
43) Romeo "Palak" Kimmy Cabillo, Midland Review, Koronadal City
44) Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, Midland Review (photographer) BODY NEVER FOUND, EXCEPT FOR DENTURES
45) Hannibal D.Cachuelo, Star (Mindanao Bureau Chief), age 51
46) Noel Decena, Penafrancia, Midsayap, North Cotabato Province, age 25
47) Napoleon Salaysay, Clearview Gazette (publisher), age 57
48) Lindo Lupogan, Mindanao Daily Gazette, Davao City
49) Eleanor "Leah" Dalmacio, Socsargen News TodayN General Santos City (publisher & editor), 38 years old
50) Alejandro M.Reblando, Freelancer, General Santos City, age 54
**************************************************************************************************************
Passenger Van Drivers (form of public transportation, in this case chartered) for the Mangudadatu Clan, family, and supporters
51) Norton "Sedick" Edza Ebus, age 33, Buluan in Maguindanao Province
52) Razul Daud Bulilo, the personal driver of former Governor and Congressman of Sultan Kudarat Province, Datu Pax Mangudadatu, uncle to "Toto" and currently the Clan patriarch, he was 35 years old
**************************************************************************************************************
Hapless motorists who just happened to have gotten to the PNP, or Philippine National Police, checkpoint at exactly the same time as the targetted convoy
53) Wilhelm S.Palabrica, a 43 year old city employee in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Province. He was driving his co-worker, Eduardo D.Lichonsito, and their wives to Cotabato Regional Medical Center. Earlier Mr.Lichonsito had suffered a moderate stroke and was heading into Cotabato City to receive it. Their red Toyota Vios van was inside one of the open pits, filled with bodies and pummeled by an excavator bucket to try and flatten it so that they could use more of the pit.
54) Eduardo D.Lichonsito, 53 year old city employee of Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat Province
55) Cecille Lichonsito, 52 year old wife of Eduardo
56) Mercy Catalino Palabrica, 32 year old wife of Wilhelm and a co-worker of Eduardo Lichonsito in Tacurong City
57) Daryll Vincent de los Reyes, 28 year old co-worker of Eduardo D.Lichonsito and along for the ride into Cotabato City
58) Anthony A.Ridao, a city employee of Cotabato City, driving alone in his Toyota sedan when he passed a vehicle and cut into the Mangudadatu convoy, causing him to be mistaken as a participant in the convoy.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Barangay and SK Election Related Violence
As I mentioned in my preceeding post about the upcoming Barangay and SK Slections on October 25, 2010, though it may be counter-intuitive the violence associated with this Election often greatly surpasses that of the National Elections.
As is often the case, some politicians like to take a proactive stance. The same type of initiative that allowed them to rise to the top of the political slag heap is often reflected in their refusing to procastinate. As the adage says, why leave something for tomorrow when you can just as easily do it today? Case in point: On July 29, 2010 in Barangay Poblacion, North Upi, Maguindanao Province, Datumin Laguialam, a Barangay Councilor for Barangay Ganassi was leaving a mosque on the corners of Quirino Street and Roxas Blvd. when he and his 3 sons were blocked by partisans of the town's mayor, CVO soldiers of Ruben Platon.
As Laguialam and his sons Mujihidin, aged 14, Datulong, aged 20 and Nasrudhin Sakilan aged 24 stood there a heated exchange beagn and soon, as is so often the case here, the guns came out.Luckily for Laguialam though he and all 3 sons were carrying 45 caliber pistols and so they managed to return fire as they quickly took cover and the busy street cleared of non-combatants.
The CVO (Civilain Volunteer Auxiliary) is an official government Force Multiplication entity used to wage COIN (Counterinsurgency warfare) that comes under direct control of whichever LGU (Local Government Unit) has requisitioned its creation.Unlike the more widely known and employed CAFGU (Civilain Auxiliary Force Geographical Units),CVO are neither under AFP control nor are they mandated to receive any type of training,specialised or other.The result of course is that they are often co-opted by the local politicians in charge of those LGUs. This was the case with the Ampatuan CVO (as in"Maguindanao Massacre"), the Lantud CVO in Pantao Ragat (Lanao del Norte Province) and of course, this CVO, under Mayor Ruben Panton.
The CVO, owning to its relationship, sublimated to the LGU, radioed in requesting assitance to the local local AFP element via radios provided by their handlers and soon an M60 (crew served machine gun) was on scene, doing some real damage. The Laguialams were able to badly wound CVO soldier Bong Balasbas in both legs but suprisingly, neigh, amazingly nobody else was wounded and not 1 person was killed ( In an unrelated matter, it is worth noting that Balasbas was the man who (allegedly due to Ph, Libel Laws) who shot Perot Ali in the North Upi Public Market with 1 round going right through Ali's arm and missing his heart by a mere milimeter). At 3PM a Laguialam Clansman was able to affect a Cease Fire with the AFP via some quick and well placed phone calls to 6ID (Infantry Division) brass at Camp Siongco in Awang (6ID HQ). Just another summer day in ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao).
September 01, 2010 in Barangay Poblacion, Binidayan, Lanao del Sur, 4 Alizaman brothers, Faizal, Isa, Abed and Asnawi, all sons of Barangay Caoptain of Barangay Guiarond, Pagayawan, Abdullah Alizaman, arrived in the Binidayan Public Market carrying M16s. When the AFP on site tried to gently talk to the brothers about the town's recently passed municipal ordinance which bars any public display of weaponry in public places (MO#01-2010) the brothers drew down and a 1 hour fire fight ensued. Amazingly, as is often the case, the brothers were terrible shots and even more amazingly, the AFP were decent shots, or perhaps didnt do much shooting. Only 1 bystander, jomar Gampong, was wounded in the right foot. None of the soldiers or 4 brothers were injured.
The AFP was then able to seize the brothers when they ran out of ammo, and perhaps more seriously, to the brothers, impound their 3 motorcycles, all new XRMs. the Provincial Council of Elders was then called in to try and mediate a satisfactory resolution since jailing the brothers and holding their property would set off alarge Clan War ("Rido"). The Council of Elders is the
handiwork of the provincial governor and is an impressive innovation utilising both Shari'a (Islamic Law) and Maranaw (Maranao) Tribal Law to aimacbly resolve everything from Rido to Kidnapping for Ransoms. They have had alot of success with the programme and I hope to write more about it eventually.
September 10, 2010 was Eid al Fit'r, or as many Filipino Muslims call it, Hari al Raya. The holiday celebrates the end of the 30 day long holiday (not exactly the proper word but one that is understandable to Western minds none-the-less) of Ramadan. Owing to the very serious nature of Ramadan, which includes fasting and heavy contemplation during all daylight hours, Eid al Fit'r is relished as a day to kick back and enjoy. Such was the case when the former Mayor of Tugaya, Lanao del Sur Province, Alimatar Pacalna Guroalim and 4 friends went to Barangay Cagayan, Poona Piagapo in Lanao del Norte to pray and visit other friends.
Guroalim, who was seeking to regain that town's mayoralty (the mayoralty still hasn't been awarded since Tugaya is one of the Lanao del Sur munisipalities that endured a "Failed Election" on May 10, 2010) and his friends were heading back to Tugaya when they were waylaid by roadside gunmen who killed the former mayor with multiple rounds to the head, and wounded all 4 of his friends. 1 of the 4, 25 year old Kasim H.Asgar died later that day at Amai Pakpak Hospital in Marawi City.The 65IB (infantry Battalion) then deployed 1 COY (Compamy) plus armoured and waterborne assets to Tugaya and its shores along Lake Lanao, to keep the town from imploding ahead of the Special Election which at that point had still be schedualed for later in the month (it is now going to be held November 13, after 2 more re-schedualings).
On Friday, September 17, 2010, Barangay Councilor Edgar Mali of Zamboanga City's Barangay Mali was sitting on his hospital bed in Zamboanga City Medical Center recovering from painful gunshots recived on September 15 when a group of gunmen quickly entered his hospital room and shot him in the abdomen and left foot before running outside and escaping. The original wound had been received while riding his motorcycle, when over taken by 2 motorcycles with a tandem pair on each.
On September 22, 2010 in Patikul, jolo Island, Sulu Province, Barangay Councilor Karra Aruk's family was sleeping when gunmen armed with M16s strafed the house over and over, killing Aruk and 4 clan members including a 1 year old infant. In addition, 2 small children were critically wounded as well. While the homeowner is a Barangay Councillor, and it is election Season 9for him), 1 of the dead males in the home had been accused of late of sexually harassing a pregnant female of another local Clan. Amongst Tausug Tribesmen like the Aruk Clan, this is a capital offence so that the raison d'etre for these killings may be unrelated to the Election. That remains to be seen at this point.
September 29, 2010 in Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province a joint operation by the AFP's 73IB (Infantry Brigade) , Malapatan and Sarangani Provincial PNP (Philippine National Police) raided the home of Mhidzfar Cutan but not before the man took 2 of his own kids hostage at gunpoint and threatened to kill them. Cutan is alleged to have been the man who planted the IED on the abandoned motorcycle that detonated just as governor Mig Dominguez's motorcade passed by a local bridge, after visiting the mayor of G'laan, who himself had been almost killed by (now) Congressman Manny Pacquiao's campaign workers.
It had been posited then, and since that Pacquiao's camp was behind this attempt as well though that angle is being kept tightly unde wraps at the moment. Cutan was identified by 3 witnesses who said that he was the last man that they had seen walk near the motorcycle. While that may not sound like even remotely circumstantial evidence, it has sent people to Death Row here (when we had it anyway).
Progress on the investigation into the attempted assasination against him must have cheered Gov.Migs Dominguez as he took to the range on September 18 and 19, 2010 in Saragani Province's IML Shooting Range. With a grin ear to ear the govenor hosted as well as competed in the "1st annual Migs Dominguez Steel challenge sniping Competition."Only in the Southern Philippines will you find a govenor who recently walked through a bombing before taking a leisurely lunch and only on Mindanao will you find one hosting a sniping contest.
October 02, 2010 on Calle Pospero in Sitio Pospero, Barangay San Rafael, Lamitan City, Basilan Province, Entong Musa, Comelec Officer for tuburan, Basilan was killed by 3 shots as he stepped into the road. 2 men riding tandem on a motorcycle then made their quick escape.
That same day, October 02, 2010 in Barangay Pimbalayan, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat Province, Barangay Captain Romeo Sombreto was shot repeatedly and died shortly thereafter on the operating table.
Also October 02, 2010, at 430AM in Barangay Bagua Dos, Cotabato City, North Cotabato Province, Barangay Councillor Azgar Badruddin, now running for Barangay Captain, was in morning prayers when his van, parked in front of his campaign HQ just meters from his home went up in flames. Luckily for him his uncle was sleeping in the office and rushed out to see a man on motorcycle riding away, and was able to douse a sack filled with flammable materiel that had been placed on the van's front seat. Badruddin is running against the wife of the current Barangay Captain as well as a fellow Barangay Councillor.
On October o3, 2010 in Molundo, Lanao del Sur rival factions in the Barangay Election got into a protracted firefight as candidates lined up to file their Certificates of Candidacy, without incurring any casualties.
Later, in Isabela City, Basilan, the COMELEC Officer of Tuburan, also on Basilan, was killed. Entong Musa had just stepped off the curb on Calle Prosepero, in Sito Prospero, Barangay San Rafael when 2 men riding tandem on a motorcycle pulled up to him. the man on the rear pulled out a 45 and shot Musa to death.
That same day, October 03, 2010 in Barangay Pimbalayan, Lambayong, Sultan Kuradat Province, Barangay Captain Romeo Sombreto was shot to detah outside his house.
On October 06, 2010 NFWM (Naval Forces Western Mindanao) CO (Commanding Officer) and concurrent CO of the Marine force on Basilan, Brig.Gen.Eugenio Clemen revealed that he had deployed 2 assets to the previous weeks meeting in the island's town of Al Barka where Abu Sayyaf factional leader Kumander Nurhasan Jamiri spoke about Abu Sayyaf having 2 men in the running for that town's Barangay Election. Alot has been made of this development, at least in military and analytical circiles but it is all a big to do about nothing.
The 2 men in question are NOT members of Abu Sayyaf but merely relatives of lower echelon members. to put that into perspective one must consider that virtually all Basilano Yakans (the indigenous tribe of Basilan) and a good many Tuasugs are related one way or another to past or present Abu Sayyaf guerillas. The 2 candidates probablly do enjoy a tacit alliance with the organisation but then again that has and continues to be the case in virtually every population centre on the island. anyone remember the april 2010 Raid on Isabela were an island politician sponsored a large coordinated operation by Abu Sayyaf on that city, the capitol of the island?
Brigadier General Clemen maintains that the alliance is not aimed at any ideological objective, such as gaining political power to further whatever iota of ideology Abu Sayyaf still retains, but rather as a fundraising initiative since Barangay Governments, like every Philippines Governmental entity is given a substantial amount of"pork" (cash which officials can dole out as they see fit without having to give an accounting for). Abu wants some pork, hmmm...I could vent a bit about that pun but...
Basilan COMELEC officials deny any knowledge of any such plan or candidates but that would be par for the course of course since as locals themselves they would more often than not be directly tied to Abu Sayyaf as well, at least tacitly. the officials have of course"vowed"to meet with the AFP to hash out any details and possible contingencies.
On that same day, October 06, 2010 ,Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Dimaporo, in comments to the Provincial Peace and Order Council urged care be taken to ensure peaceful and orderly Elections on the 25th. In the May 10, 2010 National Elections the Province had only 1 noteworth incident on record, a group of gunmen in Poona Piagapo tried to wrest election materiels from the hands of BEIs (Board of Election Inspectors, usually area public school teachers). the AFP came to the rescue and any bloodshed or mayhem was averted. However, to buy into that glowing fact one must remember that 21 of the province's 22 municipalities are run by Dimaporos or their close allies. The 22nd, run by a cousin of the governor, Eleanor Dimaporo Lantud is the centre of an ultra-violent dynamic that I wrote about in depth in my post about that election in that province. The governor sought to implement Martial Law, capitalising on the fear and uncertainty following the Maguindanao Massacre. So, scratch a bit beneath the surface and one finds a totally different picture.
As if by master stroke, the next day, October 07, 2010 saw a truly troublesome incident in that province. COMELEC Officer for the town of Tangakal, Pangalian"Peping"Lumabao was driving with Election Encoder Jamil Omar and 3 Security Escorts and a Driver in Barangay Pantaloan, Kolambugan when a group of gunmen waylaid their van and killed Lumabao with 6 shots from an M16, mostly to his face.
Though the upcoming Barangay Election might certainly be a factor Lumabao was facing charges related to the afore mentioned National Election of May 10, 2010. An ousted SP (Sangguniang Panglalawigan aka Provincial Council) Councilor filed a charge against Lumbao with the Provincial Peace and Order Council for Extortion. Appatrently Lumbao had been requiring 300 Pesos (5 Euros) to file Certificate of Candidacy, for the Barangay Election, when they should have been free for the asking. Though this complaint centers on the upcoming election the SP Councilor is rumoured to have quite a long list of complaints relating to the National Election. Lumbao has also been charged, by his superiors, with having accepted "Flying Voters" (voters from other areas being registered in a specific area foreign to them) from Lanao del Sur Province.
October 09, 2010 saw 12 year old Daryl Navarro Mahabuhay of Barangay Binongan, Veruela in Agusan del Sur Province killed by shrapnel when a fragmentation grenade was tossed inside the doorway of his nipa, while a 38 year old uncle was critically wounded in the attack. Veruela PNP (Philippine National Police) say that it is related to that barangay's election.
October 12, 2010 in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur Province rival barangay factions got into a firefight over the upcoming Barangay Election resulting in 3 wounded individuals. PNP 3rd Maneuver Battalion and AFP were then deployed in force to keep the town under wraps.
At 11PM on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Barangay Lower Tinungcaan, North Upi, Maguindanao Province a fragmentation grenade was rolled under the nipa (bamboo framed hut with thatched nipa palm for walls and roof) as a family was fast asleep inside. The detonation killed 30 year old Angelie Timpadan and her 2 young daughters, 6 year old Laarnie and 4 year old Ajuline, usually called by her nickname," Jalanie." Ms.Timpadan's 3 other children, 10 year old Arjel,"Archie," 7 year old Aisehl and 11 months old Allanes were very critically injured by the shrapnel and rushed to the town's hospital.
The father of the family, Datu Allan Timpadan, a Teduray Tribal chieftain and a candidate for Barangay Council was at a meeting with his allied candidate for Barangay Captain. Datu Allan is also a member of the Teduray Lupon Tagapamayapa, the Teduray Tribal Justice System but the attack on his family was related to barangay politics as witnessed by the attack taking place on October 15.
Speaking of which, on October 15, 2010 at 2AM in Barangay Rosary Heights Mother, Cotabato City in North Cotabato Province,Hadji Omar Hamsa Oranone's home was significantly damaged when 2 men riding tandem on a motor cycyle tossed an IED in front of his gate, which sits onlt 3 meters from the home itself. The device's detonation left an 11cm.deep impression under concrete showing a very powerful device was utlised. Though Oranone himself was unhurt his mother Fausia Oranone and 2 daughters Lalai and Baishy Oranone were not as lucky. Seriously wounded, all 3 were taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Though a resident of Cotabato City Oranone is a land holder in the aofre mentioned town of North Upi over the provincial line in Maguindanao with 100 hectares of corn and coconuts in Barangay Rempes. It is for this reason that Oranone is in the running for Captain of that barangay and also why his carport, home windows and vehicle were all heavily damged. Though there are 3 very serious incidents in that very small town (N.Upi) since mid-July, all 3 are entirely unrelated which is perhaps even more troubling than the usual rigamorole that takes place immediately prior to elections.
Going back again to October 12, 2010, the 4 room Limbayan Primary School in Barangay Limbayan, Bongo Island,Parang, Maguindanao, a polling site for the upcoming Barangay Election, was burned to cinders. Bongo Island, which translates fully into English as,"Skull Island" was named thus not for any nefarious reasons as 1 might expect when discussing Mindanao at karge but rather because of its unique shape. Sitting roughly 15 km off of Maguindanao's coast it is governmentally tied to the mainland town of Parang.
Ethnically Iranun Tribesmen, a Muslim ethnicity, the Biruar Clan owns virtually all open land and much of the village land as well. The Biruar are the most powerful Iranun Clan & are generally considered to be fair and maganominous with their duties.
October 14, 2010 in Sitio Abungkod, Barangay Kinam, Malapatan in Saragani Province brother Tony and Diel Maguan were illegaly logging when abducted by the NPA's Front 71 over the brothers' support of the NPA backed candidate in the October 25 Elections.
That same day,October 14,2010,Sitio Baras,Barangay Kapatagan,Digos City,Davao del Sur Provincethe supporters of 1 candidate for Barangay Councilor were held at gunpoint by men authorities say were NPA guerillas.Coincidentally,on October 16 authorities said that they had engaged that same band of guerillas in a 20 minute fire fight after the PNP attempted to serve NPA member Roberto"Ka Marvin"Castillote who also goes by the nom de guerre,"Ka Enoy"in Sitio Libudon,Barangay Sinoron,Santa Cruz in Davao Oriental Province.The W3rant,which was not served since noone was captured OR killed was for 5 charges of Murder,7 charges of Robbery and 2 charges of Multiple Murder.The charges all stem from a Feburary,2009 ambush of an PNP detachment in Barangay Managa,Bansalan,Davao Oriental as they provided a Security Detail for a cadaver recovery.3 PNP officers were killed immediately as 1 civilain whom they were escorting.A 4th PNP officer died on the operating table for a total of 5 killed in the attack.
The next day, October 15, 2010, Brigadier General Rey Ardo, CO of the 103Bde whose AOR covers Lanao del Sur Province addressed the day's meeting of the PPOC (Provincial Peace and Order Committee). Brig.Gen.Ardo asked that the PNP be redeployed as BEIs (Boardof Election Inspectors) just as they did in the province's Re-Balloting held in June, 2010. His comments came in response to news that BEIs, who are usually public school teachers, in the towns of Lumalondong, Lumbaca-Unayan, Marogong and Tugaya would not be showing up for their assigned duties due to fear of violence. In the last Barangay/SK Election, in 2007, roughly 200 barangays out of the province's then 1,157 were declared"Failed"because of this exact issue, lack of BEIs.Before Brig.Gen.Ardo spoke the PNP's Provincial Supt.Cosanie Derogongan told those gathered that the PNP expects violence in several areas on Election Day and the AFP, with regard to this Intelligence, has been undertaking a proactive stance with Pre-emptive Security and Force Projection Patrols.
I will list an incident that took place on July 10, 2010 as well though I do so with a bit of reservation. At 1230PM that day, in Zamboanga City's Barangay Mamping, an M26 grenade was tossed by 2 men riding tandem on a single motorcycle at Barangay Councilor Delfin Pioquinto, though the munition didnt detonate. On July 13, 3 days after the grenade attack, a 2nd Barangay Councilor was shot to death in an adjoining barangay. On July 14th Mayor Celso Lobregat held a closed door meeting at City Hall for all Barangay Captains and Councillors to address the rash of violence plagueing 5 city barangays, and predominatly targetting barangay politicians. En route to this meeting a city owned van carrying barangay politicians in a 2 vehicle convoy with a van carrying Barangay Tanods (Barangay Guards) passed into Barangay Kasangyangan and was immediately ambushed. As the vans stopped gunmen, all armed with 45s, surrounded the vans and seemed to be specifically picking out people by face. Barangay Councillor Victor Dagalea was shot in his left armpit and killed immediately.
I hesitate to even discuss this in this entry because it is more likely than not related to a Clan Feud ("Rido") between a Chavacano (Christian ethnicity, non tribal) and Muslim family that has engulfed 3 of that city's barangays for a bit more than a year now. Often times though, Rido, or Clan Warfare, has a heavy political angle so...I hope to be doing an entry or two on Clan Feuds and how they interplay with the insurgency here but for now, there it is...
Moving right along...Wednesday, October 20, 2010 in Barangay Sengal, Lamitan, Basilan, Jainuddin Dulla, the Barangay Captain of Barangay Bullas in Lamitan was being driven on a motorcycle by a supporter when ambushed by gunmen with M16s. The supporter, Jamrud Kuranding was killed while Kuranding was critically wounded.
That same day in Barangay Sinawal, GenSan (General Santos City), 58 year old Meliton Bansalao, a City Councillor, was working on his motorcycle in front of his home after supper when 2 men riding tandem on a motorcycle pulled up and the passenger pulled out a 45 and shot him to death. Town and Provincial Councils are dealt with in the National Elections, not the Barangay/SK Elections. Never the less Bansalao was involved in his Barangay race by lending support and electoral expertise to a candiate who happened to be embroiled in an electoral conflict.
Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Barangay Salvo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao Province, a convoy of the 29IB en route to IB HQ after taking part in a local Peace Convenant came under attack from 15 MILF under sub-Kumander Mohiden Karialan, killing the Barangay Captain of Barangay Liab, Mamasapano, Salik Guimba. Also killed was Barangay Councillor Nasser Mapangal of Barangay Libutan, also in Mamasapano. The 2 politicians were trailing the convoy in a multicab after also having taken part in the Covenant. 1 AFP soldier was critically wounded.
Also on October 21, 2010, at the IMT (International Monitoring Team) HQ in Cotabato City, North Cotabato Province, MILF CCCH Chairman Sa'id Sheikh, GRP (Govt.of the Rep.of the Philippines) CCCH Chairman, AFP Maj.Gen.Reynaldo"Rey"Sealana met with IMT Chairman Maj.Gen.Datuk Baharom bin Hamza of Malaysia to sign a document entitled,"Mutual Guidelines for Understanding. The CCCH is a bi-lateral entity composed of personell from both the MILF and GRP whose sole purpose is to re-inforce the Cease Fire and act as an interface to resolve minor violations there of, as well as acting as a sort of early warning system. The IMT is a multi-national entity devoted to also re-inforcing the Cease Fire.The document is a Brief on the Barangay/SK Election and takes effect on October 23 and will endure through October 27 in hopes of fostering a more peaceful and orderly election.
Friday, October 22, 2010 in Barangay Poblacion, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, a town beset by a years long MNLF-MILF communal conflict that I have outlined in several entries, was again wracked by violence when Vice Mayor Sajid Sinsuat's compound was attacked by gunmen who tossed a hand grenade by a caretakers bunkhouse severely wounding 2 servants of the Sinsuat Clan. Sajid Sinsuat however was safely in Cotabato City attending Jumar Service for the Islamic Sabbath.
That same day in Davao City, Davai del Sur Province, Task Force Davao CO (Commanding Officer), Col.Leornado Ray Gurrero reminded paramilitary soldiers not to involve themselves in politics. They were reminded that it is forbidden to wear any kind of campaign materiel including stickers or pins, especially when voting. Those deployed as Security at voting precints must be in full uniform and when voting change out of uniform before doing so, then back into fatigues before resuming duty. when in uniform they must maintain a uniform distance of at least 50 meters from the entrance to a poll site.
Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Barangay Salat, President Roxas, North Cotabato, Barangay Councillor Abdillah Macalaylay was critically wounded and his Clansman Baidito Macalaylay killed when their home was raked with M16s.
That same day, COMELEC Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal gave the nation the wonderful news that up to 20% of Visayas and Mindanao's barangays would probablly not be able to vote on time due to a snafu at the printinc company responsible for inking ballots. Trying to alleviate the problem he said COMELEC staffers were now working 24 hours around the clock trying to resolve the delay. Especially affected are Regions 6, 8, 9, 10 and of course...ARMM. Apart from the printing company dropping the ball, Larrazabal blamed the issue on a failure of COMELEC to delegate a specific Commissioner for each facet of the preperation process, as has been the case in the past. Of course that does not then explain just why the nation has never had a single election on any level without a major snafu. Asked what recourse would be had he said the affected barangays would simply hold balloting on the following day, Tuesday, October 26.
As it turned out however, the Commissioner was wrong. It was not 20% of Visays and Mindanao that was affected by delays and other time consuming errors but the ENTIRE NATION.
On Sunday, October 24, 2010 in Sitio Sayon, Barangay Mahayahay, Lingig, Surigao del Sur, whose incumbent mayoral candidate had an unfortunate run-in with the NPA leading up to the National Election last spring, has been beset with yet another case of politically connected violence.Just before 9PM that evening several gunmen kicked in the door to Eduardo Tacder's home. The 48 year old candidate for Barangay Captain was then shot several times in the head by various firearms. Amazingly he was not killed on the spot but died very soon afterwards as lovedones were rushing him to the nearest hospital in Bislig City.
That same evening, October 24, 2010 in Barangay Poblacion, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, Barangay Councilor Valentin Campos was standing outside his house talking to supporters when a man standing next to him suddenly took out a 45 pistol and shot him several times in the face, killing him instantly. The man then calmly walked away.
Earlier that day, in Bariras, Maguindanao Province the town's Vice Mayor Alex Tomawis was found to have Ballot Boxes from a town barangay as well as from a barangay in the nearby town of Buldon when soldiers stopped his pick up truck at a check point on Crossing Bariras-Parang Road.Upon interrogation Tomawis revealed that the Ballot Boxes were from barangays where Clansmen were running, so that he had planned to stuff them with Ballots , throwing the Election in his Clan's favour. tomawis had been caught doing this same thing just a few months earlier for the National Elections,on May, 10, 2010,where he himself had been running for Vice Mayor. the 2 recovered Boxes were then given to Bariras' COMELEC Officer who also happens to be a clansman but"demz' the rules."
On the day of the actual Election, Monday, October 25, 2010...in Maimbung, Jolo Island, Sulu Province a rifle grenade was fired into a crows of voters critically wounding a 10 year old girl. Amazingly voting continued however until it was stopped at noon due to increasing attacks between supporters of two particular candidates for Barangay Captain. Normally this would not cause an entire town to be declared a "Failed Election" but when precincts are clustered as they usually are nowadays they are all, obviously, located in 1 central area.
Violence between candidates from just a single brangay can cause an entire large sized town like Maimbung to fail. Maimbung of course is wracked by violence all through the year above and beyong the ASG and MNLF insurgency related violence the entire island suffers from. The reason of course is the rido involving Gov.Abdulsakur"Sakur"Tan, which I chronicled in my entry regarding the National Election last May 10 (2010).
Also that day,at the Provincial Capitol Building in Patikul,where tabulation had begun for barangays in the town of Indanan,on that same island,Jolo.When a melee broke out between the supporters of rival candidates for Barangay Captain for Barangay Tagbak,candidate Darwisa Kadji Jakiram was pushed hard against a wall causing 1 of her"bodyguards,"Rajam Abdulla to pull out his 45 (Gun Ban did you say?Cough...) and fired off some"warning shots."Seeing as how this was,as I did say,INSIDE a building the gunshots managed to turn a"melee"into a stampede.During that pleasant interlude 1 of the Ballot Boxes for said barangay disappeared.
