De Basilan World Association

06/20/2018

Complete details of the June 2018 Dave's Dog Food recall as reported by the editors of the Dog Food Advisor

09/16/2013

OUR MESSAGE TO OUR FELLOW BASILEŃOS IN BASILAN:
Note: Share this message please if you may.

To all of our local government officials, including the officers and members of the LGU’s respective Crisis Management Committee, we just want to inform you that at this juncture, it looks like you are handling this unforced “man-made” crisis situation, in behalf of our beloved people, pretty well. Better still, I would say you have been doing your job convincingly well!

In this regard, we would like to thank the Provincial Government of Basilan, headed by Jum Akbar, the officials of the City of Lamitan, headed by its City Mayor, Rosita Furigay, and the officialdom of the City of Isabela, headed by Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar, for their leadership that they have exemplified by far in this time of crisis.

Special mention as well to ARMM RG Mujiv Hataman and City Vice Mayor Panther Ajibon, for the special ferry that they have been providing to our stranded province mates who are caught in the “Zamboanga Siege.”

Indeed, it’s so heart-warming and encouraging seeing all of our local officials for their displayed calm, poise, confidence, and seemingly readiness to handle the crisis.

And the coming together of our NGO’s and the community as ONE to protect and preserve our town is just so moving, touching and uplifting.

Not to forget of course in the mix, our profound gratitude for the valuable role of our AFP-PNP in vigilantly securing the life and property of our people and our town.

While it is still too early to prejudge ones’ performance on how well they can manage a crisis, yet we cannot contain anymore our feelings of gratitude for the care that our leaders have extended to our people at this time of crisis. Personally, I take off my hats to all of you and a humungous congratulation from all of us.

To all my fellow Basileños around the world, I wish to call upon you that we should act as ONE and UNITED no matter what... Understand, the lives of our people, friends, classmates, loved ones and relatives in Basilan are at stake and in peril. When this crisis started last week, life for them has since become harrowing and painful.

More power to all of you, our leaders and fellow Basileños. You all have our steadfast and unyielding support and prayers.

May the force of God/Allah be with you all as you go through this needless ordeal and the uncertainties and anxieties that kept you hostage by this undesirable situation.

Again, rest assure, you are all in our daily thoughts, hearts and prayers.

-------- YUSUF ASHRAF “JOEY” PAMARAN TUGUNG

09/15/2013

Share if you may please...

At this time of major crisis that Zamboanga and our people are facing, and the mounting death toll and emerging humanitarian crisis that we have, which came as a result of the infamous MNLF rebels siege, your Provincial Governor should have not come up with an insidious and defamatory slogan: “Sa Zamboanga: Terrorista, Sa Albay: Turista” Honestly, what your Governor did is an affront to the dignity of all Zamboangueños.

I am a Muslim from Zamboanga-Basilan, and my fellow Muslims and I enjoin hand-in-hand with our fellow Zamboangueños in strongly condemning the irresponsible and insensitive slogan that your governor has made publicly in the FB. We are all totally outraged and so livid by your Governor’s sinister public relations stunt, which he did at the expense of the Zamboangueños.

In this regard, a written public apology by your Governor, or a Board Resolution by the Provincial Board, address to all Zamboangueños is in order and should be made immediately. Otherwise, a written protest shall be made by all of us addressed to the DILG Secretary, Mar Roxas, and DOT Secretary, Ramon Jimenez, Jr., will be made so that your Governor will be reprimanded and censured. And a copy of the same will be furnished to all the major national newspapers and TV stations.

Isang Bansa, Isang Diwa, Isang Lahi. Dapat magka-isa tayo!

--- Yusuf Ashraf “Joey” Tugung 09/15/2013

09/14/2013

THE SURRENDER THAT NEVER WAS.... A LOST OPPORTUNITY?

This could have withered the strength of the MNLF and affected the morale of their comrades. And perhaps, we would have not reached Day 6 of this siege, which has exacted numbers of lives, burned hundreds of properties, displaced thousands of families, cause emotional scars, and an impending humanitarian crisis.

What a waste simply because of the absence of a “command and control systems” in the Crisis Management Committee.

That's the problem when politicians come into the picture. It always becomes a case of "too many hands (or to many dumbbells) will spoil the broth." Everyone would like to have his cake and eat it too. Each one has his or her own personal agenda or interest. Each one would like to out do each other for purposes of media mileage i.e., to take the credit. Wanting to become relevant in the misfortunes of their constituents. And in the process, the AFP-PNP, who are supposed to fight wars, becomes politicize and tentative in their decisions to pull the trigger. And worst, in the disconnect, it’s the civilians that suffers the most!

Moving forward, and in so far as the siege of Zamboanga is concern, expedited solution will be achieve if only all of these politicos will just leave and return back to Manila, including PNoy.

Let alone the military handle the situation with the MNLF while the Crisis Management Committee, including all the Councilors and the Congressional representatives (Celso Lobregat and Lilia Nuno – hellooooo, where are thou? Your silence is sooo deafening!), CONCENTRATE their labors purely in the "humanitarian relief efforts" i.e., food, shelter, health, clothing, water, medicines etc., which are badly needed by thousands of displaced families.

A chronology of events shows how events unfolded and are shaped by decisions made by officials involved in the resolving of the siege in Zamboanga

09/13/2013

BREAKING NEWS!!! JUST IN FROM ZAMBOANGA…The Die is Cast!
Let us all pray for their safety please


Following please find the random postings that I took from the FB of my friends. This will give you an idea what is going on right now in Zamboanga.

Zamboanga City my Hometown - An all out assault has been ordered against Moro National Liberation Front MNLF after the Moro rebels took siege the city and held CIVILIAN hostage. Parts of the city is now burning, after five days of standstill. (about time!!)

ZAMBOANGA SIEGE : The Final Assault ? . . . . For more than an hour now, combined elements of the Philippine Marines, Army and PNP have started an all-out offensive against the Habier Malik-led MNLF renegade forces holed up in the Sta. Catalina-Sta. Barbara-Talon-Talon area in what many perceived to be the final assault to flush out members of said lawless group who have virtually paralyzed trade-commerce in the Cuidad de Zamboanga . Tanks are scattered all over Lustre Street which is extremely dangerous to pass by due the presence of many MNLF snipers occupying vantage points of said place and posing grave threat to Government forces . Above the bright sky, scores of PAF Huey gunship helicopters are busy circling to provide valuable air cover . And for the fourth consecutive time, the area of conflict is engulf again in flames bigger even than the previous fires . Dark gray smoke continues billowing from the rows of houses most of which are made of light materials which make them very vulnerable to getting burned easily . On the other hand, footage from TV 11, Dateline Teleradyo show scores of wounded soldiers being treated for snarpnel wounds while the siren of ambulances keep wailing as they bring casualties to the different hospitals in the City . Panicky civilians in the vicinity of the conflict are seen scampering for safety bringing them with some personal belongings . . . . More updates in awhile .

No ceasefire, ang gusto natin is to contained the situation according to zabala. Grabe man.

For us residents of our BELOVED CITY OF ZAMBOANGA... to all men and women in uniform in the field, hostages and innocent people who are now in the firing line..I pray...

4 na sunog sabay-sabay!!? grabe maaaaaan!

Walang humpay na bakbakan. Sana tuloy-tuloy na po. This should end today. My prayers are with you my dear soldiers, police, hostages, and all the Zamboaguenos.

BRGY. MARIKI AND STA. BARBARA IS ON FIRE

Twin fires at sta catalina and lustre areas....a view from my nest.

Breaking: otro kema ya tamen ta ocuriceste maga ora. Este ya el aka sehundo kema este dia na sta, barbara

The sad state of our vivientes because of this lawlessness of these mnlf! Look at them!

ZAMBOANGA ON FIRE AGAIN!!!... The results of PNOYs visit and touchdown in Zamboanga few hours ago!

ALL OUT OFFENSIVE! HOOOOOORAAAAHHHHH!
....Another big fire broke out just this afternoon at the vicinity of Sta.Catalina-Lustre boundary.........

GOD is with us. Have Faith. BELIEVE.

It's now or never.....elvis presley!

SILVER CONFETTI ARE SEEN EARLIER FROM MY ROOFTOP DROPPED BY THE HELICOPTER? I CANNOT DECIPHER ITS SYMBOLIC ACT..... ITS THAT HAIL TO MNLF? OR A PEACE OFFERING? ........

