Palace: We're Filipinos - let's talk peace in the Philippines

By: Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines — There is no need for a third party facilitator for the peace talks between the government and the communists because the matter can be addressed by Filipinos, Malacañang said yesterday.

“Let’s just say that as far as the President is concerned, venue matters. He does not understand why we should continue talking in Norway. We are all Filipinos. We can talk about it here in the Philippines. Why do we need to go far? It will just entail costs,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said at a press briefing.

Asked if there is a need for a third party facilitator for the talks, Roque replied: “Wala na po siguro, nandito na naman tayo sa Pilipinas. (Perhaps no more. We are here in the Philippines).”

“But you know, any party who wants to help and who’s been involved in the process can help. But the point of the President is he does not understand why we have to talk in another country,” Roque added.

Roque said the government peace panel has the authority to fix the logistics and other requirements for the resumption of talks. He noted that President Duterte has also offered to shoulder the costs of travel of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison and other communist negotiators who will join the talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“The President is dead serious about (the talks). He has already asked the Department of Justice to file the necessary motions in court to set free individuals who will be participating in the talks and I think that is the best evidence of good faith on the part of the government,” he added.

Palace justifies delay
Duterte has moved the talks scheduled for this month to July, a move that communists said would enable the military to launch offensives against the New People’s Army (NPA).

Roque said the delay in the talks with the communists was meant to ensure that any agreement would pass legal scrutiny.

He said the communists should go slow in releasing documents and statements about topics that should be settled during negotiations.
“(Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process) Secretary (Jesus) Dureza told me there are matters that should be discussed among negotiators and should not be released to the public,” he said.

“They can address their troops but let’s keep matters being discussed in the peace talks for the ears of the negotiators for the time being,” said Roque.

One of the documents released by the NDF is the supposed stand-down agreement that was said to have been signed by government and communist negotiators in Utrecht, the Netherlands last June 8.

The stand-down agreement supposedly required the two parties to cease hostilities to create an atmosphere conducive for the resumption of formal peace talks. The agreement also prohibits the conduct of offensives against combatants and civilians.

Roque said he could not comment on a document that was not released by the government.

“I have not seen the document and as far as I am concerned, we still have to subject it to authentication and vetting, which is our practice in the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson,” he added.

Communist guerrillas believe the government cancelled the resumption of peace negotiations because of a plan for an all-out military offensive across the country until the end of the year.

“By calling off the scheduled peace negotiations with the NDF, Duterte aims to give the Armed Forces of the Philippines more time to complete its military campaign plan for (the year) of mounting bigger offensives under Oplan Kapayapaan in the hope of crippling the NPA and inducing the NDF to negotiate a surrender,” the CPP yesterday said.

But Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has belied these claims. – With Artemio Dumlao, Michael Punongbayan, Jose Rodel Clapano

PLGU Comval joins 'Oplan Balik Eskwela' in Marawi

By: Rey Antibo

Compostela Valley Province--- The provincial local government unit (PLGU) of Compostela Valley joins the conduct of “Oplan Balik Eskwela 2018” in Marawi City on June 8-10, 2018.

Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy led the team together with the employees of the provincial engineering office.

The recipient school was in Pendolonan Elementary School in Marawi City were the province committed to repair the 2-units of classroom, repair of their comfort rooms and by donating a Bestank to be used for the potable water storage.

The program was also in collaboration with the Gawad Kalinga (GK) volunteers from Luzon, Visayas and from the land of Mindanao.

Faida P. Razul- one of the displaced teachers in Marawi Siege expressed her gratitude to the volunteers coming from the different places especially Comval for extending their help in preparing their school for the opening of classes.

“Sukad sukad sa dihang nahuman ang giyera sa Marawi nabati niya ang pag higugma nga gikan sa iyang kapwa Pilipino tungod sa sinsirong pagtabang sa pagrepair ug pagpanindot sa ilang eskwelahan pinaagi sa bayanihan nga programa,” said Razul.