COMELEC in its infinite wisdom opted NOT to declare a Failed Election (so what if 50 percent of a barangay's votes are lost,so what if half the voters in a barangay are now disenfranchised,none of THAT matters when you are trying to minimise budgetary expidentures and simeltaneously trying to deflect attention away from a terribly failed departamental policy like the Gun Ban).
That same day, Election Day, October 25, 2010 Sarangani Province, a province created relatively recently out of South Cotabato Province and still only having a handful of municipalities, along with GenSan (General Santos City) was beset by BEI Tabulators (Board of Election Inspectors) who refused to show commence voting in the face of several area fire fights between opposing candidates. As mandated by the Omnibus Election Code BEIs, unless otherwise specified by COMELEC, tha national electoral authority, are always public school teachers. Indeed, even when COMELEC deploys PNP (Philippine National Ppolice) or its own staff (as in the case last National Election, May 10, 2010, when COMELEC deployed its own attorneys) public school teachers are still required by law to show up for their mandatory electoral duty.
Understandably this rubs a whole lot of under paid teachers the wrong way even without the requisite extreme violence that often accompanies Philippine Elections on any level. This year, according to official statistics provided by NEMAC (National Election Monitoring and Action Center), in the official Barangay/SK E;ection Season (September 25 through October 25, thus far, because indeed it continues for some time afterward), there have been 39 killings and 14 serious woundings by gunfire all related to the Banrangay/SK Elections. As always however these numbers are not even worth considering since Western Mindanao alone has had more killings than that number given for the entire nation.
Re the COMELEC"Gun Ban," there have been 671 people arrested with 558 weapons vouch safed for the entire nation. Again a ridiculous number and all the more so when one realises that the percentage actually prosecuted for violating the Ban remains in the single digits due to a very short window of prosecution, most arrests taking place on weekends when most municipalities have noone on duty to process an arrestee, etc.
Those who followed my entries on the National Election may remember that the same thing happened then and in fact always does, Of course it does not take a Rocket Scientist to understand that tyhe government has a vested interest in downplaying violence of all kinds but especially that associated with the most basic of civic functions. If the Electoral System is this screwed up what does it say for the rest of the national government?
The Departmen of Education for the first time seems to be supporting its employees and its Secretary, Brother Armin Luistro has taken it upon himself to suspend classes for the following day, Tuesday, October 26. Later on the 26th he extended it through the next day, Wednesday, October 27 giving public school teachers (most anyway) a much needed rest. He then went further and gave Regional Departments the carte blanche to give their staff off Thursday, October 28 in those locales where Elections were delayed. Sec.Luisitro also gave private schools that served as polling centers the leeway to likewise suspend classes as well, at the discretion of each school's administration.
Teachers were originally slated to receive 1,000 Pesos for the entire day, which is extremely good pay for a single day's work in the Philippines, equal to roughly 17 US Dollars in a nation where most workers exist on less than 3.50 US per day for manual labour. However, when one takes the violence and sheer terror involved, COMELEC was absolutely correect to increase renumeration to 2,000 Pesos (34 US). COMELEC personnel admit that there is an increasing chorus of voices demanding that the figure be raised to 4,000 Pesos, a months wages for most labourers and Commissioner Larrazabal, who gave us the rpediction on delayed balloting, at least admits that there is indeed a precedent for such a raise but that it is up to COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo to help realise the increase. Larrazabal says that Melo and Secretary of Education Brother Armin Luistro have been in contact with Senator Butch abad about making it so.
The"precendet"Larrazabal was talking about took place in the 2007 National Elections when teachers slash BEIs received a higher than schedualed renumeration.
Just after the Election COMELEC announced that of the 78 OFFICIAL ERIs (Election Related Incidents, aka Election Violence),80% were outside EWAs (Election Watchlist Areas aka "Hot Spots). It is an interesting factoid but doesnt prove much. intuitively perhapas a person would posit that extra security and forethought doles out to EWAs would have curtailed most violence within those areas. Counter-intuitively however not much extra preparation is given to EWAs. when an actual case of violence does take place the authorities, in this case the LGUs (Local Govt.Units aka municipalities), PNP and AFP deploy reserve forces to hold a tight cordon (perimeter) around the affected municiaplity or barangay. So, what does this announcement truly mean? EWAs themselves are useless accept for collation of incidents past and present. THE ENTIRE NATION IS AN EWA.
Election Day didn't work out too well for political aficionado Tatang Asiapal,a former Barangay Captain as well as a losing candidate for Vice Govenor on the island of Basilan was walking with a friend that morning on their way to the polling site for their barangay,Tongsengal when they were both ambushed and shot to death.
In Basilan's Isabela City nearly a dozen city barangays nearly caught a declaration of failure over the scarcity of COMELEC Blue Books.The books contain the name and pedigree of every voter in a given municipal unit.Voting,which takes place between 7AM and 3PM often didn't begin until way after 11AM because the books,which are used to check voter elibigilities as a sort of master list,etc.Because there were no book desperate calls had to be made to Manila where COMELEC staffers had to send fascimilies to affected voting precincts.So you ask,what actually happened to those missing Blue Books?COMELEC officials,those paragons of humanity,sold them to candidates for 500 Pesos per book.
Across the isthmus on the Zamboanga Peninsula,in Barangay Payongan,Alicea,Zamboanga Sibugay Province,that same morning saw 36 year old farmer Patricio Entero Ardiente shot multiple times across his face and chest when Congcong Hinaky,whose father is running for Barangay Captain in Barangay Payongan waylaid Ardiente.
Elsewhere in Zamboanga Sibugay,in Barangay Sandok Kumot in the town of Mabuhay,armed supporters of a local candidate held a tight cordon over most of the barangay preventing voters from leaving their homes.
On Election Day, in Cotabato City in North Cotabato Province an IED was discovered just after polls closed and was recovered by a 6ID EOD (Explosives and Ordnance Disposal) detachment safely without casualties. Later that evening however, in Barangay Poblacion #1, at Marquez Elementary School, as BEIs were tabulating ballots a disgruntled person tossed a frag grenade into the school's compound. Luckily noone was hurt and to show just how commonplace such violence is, very sadly, tabulation only stopped for about 15 minutes and then continued unabated, business as usual.
ARMM, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao was a bit more problematic, as it always is. 2 men stabbed each other from rival camps, there were 2 separate grenade attacks, 1 of which was with a frag-grenade, and ballots were snatched. ARMM incidents, in this entry, are being presented apart from localised reports by sources other than ARMM Provincial Police. ARMM of course includes the afore mentioned Cotabato City (but not its province, North Cotabato, along with the provinces of Sulu, Basilan (except Isabela City, the provincial capitol), Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Lanao del Sur including its capitol of Marawai City). Trying to discern what is and what is not ARMM provenance can be maddening for someone not fully versed with local mores and for the sake of brevity I felt it better to report ARMM reported incidents as such as opposed to listing them by province and municipal locale.
Lanao del Norte had melees break aout in 7 barangays amongst 3 adjoining municipalities, Munai, Poona Piagapo and Sapad.
Lanao del Sur had Failed Elections declared in 3 municipalities:Tamparan,Tugaya and Butig due to shooting incidents endangering BEIs.
Sultan Kudarat Province had riots break out in 2 barangays in Lambayan. Baragays Sadsalong and Udtong had rival camps in both battling it out for most of the day on Election Day.Sadsalong BEIs fled their posts when the guns came out while BEIS in Udtog desperately appealed for help from the municipal PNP when gunmen stopped shooting each other and turned weapons on the poll site, taking potshots at the exterior. Lambayan PNP then set out to rescue the 21 BEIs (between both barangays) with 2 municipal dumptrucks taking the place of APCs (Armoured Personnel Carriers). As they set off into the bush the trucks were stalled at a raging creek, as most bodies of running water are dangerously flooded all through monsoon (rainy season). PNP called to the BEIs via cell phone advising them to flee if possible and take cover where they could find it. Is it any wonder then that teachers are refusing to serve in this capacity?
The Election wasnt all blood and gore. Late in the evening in Barangay#8, Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte incumbent candidate for Barangay Captain, Apple Tiu and sole challenger Godofredo Sajol ended up dead even. After a re-count confirmed the tie they allowed the Dapa's COMELEC Officer to settle the contest with the toss of a coin. Unbeknownst to most Filipinos the Omnibus Election Code, the set of laws dealing with Philippine Elections, allows for a coin toss in such circumstances. Sajiol ended up winning and offered a cute soundbite,"This is destiny...Thanks God!"
Quite possibly taking a cue from the incident a single town in the northern part ofthe nation had 3 barangays where a coin toss was used, a day after the Election.
Election Day in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental Province saw a local political icon climb back up on that"horse"after stumbling for a few seconds during the last National Election.Reynaldo"Aldong"Parojinog Sr. was a 3rd term mayor of the city when he was defeated in a run for his district's Congressional Seat. What would have been a shoo in in most any National Election turned into Parojinog's worst nightmare when his arch nemeis and equally powerful local icon, the then 3rd term Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos also set his eyes on that prize. Ocampos won,leaving Parojinog without an office though his daughter Nova Parojinog Echavez did assume his position as mayor of Ozamiz.
It didnt take long for Parojinog to take inventory and try to gain another foothold on power with the next Barangay Election (October 25,2010). Running as Barangay Captain for his home baranagy, Santa Cruz, he easily took the Election. Just after winning, before even throwing his obligatory party, he announced that he was now running for the Chairmanship of the Liga ng mga Barangay, or as it is usually known, the "ABC."The ABC, or,"Association of Barangay Councils" is comprised of Barangay Captains from every barangay in a given municipality. The chairman wields considerably more power than a single Barangay Captain would because he is given a a Seat on the Municipal Council, ex oficio. If the Chairman is in the province's major population centre, as the Chairman of Ozamiz City's ABC is, he or she then runs a very good chance of assuming the Chairmanship of the Provincial ABC which is itself made up of ABC Chairmen from every municipality within a given province. Likewise they are also given a seat ex oficio on the SP, the Provincial Council.
Just after holding his celebratory dinner on the 26th, he held a second, even grander party for all the city's Barangay Captains, as well as the SK Captains whom were invited one assumes to offer the appearance of propiety. Of Ozamiz City's 51 Barangay Captains, 46 showed up showing that the Chairmanship on the Municipal ABC is all but assured for Parojinog. A momentary stumble indeed, but perhaps a great illustration of just how driven and focused the man is. Officially the party was held by his daughter, the newly elected mayor but noone in attendance had any doubt as to who is running the whow, both in the city and at the seat of honour at the soire.
Parojinog entered politics in 1997 to serve as a District Leader for then Mayor Benjamin Fuentes. In 2001 he assumed the mayoralty of Ozamiz City, succeeding his mentor. He was made District Leader by Fuentes based upon Fuentes' association with a Force Multiplication organisation, Kuratong Baleleng (the"Kuratong"is an indigenous instrument akin to a bell or a gong but made from bamboo and used as an early warning system by viallges to alert residents of danger."Baleleng"doesnt translate well into English but basicaly means"Attractive"or"Irresistable."). The"KB"was founded by Parojinog's own father, Octavio"Ongkoy"Parojinog,who was an associate of Benjamin Fuentes until Ongkoy was assasinated by AFP NCOs at a local Cock Fighting stadium. Ongkoy's elder son Renato,"Nato,became the group's new"Chairman,"while Fuentes began grooming Reynaldo to assume the position of district Leader.
"Force Multiplication"as I have discussed in other entires is a doctrine that promotes the utilisation of community based organisations to assist in COIN (Counterinsurgency Warfare). Like all other Force Multiplication entities the KB was fiercely anti-Communist and as is often the case the world over unsavoury,anti-social types were often attracted to the organisation. for the sake of brevity I will not digress (much) in outlining the group, just to say that it was founded in 1986 by the elder Parojinog, the late"Ongkoy."Quickly coming to the attentions of the 4ID,who saw the potential in the organisation,it was sublimated to the 101IB within its first year of existence.
By 1994 however the heyday of the NPA had passed and the AFP began sharing less and less assets with the KB. More anti-social elements within the organisation reverted to form and the group quickly bacme associated in the minds of the public (and files of authorities, especially IS-AFP, Military Intel) with organised crime,a la the American"Mafia."Nato entered politics as well and was sitting as a Provincial Councilor when he was assinated in 2002.Philippine Libel Laws being what they are, I have to interject the word,"ALLEGEDLY" when I say that Reynaldo then assumed "Chairmanship"of the KB which he retains until the present.
On Tuesday, October 26, at 130AM,just after electoral results had been announced in Barangay Gocotan, Pikit, North Cotabato Province a losing candidate and his supporters burned down 2 buildings at Gocatan Elemtnary School, the polling site for that area. 5 classrooms were throughly destroyed, including classrooms that assuredly served that candidate's family members. The winner, Mustapha Aliman had beaten 3 of his competitors but PNP, as always, refuses to go after the guilty party. Gunmen from all 4 camps had been around the school the entire day and one would have thought that the AFP and PNP between them, even without the Gun Ban, would have had enough foresigghht to diffuse a certain, impending act of violence. Of course they did not. Theother 3 candidates were: Nok Pabalua, Russel Pendatun and Bernie Mandalait.
1 small bright note, Senator Manuel"Lito"Lapid ispushing SB (Senate Bill)#2525 which seeks to increase the penalties for election related violence. Currently the penalty ranges from 1 to 6 years under the Election Omnibus Code.Sen.Lapid's Bill would increase incarceration to 12 to 20 years but adds the additional penalty of up to 500,000 Pesos liability for the party or political entity to which the actor belongs.
The person who probablly had the worst time this Election Season is COMELEC Commissioner Jose Melo.On Monday, November 01, 2010 Melo announced he will be resigning in December this year, 3 years early so as to take,"Early Retirement,"a euphanism for,"the buck stops here."
As is often the case, some politicians like to take a proactive stance. The same type of initiative that allowed them to rise to the top of the political slag heap is often reflected in their refusing to procastinate. As the adage says, why leave something for tomorrow when you can just as easily do it today? Case in point: On July 29, 2010 in Barangay Poblacion, North Upi, Maguindanao Province, Datumin Laguialam, a Barangay Councilor for Barangay Ganassi was leaving a mosque on the corners of Quirino Street and Roxas Blvd. when he and his 3 sons were blocked by partisans of the town's mayor, CVO soldiers of Ruben Platon.
