Rappler Newscast | September 9, 2013

Today on Rappler. 

• The Moro National Liberation Front attacks and takes over 4 barangays in Zamboanga City.
• Among its demands: to raise its flag at the Zamboanga City hall.
• Senator Miriam Santiago dubs the pork barrel scam: EnrileGate.

 

Story 1: POLICE, CIVILIANS KILLED IN ZAMBOANGA SIEGE
At least 6 people are killed and 24 injured as members of the Moro National Liberation Front or MNLF take over 4 barangays in Zamboanga City early Monday.
Police Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor says at least 20 hostages are still being held by the armed men, while 200 civilians are stranded in Barangay Catalina.
The 4 barangays affected are Sta Barbara, Sta Catalina, Rio Hondo, Mariki, and areas in Talontalon.
Around 912 civilians have evacuated.
The Zamboanga attacks come on the same week the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are set to resume the final leg of their peace talks.
The MILF is a breakaway group of the MNLF.
The MNLF opposes the current Bangsamoro peace process.
It also wants to re-open talks with the Aquino government because of the supposed failure of the 1996 peace agreement it signed with former President Fidel Ramos.
A Mindanao Examiner report says the attack group is led by Habier Malik, a top aide of MNLF founder Nur Misuari. 
Police reports obtained by Rappler show one group launched attacks at the seashore of Barangay Mariki early Monday.
A second group entered Barangay Catalina, using a mosque in the harbor area.
MNLF spokesperson Emmanuel Fontanilla says MNLF troops acted in self-defense after local cops allegedly conducted an “uncoordinated law enforcement operation.”
Fontanilla says the MNLF was supposed to hold a peace rally in the city.

Story 2: BASILAN ON ALERT; MNLF SETS DEMANDS
The entire province of Basilan is on alert, with the governor imposing a curfew starting 8 pm Monday up to 4 am Tuesday.
Governor Jum Akbar says the alert is based on intelligence reports that Basilan is the next target of the MNLF forces.
MNLF deputy commander Salid Ismael declares two demands for government: First, they want to be allowed to walk with their hostages to the Zamboanga City Hall, raise their flag and denounce the planned Bangsamoro independence of the MILF; second, they ask government forces not to fire at them and let them keep their hostages.
Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco rejects the demands.

Story 3: MALACAÑANG, SENATORS CONDEMN ZAMBOANGA ATTACK
Malacañang condemns the attack on Zamboanga City by suspected MNLF members, with presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda saying reports of civilians being used as human shields are a “cause for great concern.”

EDWIN LACIERDA, PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON: Upon the direction of the President, the secretary of the Interior and local government, the secretary of National Defense, and the AFP Chief of Staff have been sent to Zamboanga City where they will further ensure that the President’s directives are carried out. Well, number one, we want to make sure that the civilian population is protected. I am speaking in general terms. There are specific measures that the President has given out directives which I am not at liberty to disclose right now.

He says President Benigno Aquino is being briefed on the situation.
Senators also urge the government to quickly resolve the crisis.
In a statement, Senator Koko Pimentel calls for government action to ensure the peace process is not derailed.
Sen Sonny Trillanes says the siege shows the government’s peace talks with the MILF was not inclusive.
Trillanes adds, “The government peace panel should do something about this before another group rises to express its opposition to the peace framework agreement.”

Story 4: MNLF WANTS INDONESIA’S INTERVENTION IN ZAMBO
The MNLF wants the Indonesian embassy to intervene in the ongoing encounter in Zamboanga City and urges the Indonesian government to activate the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s “ceasefire committee.”
The group warns the conflict could reach as far as Sabah, if not addressed soon.
Indonesia is the chair of the OIC-Peace Committee for Southern Philippines, which brokered the talks between the government and the MNLF.
It was the third-party facilitator of the tripartite review on the 1996 peace agreement.
MNLF spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla says, “No one in Mindanao wants conflict. The conflict can be put to rest and we hope that the Indonesian Embassy could act on this matter.”

Story 5: SABAH TIGHTENS SECURITY AFTER ZAMBO ATTACK
Malaysia tightens security in Sabah, particularly along its sea borders with the Philippines, because of the ongoing crisis in Zamboanga City.
The Star newspaper reports the Eastern Sabah Security Command or Esscom is monitoring developments in the city.
The Star also quotes Esscom director general Datuk Mohammad as saying, “We have informed our security and defense officials to be on the alert. Esscom is also coordinating with security forces following the incident.”
Malaysian authorities fear the rebels might flee to Sabah.
In February, around 80 to 100 followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III attempted to “reclaim” Sabah.
The Esscom was formed in April as a result of the incident.

