SO THERE were three Chinese nationals who were arrested for illegal mining in the mountains of New Corella, Davao del Norte? And nabbed together with the foreigners was a Filipino who was their backhoe operator.
No doubt the arrest was a welcome development. But what is sad about the apprehension is that for years Chinese nationals who claimed to represent this and Chinese corporations in mainland China have long been conducting mining operations in some other provinces in the Southern Mindanao Region, more specifically in Davao Oriental.
In fact, the hardly monitored mining is the primary reason why the Eastern Davao Province, especially its capital city of Mati, has become very vulnerable to flooding during the past two or three years.
The worst thing about the Chinese-operated mining establishments in Davao Oriental is that years back – and even possibly until now – the mines firms are directly transporting the mineral ores to China where these are processed into finished products.
One of the mining companies, we were informed, even hired as a communications consultant a former ranking official of a local government. This official, according to our sources, is now amply rewarded with a well-coveted position.
And going back to the apprehension of the three Chinese nationals we are just aghast with the thought that it took the police and the Bureau of Mines years to apprehend foreigners who have been “raping” the Region’s natural resources in cahoots with certain Filipino businessmen.
******************************
Eight-seven former rebels surrender. The ceremony was held at the base of the 89th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Nacabuklad, San Fernando, Bukidnon.
If those who surrendered were former rebels, then we may interpret it to mean that the 87 have already quit the rebel movement and gone inactive in their fight against the government. What then was the surrender ceremony, just the rites formalizing their return to the fold of the law? Those who gave up should have been in the active service of the rebel movement for their attending the ceremony appropriately called surrendering to the government authorities.
Or, did the 87 former rebels officially surrender to take advantage of whatever perks offered by the government? By the way, when was the last time the military said that most barangays in both Regions X and XI are already considered rebel-free?
Why then are there still reports of surrender ceremonies if indeed the two regions are relatively free of the influence of anti-government rebels?
****************************
Is the peace agreement between the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government of the Philippines still holding?
It looks like some sectors in the Moro separatist groups are now reneging on their end of the peace bargain. Imagine some armed groups identified belonging to the MILF ambushing government soldiers in some remote areas in Basilan? The ambush resulted in the death of two soldiers and the wounding of 12 others.
Yes, just as the peace agreement is appearing very well in accord with its objective – lasting peace in Mindanao – came the blazing attack on government soldiers by alleged MILF members. What are they up to? The likelihood is that the MILF group was out to derail the peace agreement. But the possibility of the just moved BARMM regional elections as having influence in the conduct of the ambush on soldiers of government in Basilan, is not remote
We are hoping that no other similar bloody attack by alleged members of the MILF be ever perpetrated again. Otherwise, the government and the Moro rebels will again be back to square one.
******************************
Most vehicles in the Davao Region are unregistered, according to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) XI itself.
With motorcycles leading the unregistered vehicles plying the region’s many roads, the LTO estimated that the number is about 60 to 70 percent of the total number of vehicles in Southern Mindanao.
Did the LTO know of the prevalence of so many unregistered vehicles only very recently? Was it not that the agency was computerizing its transactions including registration to ensure that records are updated all the time and that it would be faster to know if there are anomalies or errors in entries?
Maybe the LTO and other stakeholders, including vehicle dealers should sit down and craft ways to prod vehicle owners to register every year. Perhaps a community effort in arresting the prevalence of unregistered vehicles is needed. Why not try it?
-30-