As Laguialam and his sons Mujihidin, aged 14, Datulong, aged 20 and Nasrudhin Sakilan aged 24 stood there a heated exchange beagn and soon, as is so often the case here, the guns came out.Luckily for Laguialam though he and all 3 sons were carrying 45 caliber pistols and so they managed to return fire as they quickly took cover and the busy street cleared of non-combatants.
The CVO (Civilain Volunteer Auxiliary) is an official government Force Multiplication entity used to wage COIN (Counterinsurgency warfare) that comes under direct control of whichever LGU (Local Government Unit) has requisitioned its creation.Unlike the more widely known and employed CAFGU (Civilain Auxiliary Force Geographical Units),CVO are neither under AFP control nor are they mandated to receive any type of training,specialised or other.The result of course is that they are often co-opted by the local politicians in charge of those LGUs. This was the case with the Ampatuan CVO (as in"Maguindanao Massacre"), the Lantud CVO in Pantao Ragat (Lanao del Norte Province) and of course, this CVO, under Mayor Ruben Panton.
The CVO, owning to its relationship, sublimated to the LGU, radioed in requesting assitance to the local local AFP element via radios provided by their handlers and soon an M60 (crew served machine gun) was on scene, doing some real damage. The Laguialams were able to badly wound CVO soldier Bong Balasbas in both legs but suprisingly, neigh, amazingly nobody else was wounded and not 1 person was killed ( In an unrelated matter, it is worth noting that Balasbas was the man who (allegedly due to Ph, Libel Laws) who shot Perot Ali in the North Upi Public Market with 1 round going right through Ali's arm and missing his heart by a mere milimeter). At 3PM a Laguialam Clansman was able to affect a Cease Fire with the AFP via some quick and well placed phone calls to 6ID (Infantry Division) brass at Camp Siongco in Awang (6ID HQ). Just another summer day in ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao).
September 01, 2010 in Barangay Poblacion, Binidayan, Lanao del Sur, 4 Alizaman brothers, Faizal, Isa, Abed and Asnawi, all sons of Barangay Caoptain of Barangay Guiarond, Pagayawan, Abdullah Alizaman, arrived in the Binidayan Public Market carrying M16s. When the AFP on site tried to gently talk to the brothers about the town's recently passed municipal ordinance which bars any public display of weaponry in public places (MO#01-2010) the brothers drew down and a 1 hour fire fight ensued. Amazingly, as is often the case, the brothers were terrible shots and even more amazingly, the AFP were decent shots, or perhaps didnt do much shooting. Only 1 bystander, jomar Gampong, was wounded in the right foot. None of the soldiers or 4 brothers were injured.
The AFP was then able to seize the brothers when they ran out of ammo, and perhaps more seriously, to the brothers, impound their 3 motorcycles, all new XRMs. the Provincial Council of Elders was then called in to try and mediate a satisfactory resolution since jailing the brothers and holding their property would set off alarge Clan War ("Rido"). The Council of Elders is the
handiwork of the provincial governor and is an impressive innovation utilising both Shari'a (Islamic Law) and Maranaw (Maranao) Tribal Law to aimacbly resolve everything from Rido to Kidnapping for Ransoms. They have had alot of success with the programme and I hope to write more about it eventually.
September 10, 2010 was Eid al Fit'r, or as many Filipino Muslims call it, Hari al Raya. The holiday celebrates the end of the 30 day long holiday (not exactly the proper word but one that is understandable to Western minds none-the-less) of Ramadan. Owing to the very serious nature of Ramadan, which includes fasting and heavy contemplation during all daylight hours, Eid al Fit'r is relished as a day to kick back and enjoy. Such was the case when the former Mayor of Tugaya, Lanao del Sur Province, Alimatar Pacalna Guroalim and 4 friends went to Barangay Cagayan, Poona Piagapo in Lanao del Norte to pray and visit other friends.
Guroalim, who was seeking to regain that town's mayoralty (the mayoralty still hasn't been awarded since Tugaya is one of the Lanao del Sur munisipalities that endured a "Failed Election" on May 10, 2010) and his friends were heading back to Tugaya when they were waylaid by roadside gunmen who killed the former mayor with multiple rounds to the head, and wounded all 4 of his friends. 1 of the 4, 25 year old Kasim H.Asgar died later that day at Amai Pakpak Hospital in Marawi City.The 65IB (infantry Battalion) then deployed 1 COY (Compamy) plus armoured and waterborne assets to Tugaya and its shores along Lake Lanao, to keep the town from imploding ahead of the Special Election which at that point had still be schedualed for later in the month (it is now going to be held November 13, after 2 more re-schedualings).
On Friday, September 17, 2010, Barangay Councilor Edgar Mali of Zamboanga City's Barangay Mali was sitting on his hospital bed in Zamboanga City Medical Center recovering from painful gunshots recived on September 15 when a group of gunmen quickly entered his hospital room and shot him in the abdomen and left foot before running outside and escaping. The original wound had been received while riding his motorcycle, when over taken by 2 motorcycles with a tandem pair on each.
On September 22, 2010 in Patikul, jolo Island, Sulu Province, Barangay Councilor Karra Aruk's family was sleeping when gunmen armed with M16s strafed the house over and over, killing Aruk and 4 clan members including a 1 year old infant. In addition, 2 small children were critically wounded as well. While the homeowner is a Barangay Councillor, and it is election Season 9for him), 1 of the dead males in the home had been accused of late of sexually harassing a pregnant female of another local Clan. Amongst Tausug Tribesmen like the Aruk Clan, this is a capital offence so that the raison d'etre for these killings may be unrelated to the Election. That remains to be seen at this point.
September 29, 2010 in Barangay Tuyan, Malapatan, Sarangani Province a joint operation by the AFP's 73IB (Infantry Brigade) , Malapatan and Sarangani Provincial PNP (Philippine National Police) raided the home of Mhidzfar Cutan but not before the man took 2 of his own kids hostage at gunpoint and threatened to kill them. Cutan is alleged to have been the man who planted the IED on the abandoned motorcycle that detonated just as governor Mig Dominguez's motorcade passed by a local bridge, after visiting the mayor of G'laan, who himself had been almost killed by (now) Congressman Manny Pacquiao's campaign workers.
It had been posited then, and since that Pacquiao's camp was behind this attempt as well though that angle is being kept tightly unde wraps at the moment. Cutan was identified by 3 witnesses who said that he was the last man that they had seen walk near the motorcycle. While that may not sound like even remotely circumstantial evidence, it has sent people to Death Row here (when we had it anyway).
Progress on the investigation into the attempted assasination against him must have cheered Gov.Migs Dominguez as he took to the range on September 18 and 19, 2010 in Saragani Province's IML Shooting Range. With a grin ear to ear the govenor hosted as well as competed in the "1st annual Migs Dominguez Steel challenge sniping Competition."Only in the Southern Philippines will you find a govenor who recently walked through a bombing before taking a leisurely lunch and only on Mindanao will you find one hosting a sniping contest.
October 02, 2010 on Calle Pospero in Sitio Pospero, Barangay San Rafael, Lamitan City, Basilan Province, Entong Musa, Comelec Officer for tuburan, Basilan was killed by 3 shots as he stepped into the road. 2 men riding tandem on a motorcycle then made their quick escape.
That same day, October 02, 2010 in Barangay Pimbalayan, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat Province, Barangay Captain Romeo Sombreto was shot repeatedly and died shortly thereafter on the operating table.
Also October 02, 2010, at 430AM in Barangay Bagua Dos, Cotabato City, North Cotabato Province, Barangay Councillor Azgar Badruddin, now running for Barangay Captain, was in morning prayers when his van, parked in front of his campaign HQ just meters from his home went up in flames. Luckily for him his uncle was sleeping in the office and rushed out to see a man on motorcycle riding away, and was able to douse a sack filled with flammable materiel that had been placed on the van's front seat. Badruddin is running against the wife of the current Barangay Captain as well as a fellow Barangay Councillor.
On October o3, 2010 in Molundo, Lanao del Sur rival factions in the Barangay Election got into a protracted firefight as candidates lined up to file their Certificates of Candidacy, without incurring any casualties.
Later, in Isabela City, Basilan, the COMELEC Officer of Tuburan, also on Basilan, was killed. Entong Musa had just stepped off the curb on Calle Prosepero, in Sito Prospero, Barangay San Rafael when 2 men riding tandem on a motorcycle pulled up to him. the man on the rear pulled out a 45 and shot Musa to death.
That same day, October 03, 2010 in Barangay Pimbalayan, Lambayong, Sultan Kuradat Province, Barangay Captain Romeo Sombreto was shot to detah outside his house.
On October 06, 2010 NFWM (Naval Forces Western Mindanao) CO (Commanding Officer) and concurrent CO of the Marine force on Basilan, Brig.Gen.Eugenio Clemen revealed that he had deployed 2 assets to the previous weeks meeting in the island's town of Al Barka where Abu Sayyaf factional leader Kumander Nurhasan Jamiri spoke about Abu Sayyaf having 2 men in the running for that town's Barangay Election. Alot has been made of this development, at least in military and analytical circiles but it is all a big to do about nothing.
The 2 men in question are NOT members of Abu Sayyaf but merely relatives of lower echelon members. to put that into perspective one must consider that virtually all Basilano Yakans (the indigenous tribe of Basilan) and a good many Tuasugs are related one way or another to past or present Abu Sayyaf guerillas. The 2 candidates probablly do enjoy a tacit alliance with the organisation but then again that has and continues to be the case in virtually every population centre on the island. anyone remember the april 2010 Raid on Isabela were an island politician sponsored a large coordinated operation by Abu Sayyaf on that city, the capitol of the island?
Brigadier General Clemen maintains that the alliance is not aimed at any ideological objective, such as gaining political power to further whatever iota of ideology Abu Sayyaf still retains, but rather as a fundraising initiative since Barangay Governments, like every Philippines Governmental entity is given a substantial amount of"pork" (cash which officials can dole out as they see fit without having to give an accounting for). Abu wants some pork, hmmm...I could vent a bit about that pun but...
Basilan COMELEC officials deny any knowledge of any such plan or candidates but that would be par for the course of course since as locals themselves they would more often than not be directly tied to Abu Sayyaf as well, at least tacitly. the officials have of course"vowed"to meet with the AFP to hash out any details and possible contingencies.
On that same day, October 06, 2010 ,Lanao del Norte Governor Khalid Dimaporo, in comments to the Provincial Peace and Order Council urged care be taken to ensure peaceful and orderly Elections on the 25th. In the May 10, 2010 National Elections the Province had only 1 noteworth incident on record, a group of gunmen in Poona Piagapo tried to wrest election materiels from the hands of BEIs (Board of Election Inspectors, usually area public school teachers). the AFP came to the rescue and any bloodshed or mayhem was averted. However, to buy into that glowing fact one must remember that 21 of the province's 22 municipalities are run by Dimaporos or their close allies. The 22nd, run by a cousin of the governor, Eleanor Dimaporo Lantud is the centre of an ultra-violent dynamic that I wrote about in depth in my post about that election in that province. The governor sought to implement Martial Law, capitalising on the fear and uncertainty following the Maguindanao Massacre. So, scratch a bit beneath the surface and one finds a totally different picture.
As if by master stroke, the next day, October 07, 2010 saw a truly troublesome incident in that province. COMELEC Officer for the town of Tangakal, Pangalian"Peping"Lumabao was driving with Election Encoder Jamil Omar and 3 Security Escorts and a Driver in Barangay Pantaloan, Kolambugan when a group of gunmen waylaid their van and killed Lumabao with 6 shots from an M16, mostly to his face.
Though the upcoming Barangay Election might certainly be a factor Lumabao was facing charges related to the afore mentioned National Election of May 10, 2010. An ousted SP (Sangguniang Panglalawigan aka Provincial Council) Councilor filed a charge against Lumbao with the Provincial Peace and Order Council for Extortion. Appatrently Lumbao had been requiring 300 Pesos (5 Euros) to file Certificate of Candidacy, for the Barangay Election, when they should have been free for the asking. Though this complaint centers on the upcoming election the SP Councilor is rumoured to have quite a long list of complaints relating to the National Election. Lumbao has also been charged, by his superiors, with having accepted "Flying Voters" (voters from other areas being registered in a specific area foreign to them) from Lanao del Sur Province.
October 09, 2010 saw 12 year old Daryl Navarro Mahabuhay of Barangay Binongan, Veruela in Agusan del Sur Province killed by shrapnel when a fragmentation grenade was tossed inside the doorway of his nipa, while a 38 year old uncle was critically wounded in the attack. Veruela PNP (Philippine National Police) say that it is related to that barangay's election.
October 12, 2010 in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur Province rival barangay factions got into a firefight over the upcoming Barangay Election resulting in 3 wounded individuals. PNP 3rd Maneuver Battalion and AFP were then deployed in force to keep the town under wraps.
At 11PM on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Barangay Lower Tinungcaan, North Upi, Maguindanao Province a fragmentation grenade was rolled under the nipa (bamboo framed hut with thatched nipa palm for walls and roof) as a family was fast asleep inside. The detonation killed 30 year old Angelie Timpadan and her 2 young daughters, 6 year old Laarnie and 4 year old Ajuline, usually called by her nickname," Jalanie." Ms.Timpadan's 3 other children, 10 year old Arjel,"Archie," 7 year old Aisehl and 11 months old Allanes were very critically injured by the shrapnel and rushed to the town's hospital.
The father of the family, Datu Allan Timpadan, a Teduray Tribal chieftain and a candidate for Barangay Council was at a meeting with his allied candidate for Barangay Captain. Datu Allan is also a member of the Teduray Lupon Tagapamayapa, the Teduray Tribal Justice System but the attack on his family was related to barangay politics as witnessed by the attack taking place on October 15.
Speaking of which, on October 15, 2010 at 2AM in Barangay Rosary Heights Mother, Cotabato City in North Cotabato Province,Hadji Omar Hamsa Oranone's home was significantly damaged when 2 men riding tandem on a motor cycyle tossed an IED in front of his gate, which sits onlt 3 meters from the home itself. The device's detonation left an 11cm.deep impression under concrete showing a very powerful device was utlised. Though Oranone himself was unhurt his mother Fausia Oranone and 2 daughters Lalai and Baishy Oranone were not as lucky. Seriously wounded, all 3 were taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Though a resident of Cotabato City Oranone is a land holder in the aofre mentioned town of North Upi over the provincial line in Maguindanao with 100 hectares of corn and coconuts in Barangay Rempes. It is for this reason that Oranone is in the running for Captain of that barangay and also why his carport, home windows and vehicle were all heavily damged. Though there are 3 very serious incidents in that very small town (N.Upi) since mid-July, all 3 are entirely unrelated which is perhaps even more troubling than the usual rigamorole that takes place immediately prior to elections.
