Palawan solons ask Reyes for P2.5M rice subsidy

By Cheryl A. Galili

TO PROVIDE solution to the persistently increasing rice prices in the province, Board member Ernesto Llacuna is proposing for Governor Joel T. Reyes to allocate P2.5 million to be distributed to municipalities to subsidize the production of rice.

In a resolution he authored, Llacuna said 5,000-10,000 farmers can benefit from certified seeds under a 50-50 scheme sharing that can be implemented. Around 10,500 bags of certified seeds can be distributed to all rice-growing municipalities that can help sustain rice production for the province.

Palawan, he said, is one of the provinces that have a large potential for rice farming. Base on the record of the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA), around 74,000 hectare are being planted with rice every year that have a total production of 260,000 metric tons of palay.

Llacuna stated that if the 260,000 metric tons of palay will be made into rice without the supply that will be used for next cropping, they will be equivalent to a 170% increase in the supply of rice based on consumption level.

But the 170% self-sufficiency can decrease if it will start this year because of the increase in prices of farm inputs, such as fertilizers, seedlings and pesticides that are needed. This can affect the increase in prices and also the rice production of farmers because they would opt to use ordinary seedlings than purchase quarantined ones and use fertilizers that cost less.

He said that having the rice subsidy for rice-growing municipalities is a recommendation too of the OPA to help farmers in increasing rice production.

“The provincial government should have a contingency measure and we are recommending the rice subsidy for rice-growing municipalities. At least, the provincial government can help many farmers spend less on certified seeds,” he added.

In Puerto Princesa at the New City Public Market in Barangay San Jose, where most farm products are delivered first during weekends, rice prices have noticeably gone up. The cheapest kilo of rice costs P25 while the highest is being sold at P35-P36. Llacuna said this is surprising because prices have already gone down in other provinces.

He informed that information has also reached him that in other towns, rice is being sold at very, very high prices, sometimes reaching P74.

He called on the National Food Authority (NFA) to coordinate with concerned agencies and verify the report so appropriate solutions can be done since it is hard for the provincial government to do something about rice price regulation.

“Maybe through the coordinated efforts of the NFA, Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry, something can be done about this,” the board member said.

Llacuna’s resolution has already been forwarded to the Committee on Agriculture in the Provincial Board for the next deliberation. If the resolution is approved, he said it can be done this May until December 2008.

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“Respect our Rights” — Brofetrics appeals to LGU, NGO opponents

By Cheryl A. Galili

THE CONTROVERSY surrounding the purported plan of the government to win back the control of the Mount Mantalingahan escalated anew after a coalition of indigenous people (IP) condemned its advocates for being “disrespectful” of their lawful right, culture and political traditions.

In an apparent move to refute the claims of its detractors, the Brooke’s Point Federation of Tribal Councils (Brofetrics), a federation of IPs from the province’s southern corridor, recently issued came out with an open letter that says it is “saddened by the fact that the very people who were supposed to politically lead and socially help them are completely clueless and unmindful of the ways and workings of the IPs.”

Chieftain Renila Dulay, president of the Brofetrics, said “all IP communities under our coalition were insulted by public insinuations of certain quarters, supposedly of honorable and high social stature, that our broad unity against the reclassification of our ancestral domain (Mount Mantalingahan) is spurious.”

This newest development came following a news article published in a national daily that claimed the 28 tribal chieftains who signed a position paper against the proposed reclassification of the controversial Mt. Mantalingahan into a “protected zone” was “spurious.”

Quoting Vice-Mayor Jean Feliciano and the Palawan NGO Network, Inc. (PNNI), the news article further asserted that the coalition leaders are not being truly supported by the tribes.

“Our detractors’ demeaning statements show how very little their understanding is on the ways of the tribes. They also exhibit utter disrespect of our traditions and processes. In fact, we assert our claim that we were never consulted in their plans to propose the declaration of Mt. Mantalingahan as protected zone, despite the fact that we are the ones who will be immediately and directly affected by their them,” Dulay continued.

The leaders of Brofetrics said the situation has now forced them to show their strength, if only to debunk allegations that they have no popular following. Right now, they want to discuss the matter to their 7,500-strong IP membership network to build up support in their fight for their ancestral domain rights, according to Dulay.

Dulay and the rest of Brofetrics denied too that mining firms exploring and operating in the area have a hand in their opposition to the reclassification of Mt. Mantalingahan as a “protected zone,” saying “we know our fight and we certainly know our rights. If others do not want to respect our unity, the least they can do is to respect our culture and beliefs.”

It is supposed that the proposed protected zone will help preserve the mountain’s landscape and natural resources, which the IPs’ oppose because it is their lawful right and responsibility on how to best manage and take advantage of their lands under Republic Act 8371, or the IPRA Law that empowers them.

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City PNP chief faces murder raps

By Ines B. Tagacay

THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Palawan is set to file murder raps against City PNP Chief P/Supt. Enrique Ancheta for the death of a 40-year old suspected theft in March.

Lawyer Alex Cabornay, executive officer of the NBI, said the case will be filed as soon as they finish its formal transmittal to the fiscal’s office.

The case against Ancheta is in relation to the death of Eduardo Tipanao alias Eddie Pitong of Barangay San Isidro on March 28 at the Quito area.

Cabornay said that before his death, Tipanao was able to belie that he grabbed the gun of Ancheta’s driver that’s why he was shot inside a police patrol car. Investigations conducted by the bureau, he added, told a completely different story from the one the City PNP chief related.

It can be recalled that the incident happened after Ancheta and his driver, PO3 Ronnel Cacal, responded to a report that the suspect was seen in Quito while selling a military uniform he stole.

After hauling Tipanao inside the patrol car, Ancheta alleged the suspect tried to snatch the gun of Cacal on the way to the City PNP.

He claimed further that he had to shoot Tipanao to protect his and his driver’s life. Two gun shots were fired from a caliber .40 Glock by Ancheta. One hit the suspect in the abdomen and the other landed on the door of the Innova.

 

Toxic bottles found in Puerto Princesa bay

By Ines B. Tagacay

THE BANTAY Dagat of the city government has sent words to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the PNP Maritime to find a new docking site for the foreign and domestic vessels it is holding under custody because they are unsightly and to keep the bay safe from toxic chemicals and oil slicks.

This development came following the Bantay Dagat’s retrieval of at least a thousand bottles of what is believed to be formalin in shallow waters off the bay.

Joel Desierto, a diver of the marine watchdog organization, said they apparently came from foreign fishing vessels that submerged a long time ago due to poor maintenance. They were salvaged from a depth of more than 10 feet

Ian Marcelo, the head of Bantay Dagat, said it was his recommendation to Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn to ask the PCG to look for a new docking location for the vessels it is holding under custody.

He said this is the best thing to do to avoid similar incidents and also because oil has been found to be leaking from the vessels.

The toxic bottles might have allegedly been hidden inside secret compartments of fishing vessels that have already gone down under while the cases of their owners are being heard at the Palawan Regional Trial Court.

To date, the PCG and the PNP Maritime are looking after vessels from three poaching cases that involve Chinese nationals.

Meanwhile, Hagedorn said he was shocked to learn about the report. He said the foreign fishing vessels should have been divested of all their contents as poor maintenance would really send them underwater.

Maritime authorities, he added, should have turned the inside-out of the vessels to look for other evidence other than the ones readily seen by the naked eye. He has ordered lawyer Arnulfo Tagle to assist in investigating the case so charges can be filed against concerned agencies for alleged negligence.

Until the time Hagedorn showed disappointment, the PCG and the PNP-Maritime reportedly did not help in the retrieval operation of the Bantay Dagat. This has apparently irked the mayor more to order that cases should be filed for responsible agencies that allow foreign fishing vessels to just sink without proper reports.

He said the boats were large enough in order for maritime authorities not to realize they’re already missing from where they’re docked.

 

67th Marine Raiders Coy arrives in Palawan

By Ines B. Tagacay

THE NEWLY-formed 67^th Marine Raiders Company (67^th MRC) of the Philippine Marines Corps (PMC) to augment troops under the Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 (MBLT 9) has arrived in Palawan on April 19, personally accompanied by Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino.

In a one-on-one interview with Dolorfino, he said that the goal of adding another company in the province is to further build up its security and to resolve the problem of insurrection in Puerto Princesa and the whole province, while at the same time strengthen the capability of the WESCOM in implementing internal security operations (ISO).

Marine warriors composing the 67th MRC arrive at the Camp Antonio Bautista Airbase. They were personally accompanied by Maj. Gen. Dolorfino and welcomed by Rear Adm. Borromeo and Col. William Bimeda. (Photo courtesy of MBLT 9)

Dolorfino said the province has more demand for troops than Tawi-Tawi in Mindanao and the biggest reason for this was the ambush that killed three unarmed Marines in San Vicente last December 16, 2007 at Sitio Cauban.

