Philippines receives US$73 million for energy projects

Life is better for the recipients of solar panels structured beside the low-cost houses in the island barangay of Pangapuyan in the east of Zamboanga City. They were installed by USAID’s Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy program which received some $73 million new funding to support the Philippine’s environment and energy programs and bring development to the poorest provinces in Mindanao.

US ambassador Kenney visits EQUALLS2 project

On February 11, 2009. US Ambassador Kristie Kenney arrived in Zamboanga City, Philippines, met schoolchildren at the Sta. Maria Elementary school and visited a Mentors Assembly and Refresher Training organized by Save The Children Foundation and the USAID-funded project EQUALLS2.

Kenney also visited the Recodo Elementary school where the US military turned-over books for the library from the “books for the barrio” foundation and the Zamboanga City Water District in Barangay Pasonanca for a memorandum of agreement signing.

Zambo businessman Jablo rescued

On February 10, 2009, kidnapped businessman Eliseo Jablo was rescued by the anti-kidnapping task force of the Zamboanga City police office.

As the rescue happened, another incident also happened. And I wrote:

‘CHECKPOINT CHARLIE’

How I Nearly Got Shot By Police at a Roadblock in Mindanao

Had it not been for the series of INSI safety training I’ve attended, things could have turned out badly for me.

It was a slow morning on February 10 when I got a call from a colleague that kidnapped businessman Eliseo Jablo had been rescued by authorities.

Members of the anti-kidnapping task force in Zamboanga City had launched an early morning operation to rescue the victim from a safe house near the SouthCom (Southern Command) village in the city. No one was hurt in the operation and the task force immediately launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

As soon as I got the call, I rushed to my house in a subdivision to get my cameras. I noticed policemen milling near the entrance as if they were waiting for something or someone. I didn’t give it a second thought.

I sped off in my jeep after I had gotten my equipment. The last street leading out of the subdivision was about 50 meters long. Police were on the other end. There were no checkpoint signs or barriers. I stepped on the accelerator, fearing I might miss taking a picture of the freed kidnap victim.

When I was about 10 meters away from the policemen, I saw some of them run to a side street while others took cover behind their vehicle. Suddenly a policeman was pointing his M16 rifle at my face. He was about three meters away from me and shouting, “Hinto! Hinto!” (Stop! Stop!).

I kept the engine idling and made eye contact with the policeman while showing my hands. At the same time I was shouting “media ako! Media ako” (I’m a journalist! I’m a journalist) while pointing to the press emblem on the windshield of my jeep.

By this time, more policemen armed with assault rifles, were moving towards me. One stood beside the passenger seat but he can see only my silhouette as the window was rolled up. All had their weapons cocked and ready to fire.

The one standing on my left was already shouting “baba! baba!” (Get down from your vehicle!) while pulling the door to open. Trembling, I kept showing my hands while shouting “media ako! Media ako!” (I’m a journalist! I”m a journalist) and followed instructions promptly.

He lowered his rifle slightly. At the same time, two men in plainclothes carrying calibre 45 handguns were running towards me. I told one of the men, whom I presumed to be the team leader, that I am a journalist and that my press ID card is in my jeep. He told me to get it and showed it to him.

After examining my press card, he said “Really sorry. We apologize. We were after someone who’s driving a jeep quite similar to yours and our information is that it will be coming from the direction where you drove.”

I did not have time to get their names or units. I just sped off, still trembling, to cover the freed kidnap victim at police headquarters. I recounted my ordeal to my colleagues, laughing to get the stress out of my system, to get me cooled down.

Maybe, I was just lucky it did not turn out badly. Or maybe I did things right. I replayed the whole thing in my mind: I kept identifying myself. I made eye contact. I promptly showed my hands. I promptly followed instructions. I kept my nerves even if I was shaking badly.

It was something I don’t want to happen again.

Kidnapped midwife Gumera released

It has been a very long time since I have posted in this blog. Its either I too busy to post or to lazy to do it – either way, I didn’t have time. Ha Ha. (Yeah time took over when I installed Windows 7 on my notebook, it took quite a while to install all drivers and softwares that I use. Windows 7 looks nice but with installation and permission problems.)

Hmm… I think this will be a very long task – holy week anyway so I think I have time.

After my last post on the memorandum signing, on February 9, 2009, Naval Forces Western Mindanao for the first time – at least it was mine, brought the media in Zamboanga City to Isabela City, Basilan Province for a press briefing on the kidnapping situation. When we came back to Zamboanga, Commodore Pama (now Rear Admiral – see how long it already has been after my last post?) was already bringing along kidnapped midwife Eleazar Gumera who was working in Lamitan, Basilan when he was kidnapped.

It should have been my scoop at first because I was the only one who were able to capture Gumera on camera when he went on board the Philippine Navy gunboat but the Commodore Pama later decided to give others the chance. :p

MOA on intercooperation signed

My latest coverage was that of the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the military’s Western Mindanao Command and the police’s Directorate for Integrated Police Operations for western Mindanao. On February 6, military and police heads came together for a close door operations briefing to discuss the inter-cooperability of their forces.

Lieutenant General Nelson Allaga and Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio signed infront of local and national media, the memorandum of agreement of intercooperability in fighting threats like kidnapping, terrorism and insurgency in their area of responsibility.

Hitech coast surveillance activated

Armed with high quality suveillance cameras and state of the art radar systems, Coast Watch was formally activated on January 29 by Philippine Navy’s Flag Officer in Command Rear Admiral Ferdinand Golez in Zamboanga City.

Coast Watch is fusion of surveillance and intelligence systems in western Mindanao. They employ the most sophisticated equipment to guard the seas and coast of lawlesness especially kidnapping, piracy and terrorism. Control points are located along the coast of Zamboanga City, in Basilan, in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The radar systems and hitech cameras can be used to detect atrocities happening at sea in real-time or “as it happens” and the Philipine Navy as well as other operating units in the area can act accordingly.

Zamboanga’s Coast Watch is the first in the entire country and will be the testing ground of its proficiency. “The long run is implementing this kind of efficient and less costly surveillance throughout the country,” said Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander Commodore Alexander Pama.

TFZ chief assures east coast security

On January 28, Task Force Zamboanga chief Colonel Santiago Baluyot reassured the teachers working in Sacol Island as well as in the nearby islets in the east coast that the military is doing their utmost capabilities in securing them especially in their travels to the mainland. This after three teachers have been abducted on January 23.

Baluyot likewise made his visits to Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit detachments to give out orders to secure and make patrols in their areas of responsibilities. The Cafgus have been

Been busy

I have been busy recently so I am uploading my recent coverages only now.