Going back again to October 12, 2010, the 4 room Limbayan Primary School in Barangay Limbayan, Bongo Island,Parang, Maguindanao, a polling site for the upcoming Barangay Election, was burned to cinders. Bongo Island, which translates fully into English as,"Skull Island" was named thus not for any nefarious reasons as 1 might expect when discussing Mindanao at karge but rather because of its unique shape. Sitting roughly 15 km off of Maguindanao's coast it is governmentally tied to the mainland town of Parang.
Ethnically Iranun Tribesmen, a Muslim ethnicity, the Biruar Clan owns virtually all open land and much of the village land as well. The Biruar are the most powerful Iranun Clan & are generally considered to be fair and maganominous with their duties.
October 14, 2010 in Sitio Abungkod, Barangay Kinam, Malapatan in Saragani Province brother Tony and Diel Maguan were illegaly logging when abducted by the NPA's Front 71 over the brothers' support of the NPA backed candidate in the October 25 Elections.
That same day,October 14,2010,Sitio Baras,Barangay Kapatagan,Digos City,Davao del Sur Provincethe supporters of 1 candidate for Barangay Councilor were held at gunpoint by men authorities say were NPA guerillas.Coincidentally,on October 16 authorities said that they had engaged that same band of guerillas in a 20 minute fire fight after the PNP attempted to serve NPA member Roberto"Ka Marvin"Castillote who also goes by the nom de guerre,"Ka Enoy"in Sitio Libudon,Barangay Sinoron,Santa Cruz in Davao Oriental Province.The W3rant,which was not served since noone was captured OR killed was for 5 charges of Murder,7 charges of Robbery and 2 charges of Multiple Murder.The charges all stem from a Feburary,2009 ambush of an PNP detachment in Barangay Managa,Bansalan,Davao Oriental as they provided a Security Detail for a cadaver recovery.3 PNP officers were killed immediately as 1 civilain whom they were escorting.A 4th PNP officer died on the operating table for a total of 5 killed in the attack.
The next day, October 15, 2010, Brigadier General Rey Ardo, CO of the 103Bde whose AOR covers Lanao del Sur Province addressed the day's meeting of the PPOC (Provincial Peace and Order Committee). Brig.Gen.Ardo asked that the PNP be redeployed as BEIs (Boardof Election Inspectors) just as they did in the province's Re-Balloting held in June, 2010. His comments came in response to news that BEIs, who are usually public school teachers, in the towns of Lumalondong, Lumbaca-Unayan, Marogong and Tugaya would not be showing up for their assigned duties due to fear of violence. In the last Barangay/SK Election, in 2007, roughly 200 barangays out of the province's then 1,157 were declared"Failed"because of this exact issue, lack of BEIs.Before Brig.Gen.Ardo spoke the PNP's Provincial Supt.Cosanie Derogongan told those gathered that the PNP expects violence in several areas on Election Day and the AFP, with regard to this Intelligence, has been undertaking a proactive stance with Pre-emptive Security and Force Projection Patrols.
I will list an incident that took place on July 10, 2010 as well though I do so with a bit of reservation. At 1230PM that day, in Zamboanga City's Barangay Mamping, an M26 grenade was tossed by 2 men riding tandem on a single motorcycle at Barangay Councilor Delfin Pioquinto, though the munition didnt detonate. On July 13, 3 days after the grenade attack, a 2nd Barangay Councilor was shot to death in an adjoining barangay. On July 14th Mayor Celso Lobregat held a closed door meeting at City Hall for all Barangay Captains and Councillors to address the rash of violence plagueing 5 city barangays, and predominatly targetting barangay politicians. En route to this meeting a city owned van carrying barangay politicians in a 2 vehicle convoy with a van carrying Barangay Tanods (Barangay Guards) passed into Barangay Kasangyangan and was immediately ambushed. As the vans stopped gunmen, all armed with 45s, surrounded the vans and seemed to be specifically picking out people by face. Barangay Councillor Victor Dagalea was shot in his left armpit and killed immediately.
I hesitate to even discuss this in this entry because it is more likely than not related to a Clan Feud ("Rido") between a Chavacano (Christian ethnicity, non tribal) and Muslim family that has engulfed 3 of that city's barangays for a bit more than a year now. Often times though, Rido, or Clan Warfare, has a heavy political angle so...I hope to be doing an entry or two on Clan Feuds and how they interplay with the insurgency here but for now, there it is...
Moving right along...Wednesday, October 20, 2010 in Barangay Sengal, Lamitan, Basilan, Jainuddin Dulla, the Barangay Captain of Barangay Bullas in Lamitan was being driven on a motorcycle by a supporter when ambushed by gunmen with M16s. The supporter, Jamrud Kuranding was killed while Kuranding was critically wounded.
That same day in Barangay Sinawal, GenSan (General Santos City), 58 year old Meliton Bansalao, a City Councillor, was working on his motorcycle in front of his home after supper when 2 men riding tandem on a motorcycle pulled up and the passenger pulled out a 45 and shot him to death. Town and Provincial Councils are dealt with in the National Elections, not the Barangay/SK Elections. Never the less Bansalao was involved in his Barangay race by lending support and electoral expertise to a candiate who happened to be embroiled in an electoral conflict.
Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Barangay Salvo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao Province, a convoy of the 29IB en route to IB HQ after taking part in a local Peace Convenant came under attack from 15 MILF under sub-Kumander Mohiden Karialan, killing the Barangay Captain of Barangay Liab, Mamasapano, Salik Guimba. Also killed was Barangay Councillor Nasser Mapangal of Barangay Libutan, also in Mamasapano. The 2 politicians were trailing the convoy in a multicab after also having taken part in the Covenant. 1 AFP soldier was critically wounded.
Also on October 21, 2010, at the IMT (International Monitoring Team) HQ in Cotabato City, North Cotabato Province, MILF CCCH Chairman Sa'id Sheikh, GRP (Govt.of the Rep.of the Philippines) CCCH Chairman, AFP Maj.Gen.Reynaldo"Rey"Sealana met with IMT Chairman Maj.Gen.Datuk Baharom bin Hamza of Malaysia to sign a document entitled,"Mutual Guidelines for Understanding. The CCCH is a bi-lateral entity composed of personell from both the MILF and GRP whose sole purpose is to re-inforce the Cease Fire and act as an interface to resolve minor violations there of, as well as acting as a sort of early warning system. The IMT is a multi-national entity devoted to also re-inforcing the Cease Fire.The document is a Brief on the Barangay/SK Election and takes effect on October 23 and will endure through October 27 in hopes of fostering a more peaceful and orderly election.
Friday, October 22, 2010 in Barangay Poblacion, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, a town beset by a years long MNLF-MILF communal conflict that I have outlined in several entries, was again wracked by violence when Vice Mayor Sajid Sinsuat's compound was attacked by gunmen who tossed a hand grenade by a caretakers bunkhouse severely wounding 2 servants of the Sinsuat Clan. Sajid Sinsuat however was safely in Cotabato City attending Jumar Service for the Islamic Sabbath.
That same day in Davao City, Davai del Sur Province, Task Force Davao CO (Commanding Officer), Col.Leornado Ray Gurrero reminded paramilitary soldiers not to involve themselves in politics. They were reminded that it is forbidden to wear any kind of campaign materiel including stickers or pins, especially when voting. Those deployed as Security at voting precints must be in full uniform and when voting change out of uniform before doing so, then back into fatigues before resuming duty. when in uniform they must maintain a uniform distance of at least 50 meters from the entrance to a poll site.
Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Barangay Salat, President Roxas, North Cotabato, Barangay Councillor Abdillah Macalaylay was critically wounded and his Clansman Baidito Macalaylay killed when their home was raked with M16s.
That same day, COMELEC Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal gave the nation the wonderful news that up to 20% of Visayas and Mindanao's barangays would probablly not be able to vote on time due to a snafu at the printinc company responsible for inking ballots. Trying to alleviate the problem he said COMELEC staffers were now working 24 hours around the clock trying to resolve the delay. Especially affected are Regions 6, 8, 9, 10 and of course...ARMM. Apart from the printing company dropping the ball, Larrazabal blamed the issue on a failure of COMELEC to delegate a specific Commissioner for each facet of the preperation process, as has been the case in the past. Of course that does not then explain just why the nation has never had a single election on any level without a major snafu. Asked what recourse would be had he said the affected barangays would simply hold balloting on the following day, Tuesday, October 26.
As it turned out however, the Commissioner was wrong. It was not 20% of Visays and Mindanao that was affected by delays and other time consuming errors but the ENTIRE NATION.
On Sunday, October 24, 2010 in Sitio Sayon, Barangay Mahayahay, Lingig, Surigao del Sur, whose incumbent mayoral candidate had an unfortunate run-in with the NPA leading up to the National Election last spring, has been beset with yet another case of politically connected violence.Just before 9PM that evening several gunmen kicked in the door to Eduardo Tacder's home. The 48 year old candidate for Barangay Captain was then shot several times in the head by various firearms. Amazingly he was not killed on the spot but died very soon afterwards as lovedones were rushing him to the nearest hospital in Bislig City.
That same evening, October 24, 2010 in Barangay Poblacion, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur, Barangay Councilor Valentin Campos was standing outside his house talking to supporters when a man standing next to him suddenly took out a 45 pistol and shot him several times in the face, killing him instantly. The man then calmly walked away.
Earlier that day, in Bariras, Maguindanao Province the town's Vice Mayor Alex Tomawis was found to have Ballot Boxes from a town barangay as well as from a barangay in the nearby town of Buldon when soldiers stopped his pick up truck at a check point on Crossing Bariras-Parang Road.Upon interrogation Tomawis revealed that the Ballot Boxes were from barangays where Clansmen were running, so that he had planned to stuff them with Ballots , throwing the Election in his Clan's favour. tomawis had been caught doing this same thing just a few months earlier for the National Elections,on May, 10, 2010,where he himself had been running for Vice Mayor. the 2 recovered Boxes were then given to Bariras' COMELEC Officer who also happens to be a clansman but"demz' the rules."
On the day of the actual Election, Monday, October 25, 2010...in Maimbung, Jolo Island, Sulu Province a rifle grenade was fired into a crows of voters critically wounding a 10 year old girl. Amazingly voting continued however until it was stopped at noon due to increasing attacks between supporters of two particular candidates for Barangay Captain. Normally this would not cause an entire town to be declared a "Failed Election" but when precincts are clustered as they usually are nowadays they are all, obviously, located in 1 central area.
Violence between candidates from just a single brangay can cause an entire large sized town like Maimbung to fail. Maimbung of course is wracked by violence all through the year above and beyong the ASG and MNLF insurgency related violence the entire island suffers from. The reason of course is the rido involving Gov.Abdulsakur"Sakur"Tan, which I chronicled in my entry regarding the National Election last May 10 (2010).
Also that day,at the Provincial Capitol Building in Patikul,where tabulation had begun for barangays in the town of Indanan,on that same island,Jolo.When a melee broke out between the supporters of rival candidates for Barangay Captain for Barangay Tagbak,candidate Darwisa Kadji Jakiram was pushed hard against a wall causing 1 of her"bodyguards,"Rajam Abdulla to pull out his 45 (Gun Ban did you say?Cough...) and fired off some"warning shots."Seeing as how this was,as I did say,INSIDE a building the gunshots managed to turn a"melee"into a stampede.During that pleasant interlude 1 of the Ballot Boxes for said barangay disappeared.
COMELEC in its infinite wisdom opted NOT to declare a Failed Election (so what if 50 percent of a barangay's votes are lost,so what if half the voters in a barangay are now disenfranchised,none of THAT matters when you are trying to minimise budgetary expidentures and simeltaneously trying to deflect attention away from a terribly failed departamental policy like the Gun Ban).
That same day, Election Day, October 25, 2010 Sarangani Province, a province created relatively recently out of South Cotabato Province and still only having a handful of municipalities, along with GenSan (General Santos City) was beset by BEI Tabulators (Board of Election Inspectors) who refused to show commence voting in the face of several area fire fights between opposing candidates. As mandated by the Omnibus Election Code BEIs, unless otherwise specified by COMELEC, tha national electoral authority, are always public school teachers. Indeed, even when COMELEC deploys PNP (Philippine National Ppolice) or its own staff (as in the case last National Election, May 10, 2010, when COMELEC deployed its own attorneys) public school teachers are still required by law to show up for their mandatory electoral duty.
Understandably this rubs a whole lot of under paid teachers the wrong way even without the requisite extreme violence that often accompanies Philippine Elections on any level. This year, according to official statistics provided by NEMAC (National Election Monitoring and Action Center), in the official Barangay/SK E;ection Season (September 25 through October 25, thus far, because indeed it continues for some time afterward), there have been 39 killings and 14 serious woundings by gunfire all related to the Banrangay/SK Elections. As always however these numbers are not even worth considering since Western Mindanao alone has had more killings than that number given for the entire nation.
Re the COMELEC"Gun Ban," there have been 671 people arrested with 558 weapons vouch safed for the entire nation. Again a ridiculous number and all the more so when one realises that the percentage actually prosecuted for violating the Ban remains in the single digits due to a very short window of prosecution, most arrests taking place on weekends when most municipalities have noone on duty to process an arrestee, etc.
Those who followed my entries on the National Election may remember that the same thing happened then and in fact always does, Of course it does not take a Rocket Scientist to understand that tyhe government has a vested interest in downplaying violence of all kinds but especially that associated with the most basic of civic functions. If the Electoral System is this screwed up what does it say for the rest of the national government?
The Departmen of Education for the first time seems to be supporting its employees and its Secretary, Brother Armin Luistro has taken it upon himself to suspend classes for the following day, Tuesday, October 26. Later on the 26th he extended it through the next day, Wednesday, October 27 giving public school teachers (most anyway) a much needed rest. He then went further and gave Regional Departments the carte blanche to give their staff off Thursday, October 28 in those locales where Elections were delayed. Sec.Luisitro also gave private schools that served as polling centers the leeway to likewise suspend classes as well, at the discretion of each school's administration.
