The gall!
As residents of Pigkawayan in North Cotabato scamper from the raging war triggered by her hijacking of the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to push her own agenda of charter change, Gloria Arroyo pushes a shift to a federal system of government.
“We advocate federalism as a way to ensure long-lasting peace in Mindanao,” Gloria Arroyo said in a toast to visiting Swiss President Pascal Couchepin Thursday.
Bago nagsimula ang marangyang opening ceremony ng Beijing Olympics, may nagkalat ng text, “Olympics have not yet begun but Mike Defensor already got gold, silver, and bronze from Beijing.”
Pinurward ko kay Defensor at tumawag siya, galit na galit. “Ano ba naman,” sabi niya.”Nasa private sector na ako, hindi pa rin ako tinatantanan.”
US, Philippines weigh new military marriage
Asian Times
By Fabio Scarpello
COTABATO CITY, Southern Philippines – More than 15 years after the US was forced to close its military bases in the Philippines by nationalist politicians, there are growing indications that Washington is angling to re-establish a permanent military presence here – though US diplomats strenuously deny the speculation.
The United States’ behind-the-scenes role in mediating a peace deal between the Philippine government and a group of Islamic rebels and its assistance to the Philippine armed forces in chasing down another rebellious Islamic organization has, for many Filipinos, lent credence to growing speculation that the US has designs on establishing new bases on the country’s southern island of Mindanao.
Noong Huwebes, binaril at napatay si Martin Roxas, brodkaster ng estasyong DYVR ng radio Mindanao Network sa Roxas City, Capiz.
Si Roxas ay pang-apat na journalist na napatay dito sa Pilipinas sa taong ito at pag-59 sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Gloria Arroyo mula 2001.
14 barangays occupied by 800-man rebel band
by Raymond Africa
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno yesterday gave the Moro Islamic Liberation Front up to 10 a.m. today to vacate areas it has occupied in North Cotabato, on pain of an all-out offensive.
Puno said reports reaching his office showed some 800 MILF members under one Commander Umbrahato of the MILF’s 105th Base Command have taken over 14 barangays in five towns since July 1.
Sa “Strictly Politics” noong Martes, kinumpirma ni North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol na kanyang mensahe ang umiikot sa text na nanawagan sa mga tao na humanda magdepensa sa sarili. Itong ang text:
“My beloved people. Tonite I was told by a top govt official that if our opposition to be included in the ARMM will result in MILF attacks, the armed forces will not be able to help us all out because that is the policy of this government. If this is the case we have to defend ourselves. Let us be brave and stand firm. God is with us”
The opposition suspects Gloria Arroyo is pushing for a piecemeal political settlement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in order to pursue her agenda of staying in power beyond 2010 through Charter change.
There is basis to this suspicion, but it should guard against under-estimating the wiliness of Gloria.
Update: Govt panel belies MILF claim
by Victor Reyes
Malaya
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front considers the agreement on ancestral domain “a done deal” and expects the government to abide by its provisions despite its aborted signing yesterday, an MILF official said.
“The MILF leadership, which is the Central Committee of the MILF, has an official position. that the memorandum of agreement on the Bangsamoro Ancestral Domain has been signed,” said Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs.