SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

ww

w.kuw

aittimes.net

03 04Duterte slams UN

for ‘interfering’ in

Philippine drug war

Page 06

Zumba continues

at Hawally Disabled Club

177 Indonesians carrying Philippine passports apprehended

MANILA: Nag-aambagan ang mga kongresista sa MababangKapulungan ng Kongreso mula sa kanilang mga sahod paramakalikom ng P1 milyon bilang cash reward para kay silvermedalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. Ayon kay Zamboanga City Rep.Celso Lobregat, nagkasundo ang 145 na kongresista ng cashincentives para kay Hidilyn at layon na makaipon ng 1 milyongpiso. Nagpatulong na si Lobregat kay House Speaker PantaleonAlvarez para sa nasabing kampanya para sa boluntaryongdonasyon mula sa kanilang mga sahod Si Hidilyn ay mula sa dis-trito ni Lobregat mula sa Zamboanga City.—PSN

P1M cash reward pa kay Hidilyn

MANILA: Communist rebels in the Philippines have fought one ofAsia’s longest-running insurgencies. Although less numerous andless violent than Muslim separatist rebels in the country’s south,the Maoists have outlived successive Philippine administrationsand held out against constant military and police offensives, rely-ing on clandestine cells to pass on orders from exiled leaders.

The new Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, has madepeace with the rebels a priority, and a new round of marathonpeace talks brokered by Norway opens in Oslo on Monday.

A brief look at the rebels and their struggle:HOW A WORLD WAR SPARKED COMMUNISM IN THE PHILLIPINES

The rebels trace their roots to a communist party whose guer-rilla wing helped fight Japanese occupation forces in World War II.After the liberation and the Philippines’ independence from theU.S., however, the leftists were politically sidelined and armedrebels crushed. In 1968, the Communist Party of the Philippineswas re-established on Mao Zedong’s birthday, proclaiming as itsgoal “the protracted peoples’ struggle” modeled on China.

The rebels’ ranks swelled after dictator Ferdinand Marcosdeclared martial law in 1972. The armed wing of the CommunistParty, the New People’s Army, set up jungle camps all over thesprawling archipelago as launching pads for raids targeting themilitary and police, large agricultural and mining estates as well asU.S. forces, which maintained big overseas bases until 1991.

A STAGGERING HUMAN TOLL, A STUNTED ECONOMYThe insurgency has left about 150,000 combatants and civil-

ians dead since it broke out, drawing support from the ranks ofthose dissatisfied with economic inequality and the Philippines’alliance with the U.S. It also has stunted economic development,especially in areas of the countryside where the rebels are active.

Continued on Page 2

Who are Philippine

communist rebels?

MANILA: In this photo provided by the Bureau of Immigration, Indonesians carrying Philippine passports wait after beingintercepted by immigration authorities on Friday at Manila’s airport, before boarding their flight for Saudi Arabia to partici-pate in a hajj pilgrimage. Officials said the 177 Indonesian passengers’ identities were revealed because they could notspeak any Philippine language or dialect and could only converse in English. (See Page 6)—AP

MANILA: Philippine communist rebels declared a weeklong cease-fire Friday to promote the resumption of long-stalled peace talksaimed at ending one of Asia’s longest-raging rebellions, addingthey were open to discussing an extension of the truce if the gov-ernment frees all political prisoners.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, theNew People’s Army, said in a statement that the unilateral cease-firewould be in effect next week. Government and rebel negotiatorsare to resume talks in the Norwegian capital of Oslo on Monday.The Maoist guerrillas expressed hope the government would recip-rocate with a similar cease-fire “as a show of all-out determinationto move forward with peace negotiations,” but said the rebel trucewould proceed even if the government does not declare its owncease-fire.

To further bolster peace talks, the rebels said they are “open todiscuss the possibility of a longer cease-fire upon completion of therelease of all political prisoners.”

Two top rebel leaders, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, were freedfrom a maximum-security jail Friday to participate in the

Norwegian-brokered peace talks. The rebels have welcomed thereleases of several detained rebels who are to take part in the nego-tiations as consultants. Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brendewill open the talks on Monday at an Oslo hotel, his ministry said in astatement.

The Tiamzons smiled and raised their fists as they stepped out ofdetention at the national police headquarters, where their support-ers greeted them. In a news conference, they thanked PhilippinePresident Rodrigo Duterte for their release and for a restart of talksthat will tackle wide-raging reforms in a bid to end the decades-long conflict. “These releases are goodwill measures that will createa positive environment for the progress of the peace talks,” BenitoTiamzon said. His wife called on young people to become moreinvolved in fighting the “monsters” of society.

“For the Filipino youth and other countrymen now hooked oncatching monsters in ‘Pokemon Go,’ you know, there are so manyreal monsters in our country,” Wilma Tiamzon said to laughter in theroom. “Instead of ‘Pokemon Go,’ what is better is Revolution Go.”

Contunied on Page 2

Philippine rebels declare

cease-fire to foster peace talks

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 2

Continued from Page 1

A BLUNDERING BOYCOTT, AN AMERICAN COLONELKILLED

The rebels missed an opportunity to win widerpolitical clout when they boycotted a historic 1986snap election, which was dismissed as a sham andled to the overthrow of Marcos in a “people power”revolt and restoration of democracy. PresidentCorazon Aquino freed the rebel founder, Jose MariaSison, from prison and opened peace talks. However,Sison fled into exile in the Netherlands and the talksbroke down. In 1987, the rebels killed three Americansoldiers in separate attacks near Clark Air Base. In1989, they assassinated U.S. Army Col. James Rowe,who was providing counterinsurgency training toFilipino troops.

A REBELLION WITHIN THE REBELLIONBy the early 1990s, differences over strategies led

to a split in the rebel ranks and a bloody internalpurge that left hundreds dead, further weakening therebels, whose numbers dwindled to a few thousandsfrom a peak of 25,000. The remaining fighters have

relied on so-called “revolutionary taxes” for survival -extorting money from businesses, or blowing themup if they refuse. The government accuses the rebelsof kidnappings and providing guns-for-hire, sayingthey’ve become bandits and a spent ideological force.

PEACE TALKSPeace talks started again in 1995, and made

progress with the government pledging immunityfrom arrest and safe movement for rebel negotia-tors. The two sides later reached another agreementon the respect for human rights and humanitarianlaw. The negotiations again broke down, andresumed in 2001. However, the rebels withdrewfrom talks when the U.S. government, followed bythe European Union, placed them on a list of terror-ist organizations. Under Duterte’s predecessor,Benigno Aquino III, peace talks stalled over the gov-ernment’s refusal to heed a rebel demand for therelease of some captured guerrillas who were toserve as peace talks consultants. Duterte, however,has agreed to the release of rebels who are involvedin peace talks, and appointed two allies of the guer-rillas to Cabinet posts in concessions that fosteredthe resumption of talks. — AP

Who are Philippine communist...

Continued from Page1

The insurgency has left about 150,000 combatants and civilians dead since itbroke out in the late 1960s, drawing support from the ranks of those dissatisfiedwith economic inequality and the Philippines’ alliance with the U.S. It also has stunt-ed economic development, especially in areas of the countryside where the rebelsare active.

Benito Tiamzon is chairman of the CPP and the New People’s Army, according tothe military. Wilma is said to be the secretary general.

Their release after posting bail on charges including multiple murders comesafter an initial setback to the rebels’ friendly ties with Duterte, who calls himself aleftist president.

Duterte declared a cease-fire on July 25 but withdrew it five days later after theguerrillas killed a government militiaman and failed to declare their own truce with-in Duterte’s deadline.

But on Monday, Duterte met with the rebels’ lawyers and allies at the presidentialpalace, smiling for cameras with linked arms.

