MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno is now looking into reports that government agencies do not have enough chemicals to test all the migratory birds here on whether they are carriers of the dreaded highly pathogenic avian influenza or commondly known as Bird Flu virus.

August 5, 2008

This a he is now calling on all his constituents to be wary of any migratory birds as they that may have found their way in the locality.

In an interview with Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, Moreno said he has formed the Misamis Oriental Provincial Advisory Council for the Prevention and Control of Bird Flu since two months ago.

This council recently met with RFM president Jose Concepcion here and it was reported during the meeting that government agencies do not have enough chemicals to fully test migratory birds on whether they are carriers of the dreaded Bird Flu Virus.

Concepcion asked the Misamis Oriental Provincial Advisory Council led by Northern Mindanao Poultry Growers Association with provincial veterinarian Dr. Alfonso Ramosa as co-chairman to make a quantitative report on this difficiency.

He said the private sectors are willing to find ways to possibly fund such a difficiency considering that they are also stakeholders on this matter.

Moreno for his part said, “We are now mobilizing the Provincial Advisory Council to look into this matter.”

Already, Ramosa said they are mobilizing the Council to check on migratory birds that found their way to the towns of Alubijid, Balingasag, Gingoog and Opol all of Misamis Oriental.

The governor also expressed his gratitude for the participation of the private sectors particularly those in the poultry sectors in this concern.

“I would like to thank them for joining our Provincial Advisory Council,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Avian influenza or bird flu is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs.

It reported that Avian influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans.

In domestic poultry, WHO reported that infection with avian influenza viruses causes two main forms of disease, distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence.

This include the so-called “low pathogenic” form commonly causes only mild symptoms (ruffled feathers, a drop in egg production) and may easily go undetected.

WHO reported that the highly pathogenic form is far more dramatic and it spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks, causes disease affecting multiple internal organs, and has a mortality that can approach 100%, often within 48 hours.

Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their faeces, is presently considered the main route of human infection.

To date, WHO said most human cases have occurred in rural or periurban areas where many households keep small poultry flocks, which often roam freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children play.

It also reported how infected birds shed large quantities of virus in their faeces, opportunities for exposure to infected droppings or to environments contaminated by the virus are abundant under such conditions.

Moreover, WHO said because many households in Asia depend on poultry for income and food, many families sell or slaughter and consume birds when signs of illness appear in a flock, and this practice has proved difficult to change.

“Exposure is considered most likely during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking. There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or eggs can be a source of infection,” their report reads.

Meanwhile, Moreno and Ramosa are calling on the public to be wary of any migratory birds in their areas.

Already, WHO reported that poultry outbreaks caused by the virus were reported in eight Asian nations.

This includes the Republic of Korea, Viet Nam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Indonesia, and China.

Also in Malaysia reported its first outbreak of H5N1 in poultry, becoming the ninth Asian nation affected while Russia reported its first outbreak in poultry in late July 2005, followed by reports of disease in adjacent parts of Kazakhstan in early August.

WHO reported Mongolia reported the detection of the virus in dead migratory birds while just this month the same virus was confirmed in poultry in Turkey and Romania.

“Outbreaks in wild and domestic birds are under investigation elsewhere,” it reported.

———————————————–

by lizanilla J. Amarga

of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro

A MUSLIM group here voiced concerns over the heightened pursuit operations against the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiah elements reportedly sighted in Mindanao and even in some Muslim communities in Metro Manila over the past months.

In a statement to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, SUARA Bangsamoro Party vice-chairperson Amirah Lidasan said, “The successive bombings in Europe, Indonesia and most recently in Basilan

are being used to legitimize crackdowns and illegal arrests on Moro communities.”

She also criticized the joint RP-Aussie military operations

saying that it is as “violatory” to the Constitution as the Joint US-RP military operations are.

“Every time the Arroyo government would hype-up a terror

scare, over the ASG, the JI, or the Al-Qaeda network, Muslim communities in Metro Manila automatically become targets for crackdowns and civilians are arrested without warrants,” she said.

“Now, aside from the frequent US-RP military operations held, another foreign military force steps on Philippine soil, on a clear violation of the constitution.”

Lidasan said there is this “intensifying political repression and that Moro communities have been “preparing how to combat looming crackdowns through para-legal trainings and organizing barrio paralegal teams.”

