Activist doctor shot dead in Davao

Dr. Rogelio “Bong” Peñera, head of the Department of Health (DOH) epidemiological research and surveillance unit tasked to monitor and address the A (H1N1) flu cases in the region, was killed in his car while going home. He was active in political campaigns that sought government’s attention to the sordid state of the country’s health care delivery.

Piñera was also a member of the groups Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), the Rx for Peace and the Health People United for the Removal of Gloria (Purga), a group of medical practitioners and health workers calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Read on.

Lawyers petition for writ of amparo

DAVAO CITY — Three lawyers whose names were in the military Order of Battle list filed a petition for a writ of amparo at the Regional Trial Court to preempt impending threats to their lives.

Davao lawyers Carlos Isagani Zarate, Lilibeth Ladaga and Angela Librado-Trinidad filed the petition before the RTC clerk of Court on Tuesday, June 16, asking the Court to order the respondents—mostly top military and police officers in the region—to produce all documents related to the inclusion of their names in the OB list and to “suppress” or “destroy” these information. They also asked the military to make a public apology to rectify the damages to their reputation and to explain why their names were put in the list. Read on.

Ludenio Monzon’s Killing: A Chronicle of a Death Foretold?

Human rights advocates wanted authorities to look beyond the fact that Monzon was killed by ski-mask wearing men on motorcycle.

“They (investigating authorities) should look into the fact that Monzon was once vilified by the military,” said Erlin Balinton, a volunteer of human rights group Karapatan who documented the circumstances of Monzon’s death. “He had a case filed with the Commission on Human Rights in October last year about how the military harassed him. They should look into his activities when he was still alive, if only to establish who could possibly have the motive to take his life.”
Balinton said that Karapatan has yet to find out about what police actions were being done in Boston. Read on.

Anti-mining Lumad leader killed in Davao Oriental

Ludenio Monson, a Mandaya farmer and leader of Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Boston (United Farmers of Boston), was shot at around 4:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday, a volunteer from the Solidarity Action Group for Indigenous Peoples (Sagip) told Davao Today in a text message.Monson was with a companion at the time of the incident.

He told colleagues last month that he (Monson) was already a “marked” man in his area. He said he got information that his name was in the military’s Order of Battle list and that he could be “taken anytime.” He was among those strongly opposed to mining. Read on.

Leader of farmers’ group shot dead in Davao City

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

BREAKING NEWS | Celso Pojas was the secretary-general of the Farmers’ Association of Davao City and spokesman of the KMP in Southern Mindanao. He was the first militant leader assassinated in Davao city, according to Karapatan-Southern Mindanao.

Slain farmers’ leader Celso Pojas during the peasant month press conference in October last year. The words on his hat reads “Land, not bullet.” (davaotoday.com file photo by Barry Ohaylan)

On Earth Day, environmentalists denounce Tudaya power plants

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Environmentalists are saying that altering the natural conditions of these important bodies of water in Mt. Apo would mean loss of biodiversity and, eventually, the death of the mountain. This could spell disaster for the Davao region, whose lands are nourished by its natural topography, which, in turn, ensures the year-round bounty of fruits and produce.

Members of Panalipdan hold an Earth Day protest in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office in Lanang, Davao City. (davaotoday.com photo by Jonald Mahinay)

Mindanao farmers can learn a lesson from Oton

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Growing plants in the summer could be very difficult, especially for farmers in Mindanao more prone to the risks of temperature increase. But farmers in a Panay town can help Mindanao farmers cope with harsh weather.

Some of Nepthalie Betito’s home-made organic fertilizers. (Photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

Media asked to improve coverage during disasters

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

For a country in the tropics surrounded by a belt of the world’s most active volcanoes and regularly visited by typhoons, the need for stories that deal with disasters – how to avoid them and manage the risks – becomes more compelling. Unfortunately, in a country so prone to disasters and yet so lacking in mechanisms to prevent its adverse effects, there is a dearth of such stories.

Goodbye, Batman

Known to Davao media as “Batman,” short for “Batang Mandaya,” (Mandaya child) Fernando Lintuan was laid to his grave on Sunday. Lintuan is the 5th journalist murdered in the country this year. He was shot dead on Christmas eve as he was leaving his radio station, DXGO, right after his radio program, “Ligas Paka” (one slip and you are dead). He left behind four children, aged 21, 18, 14 and 10. (davaotoday.com photos by Cheryll D. Fiel)

Davao jeepney drivers bound to lose more if they don’t go on strike — Transmission

On Strike. Davao drivers who joined the transport strike mass up at the Bankerohan- Magallanes intersection to ask the support of fellow drivers. (davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Joel Basiao, a driver of a passenger jeepney in Davao City, said he lost as much as P200 on Thursday for joining the nationwide transport strike. But he said it was just about the same amount that drivers like him have been losing every day this year because of the unabated increase in the prices of oil.

Will Shelter Code solve Davao’s homelessness?

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Finally signed by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on November 15 this year, the Shelter Code is supposed to address the growing homelessness in the city. Non-government organizations consider the new ordinance a triumph. But what does this new law promise a city, where an estimated half a million people are homeless?

Duterte says rape, not poverty, could be behind Mariannet’s suicide

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte suspected the 12-year-old Mariannet Amper could have been raped, based on the findings bared by the medico legal officer who conducted the autopsy. The mayor, who ordered the girl’s body exhumed five days after burial, said it was possible that rape could have driven the girl to kill herself. He also said that it’s also possible that someone could have killed her.

Mindanao journalists push for freedom of information law

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Journalists, some of whom experienced being denied information related to the last elections, have committed to campaign among colleagues and lawmakers for the “Freedom of Information Act of 2007,” which, once passed into law, will require government to release public documents within a specific number of working days upon receipt of a request and will eliminate the excessive cost of acquiring these data, which is imposed by government agencies.

Duterte undergoes surgery; Sara takes over

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was scheduled to undergo surgery last week, said he had no qualms leaving his post because he has complete trust in his daughter. Asked about the possibility of criminals on the loose while he is away, the mayor retorted, “When the cat is away, the tiger takes over,” apparently alluding to his daughter.

Lawyers say HSA worse than martial law

During the commemoration of the 35th year of declaration of martial law on Sept. 21, different lawyers’ organizations in Davao City came together at the Centennial Park not only to light candles for judges, lawyers, and paralegals who were victims of the abusive law. They were also there to denounce the Human Security Act, which they called “illegal.” The lawyers describe the present state of the country as even worse than during martial law. They see more human-rights abuses under the law. On the same occasion, the lawyers launched HOTLINE 296-0070; people who are faced with HSA-related violations can call and ask for help. (davaotoday.com photo by Cheryll D. Fiel)