by anyajulia | Sep 18, 2009 | Headlines, National News
“Peace remains a major priority program of her administration,” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said. Arroyo adds, “Whether it is a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) or our ongoing fight against the communist insurgents, I am confident we will be able to achieve peace.”
She said the best weapon against terrorism and insurgency “soft power” or investments in infrastructure and social services to improve the lives of the people and give them hope for the future.
The President said her government is pursuing peace negotiations with the MILF and “there is reason to be optimistic. As you know there are previous signed accords between the MILF and the government.”
The government also remains open and ready to resume formal negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF. (OPS)
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by anyajulia | Sep 18, 2009 | Headlines, National News
“Soldiers are ready,” an Army official said. This is in reaction to the Local Terrorists (NPA) pronouncement of Mindanao-wide offensive.
Lt. Col. Rolando Joselito Bautista, Chief of the Civil Military Operations of 10th Infantry Division, said there is nothing new to the pronouncement and the military is expecting it based on the trends of atrocities committed by the local terrorists from previous years.
Bautista also disclosed that they have been preparing for such offensives in the provincial boundaries due to the thin presence of government troops in those areas.
The Local Terrorist Group (NPA) has been waging a forty-year Maoist insurgency and peace talks have been stalled many times due to allegations of both parties against each other of violations of the peace process. (10th Infantry Division, PA)
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by anyajulia | Sep 18, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
BOHOL’s secret formula: its edge in getting the best chances for funding its agrarian reform projects is the convergence strategy.
Agrarian Reform Officer Atty Johnson Sinco and Dr. Tony del Socorro both agree that it is not poverty that puts Bohol closer to the CARP fund buckets, but the shared responsibility between governments and the community.
PARO Sinco in fact said that the cooperation among stakeholders give Bohol communities the best chances of getting the three CARP projects funded,
He said Bohol leads other Central Visayan provinces with three projects aligned for Japan International Cooperation Agency funding this year. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Sep 17, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
A KEY Army Brigade officer said the government is willing to protect their soldiers or auxiliary army, but only if they commit offenses in the line of duty.
802nd Brigade Civil Military Operations officer Major Eduardo Malig-on said this in reaction to the published reports about abuses allegedly committed by members of the Civilian Armed Forces for Geographical units (CAFGU) in Anda.
In a press statement, Major Malig-on said the army has initially found that the subject CAFGU accused of atrocities ranging from attempted rape, drunkenness, indiscriminate firing and stabbing was not on duty at the time.
Malig-on added that the army would never tolerate any abuse, especially by their men, and stressed that the army is doing its best to investigate and bring the subjects of the complaints to answer for the allegations. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Sep 17, 2009 | Features, Headlines
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proceeds to the United Kingdom then Saudi Arabia from Turkey in her three country swing visit to promote the Philippines as an attractive investment destination.
The trip, a much-needed one in this time or economic would also hope to engage overseas Filipino workers and look after their welfare.
The president also hopes to strengthen bilateral relations with said countries as well as strengthen diplomatic relations.
President Arroyo left the country early dawn today Wednesday for an official visit to Turkey upon the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul. (PIA)
