Outrage

This was the news on TV that greeted me in the early morning.

A minute later, I was feeling rage in my blood. How could this government become so bare-faced in its tyranny?

We are going back to martial law. And ironic is, here is the man Satur Ocampo, a political prisoner during those times, now facing the same fate he had three decades ago of being jailed for his convictions.

This incident has stirred outrage. Bayan Muna seems to be thankful that this projection seems to serve their campaign as their rankings in the survey rose. Also, Ka Satur has gathered support from the opposition, academe, church and the middle forces.

The peacemaker?

The AFP is putting a peacemaker to head its division in the volatile Maguindanao area.

The man is Maj. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, former chief of the 1st Infantry Division or Tabak Division in Western Mindanao, who will now trade places with Maj. Gen. Nehemias Parajito on the helm of the 6th Infantry Division.

Reports of his conflict management skills will be put to the test, as he arrives at a time where clashes between the armed forces and the MILF in Midsayap, North Cotabato have led to the evacuation of 4,000 families. The situation has been much tense and harrowing for the Moro people there as noted by this report.

Araw ng Dabaw

The hard times, plus being election year, may have somewhat dampen the spirit in this year’s celebration.

But still, I and Che was able to see the parade during the Araw ng Davao. The weather was fair so we are spared from the hot sun.

We got to see the floats that presented the history of Davao. Also eye-catching were the parade of arms and tanks of the military.

It was also fun to see celebrities like the Sex Bomb Girls. And being election year, candidates were seen on stage with Mayor Rody Duterte.

It was still an enjoyable day for Davaoeños. Basta dinhi sa Davao, lingaw.

Here are pictures taken from the parade by davaotoday.

myth of the Mindanao candidate

Cris Diaz of Sunstar Cagayan de Oro writes an incisive opinion on the failure of Mindanao politicians to fare well in national elections.

It is a tragedy that these Mindanao politicians, then and now, have not made a dent to carry Mindanao issues in their platforms. If they do, it is all talk, no action.

And if these present crop of five Mindanao candidates vying for the Senate are counting on the Mindanao vote, they have to wake up from this myth.

Recent surveys show that not one of them are closing in on the winning circle of 12. Proof that the voting public is now keen on choosing candidates based on issues and principles, and not on geography. Also, the present elections is shaping up to be a protest vote against the Arroyo administration.

Mindanaoan tops senatoriable list…

… in election spending that is.

The man is Prospero Pichay, erstwhile Congressman from Surigao del Sur, who by now is invading our TV sets with his Pro-Pinoy ads. read article

However, his huge spending has not translated into votes. Pichay is lagging behind the surveys, as well as most of his partymates from the administration’s Team Unity. read article

What a waste of money. So far all his ads have done is to create jokes such as this: “Mabuti pang itanim ang Pechay sa sinabaw.”

Heart for Mindanao?

By coincidence or by purpose, two Davao dailies last Saturday ran feature articles on the two military generals based in Southern Mindanao.

Sunstar featured Lt. General Rodolfo Obaniana of the newly created Eastern Command in Mindanao. Mindanao Times ran a cover story on Gen. Ernesto Boac of the newly created 10th Infantry Division, which operates in Southern Mindanao and Socsksargen. (I’m afraid there is no link for the Mindanao Times article. Try to grab their March 10 issue)

If you get to read those articles, better note that both are written in the same manner, detailing their histories and military records. And finally ending with the commanders speaking that their hearts long for peace in Mindanao.

Whatever these articles are spinning about hearts for peace, bombs and bullets are still flying all over Mindanao. It takes more than these articles to bring the message into action. read article

Ka Atong

Today, Renato ‘Atong’ Pacaide, peasant leader of Davao del Sur who was felled by an assassin, is laid to rest. Comrades, friends and families came for a funeral march in Digos City.

I met Ka Atong on several occasions in Davao. He comes across as a quiet person. His eyes and smile so gentle, yet it always strikes you. Behind this warmth is a person who has committed to activism since his college days. He is 53.

Ka Atong’s death reminds us of the ongoing military operations against militant leaders. In fact, another peasant leader in Davao del Norte survived an attempt in his life last January.

Ka Atong’s passing is a moment of grief for the peasant movement in Southern Mindanao. But it is also a moment of rekindling courage for his colleagues to continue his struggle for land, peace and justice. He will be greatly missed.

Women in partylist polls

Gabriela delcares the month of March as Women’s month in their ongoing campaign of advancing the Filipina women’s rights.

In a related issue, there are two Mindanao women leaders running in the partylist elections in hopes of raising the voice of the marginalized in Mindanao.

Prof. Luz C. Ilagan.Pushing Mindanao women’s agenda in Congress
Gabriela Women’s Partylist

Prof. Luz Ilagan, chair of Gabriela Women’s Partylist and second nominee. An educator from Ateneo de Davao Univeristy, former Davao City councilor, widow of the late Atty. Larry Ilagan. Ilagan fought the Marcos dictatorship alongside the mass movement in Davao and is now one of the staunch critic of the Arroyo administration.

Zaynab Ampatuan. A Hope for Mindanao Moros
Suara Bangsamoro Partylist
First Nominee

Zaynab Ampatuan, chair of Suara Bangsamoro Partylist and its first nominee. A Maranao hailing from North Cotabato, she and her family survived evacuations due to the all-out war campaign in Central Mindanao. She is a former student council president of University of Southern Mindanao – Kabacan, youth organizer, and delegate to various interfaith conferences here and abroad.

For women who take half the world and make it better.