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Statement of Concern

The Palawan Report expresses its concern over the reported disappearance last Saturday (June 8 ) of ABS-CBN reporter Ces Drilon and her crew, Jimmy Encarnacion and Angelo Valderama. Media reports say they went missing while pursuing a story in Sulu and are believed to have been abducted by the Al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf Group.

Journalists who cover areas of conflict are understandably exposed to risks on their personal security. We trust that government authorities are exhausting all possible means to ensure the safety of these journalists.

PGMA’s private Palawan visit

I had gotten wound of this story below by Inquirer columnist Conrad Banal. PGMA was indeed in Bataraza last week for an overnight visit, with the Western Command providing hush-hush security arrangements. Sources said the trip was so private that even local government officials were not apprised what exactly the purpose of the visit was. Speculations like the article below seem to be right on the money, just because in Bataraza, there’s nothing to see but the mines.

By Conrado Banal III
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:57:00 06/10/2008

Rumor has it that the grandma at the Palace recently paid a very special visit to a rich nickel mine site in Palawan province, southwest of Manila.

If it is true, Palace watchers in business say the Grandma must be working on something.

Supposedly, the mine site was Rio Tuba, owned by the Zamora brothers, mainly by Buddy Zamora.

Playing host to the Grandma in her visit to the mine site, according to the story, was one of the Zamora brothers, Manny.

World prices of nickel have gone up to the stratosphere in recent years, and talk in business is that the Zamoras’ Rio Tuba has made tens of billions of pesos in profits.

In other words, the Zamora group is loaded. Yet, we are not seeing some big investments from it.

Palawan gov, 2 solons retain Malampaya pork barrel

By Joel San Juan
Business Mirror
June 9, 2008

SAYING that the case was prematurely filed, the Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed the petition filed by a group of taxpayers seeking to declare as unconstitutional Executive Order (EO) 683 allocating the P6-billion share of Palawan, from the Camago-Malampaya oil and natural gas project as part of the pork barrel of the governor and the two congressmen of the province.

In a seven-page decision penned by Associate Justice Rebecca de Guia-Salvador, the CA’s Eleventh Division also noted that the petition filed by Bishop Pedro Dulay Arigo, Cesar Sarino, Jose Antonio Socrates and lawyer Harry Roque is anchored on the same facts and issues raised in GR 170867, a petition for review pending before the Supreme Court.

The said petition for review seeks the reversal of the December 16, 2005, decision rendered by Branch 95 of the Regional Trial Court in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, declaring that the province of Palawan is entitled to 40-percent share of the national wealth, computed based on revenues generated from the Camago-Malampaya Natural Gas Project since October 16, 2001.

“Because the issue which inextricably links the instant petition and GR 170867 is whether the Camago-Malampaya natural gas reservoir is within the territorial jurisdiction of Palawan, forms part of the national territory of the Philippines, it would be premature for the court to rule on this case when GR 170867 is still up for adjudication before the Supreme Court,” the CA said.

Strong drive on 7 wonders campaign

All three of the Philippines’ entries to the New 7 Wonders search are currently in the top 10 of the ongoing online voting campaign launched by a private foundation that has so far received worldwide recognition and buy in. Thanks to the no nonsense campaigning by individuals and key institutions concerned. Palawan’s two entries, the Tubbataha Reefs and the Puerto Princesa Underground River, are currently 2nd and 6th respectively, while Bohol’s Chocolate Hills is ranked 4th and Mayon Volcano is 10th. With even the Philippine President endorsing the campaign and the entire bureaucracy being tapped to deliver the online votes needed, the Philippines’ is poised to dominate at least this portion of the two-part search; the other part being a shortlisting process by a panel of individuals to segue into a final round of online elections to commence next year. This exercise is good for Palawan tourism as well, as has been shown by the vibrant activity of this sector the past months.

Villamayor tops Palawan Chess Open

By Redempto Anda
Inquirer Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 18:34:00 06/08/2008

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines–Grandmaster Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor drew his final round with National Master Emmanuel Senador Saturday afternoon to clinch the 7th Gov. Reyes Palawan Chess Open Tournament, his first major title after emerging from a five-year pedagogic stint in Singapore.

Reaching peak form following strong finishes in two consecutive international tournaments in Subic, Zambales, Villamayor turned back a posse of rated national players — including three international masters — to emerge undefeated in the 9-round tournament organized by the Palawan provincial government in celebration of its annual founding anniversary.

Tighter requirements imposed on live fish trading

By Alex Villanueva
Philippine News Agency

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, June 5 (PNA) — To ensure that Palawan’s marine environment will be protected from fish stock depletion due to unbridled live and fresh fish trading activities, the Provincial Board (PB) has imposed stricter requirements on the business and is about to also impose a moratorium on it.

For live fish traders who are applying, the PB is now requiring them to deposit P100,000 in a trust fund and a certificate from a refutable bank for P50,000 to determine if they are capable of doing business and to avoid “fly-by-night” traders.

Board member Modesto Rodriguez II, chairperson of the PB Committee on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources, explained this to the local media after claiming he is being swamped with applications for live fish trading.

Palawan’s brave trivial pursuit

A press release from the Provincial Government today announced the province’s bid to write a record in the Guiness Book. It read:

One of the new exciting events highlighting the Baragatan Festival sa Palawan 2008, the Longest Seafood Grill is set on June 23 right after the Saraotan sa Dalan, the Cuyono phrase for street dancing.

It came with a photo release of government officials cooking reportedly 20 kilos of fish in open fire last Sunday during the annual festivities’ soft opening.

Puerto’s police chief relieved

By Redempto Anda
Philippine Daily Inquirer Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 17:15:00 06/02/2008

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Mimaropa Regional Office Monday ordered the relief of the controversial police chief of Puerto Princesa City who has been facing several complaints of abuse of authority filed by local citizens.

PNP Mimaropa Regional Director Luisito Palmera arrived in the city on Saturday carrying the relief order of Superintendent Enrique Ancheta, according to Senior Superintendent Dennis Peña, Palawan provincial police director.

Ancheta, who took a leave of absence, was in Manila and was not available for comment.

City officials, on the other hand, were mum about Ancheta’s relief order and his replacement by an officer in charge, Superintendent Romy Estepa.

Tagged and released

This adult female green marine turtle was caught in a fish trap off Puerto Princesa beach just 200 meters from my house yesterday afternoon.

Dr. Terry Aquino (center, standing), a local marine mammal specialist, estimates it is at least 60 years old and heavy with eggs.

Green sea turtles are classified as “endangered” species by the International Union for Conservation (IUCN). This momma was promptly tagged and released by the City’s Bantay Puerto team.