Author: Ellen

Govt paid P450,000 to MNLF

Published by Ellen on February 5, 2007

Update: Gen. Dolorfino admits before the Commission on Appointments they were both hostaged and hosted. CA approved his promotion. Click here.

Was it Ransom for the release of Gen. Dolorfino? Or was it compensation for kin of fatalities in clashes?

What is certain says Regino Bengco, Malaya’s Malacañang reporter, is that government gave money to the MNLF. Here’s Bengco’s report:

Government negotiators yesterday said they gave money to the Moro National Liberation Front but said it was for relatives of MNLF fighters slain during mis-encounters last month, and not for the release from “restraint” of a general and several companions held for two days in an MNLF camp in Sulu.

Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the peace process, confirmed the payment during a press briefing in Malacañang after he, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Benjamin Dolorfino, and peace process undersecretary Ramon Santos made a courtesy call to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Reports said that “goodwill money” of P450,000 was given to the MNLF.

Continue readingGovt paid P450,000 to MNLF

Reporters Sans Frontieres slams Arroyo administration

Published by Ellen on February 5, 2007

This report by Reporters Without Borders came out last week and has been commented on in previous posts but i’m posting it here for the record and for future reference.

Philippines – Annual report 2007

Despite new arrests of murderers, the authorities failed to stem the wave of violence against journalists. At least six were killed in 2006. And the press also found itself facing a new enemy: José Miguel Arroyo, the husband of President Gloria Arroyo, who took out a raft of defamation suits.

While her husband was lodging “defamation” complaints against more than 40 journalists, President Arroyo said, on 18 November 2006, that her government was “respectful of press freedom, an institution of Philippines democracy”. On the same day, journalist Ellen Tordesillas, a stern critic of the government received an email warning her: “Your days are numbered”. Murders, assaults, arrests, abusive law suits and censorship were the hallmark of 2006 in this country.

The problem is Ebdane

Published by Ellen on February 4, 2007

Gloria Arroyo’s ever reliable operator Hermogenes Ebdane asked the correct question, “What’s your problem?” during his first press conference as defense secretary last Thursday.

But he was wrong in directing that question to Charmaine Deogracias of NHK TV, who asked a legitimate question about how allowing soldiers to transport election materials would affect the objective of insulating the military from politics. Ebdane should have directed the question at himself.

We could have helped him answer that question by playing the Hello Garci tapes, particularly the June 5, 2004 5:01 p.m. part where former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano was giving instructions to a certain “Boy”.

AFP maintains “no hostaging” line

Published by Ellen on February 4, 2007

From Malaya:

MNLF ‘frees’ general

Demand for international meet on 1996 peace pact is met

by Victor Reyes

MORO National Liberation Front members sympathetic to detained former leader Nur Misuari yesterday released a Marine general and several companions who they “held” for two days following a dialogue in their stronghold in Sulu.

Maj. Gen. Ben Mohammad Dolorfino, commander of the National Capital Region Command, left the MNLF base in Bitan-ag complex in Panamao town around 3:40 p.m., hours after sharing a lunch of roast calf with the MNLF group led by Ustadz Habier Malik.

Jesus Dureza, presidential adviser on the peace process, said confusion and misinformation about a tripartite meeting among government, the MNLF and the Organization of Islamic Conference prolonged the stay of Dolorfino at the MNLF camp.

Hostaged general and companions to be released today

Published by Ellen on February 3, 2007

Here’s Julie Alipala’s latest for the Inquirer on Marine Major General Benjamin Dolorfino and Defense Undersecretary Ramon Santos and their companions who were hostaged by MNLF rebels Friday.

Muslim rebels holding Brig. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino and members of his peace mission have agreed to release their hostages Sunday.

Dolorfino said last night this was agreed on between Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza and the Moro group led by Ustadz Habier Malik.

“We can breathe easier now that we can go home,” Dolorfino told the Inquirer.