Story 6: INTEL FAILURE? MNLF TROOPS ENTERED ZAMBO 3 DAYS AGO
The Armed Forces of the Philippines says it monitored the entry of MNLF members in Zamboanga City three days ago, but could not prevent them because they were unarmed.
AFP public affairs chief Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala says they learned about a planned “mass action” in Zamboanga, but noted that the group held similar moves in Davao that were peaceful.
He says, “We monitored the entry of unarmed MNLF. We cannot prevent them. Yesterday, they were armed. That’s why we were able to set up the lines.”
Zagala says the arrest of MNLF troops carrying “high-caliber firearms” Sunday night prompted government response.

Story 7: GOV’T, MILF GEAR UP FOR ‘FINAL’ ROUND OF PEACE TALKS
The Zamboanga attacks come as the government and rebel group MILF prepare for what they hope would be their final meeting in Kuala Lumpur as they resume negotiations on the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement.
The peace panels of both sides will hold talks for at least 10 days in a bid to arrive at a deal on power sharing and normalization.
Both sides already signed the contentious wealth-sharing annex, which gave the Bangsamoro 75% of revenues from taxes and metallic minerals.
Government chief negotiator Miriam Coronel-Ferrer says the annex on power-sharing will identify shared powers between the Bangsamoro region and central government and what would be the “exclusive powers” of the Bangsamoro.
The normalization annex involves the decommissioning of the MILF and other armed groups.
As the MILF and the government draw closer to a final peace pact, this month also marks the 17th year since the signing of the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF.

Story 8: MIRIAM: COURT CASE CAN SUSPEND POLITICOS IN ‘PORK’ SCAM
Sen Miriam Defensor Santiago says immediate suspension awaits her colleagues involved in the pork barrel scam once prosecutors file a plunder case against them in court.
Santiago says the 1991 Anti-Plunder Act provides that any public officer facing criminal prosecution in court shall be suspended from office.

MIRIAM SANTIAGO, PHILIPPINE SENATOR: Aba iba pala itong pagka-Plunder act. Pagkasampa ng kaso galing sa fiscal papunta pa lang sa korte, pag oral na ang pinag usapan, suspendido na ang senadors at congressmen. That will be a glorious day!

Santiago also slams Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and names the multi-billion peso scam after him.

MIRIAM SANTIAGO, PHILIPPINE SENATOR: Let justice be done, though the heavens fall, though the world perish. This scandal will be one of the most bloodcurdling crimes in Philippine political history. It should be known as Enrilegate.

Other senators tagged in the scam are Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Gringo Honasan, and former Senator Edgardo Angara.
Lawmakers allegedly allowed their development funds to be channeled to fake NGOs in exchange for kickbacks. 

Story 9: MIRIAM’S TOP 6 PORK PUNCH LINES
She’s known for her pickup lines, but this time, Sen Santiago directs her anger — and humor — at the pork barrel scam.
In a speech at the National Student Conference on Hotel and Restaurant Management, the senator draws laughter from the audience with her pork barrel punch lines.

