The headline today (7 mines threaten pullout. Army says NPA seeking higher ‘tax’) is a report on the alleged extortion activities of the NPA in Mindanao, targeting mining companies, from an interview with a military spokesperson. The report mentioned the other issue that makes life harder for mining companies, the opposition of the Catholic Church to their operation due to environmental concerns. AFP +1. Catholic Church -1. NPA -1.
The other front page news today:
President warns of new terror campaign - a report where the President shows concern related to the bombing in a Sulu church inside a PNP camp and his determination to catch the perpetrators, while the PNP is being questioned as to how such an attack would have happened. The report also carried the Pope's message as well as other groups messages condemning the attack. Aquino +1. PNP -1. Catholic Church +1.
Poverty breeds new Red generation - a report from the AP about the NPA celebration on the occasion of their anniversary, that surprisingly turned into a praise piece for the President, and looks like a repeat of a previous front page news report. Aquino +1. NPA +1.
Aquino signs P1.6-trillion nat’l budget, vetoes 13 provisions - is a confusing report where the President signed the budget, thanked congress for its passage, while vetoing some of its portions. The report also shows the administration's budget secretary proudly saying the budget is tilted towards social service. The report includes some comments from Sens Recto and Pangilinan, the latter chiding former President Arroyo for twisting the budget process. Aquino +1. Recto +1. Pangilinan +1. Arroyo -1.
Senators chide Aquino aide for rumor feed - a report on Senators Escudero and Pangilinan weighing in on the expected changes in the cabinet in January. Escudero +1. Pangilinan +1.
‘Tanging Ina’ wins most Metro Manila Film Festival awards - a report on the MMFF.
Water lilies mean cash for weaver - a story of a person from Valenzuela on her specialization in water lily fibers.
Green groups also blame DENR for rise in slays - a continuation of reports on illegal logging, this time pinning the blame on the DENR and the communist rebels. DENR -1. NPA -1.
The scores:
Aquino: 3
Pangilinan: 2
Escudero: 1
Recto: 1
AFP: 1
Catholic Church: 1-1=0
NPA: 1-1=0
PNP: -1
DENR: -1
The headline news by Donna Pazzibugan is indeed very true, but not only in Mindanao; such is also happening in other parts of the country - specifically in the mining province of Camarines Norte. And not only the NPA, but the very politicians elected by the people, who are supposed to be promoting local investments, are engaged in extortions and demanding "donations" reportedly as high as Pesos 10M from each small and big scale (Chinese investors) miners.
ReplyDeleteThe incumbent provincial governor is reportedly behind this (orders being carried out under cover via his trusted/designated provincial lawyer/administrator). Governor Tallado as we all know lost in previous elections but won his electoral protest (against Atoy Typoco) just before the end of his supposed 3 year term and the start of the recently concluded national elections, and reportedly trying to recover his "lost income" fast and resorting to this activity using his power and control over the local mining industry - which for him is a quick source of money. Suggest Daily Inquirer to research more on this; instead of the money going to the coffer of the Philippine government, Tallado is also obviously accomulating funds for his possible re-election try comes 2013. Daily Inquirer can obtain more facts in the mining towns of Paracale and Jose Panganiban. Let truth be known !
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