“The president said that while he was hurt by the sharp exchanges between himand CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison ... he gave assurances that he will walk theextra mile for peace,” presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said after that meeting.

Under Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, peace talks stalled over the gov-ernment’s refusal to heed a rebel demand for the release of some captured guerril-las. Duterte, however, has agreed to the release of rebels who would be involved inpeace talks, and appointed two allies of the guerrillas to Cabinet posts in conces-sions aimed at fostering the talks.—AP

Philippine rebels declare...

MANILA: “I’m willing to resign. I’m willing to be shot infront of the President if there is authentic evidence thatis not fabricated.” A fiery Sen. Leila de Lima faced themedia anew on Saturday and defended herself fromaccusations of President Rodrigo Dutertelinking her to illegal drugs.

“I’m telling you Mr. President, ayaw kopong mapahiya kayo. Mapapahiya kayodiyan at ayaw ko pong mangyari ‘yan sainyo. Kung ano man ang ebidensya n’yodiyan, sinasabi ko na sa inyo na angebidensya na ‘yan ay hindi totoo. Fake,manufactured, fabricated,” De Lima said ina televised press briefing in Quezon City.

“Ang unsolicited advice ko po sa inyo,kung sino man ang nagsu-supply ng mgaimpormasyon na ‘yan, pwede ho bangharapin n’yo na sila ngayon at pilitin n’yona silang magpakatotoo sa inyo... I will stand by myinnocence, now and forever,” she added.

(I’m telling you Mr. President, I don’t want you to beembarrassed. Whatever evidence you have, I am tellingyou, they’re not real. Fake, manufactured, fabricated.

My unsolicited advice to you, whoever is supplyingyou with that information, please face them and urgethem to be honest with you... I will stand by my inno-cence, now and forever)

Amid De Lima’s calls for accountabili-ty over the rising death toll in the admin-istration’s war against drugs, Duterte onWednesday slammed De Lima as an“immoral woman” over an alleged affairwith her former driver Ronnie Dayan,who he said collected drug money tofund her campaign. Duterte claimed hehas evidence and witnesses to back histirades against the senator.

De Lima, who will lead the Senateinquiry into the drug war as justice andhuman rights committee chairman,denounced Duterte’s allegations as a

tactic to divert public attention from the upcomingSenate investigation. Citing credible sources, De Limadisclosed a supposed plan to link her to drug coddlingin the New Bilibid Prisons, which she found out afterthe elections. — Inquirer.net

De Lima to Duterte: ‘You’ll be embarrassed’

Senator says she is willing to resign, be shot if evidence verified

De Lima

MANILA: In this Aug. 11, 2016 file photo, arrested communist rebel leaders Benito, left, andWilma Tiamzon raise their fists as they await for their bail petition hearing at the RegionalTrial Court, Thursday, in Manila, Philippines. Two top Philippine communist rebel leaderswalked out of a maximum security jail Friday, Aug. 19, to join next week’s resumption ofNorway-brokered peace talks aimed at ending one of Asia’s longest-raging rebellions. —AP

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 3MANILA: The brash-talking Philippine president criticizedthe United Nations on Wednesday for condemning thespate of killings of suspected drug criminals in his countrywhile allegedly keeping silent on deadlier violence in theMiddle East.

President Rodrigo Duterte chided the U.N. for being“easy to be swayed into interfering into the affairs of therepublic” and “coming on a very stupid proposition.” Hewas apparently referring to condemnations by U.N.Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in June and the U.N. Officeon Drugs and Crime earlier this month of Duterte’s “appar-ent endorsement of extrajudicial killings, which is illegaland a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms.”

In a speech at the national police headquarters, Dutertesaid the deaths tallied in his anti-drug campaign includethose who engaged in shootouts with police, as well asthose killed by other drug criminals.

“For those who are killed by the other drug syndicatewe can only investigate, but do not attribute the acts ofother criminals upon my government,” he said.