1) Anong tawag ‘pag nagtapon ka ng basura sa dagat? Sagot: Pollution (What do you call throwing trash at sea? Answer: Pollution.)
Ano naman ang tawag kapag tinapon mo sa dagat ang mga pulitikong kurakot? Sagot: Solution. (What do you call throwing corrupt politicians at sea? Answer: Solution.)
2. Kapag nagsinungaling ka sa congressman o senador, kakasuhan ka na ng perjury, may jail term ka pa. Pero kapag ang congressman o senador nagsinungaling sa iyo, ginagawa na nila ang trabaho nila, magkakaroon pa sila ng bagong term. (When you lie to a congressman or senator, you will be charged with perjury with a jail term. When a congressman or senator lies to you, they are just doing their job and will even have a new term.)
3. How to tell if a politician is telling the truth: Whenever he’s crossing his arms, he may be telling the truth. Whenever he’s stroking his chin, he might be telling the truth. Whenever he looks at you straight in the eyes, he might be telling the truth. But when he opens his mouth, he is lying.
4. There was a study on the connection between government employees and the sport they play.
Ang paborito raw sport ng entry-level government employees ay basketball. (They say the favorite sport of entry-level government employees is basketball.)
Kapag lower management position na, ang paborito raw nila ay bowling. (For lower management position, it’s bowling.)
Kapag upper management naman, paborito raw nila ay tennis. (For upper management, their favorite is tennis.)
Ang paborito raw na sport ng high-level government officials is golf. (The favorite sport of high-level government officials is golf.)
The study then made this conclusion, kapag tumataas ang posisyon mo sa gobyerno, lumiliit ang balls mo. (The study then made this conclusion, the higher your position in government, the smaller your balls get.)
5. May 3 doktor, pinag-uusapan [nila] kung anong pasyente ang pinakamadaling operahan. (There were 3 doctors, talking about which patient is easiest to conduct an operation on.)
Sabi ng una: Electricians – everything inside them is color-coded. (One said: Electricians – everything inside them is color-coded.)
Sabi ng pangalawang doctor: Librarians – everything inside them is in alphabetical order. (The second said: Librarians – everything inside them is in alphabetical order.)
Sabi ng pangatlo, pulitiko ang pinakamadali: They have no brains. They have no guts. They have no hearts. And they have no balls. (The third said politicians: They have no brains. They have no guts. They have no hearts. And they have no balls.)
6. Top 3 na pinakasinungaling na trabaho sa Pilipinas:
Number 3: Beautician: Sasabihin nilang maganda ang customer kahit hindi naman talaga. (The top 3 jobs with the most liars in the Philippines — Number 3: beautician. They will say the customer is beautiful even when she is not.)
Number 2: Konduktor ng jeep: Sasabihin niya na dalawa pa ang kasya kahit puno na. (Number 2: jeepney conductor. He will say there is still room for two even when the jeepney is full.)
And last and the most prolific of all these liars, Number 1: Pulitiko. That’s the end of the story. (Number 1: politicians. That’s the end of the story.)

Story 9: MARCOS: MY SIGNATURE IN PDAF DOCS FORGED
Sen Bongbong Marcos denies involvement in the pork barrel scam, saying his signature in endorsement letters is forged.
In a statement, Marcos says his office’s internal investigation shows his and his staff’s signatures were falsified, and the documents involved were of “dubious origin.”
Marcos says –quote– “In my 9 years as a legislator, I have steered clear of any controversy. I have always exerted due diligence to ensure that every centavo allotted to my projects is used properly and meaningfully in projects meant for the people.”

Story 10: WHY OVER 7% GROWTH MAY LEAD TO BROWNOUTS
Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla says the Philippines’ energy demand is expected to increase as the country’s economy grows.
With the Philippines growing 7.5% in the second quarter, Petilla says new power plants may not be able to meet future energy needs.
He adds, “While all of us pray that we hope the country can sustain its strong growth rate, we at the [Department of Energy] are worried.”
It takes up to 4 years to build new power plants.
Traditionally, every 1% increase in the country’s economic growth rate translates to a 1.5% increase in energy demand.
Petilla says the power plants currently being built will be finished in two years.
He says the worst case scenario could be rotating blackouts in Luzon during peak hours.
Among the solutions being considered is the establishment of an electricity reserve market and gas-fired power plants.

Power Plant image from Shutterstock

Story 11: OBAMA GEARS UP FOR ALL-OUT PUSH ON SYRIA
US President Barack Obama prepares for an all-out push in winning support for limited US military intervention in Syria.
Lawmakers return Monday to begin debates on the plan, with a Senate vote possibly coming as early as Wednesday.
Obama will go on US networks Monday evening before addressing the American people from the Oval Office on Tuesday.
In an interview with TV network CBS, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad denies he ordered a chemical attack on his people last month.
He also warns Americans not to become militarily involved in Syria, adding, “It had not been a good experience for them to get involved in the Middle East in wars and conflicts.”
After talks with Arab League leaders in Paris, US Secretary of State John Kerry says they agreed that Assad’s –quote– “deplorable use of chemical weapons… crosses an international global red line.”
While a resolution for a military strike is likely to pass the Senate controlled by Obama’s Democrats, a Washington Post survey shows some 224 of the 433 members of the Republican-dominated House will vote either “no” or were “leaning no” on military action as of Friday.