She disclosed that basic courses on the Miranda Rights and the do’s and don’t's in cases of warrantless arrests, illegal detention, and other incidents that might subject individuals and communities to human rights violations, are

being held by the SUARA Bangsamoro.

“The people must know their rights and be firm in asserting them. We are preparing ourselves and our voice and unity are our only weapons,” she said.

“We know that the military and the police will use all necessary force just to get their escape goats. To this, we will remain vigilant and unwavering along with our Filipino brethren who are calling for the end of GMA’s Strong Republic,” she added.

For their group, Lidasan said the situation in Mindanao is “far worse, all-out-wars on the pretext of anti-terror operations have caused waves of displacement rendering many Moro towns and municipalities as ghost towns.”

She recounted how the July 2001 siege of Basilan wherein more than 100 men accused of being ASG men and sympathizers have been arrested without warrants upon President Arroyo’s declaration of state of lawlessness in the area.

Lidasan said majority of these men are detained in Camp

Bagong Diwa up to the present time.

“My Moro brethren in Camp Bagong Diwa are merely pawns of the Bush-Arroyo war of terror campaign. They have been incarcerated for four years suffering from discriminatory and inhumane treatment,” she said.

The Moro leader said such has been the “vicious cycle” which started to heighten after the 9/11 incident and is a consequence of the Arroyo and Bush governments’ anti-terror drive.

===========================================

by Lizanilla J. Amarga

of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro

HUNDREDS of workers from Oroport Cargohandling Services, Inc. (Oroport) who are also members of the Phase II Port Workers Union (PPWU) will hold a massive march rally this Thursday “to air their sentiments against a number of issues affecting the union and its members.”

PPWU is an affiliate of the huge Association of Labor Unions-Trade Unions Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).

It has 298 workers of the total Oroport 400 workers.

ALU-TUCP regional vice president for Northern Mindanao Nicandro L. Borja is requesting the City’s labor committee to probe Oroport’s gross violations of the terms of a Peace Accord brokered by City Councilor Edgar Cabanlas and wassigned by the concerned parties.

Oroport management spokesman Noel Tan said there is no truth that they violated the Peace Accord facilitated by the City Government.

“We specifically deny all the claimed violations of the peace accord brokered by the city council as well as the certification issued by the secreatry of labor for lack of factual basis,” he said.

“We nevertheless will respect their consitutional right

to peaceful assembly provided they will not disrupt

port operations as well as peace and order to the

detriment of the public in general and all port users

in particular,” he added.

In a statement to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro, PPWU union president Arturo Climaco said the rally would be attended by hundreds of PPWU-ALU-TUCP members and other sympathizers.

He said the rally will also call attention “continued harassment” of union members by Oroport management in “connivance with their rival rank-and-file union in Oroport, the exclusive cargo handling firm in the Cagayan de Oro sea port at Macabalan.”

Also, he said it will also bring to the public’s attention the brazen disrespect and disregard of Oroport management led by its president Franklin Siao.

“This on the Peace Accord mediated by City Councilor Edgar Cabanlas only last Oct. 24 and the mandatory conciliation order issued by Labor Dept. Patricia Sto. Tomas a day later,” he said.

Siao’s name was earlier dropped by City Mayor Vicente Emano as one of three local businessmen he was tapping to run as city councilors in the next local elections.

Climaco said, despite the signing of the accord by ALU-TUCP national president lawyer Democrito Mendoza, Sr. and Siao, Oroport “continues to undertake intimidating and pressure tactics against PPWU-ALU-TUCP members which keep tension at the port high.”

Under the terms of the accord, both parties agreed and “covenanted to hold talks to explore and discuss the issues of unfair labor practices for the purpose of reaching a mutually acceptable solution.”

PPWU-ALU-TUCP also voluntarily agreed to defer any action and focus efforts for a peaceful settlement.

Cabanlas, who was the chief architect of the peace accord between the two factions as chair of the city council labor committee earlier issued a warning to all concerned parties to refrain from issuing statements to the media, especially on matters that could disrupt the negotiations.

Because of this, Borja said they have formally requested Cabanlas in “writing to probe Oroport’s gross violations of the terms of the accord barely 24 hours after it was signed.”

“Among these are the deployment of some 500 scabs on Oct. 25-26 in the PTB, OTS, CFS and Agora gate areas heightening tension in the port area; fielding an additional sixty (60) security guards bolstered by a fire truck with water cannon who are mostly assigned to intimidate PPWU members, contrary to the DOLE order “not to commit any act that might exacerbate the situation,” he said.

