Misamis Oriental News: Internal Level Conflict Seen

By: Katrina Leyson-Abrio

Misamis Oriental News – Cementing its role as the local instrument for peace process and nation-building, the Provincial Peace and Order Council – Conflict Management Cluster (PPOC-CMC), here, leveled the conflict within the

Plaridel and Hinaplanon Tribal Communities of Claveria town.
The leveling off was arranged by Vice Governor Norris Babiera assisted by Provincial
Director Ponciano D. Caberte of the Department of Interior and Local Government DILG)and Head of the PPOC Secretariat, through a dialogue to iron-out pressing issues besetting the communities, last August 9.

It was learned during the process that when the old chieftain, Florencio Dangwa, was
killed, Roberto Lag-e a.k.a. Datu Maloloy-on assumed leadership of the community.
Datu Maloloy-on, at the time, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with
Minergy Hydro Power Plant (HPP) prepared by the National Commission of Indigenous
People (NCIP) as stipulated in the IPRA Law.

As provided in the MOA, Minergy will allot Php500,000 for the use of natural
resources in the area, particularly, for hydro power plant with Cabulig River as its source. As part of the agreement, the money will be downloaded to NCIP and be used for the processing of their CADT claim.

However, during the leadership of Datu Maloloy-on several conflicts developed that
affected their transactions with Minergy HPP and CADT claim processing.
Because of this, the community appointed Josefina Pimentel as representative of the
tribal council, particularly on its CADT claim.

In 2009, Ladislaw Dangwa was appointed as the new chieftain. For some reasons,
Datu Maloloy-on could not accept the change in leadership.
He openly signified his intent and desire to claim the money allotted by Minergy HPP
due to the fact that he was the signatory of the MOA. He also expressed his belief that he is the rightful chieftain.

On the other hand, the tribal community conveyed their decision that the MOA with
Minergy should be amended to clarify some issues.
Aggravating to this circumstance, some properties of Sta. Clara Corporation, the
contractor of MINERGY HPP was burned by still unidentified perpetrators resulting in
damages estimated at Php70 million.

So far the communities agreed to strengthen their traditional political structure and clarify the role of Datu Maloloy-on.

They also agreed to meet up for another dialogue in the last week of August to
discuss amendments of the MOA and make a presentation of their final traditional political structure. (DILG-Mis. Or./PIA-10)

Misamis Oriental News: Peace and Order Council Appeals to NPA to Respect Human Rights

Misamis Oriental News – The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), here, has supported the Government of the Philippines (GPH) Panel
in condemning the New People's Army (NPA)’s latest antics.

These antics include the granting of the supposed "prisoner of war (POW) " status to
the four (4) abducted Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) guards and having Mayor Dano of Lingig, Surigao del Sur face trial before a "people's court."

“The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-
NDF) is not a state nor has any government recognized it as a belligerent force. It should not presume to act like one,” the GPH Panel said.

These acts committed by the NPA are nothing short of criminal. They are violative
of the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), which they have signed, as well, as every human rights
protocol.

The BJMP guards should not have been abducted in the first place because the
functions they perform are civilian in nature and they are far from being "combatants."

These guards should be released immediately without any preconditions. We are
concerned that some of them are suffering from poor health and nutrition. We hold the NPA directly responsible for their safety, and for any adverse health conditions they may suffer.

We also condemn in the strongest terms the trial of Mayor Dano by a so-
called "people's court". This is a denial of the Mayor's fundamental rights which they themselves always demand when their own people are caught and are brought before a court of justice.

The mayor's basic right to defend himself in the best possible way, his right to
choose his own counsel, to enjoy the presumption of innocence, to be appraised of the complaints against him and to adequately prepare his appropriate defense, to call on witnesses and present documents, to be free from coercion, force or intimidation, are being violated with impunity.

Again the mayor is a non-combatant and should be released without preconditions,
including both of his escorts who enjoy the same basic rights as any other.
It is unfortunate that while they are talking peace with government, the NPA has
escalated its attacks and other acts of violence to unprecedented levels, committing the very acts they accuse government of doing.

Obviously, they are working on the assumption that human rights apply only to them
and that they can easily deprive those they choose to.
Thus, Gov. Oscar S. Moreno, Chairperson of the PPOC, has joined the GPH Panel in
reiterating the call to the CPP/NPA/NDF to seriously talk peace with government if they are serious in desiring to end the armed conflict.

“We ask that they stop these abductions, killings and other criminal acts which
benefit no one, except those who actually profit from violence,” the Governor added. (PIO/PIA-10)

Laguindingan road Interchange Project Gets RDC Nod

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

MISAMIS ORIENTAL NEWS – The construction of a complementary infrastructure support facility of the Laguindingan Airport Development Project (LADP) have been approved by the Regional Development Council of region 10 (RDC-X).

Worth Php500 million, the Laguindingan Road Interchange Project (LRIP) aims to improve access from and to the LADP by constructing a two-lane elevated highway to address the traffic congestion along the junction of the Butuan-CDO-Iligan Road (BCIR) and the airport access road.

Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz of Iligan City said the LADP is expected to be completed in the first quarter, next year, and among the identified concerns upon its completion is the proposal to construct a road interchange project.

“The RDC-X Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee having thoroughly discussed the merits of the proposal has recognized the urgency and importance of the project,” Cruz, who is also the RDC-X Chairperson, said.

Meanwhile, the LRIP will have the following components and their estimated cost: Civil works consisting of an estimated 1.50 km. ramp worth Php45 million, and 60 lineal meter pre-stressed concrete box girder bridge with a design capacity of not more than 25 tons, Php60 million .

Road widening of 2 km. length, Php50 million, retaining wall of about 200 meters, Php40 million, drainage facilities of about 1.5 km. in length and installation of street lighting and traffic control devices, Php100 million.

Acquisition of the Road Right of Way (RROW), Php100 million and technical assistance, Php35 million.