Entrepreneurial Farmer

Ambrosio R. Villorente

"They Are Not Human"

"They are not human". This is the perception of Commission on Human Rights Chair Leila de Lima of the perpetrators of the man slaughters in Maguindanao on Monday morning, November 23. If they are not human, what are they? "What kind of animals are these killers?" De Lina asked, she was so shocked, and enraged. The killings were most despicable. It was bestial acts, brutal ruthlessness. It was affront to all forms of civility.
As of Thursday, November 26, the death count reached 57, of whom 32 were members of the tri-media in Cotabato. This made the Philippines the most dangerous country of the world for the practicing journalist.

This bastard act of killing people was strongly condemned by the European Union, United States of America, United Kingdom and other countries. Through their respective ambassadors accredited with the Philippines, they issued their condemnation.

One of the suspects – Datu Andal U. Ampatuan, Jr., Mayor of Datu Unsay town was brought to Quezon City in the afternoon of Thursday. He was escorted by Presidential Assistant Jesus Dureza to General Santos City and was met by Secretary Devanadera of the Department of Justice. From the airport, Ampatuan was brought to Camp Crame where he is being detained and inquest.

If the suspect is not a human being, he should not deserve the presence of two members of the cabinet. Is the presence of the Secretary of Justice needed in the arrest of alleged criminal whose human specie is questioned? He could have been arrested by any Police Officer I and presented to the Court of Justice.

Ampatuan should have been loaded in a police car and transported to Quezon City via the Maharlika Highway and Roll On Roll Off vessels. Not via a plane.

According to DILG Secretary Rolando Puno, the entire province of Maguindanao is in a state of emergency. All the members of the PNP of that province was relieved and transferred elsewhere. Police officers from other provinces are now assigned in Maguindanao. All the police in Maguindanao will take orders from the PNP. Check Points are established where necessary.

Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores and Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez issued today their joint manifestation which condemned the media and civilian killings in Maguindanao. They called for immediate investigation of the inciden and penalized the guilty.

Akelco Rate Reduction

Mr. Chito Peralta, General Manager of Akelco announced over the radio, Akelco power rate in October will be reduced. The October power bills came but the rate remained as is. Again, GM Peralta announced it was not effected in October, but assured the rate reduction will be made in November.

But before the rate reduction was effected, Akelco applied with the Energy Regulatory Com-mission "for approval of Adjustment In Rates Under the Rules For Setting Electric Cooperatives’ Wheeling Rates…"

If this application is approved, there will be an approximate rate increase of P0.475 per kilowatt hour. For 100 kilowatt hour consumed each month, P47.50 rate increase. Is this rate reduction? /MP