SERIES OF EXPLOSION ROCK MINDANAO

In just 2 days, three explosions rocked Mindanao, claiming no less than ten casualties, and at least 60 people wounded, based on initial reports.

The bomb that exploded near the Cotabato Cathedral last July 5, 2009 resulted to the death of five victims, including a two year old child, and at least 50 wounded. Authorities are still conducting investigation on the said incident.

Earlier this morning, July 7, 2009, a bomb exploded in the public market of Jolo, province of Sulu. Initial accounts from the ground reported at least two deaths and 20 people wounded.

Meanwhile, at least three people were reportedly killed in another explosion that shook Iligan City also this morning, along Corner Sabayle and Saray streets. Twelve more were wounded, including three in critical condition.

With the series of bombing that rocked different parts of the region, Anak Mindanao Party List Representatives Mujiv Hataman and Ariel Hernandez reiterated their strongest condemnation of these attacks and the call for vigilance and unity among the people of Mindanao.

“We have not recovered from the blow of the Cotabato bombing the other day, and we are again shaken by two more explosions in Sulu and Iligan. These series of violence that continue to claim the lives of innocent civilians must be stopped,” Hataman said.

The solon also called on the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces to intensify security measures while running after the perpetrators, “There is an urgent need for the authorities to intensify security measures to protect our people and foil any other attempt to sow terror. Apart from identifying and running after the perpetrators, extensive intelligence information is needed to make sure that incidents like these are thwarted. Credible intelligence work is also crucial in establishing the motives behind these bombing incidents. If this is a statement made by any particular group then they must come out and admit it, for they have not accomplished anything but kill innocent people.”

Rep. Hernandez also called on different sectors of society to unite and act together against these series of violence in the region. “What we are facing now requires a concerted, collaborative effort from all sectors of society - people and non-government organizations, peace and faith-based groups, government instrumentalities, and all others. We must continue building up peace initiatives in our communities and strengthen consultative mechanisms especially among us Mindanawans,” he said.

“What is happening now in the region is something that we, Mindanawans is capable of solving and responding to. We hope that this will not be used to justify any move towards a declaration of a state of emergency or the likes,” Hernandez said.

AMIN CONDEMNS COTABATO BOMBING

AMIN Representative Ariel Hernandez received information of a bomb explosion this morning, July 5, 2009, around 9 in the morning within the vicinity of the Cotabato Cathedral, Cotabato City.

Initial reports of the incident accounted at least two (2) on the spot deaths and 35 wounded including a 2 year old child in critical condition.

As circumstances behind the incident are still being established, Anak Mindanao through its Representatives, Ariel Hernandez and Mujiv Hataman expresses its strongest condemnation of this dastardly attack and calls for immediate and thorough investigation.

“We strongly condemn this recent attack and sincerely express our condolences to the victims and their families. This is an assault not just against the people of Cotabato but against all peoples of faith- Christians, Muslims and other religions, because the terror was sowed near a place of worship. Every religion in the world considers any place of worship as a sacred place that must be revered and respected,” Rep. Mujiv Hataman said.

Rep. Hernandez, while expressing deep concern on the incident, also called for vigilance and unity. “We call on the people of Cotabato and all Mindanawans in general to be vigilant, but at the same time we must not let evil and destructive acts weaken our spirit to build peace in our communities.  Let not this incident divide us especially along cultural or religious lines, let it rather bind us more and strengthen our unity,” he said.

AMIN Reps Visit and Turn Over Projects

in Central Mindanao

On June 30, 2009 AMIN Representatives Mujiv Hataman and Ariel Hernandez accompanied by two members of the party’s National Council, Datu George Quitoriano and Mr.Benedick Garde visited and turned over various projects amounting to a total of Four Million Pesos (P 4,000,000) to constituents in Cotabato City, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao and Midsayap, North Cotabato:

Youth Development Center in Rosary Heights 5, Cotabato City, a joint project with the Cotabato City Local Government and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation. AMIN allocated One Million Pesos (P 1,000,000) for the said building which will serve as venue for youth organizations’ trainings, seminars, meetings and other activities. The Youth Center was turned over to the custody of the Rosary Heights Barangay Council and SK Federation.

Six (6) trisikads (padyak) were also awarded to the members of Cotabato City Trisikad Drivers Association of the said barangay, Rosary Heights 5, Cotabato City.

Meanwhile, livelihood projects amounting to 1.5 million pesos were also visited and formally turned over by AMIN Party list. The following projects are to be implemented by the Kutawato Council for Justice and Peace, Inc. a non- government organization in Cotabato City and Department of Trade and Industry XII.

. Maguindanao Cotabato City – OFW Federation for Development, Inc.

The federation was organized in the last quarter of 2003 and composed of OFW organizations. It aims to collectively air the rights of its members, protect the OFWs as well as their families and as a group develop and capacitate themselves in looking for other sources of livelihood. The projects were given to two(2) member organizations of the federation- Dulangan OFW Organization and Tambak Women’s OFW Association. The former, composed of 23 members opened a mini-grocery store to be managed by the OFWs and their relatives while the latter, composed of 18 members will operate a complete Muslim Decoration Making Shop to not just augment their income but also promote their culture.   

2. Miteledted Women

This is an urban-poor women organization formed in Malagapas and composed of Christian and Teduray urban poor women. The project requested : hog-raising, for fattening and later on for selling. The amount of capital outlay will be revolved among women members for sustainability of the project as well as to provide equal opportunity to all members to participate in this undertaking. The second project  is food vending, where Local delicacies will be sold and vend to generate income. The capital released for this project will be extended to the beneficiaries and later on will be paid to the organization. Once the amount extended will be accumulated to the organization, it would then be revolved to members for sustainability.

3. Youth for Change and Democracy

Organized last July 2008 to cater to the various needs of the youth, YCD aims to bring about change for the betterment and development of its members. Having been a recipient of a similar project from Anak Mindanao YCD requested and received allocation for an internet café. By engaging in an income-generating project, the organization seeks to reach out to other youth, especially those out of school and provide them with opportunities to be able to go back to school.

A Multi-Purpose building for the Senior Citizens worth One Million Pesos (P 1,000,000) was also turned over by the two Representatives in Midsayap, North Cotabato.