Borja also cited how Oroport failed to comply with the conditions of the Department of Labor and Employment order prohibiting any form of lockout and re-admitting all workers under the same terms and conditions prevailing before the scheduled strike.

“To this date, nine capataz’s or work gang foremen affiliated with the ALU-TUCP have been refused entry by Oroport management on the grounds they might join the PPWU strike,” he said. A capataz is each composed of approximately 25 persons, or a total of some 225 workers.

Borja said among the laborers hired through contractors to replace the ALU-TUCP affiliated work gangs are some 30 children, aged 14-17 years.

He said they have already formally requested DOLE-X regional director Ponciano Ligutom to enlist the help of the City Social Services and DSWD Region 10 office to probe Oroport’s hiring of child laborers to work under very hazardous conditions at the port.

Meanwhile, Climaco said Oroport officials and MLU-FFW members continue to issue “inflammatory statements” and “deliberately baiting” PPWU-ALU-TUCP leaders and “other similar acts that serve to heighten tension within the area in brazen disrespect of Cabalas’ Peace Accord and the DOLE order.”

Besides PPWU members, Borja said they also expect symphatizers from another 20 ALU-affiliated unions in Region 10 to swell their ranks.

Supporters from the Cebu Waterfront Waterfront Council of Leaders-ALU-TUCP and the

10,000-strong National Union of Portworkers in the Philippines (NUPP), with which the PPWU-ALU-TUCP is affiliated are also coming.

The PPWU-ALU-TUCP is an affiliate of the Associated Labor Union (ALU) the biggest federation of labor unions in the country with 75,000 members nationwide, excluding the 10,000-strong NUPP. Both federations are headed by ALU Founder and National President Democrito Mendoza, Sr.

Other ALU officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said they also expect supporters from other labor federations to join the rally, especially those who earlier offered to support them in their quest for justice against Oroport and Siao.

===================================

Rants and raves

Tsunami also dealt

a blow on terrorists

Name and address

witheld upon request

Dear Editor:

I would like to share some of my insights on how the tsunami that hit several countries in Asia also wrecked terrorist and insurgent plans in these countries. I hope this would merit some space in your paper.

The tsunami wreaked its worst damage in Indonesia’s Aceh Province where 170,000 were killed or left missing. Aceh is also the focal point of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), a separatist group that has been waging a sporadic conflict with the Jakarta government for three decades.

More than 15,000 people have been killed during the conflict.

When the waves of the tsunami crashed on the shoreline of Aceh, it took a huge toll on the terrorist and insurgent movements. Countless fighters and tons of infrastructures were lost by the time the waters receded.

The ensuing recovery period dealt another blow to the terrorists. Survivors watched a steady stream of Western nations’ helicopters bring aid to Aceh, delivering something the insurgents could not.

The aid and support of the West to the victims of the tsunami totally overshadowed the pious prating of Osama bin Laden’s audiotape. And this is in Indonesia, the most populous Islamic country in the world.

The immense anguish caused by the tsunami has forced many to re-examine their positions and to readjust their priorities. Politics suddenly became less important than relieving human suffering.

In December it was hard to imagine the tsunami could have any positive impact on anyone’s life in Aceh. Yet, in August, thanks to talks prompted by the tsunami, a truce was reached between the Indonesian government and GAM rebels, ending the fighting.

The deal, signed in Helsinki by Indonesian Justice Minister Hamil Awaluddin and Malik Mahmood of GAM, provides for amnesty and disarming the rebels and restricts government troop movements in Aceh.

GAM dropped its historical demand for independence, and Jakarta agreed to let the rebels enter local politics.

Leaders from around the world greeted the truce with enthusiasm. Many saw it as an opportunity to lessen terrorist tensions in a part of the world that greatly needed it.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called it a “very happy, thankful and historic day” and expressed gratitude to his “brothers” in GAM for working to “reunite with the big Indonesian family to build a better future in Aceh.”

Less than two weeks after the agreement, hundreds of Acehnese rebels walked out of prison under the amnesty promised by the truce. In all, some 2,000 prisoners are expected to be released.

Muhammad Nazar, who once headed a non-governmental group promoting a referendum on Aceh independence, said, “Together we will support peace in Aceh. We hope that there will no longer be efforts to sabotage this peace.”

Successful implementation of the truce in one of Asia’s longest-running conflicts could smooth the way for a multibillion-dollar aid package from the West for reconstruction in Aceh.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he hoped the truce would “facilitate the effective rebuilding of Aceh after the tsunami disaster.”