He said Malik agreed to release them after receiving assurances from the Organization of Islamic Conference that the planned meeting between the OIC, the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front to discuss the implementation of the RP-MNLF peace agreement would push through in March. The MNLF expects its detained leader, Nur Misuari, to head its delegation to the talks planned to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon denied that Dolorfino and Santos are being held hostage by the Moro National Liberation Front rebels. In his text message to reporters, Esperon said, “No. It’s a dialog. Dats why Dolorfino went there yesterday with Usec Santos of OPAPP.”

Away from the madding crowd

Published by Ellen on February 3, 2007

Thanks for keeping the fires burning while I was savoring the peace and serenity of barrio life.

In our place in Guisijan, a barrio in the town of Laua-an in Antique, we have no TV, internet, newspaper. I don’t turn on the radio.

This is the scene that I wake up to every morning:

Beyond the ricefield is the sea. From my bedroom, I can hear the lapping of the waves.

My garden is abloom. Take a look:

‘English First’ policy will hurt learning

Published by Ellen on January 31, 2007

By Juan Miguel Luz
(This appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jan. 22, 2007)

There is much to be said about the decline in English proficiency in this country. But legislating English as the medium of instruction—as proposed by the Gullas Bill—is not the solution. In fact not just English, but also Science and Math proficiency will decline should this law pass.

Rather than propose that English be the sole medium of learning, we should in fact promote multi-lingualism: English, Filipino and the local language or dialect.

The Japanese will never forego Nihonggo for English, nor will the Chinese abandon Mandarin or Cantonese for the so-called global language. Neither would the Scandinavians, Germans or (mon Dieu!) the French. Why then are we so quick to ditch Filipino for English?

Read this and weep

Published by Ellen on January 30, 2007

Excerpts from the signed affidavit Filipina rape victim in Qatar. We will hide her identity under the name “Clara”.

Sometime in April 2005, my father suffered a second stroke and was unable to work since then. I wanted to be able to work in Oman in order to care and provide for my parents as I did not want them to return to the Philippines. This prompted me to seek for any job placement for Oman.

Sometime in May 2005, I read Jinhel International Recruitment Agency’s (hereinafter, “Jinhel”) Manila Bulletin advertisement for job placements in countries in the Middle East. I immediately placed a call in the telephone number contained in the ad.

Continue readingRead this and weep

Pinay maids ayaw mag-Supermaid

Published by Ellen on January 29, 2007

Nagwawala ang mga Pinay maids sa Hongkong, Singapore, Malaysia, at Taiwan dahil sa bagong requirement na nilabas ng POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) para maka-trabaho sa labas ng bansa bilang katulong.

Ang bagong requirements ay 1) bawal ang placement fees na pinapabayaran sa mga maid; pinapa sa ibang lugar; 2) mas mataas na simula ng sweldo. Magiging $400 na sa halip na $200; 3)mas mataas ang edad. Dapat 25 taong gulang. Dati pwede na ang 21 taong gulang; 4) dapat nakapag-training sa TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Ang mga napabalitang nagpu-protesta ay ang sa Southeast Asian countries. Ngunit apektado lahat na Pinay maids kasama na ang nasa Middle East dahil sa lahat naman na sulok na mundo ngayon mayroong Filipina na maid.

Detention takes its toll

Published by Ellen on January 28, 2007

In the last hearing of the court martial panel trying 28 military officers for their alleged plan to withdraw support from the bogus presidency of Gloria Arroyo in February last year, notably absent were Col. Januario Caringal and Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon, both of the Philippine Marines.

The two officers were sick. Caringal , former deputy commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, has been at the AFP Philippines Medical Center (former V. Luna Hospital) in Quezon City from his detention quarters in Fort San Felipe in Cavite since November . He was suffering from acute hepatitis B and hypertension.

Parcon, a medal of valor awardee, is detained at Fort San Felipe in Cavite. In the Jan. 18 hearing, he was represented by his counsel, Alex Lacson, who was his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy.

Col. Ariel Querubin, another medal of valor awardee, almost didn’t make it to the hearing in Camp Capinpin in Tanay too. A few days before last Christmas, Querubin was confined at the Cavite Naval Hospital due to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, fluctuating sugar levels, and high uric acid.