“Compared to Tawi-Tawi there’s a need for more troops here because our enemies are killing even unarmed soldiers,” he stated.

The 67^th MRC and the 63^rd Force Recon Company will work together as “striking forces” not only to fight against the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group but to also subdue the remaining CPP-NPA members in Palawan.

“The 67^th Marine Raiders Company is trained to conduct amphibious raids and light infantry special operations. Their training is apposite in the conduct of internal security operations in island provinces like Palawan,” Dolorfino said.

Around 112 enlisted personnel and two officials compose the 67^th MRC; all of them picked out from different battalions of the PMC and underwent a 3-day Basic Marine Course (BMC) in Ternate, Cavite.

Col. Bimeda welcomes the 67th Marine Raiders Company.

Expectations are high on the presence of the MRC in the province, particularly in putting an end to the existence of the remaining CPP-NPA forces in some towns north of Palawan. “Our expectation is that they’ll be able to solve the insurgency problem in Palawan, hopefully by not necessarily using military force,” the commandant added.

Rear Adm. Ruperto Rico C. Borromeo, on the other hand, said that apart from being a striking force against terrorism and communism, the 67^th MRC is also expected to assist in maintaining the peace and order in the city and province.

He challenged the company and the Marines in Palawan to continue the fight against terrorism-communism and other lawless elements to keep its residents safe.

“Our expectations are high not only for you to fight against terrorism-communism, but to help this province prosper and develop more,” Borromeo told troops under the 67^th MRC during their arrival in Puerto Princesa.

Lt. Miguel Perez, commanding officer of the 67^th MRC, said the task is “easy,” particularly if there is support from the people.

Before they were deployed to northern Palawan, the 67^th MRC was subjected to a briefing at the WESCOM on April 21. Borromeo said it is imperative that they’re given a historical background of the province and an update about the strategies being used by the leftist movement to recruit members and obtain support from the masses.

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Palawan WESCOM obtains warrant vs suspected NPA squad leader

By Ines B. Tagacay

THE WESTERN Command Headquarters (WESCOM) was able to obtain a warrant of arrest from the Palawan Regional Trial Court (RTC) against suspected Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) member Wilson Mangao and is now challenging his lawyer and family to present him and his wife in court.

Lt. Col. Jacinto De Vera, spokesperson of the WESCOM and head of the 6^th Civil Relations Office (CRG), said during a media conference on April 30 that Atty. Peter Jimbo Maristela, the suspect’s lawyer, should present his client like he promised if they find enough evidence.

Mangao, alias Ka Macmac, Tsong, Ka Kurt and Roa, and his wife Christene Butaca, were ordered released by the local court after the Task Force Myna that arrested them failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove their connection to the CPP-NPA in Palawan.

“I am asking Atty. Maristela to make good with his promise to present Wilson Mangao like what he said before that if we come out with enough evidence, he will present any of the two,” De Vera said.

Mangao and Butaca were arrested on January 26 in Bataraza while attending a sibling’s wedding of the latter by the Joint Task Force Myna of the WESCOM and the PNP.

Their arrest was due to Criminal Case #1808, a murder case filed a long time ago against Mangao who is purportedly involved in the slaying of Agustin Javarez on January 17, 2003 in Barangay Marufinas.

Military and police authorities are claiming also that Mangao is the squadron leader of the CPP-NPA in northern Palawan, while Butaca is allegedly the logistic officer of Kilusang Sangay sa Platoon North (KSPN).

De Vera said the warrant of arrest means that Mangao and Butaca are being given their days in court, or the chance to prove their innocence. On getting more evidence against the two, he said it is the military’s job to protect the welfare of the people of Palawan.

Maristela, on the other hand, was surprised to learn that he made a promise to De Vera or other authorities before. In an interview with Palawan Times, Mangao’s lawyer said he has never spoken to De Vera and neither has he with any other WESCOM officials.

“I was surprised by what he said that I promised to surrender Macmac. I never made such commitment. In fact, I haven’t met De Vera personally and I do not know him by face. How will I tell him that I will present my clients when I haven’t spoken to him,” he said.

Maristela is also baffled why military and police authorities would continue to mention Javarez murder when it is not the focal point at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office but the ambush in Taytay.

“What I know is that they continue to link my client in the murder of Javarez in Marufinas, but it was never discussed in the PPO that’s why we never took any action against it,” he stated.

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