The devastation in Aceh has been so broad and so extensive that, even months after the tragedy, many people still have not come to grips with it.

And the possibility of something beneficial resulting from the tsunami is even more difficult to grasp.

When asked about the truce, one 17-year-old tsunami survivor, trying desperately to hold back tears, said, “I’m not sure whether I should be optimistic or pessimistic about this agreement. The Acehnese have been suffering for far too long.”

======================================

by Lizanilla J. Amarga

of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro

LET us just talk shop instead of politics.

So said Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno in light of Mayor Vicente Emano’s statement that Misamis Oriental Second District Cong. Augusto Baculio, Jr. is planning to run for governor and has almost

This developed as two more businessmen are reportedly being eyed by Emano aside from Juan Suan, Elpie Paras and Franklin Siao to be part of his candidates for city councilors in 2007.

Also, Misamis Oriental First District Cong. Danilo Lagbas voiced his gratitude for the “kind words” offered by Emano who vowed to support his brother, Sugbongcogon mayor Benedict Lagbas, for a seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan this coming local elections.

But opposition leaders maintain that all these talks of politics are part of Emano’s diversionary tactic and even would facilitate more “corruption” at City Hall.

They believe that Emano is trying to spark a fight between Moreno and Baculio to pave the way of his comeback to the province.

Meanwhile, Moreno said that he would rather keep himself busy with making sure that the Province of Misamis Oriental maintains its leadership status here in Northern Mindanao.

“It’S too early to talk about politics. Tarbaho sa kita unya na kanang politika (Let us first work together and set aside politics),” he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Emano said several mayors from Misamis Oriental visited his office recently to ask him as to where he would be casting his support in the 2007 Local Elections.

“They told me that Cong. Baculio would be running for governor..this is his (Baculio’s) right and nobody should criticize him for this. It’s going to be a good fight,” he said.

Emano said one of the mayors told him that Baculio’s ticket is already almost complete and that it is composed of several mayors from the second district of the province except Claveria mayor Rocky Calingin who is getting married and begged for some time to properly settle-on with this new stage in his life.

Emano said he promised to support Sugbongcogon townmayor Benedict Lagbas and Gingoog City mayor Heidi de Lara who separately intimated to him that they would be running for a seat at the Provincial Board (PB) of Misamis Oriental in 2007.

Currently, only three SP members are serving their respective final term of office – SP member Alejo Butch Olano and Arsenio Kho, Jr. from the first district and SP member Pepito Gambe from the second district.

When asked for his comment on Emano supporting his brother who ran for townmayor of Sugbongcogon under the opposition’s banner, Cong. Lagbas said, “In politics there is no permanent alliance…this is a welcome move as no less than Mayor Emano share the strong convictions that my brother Benedict Lagbas could be an effective servant of the people as Sangguniang Panlalawigan member.”

The older Lagbas said he is thankful for whatever help Emano could give for his brother.

“No less than Mayor Emano believes that my brother Benedict Lagbas has a good track record and from the part of the Lagbas family, we thank him for his kind words,” he said. Mayor Lagbas is currently serving his final third term as chief executive of Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental.

Emano said it is also his right to run for any gubernatorial seat.

“It is my right and no one can criticize me for this as I once served Misamis Oriental as governor,” he said in the vernacular during his Mayor’s Move radio program over Sandy 101.

When asked for his comments on Emano running for governor of the province, Cong. Lagbas said, “Iya kanang katungod to (That is his right) run. Everything is possible.”

“In fairness to Mayor Emano, while we differ in terms of principles but he has all the right to run as governor for the province.”

Emano said he is also preoccupied with several city concerns including on who should be his city councilor bets by 2007.

The mayor said currently he is eyeing Suan, Paras and Siao to run for such posts as they are ‘good people’ and would do the public great service.

But there are now reports that Emano is also eyeing on a certain Henry Tan who owns the local Modtrade shops and Dodong Uy, the owner and operator of UKC Builders, Inc.

“Kini sila nakita ni Mayor Emano nga maayo usab kini sila nga matagaan ug higayon nga moserbisyo sa katawhan sa Cagayan de Oro (Both Tan and Uy are also being considered by Mayor Emano to be amongst those who would be given a chance to serve the people of Cagayan de Oro),” a source who requested anonymity said. by Lizanilla J. Amarga (2006)

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