Teachers were originally slated to receive 1,000 Pesos for the entire day, which is extremely good pay for a single day's work in the Philippines, equal to roughly 17 US Dollars in a nation where most workers exist on less than 3.50 US per day for manual labour. However, when one takes the violence and sheer terror involved, COMELEC was absolutely correect to increase renumeration to 2,000 Pesos (34 US). COMELEC personnel admit that there is an increasing chorus of voices demanding that the figure be raised to 4,000 Pesos, a months wages for most labourers and Commissioner Larrazabal, who gave us the rpediction on delayed balloting, at least admits that there is indeed a precedent for such a raise but that it is up to COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo to help realise the increase. Larrazabal says that Melo and Secretary of Education Brother Armin Luistro have been in contact with Senator Butch abad about making it so.
The"precendet"Larrazabal was talking about took place in the 2007 National Elections when teachers slash BEIs received a higher than schedualed renumeration.
Just after the Election COMELEC announced that of the 78 OFFICIAL ERIs (Election Related Incidents, aka Election Violence),80% were outside EWAs (Election Watchlist Areas aka "Hot Spots). It is an interesting factoid but doesnt prove much. intuitively perhapas a person would posit that extra security and forethought doles out to EWAs would have curtailed most violence within those areas. Counter-intuitively however not much extra preparation is given to EWAs. when an actual case of violence does take place the authorities, in this case the LGUs (Local Govt.Units aka municipalities), PNP and AFP deploy reserve forces to hold a tight cordon (perimeter) around the affected municiaplity or barangay. So, what does this announcement truly mean? EWAs themselves are useless accept for collation of incidents past and present. THE ENTIRE NATION IS AN EWA.
Election Day didn't work out too well for political aficionado Tatang Asiapal,a former Barangay Captain as well as a losing candidate for Vice Govenor on the island of Basilan was walking with a friend that morning on their way to the polling site for their barangay,Tongsengal when they were both ambushed and shot to death.
In Basilan's Isabela City nearly a dozen city barangays nearly caught a declaration of failure over the scarcity of COMELEC Blue Books.The books contain the name and pedigree of every voter in a given municipal unit.Voting,which takes place between 7AM and 3PM often didn't begin until way after 11AM because the books,which are used to check voter elibigilities as a sort of master list,etc.Because there were no book desperate calls had to be made to Manila where COMELEC staffers had to send fascimilies to affected voting precincts.So you ask,what actually happened to those missing Blue Books?COMELEC officials,those paragons of humanity,sold them to candidates for 500 Pesos per book.
Across the isthmus on the Zamboanga Peninsula,in Barangay Payongan,Alicea,Zamboanga Sibugay Province,that same morning saw 36 year old farmer Patricio Entero Ardiente shot multiple times across his face and chest when Congcong Hinaky,whose father is running for Barangay Captain in Barangay Payongan waylaid Ardiente.
Elsewhere in Zamboanga Sibugay,in Barangay Sandok Kumot in the town of Mabuhay,armed supporters of a local candidate held a tight cordon over most of the barangay preventing voters from leaving their homes.
On Election Day, in Cotabato City in North Cotabato Province an IED was discovered just after polls closed and was recovered by a 6ID EOD (Explosives and Ordnance Disposal) detachment safely without casualties. Later that evening however, in Barangay Poblacion #1, at Marquez Elementary School, as BEIs were tabulating ballots a disgruntled person tossed a frag grenade into the school's compound. Luckily noone was hurt and to show just how commonplace such violence is, very sadly, tabulation only stopped for about 15 minutes and then continued unabated, business as usual.
ARMM, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao was a bit more problematic, as it always is. 2 men stabbed each other from rival camps, there were 2 separate grenade attacks, 1 of which was with a frag-grenade, and ballots were snatched. ARMM incidents, in this entry, are being presented apart from localised reports by sources other than ARMM Provincial Police. ARMM of course includes the afore mentioned Cotabato City (but not its province, North Cotabato, along with the provinces of Sulu, Basilan (except Isabela City, the provincial capitol), Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and Lanao del Sur including its capitol of Marawai City). Trying to discern what is and what is not ARMM provenance can be maddening for someone not fully versed with local mores and for the sake of brevity I felt it better to report ARMM reported incidents as such as opposed to listing them by province and municipal locale.
Lanao del Norte had melees break aout in 7 barangays amongst 3 adjoining municipalities, Munai, Poona Piagapo and Sapad.
Lanao del Sur had Failed Elections declared in 3 municipalities:Tamparan,Tugaya and Butig due to shooting incidents endangering BEIs.
Sultan Kudarat Province had riots break out in 2 barangays in Lambayan. Baragays Sadsalong and Udtong had rival camps in both battling it out for most of the day on Election Day.Sadsalong BEIs fled their posts when the guns came out while BEIS in Udtog desperately appealed for help from the municipal PNP when gunmen stopped shooting each other and turned weapons on the poll site, taking potshots at the exterior. Lambayan PNP then set out to rescue the 21 BEIs (between both barangays) with 2 municipal dumptrucks taking the place of APCs (Armoured Personnel Carriers). As they set off into the bush the trucks were stalled at a raging creek, as most bodies of running water are dangerously flooded all through monsoon (rainy season). PNP called to the BEIs via cell phone advising them to flee if possible and take cover where they could find it. Is it any wonder then that teachers are refusing to serve in this capacity?
The Election wasnt all blood and gore. Late in the evening in Barangay#8, Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte incumbent candidate for Barangay Captain, Apple Tiu and sole challenger Godofredo Sajol ended up dead even. After a re-count confirmed the tie they allowed the Dapa's COMELEC Officer to settle the contest with the toss of a coin. Unbeknownst to most Filipinos the Omnibus Election Code, the set of laws dealing with Philippine Elections, allows for a coin toss in such circumstances. Sajiol ended up winning and offered a cute soundbite,"This is destiny...Thanks God!"
Quite possibly taking a cue from the incident a single town in the northern part ofthe nation had 3 barangays where a coin toss was used, a day after the Election.
Election Day in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental Province saw a local political icon climb back up on that"horse"after stumbling for a few seconds during the last National Election.Reynaldo"Aldong"Parojinog Sr. was a 3rd term mayor of the city when he was defeated in a run for his district's Congressional Seat. What would have been a shoo in in most any National Election turned into Parojinog's worst nightmare when his arch nemeis and equally powerful local icon, the then 3rd term Governor Loreto Leo Ocampos also set his eyes on that prize. Ocampos won,leaving Parojinog without an office though his daughter Nova Parojinog Echavez did assume his position as mayor of Ozamiz.
It didnt take long for Parojinog to take inventory and try to gain another foothold on power with the next Barangay Election (October 25,2010). Running as Barangay Captain for his home baranagy, Santa Cruz, he easily took the Election. Just after winning, before even throwing his obligatory party, he announced that he was now running for the Chairmanship of the Liga ng mga Barangay, or as it is usually known, the "ABC."The ABC, or,"Association of Barangay Councils" is comprised of Barangay Captains from every barangay in a given municipality. The chairman wields considerably more power than a single Barangay Captain would because he is given a a Seat on the Municipal Council, ex oficio. If the Chairman is in the province's major population centre, as the Chairman of Ozamiz City's ABC is, he or she then runs a very good chance of assuming the Chairmanship of the Provincial ABC which is itself made up of ABC Chairmen from every municipality within a given province. Likewise they are also given a seat ex oficio on the SP, the Provincial Council.
Just after holding his celebratory dinner on the 26th, he held a second, even grander party for all the city's Barangay Captains, as well as the SK Captains whom were invited one assumes to offer the appearance of propiety. Of Ozamiz City's 51 Barangay Captains, 46 showed up showing that the Chairmanship on the Municipal ABC is all but assured for Parojinog. A momentary stumble indeed, but perhaps a great illustration of just how driven and focused the man is. Officially the party was held by his daughter, the newly elected mayor but noone in attendance had any doubt as to who is running the whow, both in the city and at the seat of honour at the soire.
Parojinog entered politics in 1997 to serve as a District Leader for then Mayor Benjamin Fuentes. In 2001 he assumed the mayoralty of Ozamiz City, succeeding his mentor. He was made District Leader by Fuentes based upon Fuentes' association with a Force Multiplication organisation, Kuratong Baleleng (the"Kuratong"is an indigenous instrument akin to a bell or a gong but made from bamboo and used as an early warning system by viallges to alert residents of danger."Baleleng"doesnt translate well into English but basicaly means"Attractive"or"Irresistable."). The"KB"was founded by Parojinog's own father, Octavio"Ongkoy"Parojinog,who was an associate of Benjamin Fuentes until Ongkoy was assasinated by AFP NCOs at a local Cock Fighting stadium. Ongkoy's elder son Renato,"Nato,became the group's new"Chairman,"while Fuentes began grooming Reynaldo to assume the position of district Leader.
"Force Multiplication"as I have discussed in other entires is a doctrine that promotes the utilisation of community based organisations to assist in COIN (Counterinsurgency Warfare). Like all other Force Multiplication entities the KB was fiercely anti-Communist and as is often the case the world over unsavoury,anti-social types were often attracted to the organisation. for the sake of brevity I will not digress (much) in outlining the group, just to say that it was founded in 1986 by the elder Parojinog, the late"Ongkoy."Quickly coming to the attentions of the 4ID,who saw the potential in the organisation,it was sublimated to the 101IB within its first year of existence.
By 1994 however the heyday of the NPA had passed and the AFP began sharing less and less assets with the KB. More anti-social elements within the organisation reverted to form and the group quickly bacme associated in the minds of the public (and files of authorities, especially IS-AFP, Military Intel) with organised crime,a la the American"Mafia."Nato entered politics as well and was sitting as a Provincial Councilor when he was assinated in 2002.Philippine Libel Laws being what they are, I have to interject the word,"ALLEGEDLY" when I say that Reynaldo then assumed "Chairmanship"of the KB which he retains until the present.
On Tuesday, October 26, at 130AM,just after electoral results had been announced in Barangay Gocotan, Pikit, North Cotabato Province a losing candidate and his supporters burned down 2 buildings at Gocatan Elemtnary School, the polling site for that area. 5 classrooms were throughly destroyed, including classrooms that assuredly served that candidate's family members. The winner, Mustapha Aliman had beaten 3 of his competitors but PNP, as always, refuses to go after the guilty party. Gunmen from all 4 camps had been around the school the entire day and one would have thought that the AFP and PNP between them, even without the Gun Ban, would have had enough foresigghht to diffuse a certain, impending act of violence. Of course they did not. Theother 3 candidates were: Nok Pabalua, Russel Pendatun and Bernie Mandalait.
1 small bright note, Senator Manuel"Lito"Lapid ispushing SB (Senate Bill)#2525 which seeks to increase the penalties for election related violence. Currently the penalty ranges from 1 to 6 years under the Election Omnibus Code.Sen.Lapid's Bill would increase incarceration to 12 to 20 years but adds the additional penalty of up to 500,000 Pesos liability for the party or political entity to which the actor belongs.
The person who probablly had the worst time this Election Season is COMELEC Commissioner Jose Melo.On Monday, November 01, 2010 Melo announced he will be resigning in December this year, 3 years early so as to take,"Early Retirement,"a euphanism for,"the buck stops here."
Monday, August 16, 2010
Caraga Campaign Mayhem
"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.
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.
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?
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Political Developments,Second Quarter of 2010,Part VI:Election Related Violence on Basilan
Having last posted about the burgeoning Akmad Dynasty on Basilan it would most definitely make sense to jump right into a breakdown of the 2010 Election Related Violence on that island, so without further ado...
Tuesday,Feburary 2nd,2010 saw 1 of 2 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices,aka"Bombs") hit a vehicle holding 3 supporters of Sumisip mayoral candidate Boy Hataman.The device detonated just as their SUV entered Maluso's Barangay Guiong on Basilan.The 3 were en route to Barangay Buli Buli in that same town from their homes in Sumisip's Barangay Look Ba'it.
Boy Hataman's father is Partylist incumbent Congressman Mujiv Hataman,an NPA guerilla who joined the Rejectionist Front during the NPA's Rectification of the early 90s and went on to join Mindnowan based RPM-M (Revolutionary Proletariat Movement of Mindanao as the organisation was known in English).Like all Rejectionist Front organisations the RPM-M was no longer enamoured with the NPA's orthadox Maosim and were firmly in the grasp of Leninism,but alas that is a discussion meant for another entry.Sufficient to say that the RPM-M is now defunct since signing an FPA (Final Peace Agreement) in 2007 though it has never disarmed.
On Thursday,April 29th,2010 at 11AM in Sitio Sogemol,Barangay San Jose Maloong in the municipality of Lamitan City on Basilan a multicap carrying 3 people including an 8 year old boy was attacked by 5 gunmen.The attackers carefully ascertained the identities of 2 adult males before picking out Aga Sabatal,a campaign worker for incumbent Governor Jum Akbar.Mr.Sabatal was then shot to death while the other 2 were released unharmed.
On Election Day,Monday,May 10th,2010 armed supporters of Lakas-KAMPI-CMD (then the national ruling party) took control of ballot distribution in Sumisip,Basilan and refused to allow distribution in 20 of the town's barangays. When concerned campaign workers notified the authorities the Marines were deployed resulting in a firefight that wounded 2 Marines.
Elsewhere that same day in the town of al Barka,also in Basilan Province,BEIs (Board of Election Inspectors who are almost always public school teachers) refused to show up for their assigned duties due to overt threats of violence causing most of the town's barangays to suffer failed elections. Until now, mid-july, a Re-Balloting has not even been scheduled.
Likewise in Maluso.another town on Basilan,2 barangays were declared failed as well and were Re-Balloted on Thursday,June 7th along with the 7 failed towns in Lanao del Sur Province,an event that I will get to a bit later in this entry.
On Friday,May 14th,2010 at 2PM in Barangays Mangalut,Semut,Upper Sinangkapan,Caddayan and Paguengan in the town of Akbar, on Basilan,supporters of losing mayoral candidate Hadjarun Jamiri battled Marines both in Akbar and in Jamiri's residential compound in Lamitan City after a week that saw his Abu Sayyaf allied paramilitary burn down most of the public buildings in the 5 aforementioned Akbar barangays.This included all schools as well. Most of the burning an looting ended late Wednesday,May 12th having begun early Tuesday the 11th when the election's victor was announced.
At the Lamitan compound in Sitio Libi,Barangay Bulanting 2 of his gunmen were captured,guns blazing along with fatigues, weapons and ammo.