According to the national police count, as of last week,more than 500 have been killed in gunfights with policeand nearly 8,000 have been arrested in the governmentanti-illegal drugs campaign. But local media and other

groups have higher tallies, some nearly 1,000, and haveincluded apparent victims of summary killings.

Duterte said he will not relent in the fight against drugsuntil the apparatus of drug traffickers is destroyed.

“Why would the United Nations be so easy to be swayedinto interfering into the affairs of the republic?” he asked.“There are about just 1,000 (dead) and there are a lot ofpeople - innocent women, children, young women, youngmen, old women being killed elsewhere in the world.”

He said he has not heard the United Nations or the U.N.chief complaining publicly about the higher Middle Eastdeath tolls or criticizing “the countries who are into it andbombing villages and communities, killing everybodythere including the goats and the cows and the dogs.”

Duterte was not specific, but Ban has addressed a num-ber of conflicts around the globe in recent days. The U.N.chief on Tuesday condemned a reported airstrike on a hos-pital in Yemen that killed at least 11 people. The same day,he launched an investigation into U.N. peacekeepers’alleged inaction during a violent rampage of troops inSouth Sudan. Over the weekend, Ban condemned anattack by suspected rebels that killed at least 36 people innortheastern Congo.

Duterte made an earlier profanity-laced tirade againstthe U.N. when he was president-elect in June after for-eign and local media group criticized his comments thatcorrupt journalists were legitimate targets of assassina-tion.—AP

Duterte slams UN for ‘interfering’ in Philippine drug war

President Rodrigo Duterte

KUWAIT: The heat in truly on with KFB’s 8th One-day Badminton Tournament that have final-ly concluded on Friday August 19 commence at Al Arabi Gym in Mansouriya with playerscompetitiveness. After elimination the strongest, experience players leading the eventshave a sudden match with the not so super star players buying for the chance to be theCHAMPION.

The nerve racking competition said it all as excitement unfold right by your very eyes as

expectators, supporters and friends of each of the opponents got amazed of the hardsmashing sound, the jaw dropping fall of the shuttlecock and of course the techniques thatbeen showcased by each of the players that truly enough to raise our adrenalin.

For inquiry please contact Kuwait Filipino Badminton with the Facebook page kuwaitfil-ipinobadminton, KFB’s Membership Committee.

KFB holds one-day tourney

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 4

KUWAIT: Express your feelings through dance with theseamazing, licensed Zumba instructors at ZPavanooQ8...lastFriday, 19th of august,2016 Zumba lovers burn the dance flooronce again headed by the our Lovely head coach ZIN SarahBerbano Dacara and with the Fabulous and Gorgeous Coaches

and Zins Zin lyn. Our instructor guest Zin Janice Capili fromgym team, pilates & womens health club together w/ Zin MaryAnn Pobre of pilates and of course with the special participa-tion of our lovely coaches Mary Grace Salgon, Khleyr Yuson,Jhing Narbarte, Mary Joy Varilla , and Cathey Geladrino,

Everyone Enjoyed the Sexy Red Friday Zumba Fitness... Wealso celebrated the comeback of our dear Zpavanoo Q8 presi-dent ms Edelyn Dumaquita Lucban So Never Stop Dancingjust Wear Your Favorite Dance Outfit Every Friday 8:30 am until10:00 at Ibnkaldon Street, Hawally Disabled Club.

Zumba continues at Hawally Disabled Club

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 5MANILA: After a month, the balikbayan boxes filled with riceand canned goods from Filipinos in Kuwait, has finally arrived toits recipients the ‘Kidapawan Farmers’ of North Cotabato. Thecargo boxes were shifted to Kidapawan, via Tag Cargo, as aresult of a two-week donation drive conducted by the OFWAguila Movement sa Kuwait, a non-profit, nongovernmentalorganization in Kuwait, who at that time was very active cam-

paigning for Duterte’s presidential candidacy. As backgrounder; the Kidapawan incident took place in-front