I think my house in on fire...

Three areas now on fire. The firemen can't get near because there is no clearance from the ground commander.


Areas in RioHondo, sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina.

Tired of the crisis, day by day getting worst, day five another hundred of houses burning, helicopter are hovering meters away from our rooftop, we cannot help then see the atrocities of mnlf. I appeal to all my brother muslims especially the ustadz to lead a rally for peace and condemn the demonic act of mnlf.

Walang humpay na bakbakan. Sana tuloy-tuloy na po. This should end today. My prayers are with you my dear soldiers, police, hostages, and all the Zamboaguenos.

All out assault going on. Yes!

Update: More fires break out in Zamboanga City.

Maga sinberguenza..manada ya hente ta sufri porcausa kaninyo..nuay kamo corazon...you are MONSTERS....

di ko mapigilang umiyak ng makita ko to

PLEASE HEAL OUR LAND, DEAR LORD!
HAVE MERCY ON US!
MAMA MARY, PLEASE INTERCEDE FOR US!

GOD BLESS ZAMBOANGA AND HER PEOPLE…

09/13/2013

STAR WITNESS BENHUR LUY: Benhur Luy is the happiest whistle-blower I’ve seen. Frequently giggling,” Angara said on Twitter.

Yet, he was engaged in a very serious matter. Possibly even deadly.

And the star witness sounded like he was just telling a simple story—direct to the point but without naming names which was the only condition he asked before he would testify.

Under heavy security, Luy showed up at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Thursday and spoke of the alleged role of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles—his second cousin—in a multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

“I think he is very credible and very believable,” Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, the Senate blue ribbon committee chair, told reporters. “It was a very convincing testimony.”

He added, “There is reasonable basis to conclude that there is in fact either malversation of public funds or plunder committed by some legislators.”

Even Sen. Sonny Angara couldn’t help but tweet his observations about Benhur Luy’s demeanor while testifying.

09/12/2013

BREAKING NEWS!!! BREAKING NEWS!!! LAMITAN....

According to my cousin, Bobong Abbas (in the picture - wearing white striped shirt and short pants with bull cap and shouldered with a sub-machine gun), who is the the Chief Political Aide of the City Mayor of Lamitan, Rosita Furigay, and who is himself right there in Lamitan City, LAMITAN IS UNDER REAL THREAT AND IN FULL ALERT. HOWEVER, THE UNIDENTIFIED REBELS HAVE NOT YET ENTERED THE TOWN OF LAMITAN. Meaning, there is no firefight and/or houses burning.

But this is what is confirmed. A group of armed men have been cited in Burgos, Colonia, Lamitan. However, they cannot confirm if this group is with the MNLF. Some said that they are actually from the Abu Sayyaf group.

Latest update has it that there was an encounter in this barangay (Colonia), which resulted in 1 dead, 3 wounded and 5 missing; and all of them are civilians. And unconfirmed reports has it that a portion of Colonia, residences are on fire. And accordingly, if anyone that leaves the house, they are being strafed or sniped by this rebels.

Colonia is only 3.32 kilometers away from the town of Lamitan City.

Any postings that will be shared here by Bobong Abbas (aka Budz Sabba in FB) are reliable because as I've said he is on the ground.

We will continue to pray for the safety and welfare of our people in Lamitan and Isabela cities. And also, the people of Zamboanga.

My question is, what is happening to our government when they are supposed to serve and protect our people? To whom are we going to seek succor, help, assistance, protection, aid etc. in this time of major crisis? Where is PNoy? How come he is not in Zamboanga attending to all of these very serious and critical problems? How come he is not declaring a "State of Emergency"? How come the major line departments of his cabinet are not in Zamboanga to assist our LGU's in the delivery of of much needed basic services i,e,, the evacuees who needs shelter, clothing, transportation, food, medicine, water, protection etc. and those who are stranded as well? By all indications, what we have is a man-made calamity here and the national government should trigger the National Disaster Relief Coordinating Council.

God bless Lamitan, Isabela and Zamboanga. Please keep our people safe and protect them from all forms of harm that will come their way.

