The Palawan Times

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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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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By Cheryl A. Galili

AGAPITO SALIDO, JR., owner of a small scale mining operation in Narra, is requesting for the “partial lifting” of the ban imposed by the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) recently due to findings that he’s been operating outside his mining claim.

In a media conference on April 24 at the Palawan Village Hotel, Salido and Jerry de Jesus, director and vice-president of Aramaywan Metals Development Corporation (AMDC) in Narra, said their small scale mining operation is legal because there are no “adverse claimants” in the area where they’re extracting mineral ores and that it is not outside their mining claims.

Salido said they are requesting for a “partial lifting” of the suspension because when the PMRB suspended their operation on April 8, around 200 mine workers have already lost their jobs.

In his request, they asked the PMRB to allow them to mine the areas that are not contested in exchange for a commitment not to touch the controversial mine pit.

He claimed that the move of the PMRB originated from an “unverified complaint” filed by Cerelito G. San Juan, a minor stockholder of AMDC, who claimed they’re mining outside their claims.

Salido also added that they requested for a copy of the verified complaint under oath but the PMRB did not give them. This complaint, he stated, was the reason why investigations were conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Provincial ENRO, CENRO and PMRB where the services of Engr. Baltazar Caimoy was commissioned.

He explained that base on their agreement, a ground validation (relocation, verification and revalidation) will be done inside their mining claim, and its result will be respected. After this is done, the team further agreed to have a consolidation report but Caimoy did not appear in the office of lawyer Nesario Awat. Salido said they submitted the consolidated report of the findings to Awat who is head of relocation team.

Contrary to what was agreed upon, however, Caimoy also submitted his report to PMRB that stated Salido’s small scale mining (SSM) is operating outside its claims.

Salido’s SSM permit has a total of 19.98 hectares in Barangay Aramaywan, Narra. In the said application, 600 square meters is the size of the actual mine pit and not even half is mined. The 1,000 metric tons of copper ore were from there.

Salido said Caimoy did not do any relocation because if he had done so, then he would really be able to say if the area they’re mining is within or outside his claims. “This was never done by Engr. Caimoy because he only placed observation posts and he stood there. What we told him is that he needed to run to the tie line so he would get Corner 1, but he said it’s no longer needed because he knows it. Our presumption was that because he’s geodetic engineer, he knew what he was doing,” Salido explained to the media.

According to the actual survey done by Engr. Modesto Alldo, Salido’s mining operations is within his mining claims. This was also verified by Engr. Andronico J. Baguyo and Mervin Nagales.

He further made clear that if there had been a relocation and if there was a mistake in the marker (muhon) that was placed initially before it was approved by the provincial government and PMRB, then they would know through their field verification.

“Before the provincial government and PMRB approved our application, they should have already seen in the field verification if we’re operating outside our mining claim. They should have told us this before they approved us. After eight months of operation, all of a sudden we will be suspended? Had they told us before, it should have been corrected,” he said.

Salido explicated that aside from their request for partial lifting of the suspension order, they are going to file for a motion for reconsideration and is doing a position paper. He is imploring the PMRB to give the suspension a duration period because if not, they have a “large mining pit” that can cause accident in the area.

By Ines B. Tagacay

THE PROVINCIAL Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) has formally charged with violation of the Philippine Fisheries Law the two remaining Vietnamese nationals who were among those captured off the shores of Balabac some two weeks ago.

Provincial PNP Assistant Director P/Supt. Reynaldo Jagmis said those who were charged are Vietnamese nationals Dang Thei, the boat captain, and Bui Van Tam. They were left behind by 19 others who escaped from police custody in Balabac.

Specifically, they were charged for poaching or violation of Section 87 of Republic Act 8550 and Section 97 for catching endangered marine species. Illegal entry cases were also filed against them for entering the Philippines’ territorial waters without passing through the Bureau of Immigration.

It can be recalled that Thei and his 21 crewmen were aboard Quang Mgei 95929 when they were accosted by the group of Balabac Vice Mayor Hadji Rudy Mohammad Ain that found them fishing in Philippine waters between Mangsee and Lumbucan islands last April 13.

Authorities who inspected the said fishing vessel found different fish species and a marine turtle believed to be endangered. Nineteen of Thei’s crewmen were able to escape shortly, using their fishing vessel.

The head of the PNP in Balabac explained through P/Insp. Virgilio Alvarez that the escape of the 19 happened during heavy rains in the island municipality. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the culpability of the policemen in Balabac.

“We will file the illegal entry first and we will ask for the help of the Bureau of Immigration for that, then we shall file the poaching charges next,” Jagmis told Palawan Times.

He also implied that if investigations reveal that the policemen in Balabac are responsible, they will also be charged.

By Alex J. Villanueva, Jr.

THE P3.2 billion expansion of the Puerto Princesa International Airport, which was in the middle of controversy lately, is expected to be finished in 2010.

Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn said that after the airport problem was publicized, the Department of Transportaiton and Communication (DOTC), the national government agency in charge of the expansion, has already sent words that it will speed up its rehabilitation.

The up upgrading of the airport into international standards, Hagedorn added, will further strengthen the city as the commercial center of Palawan and turn it into a premiere destination hub in the country.

His statement came on Earth Day, at a time when the city was hosting the annual Palarong Pambansa for the first time.

He said they are hoping the DOTC will fast-track the bidding for the airport expansion, which is expected to open the door for international flights into the city.

Expansion work in the airport is currently ongoing, but DOTC Asst. Sec. Elmer Soneja said only minimum work is being done at the moment to avoid disruptions in the operations of the existing airport.

He said the bidding of the P100-million for Phase 2 for the renovation and expansion of the passenger terminal airport was scheduled last April 28 instead of May.

The airport has been the object of recent complaints as airline passengers have been complaining of the intense heat at the terminal which has resulted in one death this summer apparently caused by heat stroke.

Conditions have improved at the airport following the mayor’s representation with national government agencies for immediate intervention to ensure continued passenger comfort and convenience by providing a better air-conditioning system.

The mayor clarified that it is not the city government but the national government that operates the airport.

“But we are concerned because it affects the city visitors,” the mayor said, adding: “We are hosting the Palarong Pambansa for the first time and we do not want the young athletes to suffer. Tourists are saying we have a beautiful city with good facilities except the airport. This could affect tourism in the long term if the problem persists.” (PNA)