Filipino farmers get vermicompost facility

MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) donated a vermicompost facility to Saniag Elementary School in Maguindanao del Sur’s Ampatuan town which will benefit dozens of farmers and other community members.

Blast victim gets help from non-profit organization

SULTAN KUDARAT - Fifteen years ago, Josie Concepcion was walking with her son near a market in Sultan Kudarat province in southern Philippines when she heard a sudden, massive explosion.

ICRC, MSU-Sulu launch Tausug book on intersections between IHL and Shariah

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The International Humanitarian Law, also known as the Rules of War, aims to protect people from the devastating effects of armed conflict and a 76-page book that was originally written in Arabic and introduces readers to the convergences between IHL and Islamic Shariah is now available in Tausug, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

Four things not to say when talking about mental health

LANGUAGE MATTERS. Especially when talking about mental health. Using language that is considered discriminatory or stigmatizing has a far-reaching and long-term impact on people, their families, their communities, and the whole society.

Duterte appeals to rebels

PRESIDENT DUTERTE appealed to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) not to hamper the deliveries of Covid-19 vaccines, particularly in the far-flung areas where rebels are battling security forces, as the country gears towards mass vaccination campaign against the deadly disease.

ICRC praises Zambo mayor for strong support

THE INTERNATIONAL Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) thanked Covid-19 chief frontliner Mayor Beng Climaco for her strong support and partnership with the humanitarian organization.

ICRC support cited in Zambo

MAYOR BENG Climaco thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its support to the local government in battling the spread of coronavirus.

Farmers carry brunt of conflict, pandemic

PEOPLE IN conflict-affected areas faced risky and limited access to their farms even before the outbreak of the coronavirus disease or Covid-19, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross or ICRC.

Gunmen abduct Sulu doctor

ZAMBOANGA CITY – A Filipino doctor was seized by gunmen who barged into his clinic in Sulu’s capital town of Jolo and escaped on a van undetected by security forces.

Dr Daniel Moreno, who is in his 60s, was snatched just after dusk Tuesday in a daring assault carried out by at least four armed men disguised as soldiers. Moreno’s clinic is not far from the police headquarters. 

100,000 Maranaos still have no homes 2 years after Marawi siege

MARAWI CITY - The deep scars left by the 2017 conflict in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province in southern Philippines continue to haunt over 100,000 people who still do not have a home to return to.

 

“Despite the numerous aid efforts that have truly helped those in need over the two years, the people of Marawi have grown tired and frustrated. They want to stand on their own feet again and stop depending on assistance,” said Martin Thalmann, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in the Philippines.

 

Whether they have been living with relatives or are in evacuation centres and transition sites, the displaced people of Marawi struggle for access to potable water, viable livelihood opportunities and most importantly, permanent shelters, according to Thalmann, who noted that the authorities were trying to address complex issues so that the rehabilitation of the most affected area (MAA) could begin.

 

But the conflict has left more vulnerable groups, such as families of missing people and victims of violence, with invisible scars. “The wounds that do not bleed are the wounds that become scars. And these are the most painful because they will always leave something to look at. And it is something that will always bring back memories of what had happened. Nevertheless, it is still important because it is still a lesson,” recalled Mel, a 34-year-old resident who was severely traumatized by the Marawi conflict.

 

Launched in October 2018, the ICRC’s mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programme has reached close to 700 people. Among them, 47 people who were severely traumatized in the Marawi conflict—including “Mel”—have reported feeling “relieved, comfortable, safe and understood” after undergoing individual MHPSS sessions.

 

“They need sustained support to recover mentally from the trauma caused by the conflict that has affected their overall well-being,” Thalmann said.

 

He said ICRC would work on strengthening the capacity of the public health system in the area of psychosocial support to victims of violence. He said the ICRC, with its partner the Philippine Red Cross, has been supporting people affected since the onset of the Marawi conflict.

 

People who were injured during the fighting received ICRC support to cover the cost of their medical treatment. Those with physical disabilities as result of injuries were supported by ICRC to receive prosthesis and physiotherapy, Thalmann said.

 

The ICRC, he said, continues to help the displaced people by restoring sources of income and improving access to water and sanitation in various sites. It has also been working with families whose loved ones went missing due to the conflict.

 

“We have been filling the gaps in the recovery response in coordination with the authorities and other aid organizations. But we can only do so much. The authorities still have the primary responsibility of providing sustainable solutions to help the people of Marawi,” Thalmann said. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)

 

 

Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindanaoexaminer
Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindanaoExamine
Read And Share Our News: https://www.mindanaoexaminer.com
Mirror Site: https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com
Digital Archives: https://issuu.com/mindanaoexaminernewspaper
Media Rates: https://mindanaoexaminer.com/ad-rates

NPA frees 6 militias, but kills 2 soldiers in patrol base raid in South

DAVAO CITY – Communist insurgents freed six out of over a dozen soldiers and militias they captured in southern Philippines and at the same time raided a military post and killing 2 soldiers and wounding another in the restive region.

Army Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said rebels released militias Jurian Gaviola, Marson and Hermito Iligan, Bienvinido Lamion, Eddie Tindoy and Sanny Malobay in Agusan del Norte’s Bayugan City late Thursday. But seven other militias and two soldiers remain captive in the province.

The hostages were seized by rebels in December last year following a firefight in Sibagat town, according to Balagtey.

He said the rebels released the militias to a third party facilitator, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, and handed them over to the 401^st Infantry Brigade also in the town. “The release was brought about by the pressure of the relentless military operations to rescue the kidnapped troops,” he said.

Balagtey said despite the release of the hostages, rescue operation still continue in the province. He said Maj. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr, the regional military commander, ordered the operation. “As of this time, our units in the area are continuously conducting military operations to rescue the remaining troops who are still being held and used as human shield and propaganda subject by the NPA,” Balagtey said.

This was confirmed by Santos, who also branded the release as rebel propaganda. “We assure our communities that this will not affect our effort and commitment in protecting our people,” he said.
A rebel spokesperson, Ka Malem Mabini, said NPA fighters also raided late Thursday a patrol base of the 1^st Special Forces - Civilian Active Auxiliary in Dalwangan village in Bukidnon’s Malaybalay City and killed two soldiers and wounded another.

Mabini said rebel forces also seized 7 assorted automatic rifles from soldiers. “In this military action, it was confirmed that two officers of the Special Forces were killed while one soldier was also wounded. The Red armies also seized seven different high-powered rifles from the soldiers,” he said. Balagtey confirmed the fighting and said 4 rebels were reported slain in the clash. He said about 30 rebels attacked the patrol base, sparking a firefight.

He said an 11-man army team was constructing a patrol base in the village when rebels assaulted the soldiers, who fought the attackers and eventually fled and leaving behind 2 automatic rifles and two landmines. “Pursuit operation is going now,” he said.

The rebels have been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a separate state in the country. Peace talks with Manila collapsed last year after rebel negotiators rejected President Duterte’s demand for the NPA to sign a cease-fire agreement. The NPA said it will only agree on the truce if Duterte frees over 500 rebels languishing in prisons across the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindanaoexaminer

Follow Us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MindanaoExamine

Share Our News: https://www.mindanaoexaminer.com

Mirror Site: https://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com

Digital Archives: https://issuu.com/mindanaoexaminernewspaper

Media Rates: https://mindanaoexaminer.com/ad-rates

Thank you so much for visiting our website. Your small donation will ensure the continued operation of the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper. Thank you again for supporting us.  BPI: 952 5815649  Landbank: 195 113 9935