Meanwhile, Manaoray Taratingan said that one of their problems is the damaged classrooms, water storage facility and the comfort rooms.

“Lisod gyud mag open ug klase kung nangaguba na atong facilities sa school unya walay saktong kapasilungan ang atong mga kabataan,” said Taratingan.

“Dako kaayo among kalipay ug pasalamat in behalf sa mga teachers ug parents sa mga taga Comval labi na kay Gov. Uy nga bisan sa kalayo sa ilang lugar giadto ug gitabangan gyud sila aron maandam ang ilang tagsa tagsa ka mga eskwelahan para sa pag abli sa klase,” said Taratingan.  (Rey Antibo, ID Comval)

Giduaw ni Comval Gov. Tyron Uy ang Ground Zero sa Marawi City kauban ang mga personahe sa Gawad Kalinga ug Provincial Government of Compostela Valley sa maong pagbisita. Matud niya, "Dili angay kalimtan ang nahitabo dinhi sa Marawi. We are reminded that we should come together as a country to ensure that we can rebuild this city. Compostela Valley remembers Marawi.”   Si Gov Uy mao usab ang kasamtangan chairman sa Regional Peace and Order Council. (Maryel Lasaca // ID Comval)

Comval's last leg for VDSF

Aquathlon culminates in Mabini

Compostela Valley province—The province’s last leg for the Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDSF) event culminates with the successful holding of the 1^st Comval Aquathlon held in Mabini on June 17, 2018.

“The Comval Aquathlon is the last VDSF event hosted by Comval from mountain climbing for women last April, to Mars Attack National Climb last May and successfully ended in the fine waters of Mabini Protected Landscape Seascape, our way of celebrating Father’s Day!”, Provincial Tourism Officer Christine Dompor said.

With 96 participants, the aquathlon covers a 600-meter swim challenge from Kopiat Island to the mainland, particularly at Manaklay Beach Resort, and a 1,000-meter run for the adult category and kids aging 11-14 years old. While the kids’ category ages 7-10 years old covers a 200m swim.

For the over-all adult category aging 20-49 years old, Jomar Turno of Tagum City bested other swimmers-runners clocking 16:01 (16 min, 1 sec) followed by Edison Cayano at 16:24 and Dos Gumela at 16:33.  For the boys/girls category (7-10 y.o.), Xander Barraca topped at 3:20 followed by Matthew Dugaduga at 3:21 and Keanne Albert Alpiz at 3:22.

The 1^st place for all categories received cash prizes of P7,000 and plaques each. While the 2^nd  and 3^rd placers received cash prizes of P5,000 and P3,000 each plus plaques, respectively. All finishers also received medals and gift items from the event sponsors.

Jojo Bernadas who topped the female adult category aging 35-49 y.o, finds it challenging saying the experience was great. “I am a runner and joined ultra marathon. But this is my first time to swim in open water and join this kind of competition,” the 49 year-old power-lady said.

“We would like to position Comval as a prime tourism destination, also hosting triathlon and other sports events. We have this beautiful island for a great cross-channel experience,” Gov. Tyron Uy, who is also a sports enthusiast, said.

Also present and giving their support are Mabini Mayor Reynaldo Dayanghirang, President and CEO Tomas Lorenzo of Lorenzo Group of Companies and owner of the Lubi Plantation in Kopiat Island, the jump off point for the swim-run event, Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Butch Blanco, CVPPO Provincial Director PSSupt Roderico Roy, AFP, local officials and different partner-organizers of the event such as the Provincial and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and Health Offices, Mabini tourism officer Elizabeth Dayanghirang    Red Cross-Comval, and the Phil. Coast Guard, and the different support offices of the provincial government. The race technical director of the event is Dax  Ang of Davao Adventure Xtreme.

Summing up the event, Dompor ended, “it’s a splash, it’s an epic run! We happily thank everyone for joining us this year and we are cooking for more sports adventure in Compostela Valley from highlands to the islands!”    (fe fuentes-maestre/ID Comval)