On Saturday, May 15th,2010 in Barangay Giyong in the municipality of Sumisip,AFP Scout Rangers (Army Special Forces) en route to try and capture Abu Sayyaf gunman and kinapping suspect Omar Ippong instead ended up with 14 suspects found to be carrying firearms in violation of the COMELEC (Election Authority) nationwide weapons ban for the length of the election season.When their detention expired without formal arrests taking place,48 hours later,all were released and the violations dropped.GEE,I wonder why such bans have absolutely no effect on Election Related Violence (EVR)?
On the Re-Ballot of Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 for the 2 barangays in the town of Maluso in Basilan Province with the 2 barangays clustered as a single polling site.The normal security for such a clustered site,no matter the number of barangays is 2 AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) soldiers and 2 PNP (Philippines National Police) officers. Maluso though had 2 platoons from MBLT-7 (Marine Battalion Landing Team #7) for a total of 60 Marines plus officers, along with 54 PNP officers of various rank.Those 2 barangays (Upper and Lower Mayahay) have roughly 1500 voters.
Still,even with 120 well armed and experienced security personnel all told the site still suffered from violence.It began when incumbent Mayor Sakib Salijin and supporters became aware that a competitor's supporters had infiltrated the site as Observers (NGO personnel,domestic and foreign,that record any improprieties in hopes of minimising such negative happenings).The 4"infiltrators"were from the Filipino NGO,"PPCRV"(Parish Peace Council for Responsible Voting).
Salijin and company began to physically beat the men before some of those 120 well armed security personnel on site decided to intervene.Dragging some very bloodied men from the precinct site it was in fact discovered that 1 of the Observers was carrying wads of 20 and 50 Peso notes with the specific candidate in question's name written in magic marker across the edge. He also had campaign materiels as well as a rather large combat knife.
On Monday,June 28th, 2010 Basilan Govenor Jum Akbar formally asked COMELEC to finally hold the neccessary Re-Balloting for the municipality of al Barka's 7 affected barangays.Without that Re-Balloting the Provincial Council's 8 seats cannot be filled.The Council's term was ending on June 30th and without some quick action the province of Basilan would slow to a standstill since the Council is akin to an American state legislature.COMELEC offered nothing substantiative and the old Council ended up extending its term indefinitely which of course is absolutely illegal under Philippine Law.
Tuesday,Feburary 2nd,2010 saw 1 of 2 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices,aka"Bombs") hit a vehicle holding 3 supporters of Sumisip mayoral candidate Boy Hataman.The device detonated just as their SUV entered Maluso's Barangay Guiong on Basilan.The 3 were en route to Barangay Buli Buli in that same town from their homes in Sumisip's Barangay Look Ba'it.
Boy Hataman's father is Partylist incumbent Congressman Mujiv Hataman,an NPA guerilla who joined the Rejectionist Front during the NPA's Rectification of the early 90s and went on to join Mindnowan based RPM-M (Revolutionary Proletariat Movement of Mindanao as the organisation was known in English).Like all Rejectionist Front organisations the RPM-M was no longer enamoured with the NPA's orthadox Maosim and were firmly in the grasp of Leninism,but alas that is a discussion meant for another entry.Sufficient to say that the RPM-M is now defunct since signing an FPA (Final Peace Agreement) in 2007 though it has never disarmed.
On Thursday,April 29th,2010 at 11AM in Sitio Sogemol,Barangay San Jose Maloong in the municipality of Lamitan City on Basilan a multicap carrying 3 people including an 8 year old boy was attacked by 5 gunmen.The attackers carefully ascertained the identities of 2 adult males before picking out Aga Sabatal,a campaign worker for incumbent Governor Jum Akbar.Mr.Sabatal was then shot to death while the other 2 were released unharmed.
On Election Day,Monday,May 10th,2010 armed supporters of Lakas-KAMPI-CMD (then the national ruling party) took control of ballot distribution in Sumisip,Basilan and refused to allow distribution in 20 of the town's barangays. When concerned campaign workers notified the authorities the Marines were deployed resulting in a firefight that wounded 2 Marines.
Elsewhere that same day in the town of al Barka,also in Basilan Province,BEIs (Board of Election Inspectors who are almost always public school teachers) refused to show up for their assigned duties due to overt threats of violence causing most of the town's barangays to suffer failed elections. Until now, mid-july, a Re-Balloting has not even been scheduled.
Likewise in Maluso.another town on Basilan,2 barangays were declared failed as well and were Re-Balloted on Thursday,June 7th along with the 7 failed towns in Lanao del Sur Province,an event that I will get to a bit later in this entry.
On Friday,May 14th,2010 at 2PM in Barangays Mangalut,Semut,Upper Sinangkapan,Caddayan and Paguengan in the town of Akbar, on Basilan,supporters of losing mayoral candidate Hadjarun Jamiri battled Marines both in Akbar and in Jamiri's residential compound in Lamitan City after a week that saw his Abu Sayyaf allied paramilitary burn down most of the public buildings in the 5 aforementioned Akbar barangays.This included all schools as well. Most of the burning an looting ended late Wednesday,May 12th having begun early Tuesday the 11th when the election's victor was announced.
At the Lamitan compound in Sitio Libi,Barangay Bulanting 2 of his gunmen were captured,guns blazing along with fatigues, weapons and ammo.
On Saturday, May 15th,2010 in Barangay Giyong in the municipality of Sumisip,AFP Scout Rangers (Army Special Forces) en route to try and capture Abu Sayyaf gunman and kinapping suspect Omar Ippong instead ended up with 14 suspects found to be carrying firearms in violation of the COMELEC (Election Authority) nationwide weapons ban for the length of the election season.When their detention expired without formal arrests taking place,48 hours later,all were released and the violations dropped.GEE,I wonder why such bans have absolutely no effect on Election Related Violence (EVR)?
On the Re-Ballot of Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 for the 2 barangays in the town of Maluso in Basilan Province with the 2 barangays clustered as a single polling site.The normal security for such a clustered site,no matter the number of barangays is 2 AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) soldiers and 2 PNP (Philippines National Police) officers. Maluso though had 2 platoons from MBLT-7 (Marine Battalion Landing Team #7) for a total of 60 Marines plus officers, along with 54 PNP officers of various rank.Those 2 barangays (Upper and Lower Mayahay) have roughly 1500 voters.
Still,even with 120 well armed and experienced security personnel all told the site still suffered from violence.It began when incumbent Mayor Sakib Salijin and supporters became aware that a competitor's supporters had infiltrated the site as Observers (NGO personnel,domestic and foreign,that record any improprieties in hopes of minimising such negative happenings).The 4"infiltrators"were from the Filipino NGO,"PPCRV"(Parish Peace Council for Responsible Voting).
Salijin and company began to physically beat the men before some of those 120 well armed security personnel on site decided to intervene.Dragging some very bloodied men from the precinct site it was in fact discovered that 1 of the Observers was carrying wads of 20 and 50 Peso notes with the specific candidate in question's name written in magic marker across the edge. He also had campaign materiels as well as a rather large combat knife.
On Monday,June 28th, 2010 Basilan Govenor Jum Akbar formally asked COMELEC to finally hold the neccessary Re-Balloting for the municipality of al Barka's 7 affected barangays.Without that Re-Balloting the Provincial Council's 8 seats cannot be filled.The Council's term was ending on June 30th and without some quick action the province of Basilan would slow to a standstill since the Council is akin to an American state legislature.COMELEC offered nothing substantiative and the old Council ended up extending its term indefinitely which of course is absolutely illegal under Philippine Law.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Political Developmemts,Second Quarter of 2010,Part V:Election Related Violence in Sultan Kudarat Province
Sultan Kudarat Province is one of the 2 provinces placed under Martial Law on December 5th,2009,in response to the "Maguindanao Massacre"in the neighbouring province of Maguindanao.Unlike Maguindanao,Sultan Kudarat has a significant majority of non-Muslims,mainly northerners from Luzon who were resettled here in a counter-insuregency programme of the mid-1950s under Magsaysay.Towns like President Quirino owe their entire existince to this very successful effort (successful with regard to stopping,or rather stalling the Huk Communist Insurgency on Luzon).
Unfortunately this resettlement would create even bigger problems down the road but that is perhaps a problem of less concern since it significantly weakened what was then a very real threat to the nation's capitol,Manila. Mindanao after all might as well be another nation as far as most of Manila is concerned,save the royalties and profits that come from raking in the islands extremely rich natural resources.
I have mentioned,in a previous post,the trouble on the Maguindanao/Sultan Kudarat provincial border between the MNLF-MMSC (Moro National Liberation Front-Mainland Mindanao State Committee) and the MILF/BIAF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front/Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces,the latter being the armed wing of the organisation) 104 Base Command ("Base Commands"being unconventional military structure aking to the conventional"brigade") has broken out once again but lest you imagine that Sultan Kudarat Province might have somehow been immune to the Election Related Violence,I offer the following...
On Monday,April 26th,2010 at the Narciso Farm in Sitio Crossing Salaam,Barangay Katiki in the municipality of President Quirino a recon patrol made up of a composite force of different Infantry elements (38 Infantry Battalion, CAFGU 9CAA and the 65th Explosive Ordnance Detachment) discovered 2 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices,as in"bombs") under a Bajar tree slightly off the main road.One of the devices was made from an 81MM mortar shell and the other from an RPG MEUG APERS (Rocket Propelled Grenade),both wrapped in cellophane and primed to detonate.The 65th EOD detonated both on site given the danger presented in the transporting either one.
On Election Day,Monday,May 10th,2010 in Sitio Kolomno,Barangay Villamonte in the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat Province,the Ampatuan Paramilitary,now a rogue force since going into the bush after committing the"Maguindano Massacre"as I have discussed in other recent"Political Developments,Second Quarter of 2010"entries,deployed 100 gunmen under Kumander Tammy Maliga and raided the sitio for supplies,kidnapping a Bisayan (non-Muslim) family (30 year old Francisco Javier,his 26 year old wife Joy,their 2 year old son and 4 year old daughter) to use as Human Shields upon withdrawal.They also took the entire family fortune in the form of 2 cows and 8 goats as they moved back into Maguindano Province where they now have a static camp in Barangay San Jose's Sitio Kasam.No word on the fate of the family.
On Wednesday,May 13th,2010,Provincial Board (aka Sangguniang Panlalawigan) candidate for the NPC (Nationalist People's Coallition) Peter Peralta was in his car,allowing his teenaged son Feljavar Peralta to drive and just pulling up to the Capitol Complex in Isulan when 3 men on a single motorcycle pulled up next to them and began shooting.Feljavar was hit first and then Peter,who was killed instantly.
Feljavar was able to drive his car towards the PNP (Philippine National Police) PMG in neighbouring Tacurong City (Police Mobile Group,a PNP detachment sublimated to the PPO,or Provincial Police Office,designed as a re-inforcing unit) but died before crossing the city limit, his car rolling to a standstill.His father's race had not been declared one way or another.
The sub-conflict I have been talking about,between the MNLF and MILF/BIAF on the provincial borders of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao has flared up again on Friday,July 2nd, 2010.The MILF/BIAF is calling foul saying that Datu Faisal"Randy"Karon's MNLF faction (Mainland Mindanao State Committe, 1 of 5 MNLF factions currently and the newest one) has employed the AFP to do battle.
The AFP's 6IB (Infantry Battalion) which had been deployed on the provincial line as a sort of Observer Force has entered the fray,as the MILF/BIAF has told the world and has in fact attacked BIAF positions in the town of Datu Blah Sinsuat's Barangays Laguitan and Meti.The 6IB had managed to effect a Ceasefire on June 13th as I mentioned in an earlier entry,with both sides withdrawing from Barangay Tran in Lebak in the adjacent province of Sultan Kudarat ("Lebak"is the same town that I spoke about earlier in thie entry,that the Ampatuan Paramilitary had attacked in late April).
The MNLF has NOT been involved in the latest flare up,it has been the 6IB using mortars and 105MM howitzers in trying to dislodge BIAF 104 Kumander Jud Caludtiag's faction of the 104 Base Command.Most of the population in both towns have become IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons,i.e."Refugees") once again.
Unfortunately this resettlement would create even bigger problems down the road but that is perhaps a problem of less concern since it significantly weakened what was then a very real threat to the nation's capitol,Manila. Mindanao after all might as well be another nation as far as most of Manila is concerned,save the royalties and profits that come from raking in the islands extremely rich natural resources.
I have mentioned,in a previous post,the trouble on the Maguindanao/Sultan Kudarat provincial border between the MNLF-MMSC (Moro National Liberation Front-Mainland Mindanao State Committee) and the MILF/BIAF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front/Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces,the latter being the armed wing of the organisation) 104 Base Command ("Base Commands"being unconventional military structure aking to the conventional"brigade") has broken out once again but lest you imagine that Sultan Kudarat Province might have somehow been immune to the Election Related Violence,I offer the following...
On Monday,April 26th,2010 at the Narciso Farm in Sitio Crossing Salaam,Barangay Katiki in the municipality of President Quirino a recon patrol made up of a composite force of different Infantry elements (38 Infantry Battalion, CAFGU 9CAA and the 65th Explosive Ordnance Detachment) discovered 2 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices,as in"bombs") under a Bajar tree slightly off the main road.One of the devices was made from an 81MM mortar shell and the other from an RPG MEUG APERS (Rocket Propelled Grenade),both wrapped in cellophane and primed to detonate.The 65th EOD detonated both on site given the danger presented in the transporting either one.
On Election Day,Monday,May 10th,2010 in Sitio Kolomno,Barangay Villamonte in the town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat Province,the Ampatuan Paramilitary,now a rogue force since going into the bush after committing the"Maguindano Massacre"as I have discussed in other recent"Political Developments,Second Quarter of 2010"entries,deployed 100 gunmen under Kumander Tammy Maliga and raided the sitio for supplies,kidnapping a Bisayan (non-Muslim) family (30 year old Francisco Javier,his 26 year old wife Joy,their 2 year old son and 4 year old daughter) to use as Human Shields upon withdrawal.They also took the entire family fortune in the form of 2 cows and 8 goats as they moved back into Maguindano Province where they now have a static camp in Barangay San Jose's Sitio Kasam.No word on the fate of the family.
On Wednesday,May 13th,2010,Provincial Board (aka Sangguniang Panlalawigan) candidate for the NPC (Nationalist People's Coallition) Peter Peralta was in his car,allowing his teenaged son Feljavar Peralta to drive and just pulling up to the Capitol Complex in Isulan when 3 men on a single motorcycle pulled up next to them and began shooting.Feljavar was hit first and then Peter,who was killed instantly.