Story 12: THE wRap: YOUR WORLD IN ONE READ
At number 5, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd steps down as Labor chief after a heavy defeat to the conservatives in the September 7 polls.
In his concession speech, Rudd says he will not be recontesting the party’s leadership and says the Australian people “deserve a fresh start.”
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation called a clear win for the Tony Abbott-led conservative opposition over Rudd’s Labor in national polls.

At number 9, Tokyo gets the coveted rights to host the 2020 Olympic Games.
Thousands of Japanese celebrate the news, with cheers and shouts ringing out as Olympic chief Jacques Rogge read the IOC decision.
Four-time Olympic swimming champion Kosuke Kitajima tells NHK, “It is like a dream that Tokyo will host the Olympics.”

And at number 10, World number one Serena Williams gets her fifth US Open title, and second in a row, by outlasting second-ranked Victoria Azarenka.
On Sunday, the 31-year-old American captures her 17th career Grand Slam crown.
She is the first top-seeded champion since Justine Henin in 2007 and the first woman to defend the US Open crown since Kim Clijsters in 2010.

Story 13: CHERIE GIL, PEQUE GALLAGA TEAM UP FOR SONATA
The film Sonata captures the poetic eloquence of Negros in a story about a unique friendship and the healing power of art and the countryside.
G Tongi reports.

G TONGI, REPORTING: I’m here at Rockwell for the private screening of the film, Sonata, an entry in this years’ Film Development Councils’ Sineng Pambansa.

SONATA is about an unlikely friendship between a boy named Jon Jon and retired opera singer, Regina Cadena.
Cherie Gil does not only play the title role of Regina.
She also produces the film.

CHERIE GIL, ACTRESS/ PRODUCER OF SONATA: This has been written by Peque and Lore for like four years and until FDCP came up with the idea and Peque immediately, instinctly said, This is the time and boy, it’s more than a dream come true! It’s like full circle… for Peque and I and Lore.

Co-director Peque Gallaga says that finally making Sonata after all these years with Cherie Gil is a dream come true on many levels.

PEQUE GALLAGA, DIRECTOR OF SONATA: I’ve done so many movies and I’m nervous all over again! It’s like I’m gonna pop my cherry for the first time! And I think, that’s what makes life exciting! When you get scared about things, when you get nervous and this project means a lot to me!

Gallaga has worked with Gil several times in the past.
He says the big difference in this collaboration lies in the maturity of their artistry, which shows in the film.
Gallagas’ constant partner in film making since 1985 is co-director Lore Reyes.

LORE REYES, DIRECTOR OF SONATA: We’ve done 29 films, I think, together. Why does it last? Because we love working with each other! Pareho kaming collaborator eh and we enjoy working with each other! We were friends first before we started working.

Wango Gallaga, the son of Peque is also the screenwriter of Sonata.
He feels the pressure but admits the writing process has been a very personal and profound journey back to his roots.  

WANGO GALLAGA, SCREEN WRITER OF SONATA: I have been able to, I feel like establish myself and put a strong foundation in writing…but at the end of the day, yes, everyone really expects me to be at the level of my father and I just hope that I can reach half that.

Richard Gomez also plays a cameo in Sonata and says there’s a whole history behind his friendship with Cherie Gil.

RICHARD GOMEZ, ACTOR IN SONATA: Eto lang yung magagawa ko for her and so one day she called me and asked me if I can do a small part in her movie and I said, Anytime! Just tell me when I’ll be there and that’s what I did!

The breathtaking film is also a tribute to the beauty of Negros Occidental.
From the same tandem that brought you Oro, Plata, Mata, Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes create another powerful masterpiece of a film with Actress turned Producer Cherie Gil. Sonata opens in all SM Cinemas on September 11, 2013. G Tongi Rappler Manila.

Newscast production staff

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / WRITER	Lilibeth Frondoso
DIRECTOR	Rupert Ambil
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER / PUBLISHER	Rodneil Quiteles
	Dindin Reyes
HEAD WRITER / PROMPTER	Katerina Francisco
MASTER EDITOR / PLAYBACK	Vicente Roxas
	Exxon Ruebe
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR / CAMERAMAN	Charlie Salazar
	Adrian Portugal
	Francis Lopez
	Naoki Mengua
GRAPHICS	Jessica Lazaro
	Matthew Hebrona