The police will concentrate on security around mosques while the military will help look out for other threats.

The PNP asked the Muslim community for understanding for the full alert status, saying it is meant to make sure the bandits cannot sow violence at this time.

Chief Superintendent Angelo Sumlao, head of the directorate for integrated police operations in Western Mindanao, said their priority is to protect civilians in the volatile region.

On Sunday, PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa placed police forces in Western Mindanao on full alert after police killed three Abu Sayyaf militants in a clash in Sulu.

Gafur Jumdail, younger brother of Abu Sayyaf leader Gumbahali Jumdail a.k.a. Dr. Abu, and two of his men were killed late Saturday near Maimbung town in Jolo. (PIA-Bohol)

Jesuit-run Ateneo University School of Government and the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, with the support of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), are hosting the talks featuring experts on the issue.

Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Vina said the discussions are taking place “outside the peace process” between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiators.

In a report of the Union of Catholic Asian News, he expressed hope that some sessions could tackle issues raised during formal negotiations.

IBS is a non-stock, non-profit private institution begun in 2001 to undertake independent and collaborative research on Bangsamoro society, history, education, culture, politics, economic, and contemporary affairs.

IBS Executive Director Abhoud Syed Lingga said the Mindanao conflict stems from the struggle of the Bangsamoro people against “domination” by the Philippine state.

Lingga said peace in Mindanao can be achieved primarily through formal peace negotiations at the national level.

The new administration of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is preparing to resume peace talks that broke down in August 2008. (PIA-Bohol)

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Q. Deles disclosed the government is drawing up a general framework aimed to facilitate the immediate return and rehabilitation of the thousands of families in the region.

This as Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Q. Deles disclosed authorities are also seeking help from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to deal with the situation.

Deles said the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is committed “to address the matter as quickly as possible.” (PIA Bohol)

She declined to identify the panel members since the process of selecting the candidates is ongoing.

The government, she said, would immediately communicate with the Malaysian peace process facilitator to schedule the first round of talks.

Before exiting, the Arroyo administration entered into a “continuing agreement” with the MILF through a six-point declaration that noted key issues such as the aspiration of Bangsamoro (Muslim nation) for self-rule, ancestral domain and political settlement.

Ms. Deles said the administration is reviewing agreements and the strategies of the past government in the talks.

In a statement, she said the administration is adopting a four-point strategy on solving insurgency: delivery of basic services, particularly education and health; economic reconstruction and sustainable development in Mindanao; strengthening of security sector reform, particularly in disbanding private armies; and good governance.

Ms. Deles said these strategies will also advance the peace process in the entire country. (PIA-Bohol)

Nathaniel Cruz, Pagasa deputy administrator, said the weather disturbance predicts that it would bring rains over the eastern sections of the Visayas and Mindanao.

While talking about the possibility of the depression swerving towards Japan, Pag-asa noted that the high pressure prevailing in the country could block the disturbance from moving to Japan.

Seemingly too, the country’s prayers have been answered, sources said as the Catholic bishops issued a circular letter to pray the Oratio Imperata, or a prayer calling divine intervention and ease the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which has destroyed crops harvests.

Dili ang tibuok Mindanao ang may nagpadayong kagubot, matud ni Bokal Melba Garcia sa Surigao del Norte dungan sa usa ka pakighibani sa media atul sa pagbukas sa 14th Siargao International Surfing Cup.

Kini usab nga hangyo gidasonan sa Department of Tourism pinaagi ni Caraga Regional Director Letecia Tan, kinsa mipadayon sa pagbutyag nga dili makatarunganon nga ang mga lugar nga malinawon sa Mindanao ilakip sa travel ban.

Nini, naghinaut pa gihapon ang mga taga Mindanao, ilabi na kadtong wala malakip sa kagubot nga magpadayon ang pag-abot sa mga turista didto, bisan sa travel advisories nga naluwatan sa mga embahada. (rachiu/PIA)

Matud pa ni Kalihim sa Prensa Jesus Dureza, tan-awon kon aduna bay “extreme need” o gikinahanglanon ba gyud ang pag-gamit ug kusog sa militar nga ila mang gi-labag ang “operational guidelines.”

Adunay “operational guidelines” nga gi-dili ang paggamit ug bomba ug dagkong kalibreng armas sa panahon sa Ramadad.

Kon gamiton man gani ang ing-ining kusog sa militar, gitu-ohan nga adunay “extreme need” nga nakita. Kon wala, ang palisiya nga dili mogamit og bomba maoy tumanon, apas sumpay ni Dureza.

Sumala sa pasi-unang taho migawas nga mipa-ulan ug bala ang grupong MILG lulan sa 10 ka pumpboats sa milabay nga abyon sa militar, gumikan nga kini mibalos.

Bisan pa sa maong taho, kinahanlan gihapong imbestigahan ug susihon kon adunay bay sayop nga nahimo sa militar o napugos lang ba sa maong sitwasyon. (PIA/Bohol)