Feljavar was able to drive his car towards the PNP (Philippine National Police) PMG in neighbouring Tacurong City (Police Mobile Group,a PNP detachment sublimated to the PPO,or Provincial Police Office,designed as a re-inforcing unit) but died before crossing the city limit, his car rolling to a standstill.His father's race had not been declared one way or another.
The sub-conflict I have been talking about,between the MNLF and MILF/BIAF on the provincial borders of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao has flared up again on Friday,July 2nd, 2010.The MILF/BIAF is calling foul saying that Datu Faisal"Randy"Karon's MNLF faction (Mainland Mindanao State Committe, 1 of 5 MNLF factions currently and the newest one) has employed the AFP to do battle.
The AFP's 6IB (Infantry Battalion) which had been deployed on the provincial line as a sort of Observer Force has entered the fray,as the MILF/BIAF has told the world and has in fact attacked BIAF positions in the town of Datu Blah Sinsuat's Barangays Laguitan and Meti.The 6IB had managed to effect a Ceasefire on June 13th as I mentioned in an earlier entry,with both sides withdrawing from Barangay Tran in Lebak in the adjacent province of Sultan Kudarat ("Lebak"is the same town that I spoke about earlier in thie entry,that the Ampatuan Paramilitary had attacked in late April).
The MNLF has NOT been involved in the latest flare up,it has been the 6IB using mortars and 105MM howitzers in trying to dislodge BIAF 104 Kumander Jud Caludtiag's faction of the 104 Base Command.Most of the population in both towns have become IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons,i.e."Refugees") once again.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Political Developments,Second Quarter of 2010,Part V:Election Related Violence in Cotabato City
As I continue my wrap up of the 2010 Election Season one might ask just why I even bother since thus far,all areas mentioned have managed to live up to their nefarious reputations.I suppose that it might be a fair question but apart from simply noting the causes of unrest,i.e."insurgency,"people familiar with Mindanao are well aware of how such events go woefully under reported.People who have never been here or alternatively may have only been here in passing would usually have to rely strictly upon media reportage in trying to gain a clear picture of what took place this past Election Season.Obviously that would be problematic.Before a problem can be solved it has to be first identified and then discussed.
The government has its reasons for claiming that this was one of the safest Election Seasons in memory,but their rationale is self serving and will not do anything for the people of Mindanao or those trying to help them.The National figures for Election Related Violence,or"EVR,"and more to the point the figures relating to EVR Deaths does not even exceed the number of deaths from a single Mindanowan Region (Region IX, Zamoboanga Peninsula for example) so there definitely needs to be a record made of what happened this year,and what happens here day in and day out. Pretending it does not happen is not going to help a single person on this island,save a precious few deeply tied into the national government either politically or economically (which in the Philippines,like most nations,happens to be one and the same).
All things considered,Cotabato's 2 provinces (North and South,with North's infamous city, Cotabato City) are the historical epicenter of the Mindanowan insurgency.Originally the capital of the Maguindanowan Sultante,and the seat of Spanish administration of the island until Zamoboanga"s"La Caldera"was developed,the city has seen it share of hard times.A metropolis with a strong Christian population (mostly Ilonggons and to a lesser degree Cebuanos) it sits in the middle of a mostly Islamic region.
The night before Election Day,Sunday,May 9th at 7PM,just as the Islamic 4th Prayer finished,a man tossed a hand grenade into the entrance of a village mosque in Sitio Tinibtikan,Barangay Batulawan,in the town of Pikit,North Cotabato Province killing 1 man,Manuel Tautin and wounding 9 others.Although the town is the historical epicenter of the Ilaga-Barakuda paramilitary war (Christian versus Muslim) of the late 1960s/early 1970s (with the Ilaga re-emerging there in the early mid-1980s) this killing is not believed to be sectarian related and is instead believed to be Election related.
On Election Day itself,Monday,May 10th, 2010 at 105AM in Kidipawan City,South Cotabato Province,supporters of local cable television magnate Nancy Catamco were out plastering campaign posters near Catamco's home when they ran across supporters of Cotabato Christian (as in the ethnic sense) icon Congressman Bernardo"Bernie"Pinol,of the Pinol political dyansty.As these things usually do,it quickly devolved into gunfire causing the death of Pinol supporter Johnny Magbanua,aged 28.Interestingly,instead of simply denying any level of culpability,Ms.Catamco blamed the killing on another Pinol supporter,Efren Albaera Rivera.A 2nd man,Leo Laquinadanum,was badly wounded.
After the dust had cleared,and Ms.Catamco won a stunning upset against Pinol in the election that day,the soon to be ex-Governor Pinol went to the media with his version of events,which do not seem that removed from reality considering all reports thus far.Pinol claims that Catamco's armed supporters were at one of her cable stations,just meters away from the shooting site and that as Magbanua turned to leave,seeing that he was greatly outnumbered,these men shot him in the back (also supported by autopsy reports).It has to be noted that the CIDG (Criminal Investigations and Detection Group of the PNP) has failed to connect any Catamco supporters but then again they have failed to solidly connect anyone to the shooting).Indeed,the CIDG Report seems to actually point a finger at the aforementioned Pinol supporter,Efren Albaera Rivera,showing the PNP to truly epitomise political whoredom.After buttering their bread off of the Pinol Clan's collective backside the local PNP stooges took all of 9 hours to completely burn a decades long bridge.
Congresswoman Elect Catamco's version has the campaign workers out plastering posters when they notice a group of 4 men on 4 motorcycles trailing them.This almost always signals deadly trouble in Mindanao,all the more so when the men,like these men are wearing skimasks,or as they are called locally,"bonnets."Seeing they were had,the men on motorcycles allegedly took some pistol shots at the Catamco campaign workers,who were themselves then able to speed away towards Catamco's residence and flagship cable station (the 2 buildings are adjacent to one another).Reaching the front of that station,the groups collided and 1 man died in the subsequent firefight.The Catamco group IDd the shooters as Magbanua,Laquindanum,Rivera and a man named Syl Aranas Aninon.
Rivera is listed as a suspect because 18 people from both sides,said to have been present,were parrafin tested for gunshot residue and only Rivera tested positive.A big problem with that type of claim is that when one wears gloves, as most people do when riding motorcycles...or shooting people, they will test negative for gunshot residue.Basing culpability upon residue is a bit ridiculous in a place where the majority of men handle weapons.
That same morning,Election Day,May 10th,a cousin of former Congressman Pinol was shot to death while riding his motorcycle,also in Kidapawan City,South Cotabato Province.His passenger,another man,was seriously wounded.The gunman using a 45 pistol,the weapon of choice for motorcycle borne assassins here,has not been IDd but the conventional wisdom is that it is a supporter of Emmylou Talino Mendoza,a candidate for Vice Governor of North Cotabato Province. Aside from being the cousin of ex-Congressman Pinol,the unidentified dead cousin was also the cousin of incumbent Vice Governor Emmanuel"Manny"Pinol.
On Thursday,May 13th,2010,Abdulrakman Mero,a principal at Litain Elemntary School on Bongo Island,an offshore part of the municipality of Parang in Manguindanao Province was driving down Cotabato City's Bonifacio Avenue with his wife and 2 young children having arrived the evening before.Sitting next to him in his white VW were the results of the Parang Municipal Elections being delivered to the regional COMELEC (Electoral Authority) office in Cotabato City.
As the car crawled along in traffic,reaching the corner of Jose Lim Avenue,2 men riding tandem on a single motorcycle got off of their bike and casually walked over to the diver's side of the Mero auto.Looking over Mero's wife,they then walked around the back of the car and as they approached the driver's side window one of them pulled a 45 caliber pistol from his waistband and shot Mero in the head, killing him instantly.Then they slowly walked back to their motorcycle,calmly started it and rode off towards People's Plaza,the city hall of Cotabato City.
In a very suprising turn of events,on Wednesday,June 6th,2010,the 2 hired guns were arrested, a rare occurrence indeed.30 year old Malik Alano of Cotabato City's Barangay Campo Muslim and 31 year old Mandi Karublian of Bongo Island in the aforementioned town of Paranag in Maguindanao Province (the same locale as Mero) were taken without incident as they ate their lunch in a cafe near the Cotabato City town market.Alano had a loaded 45 in his waistband.
There is no word as to whether or not the Ballots had even been taken during the killing,let alone whether or not they had been recovered.
The government has its reasons for claiming that this was one of the safest Election Seasons in memory,but their rationale is self serving and will not do anything for the people of Mindanao or those trying to help them.The National figures for Election Related Violence,or"EVR,"and more to the point the figures relating to EVR Deaths does not even exceed the number of deaths from a single Mindanowan Region (Region IX, Zamoboanga Peninsula for example) so there definitely needs to be a record made of what happened this year,and what happens here day in and day out. Pretending it does not happen is not going to help a single person on this island,save a precious few deeply tied into the national government either politically or economically (which in the Philippines,like most nations,happens to be one and the same).
All things considered,Cotabato's 2 provinces (North and South,with North's infamous city, Cotabato City) are the historical epicenter of the Mindanowan insurgency.Originally the capital of the Maguindanowan Sultante,and the seat of Spanish administration of the island until Zamoboanga"s"La Caldera"was developed,the city has seen it share of hard times.A metropolis with a strong Christian population (mostly Ilonggons and to a lesser degree Cebuanos) it sits in the middle of a mostly Islamic region.
The night before Election Day,Sunday,May 9th at 7PM,just as the Islamic 4th Prayer finished,a man tossed a hand grenade into the entrance of a village mosque in Sitio Tinibtikan,Barangay Batulawan,in the town of Pikit,North Cotabato Province killing 1 man,Manuel Tautin and wounding 9 others.Although the town is the historical epicenter of the Ilaga-Barakuda paramilitary war (Christian versus Muslim) of the late 1960s/early 1970s (with the Ilaga re-emerging there in the early mid-1980s) this killing is not believed to be sectarian related and is instead believed to be Election related.
On Election Day itself,Monday,May 10th, 2010 at 105AM in Kidipawan City,South Cotabato Province,supporters of local cable television magnate Nancy Catamco were out plastering campaign posters near Catamco's home when they ran across supporters of Cotabato Christian (as in the ethnic sense) icon Congressman Bernardo"Bernie"Pinol,of the Pinol political dyansty.As these things usually do,it quickly devolved into gunfire causing the death of Pinol supporter Johnny Magbanua,aged 28.Interestingly,instead of simply denying any level of culpability,Ms.Catamco blamed the killing on another Pinol supporter,Efren Albaera Rivera.A 2nd man,Leo Laquinadanum,was badly wounded.
After the dust had cleared,and Ms.Catamco won a stunning upset against Pinol in the election that day,the soon to be ex-Governor Pinol went to the media with his version of events,which do not seem that removed from reality considering all reports thus far.Pinol claims that Catamco's armed supporters were at one of her cable stations,just meters away from the shooting site and that as Magbanua turned to leave,seeing that he was greatly outnumbered,these men shot him in the back (also supported by autopsy reports).It has to be noted that the CIDG (Criminal Investigations and Detection Group of the PNP) has failed to connect any Catamco supporters but then again they have failed to solidly connect anyone to the shooting).Indeed,the CIDG Report seems to actually point a finger at the aforementioned Pinol supporter,Efren Albaera Rivera,showing the PNP to truly epitomise political whoredom.After buttering their bread off of the Pinol Clan's collective backside the local PNP stooges took all of 9 hours to completely burn a decades long bridge.
Congresswoman Elect Catamco's version has the campaign workers out plastering posters when they notice a group of 4 men on 4 motorcycles trailing them.This almost always signals deadly trouble in Mindanao,all the more so when the men,like these men are wearing skimasks,or as they are called locally,"bonnets."Seeing they were had,the men on motorcycles allegedly took some pistol shots at the Catamco campaign workers,who were themselves then able to speed away towards Catamco's residence and flagship cable station (the 2 buildings are adjacent to one another).Reaching the front of that station,the groups collided and 1 man died in the subsequent firefight.The Catamco group IDd the shooters as Magbanua,Laquindanum,Rivera and a man named Syl Aranas Aninon.
Rivera is listed as a suspect because 18 people from both sides,said to have been present,were parrafin tested for gunshot residue and only Rivera tested positive.A big problem with that type of claim is that when one wears gloves, as most people do when riding motorcycles...or shooting people, they will test negative for gunshot residue.Basing culpability upon residue is a bit ridiculous in a place where the majority of men handle weapons.
That same morning,Election Day,May 10th,a cousin of former Congressman Pinol was shot to death while riding his motorcycle,also in Kidapawan City,South Cotabato Province.His passenger,another man,was seriously wounded.The gunman using a 45 pistol,the weapon of choice for motorcycle borne assassins here,has not been IDd but the conventional wisdom is that it is a supporter of Emmylou Talino Mendoza,a candidate for Vice Governor of North Cotabato Province. Aside from being the cousin of ex-Congressman Pinol,the unidentified dead cousin was also the cousin of incumbent Vice Governor Emmanuel"Manny"Pinol.
On Thursday,May 13th,2010,Abdulrakman Mero,a principal at Litain Elemntary School on Bongo Island,an offshore part of the municipality of Parang in Manguindanao Province was driving down Cotabato City's Bonifacio Avenue with his wife and 2 young children having arrived the evening before.Sitting next to him in his white VW were the results of the Parang Municipal Elections being delivered to the regional COMELEC (Electoral Authority) office in Cotabato City.
As the car crawled along in traffic,reaching the corner of Jose Lim Avenue,2 men riding tandem on a single motorcycle got off of their bike and casually walked over to the diver's side of the Mero auto.Looking over Mero's wife,they then walked around the back of the car and as they approached the driver's side window one of them pulled a 45 caliber pistol from his waistband and shot Mero in the head, killing him instantly.Then they slowly walked back to their motorcycle,calmly started it and rode off towards People's Plaza,the city hall of Cotabato City.
In a very suprising turn of events,on Wednesday,June 6th,2010,the 2 hired guns were arrested, a rare occurrence indeed.30 year old Malik Alano of Cotabato City's Barangay Campo Muslim and 31 year old Mandi Karublian of Bongo Island in the aforementioned town of Paranag in Maguindanao Province (the same locale as Mero) were taken without incident as they ate their lunch in a cafe near the Cotabato City town market.Alano had a loaded 45 in his waistband.
There is no word as to whether or not the Ballots had even been taken during the killing,let alone whether or not they had been recovered.
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