09/11/2013

To all of our friends, relatives, classmates, loved ones and residents of Basilan and Zamboanga, both Christians and Muslims:

Rest assure, you are all in our thoughts, hearts and prayers as you go through the most difficult, painful, hurting, frustrating and trying times.

We know the fear, uncertainty, and the anxiety that all of you are going through and we truly empathize with you.

Just stay at home. Please do not leave the house. Lock the gates and secure all the doors securely. If a stranger will knock your door asking for any kind of assistance, please do not open your doors under any and all circumstances.

And in the confines of your home, please continue to monitor the situation through the FB, Radio and TV as there might be important public updates and announcements that will be made from time to time by your local officials and military authorities.

Stay vigilant and if you see any unusual sightings of the rebels, kindly call or text the hotline numbers of your local Crisis Management Committee.

God bless Basilan and Zamboanga and all its residents.

09/11/2013

WHY CONSPIRACY THEORY ABOUNDS….

Skeptics like me cannot help to avoid the “Wag the Dog” scenario; join people who will politicize the situation, and voice all kinds of innuendos, because our National Government, the concerned Local Government, and the AFP-PNP authorities are SILENT. Understand, in any calamity, whether it’s natural or man-made, paucity or total lack of information will breed speculations. Speculative thinking would fill the vacuum which soon becomes the reality of the situation. As Aristotle said, nature abhors a vacuum.

For the government to win the war of thoughts over the media, the netizens, political pundits, the self-proclaimed spokesman of the MNLF or what have you; its communication arm should ensure the continuous flow of information though a visible, commanding and assuring presence on the ground. Providing uniform stream of messages addressed to the public on a regular basis is utilizing the power of the press to win the people’s minds

We live in the 21st century and to keep quiet, or if they do talk but marked by discordant notes, tendency is that you cannot avoid “Radyo Balagun” to thrive. To kill a story, you must immediately go out there and kill the messenger’s story.

For God’s sake, it’s been more than 72 hrs. already and still there is no government visibility and no one in particular in government seems to be in control of the situation despite the presence of two cabinet secretaries in Zamboanga City (i.e., DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin).

The inaction and silence of the government is so DEAFENING. For all of us to keep our mouth shut and to avoid painting the MNLF siege as part of a conspiracy, the government should be out there - omnipresent in all the media airwaves giving updates, clarifying matters, continuously giving alerts, advisory, tips etc.

Criticisms from the public, constructive or otherwise, and accusations of a conspiracy, means that there is want of government action. It’s a form of raising awareness and calling government's attention to speak and act because they are silent. It has to come out in the open and be forthright.

Again, to quash any malicious ideas, we should have a government and military spokesman out there that give us hourly updates. If they are silent, it only means that there is a sinister plot brewing. Aha….less talk, less mistake. Well, if one is dishonest, they should not talk, otherwise, they end up with a Freudian slip (of the tongue).

What’s really going on? Local and national government officials have yet to provide a clear picture of what was really happening in the villages on the second day of a standoff between the armed followers of Nur Misuari and government troops.

09/11/2013

These people have received kickbacks of more than the plunder threshold of P50 million.”

Janet Lim-Napoles tops the list of 14 people to be charged with plunder in a private complaint that has been finalized by Levito Baligod, counsel of a group of whistle-blowers, for submission to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice on Wednesday.

In an interview with the Inquirer, Baligod said Tuesday that apart from Napoles, the alleged brains of a P10-billion pork barrel scam, the list also includes senators, congressmen and their aides and “conduits.”

He said the evidence in the complaint would also be used in the case to be filed by the NBI in the Office of the Ombudsman.

He identified the others facing plunder charges as Gigi Reyes, Ruby Tuason, Pauline Labayen, Richard Cambe, Jose Antonio Evangelista, Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza, Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, Edgar Valdez, Prospero Pichay and Samuel Dangwa.

An Inquirer source said that Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada would be included in the private complaint to be filed based on their letters of endorsement of Napoles’ dummy nongovernment organizations (NGOs) submitted to the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Agriculture and the documents from the Commission on Audit.

He said about 40 other government officials could face malversation charges for their involvement in the alleged racket.

Inquirer 09/11/2013

“These people have received kickbacks of more than the plunder threshold of P50 million.”