of the National Food Authority provincial office, demandinggovernment assistance after drought caused by El Nino hit theirfarms badly. Instead of aid, police stormed the protesters’ barri-cade and opened fire, killing two farmers and wounding 13 oth-ers. The OFW Aguila Movement sa Kuwait was just one of many

nongovernmental groups (in the Philippines and abroad) whocame to the rescue, shared and donated some basic necessitiesfor the Kidapawan famers. Salamat sa inyong tulong especiallyto the men and women of the Philippine National Police, whoassisted and delivered donations to the farmers with OFWAguila Movement representative Miss Maryam Maricarl Jayme!Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at ang pag-kakaisa ng lahing Pilipino!

Donations from Kuwait delivered to Kidapawan farmers

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016 6

MANILA: Immigration authorities at Manila’s airport inter-cepted 177 Indonesians carrying Philippine passports beforethey boarded a flight Friday to Saudi Arabia.

Five Filipinos escorting the Indonesians on a hajj pilgrim-age were also apprehended as the passengers were about toleave for Madina, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morentesaid. The real but fraudulently obtained passports wereallegedly provided by the group’s Filipino escorts, Morentesaid. The Indonesians allegedly paid $6,000 to$10,000 eachto join the pilgrimage under a quota the Saudi governmentreserves for Filipino pilgrims.

The immigration chief said the passengers’ identities wererevealed because they could not speak any Philippine lan-guage or dialect. They later admitted to be Indonesians whoarrived in the country separately as tourists.

Morente ordered the immediate filing of immigrationcharges against them for misrepresenting themselves asFilipinos and for being undesirable aliens. They are beingdetained at the bureau’s detention center in suburbanTaguig City. The bureau is coordinating with the IndonesianEmbassy to establish their identities prior to deportation,and with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other law

enforcement agencies in investigating the fraudulentissuance of Philippines passports, he added.

The immigration bureau said it investigated and moni-tored the group after President Rodrigo Duterte said foreign-ers were using Philippine passports allegedly provided bycorrupt officials handling the pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia applies strict country quotas to managecrowd safety for the hajj, which Islam requires of all-ablebodied Muslims at least once. But the quota is far exceededby demand in Indonesia, which is the world’s most populousMuslim country.—AP

177 Indonesians carrying Philippine passports apprehended

KUWAIT: Peruvian Zumba Trainer Tessy Cabrera was impressedwith the enthusiasm, energy and passion of Filipinos of The GymTeam during the class Friday morning at Chai Al Dhaha ofRadisson Blu Hotel. Cabrera, a noted and licensed Zumba trainerfrom Peru and US showcased and led Gym Team members to twosongs of typical samba and latin rhythms. Among other trainerswere Mariel de Jesus, Blanche Bravo, Myhnna Dy with special par-ticipations and attendance from different trainers from othergyms. The Friday morning class workout was spearheaded by Dy,known for her fusion of Latin and contemporary moves perkedthe first segment of the workout.

“This morning is wonderful and great, energy among themembers fills this rooms and it seems one mentor and inspiresthe other to keep moving. I guess this is what this group is allabout, working together towards a common goal of being fit and

healthy” commented Dy. De Jesus took the stage and applausefilled the room. De Jesus, a resident dancer of Party Pilipinas ofGMA 7 brought her performance to heights with mixed approachto contemporary and basic hiphop.”It was not so difficult to fol-low, at my age I thought this would be so tough and frustratingbut her agility and smiling face made it easy for me to follow andmaximized my workout” stated Malou Al Shaji, a retired seniorchief cabin crew of Kuwait Airways. Bravo, popular amongFilipinos with her title Ambassador of Philippine Zumba in Kuwait,delivered sets of remarkable routines.

“I adore Bravo, she not only catered to Filipinos but to usIndians as well, her Banghra routine was just fun and with Banghramusic, it somehow made us feel so welcome to workout withFilipinos” commented Lucy, a Human Resources Manager. One ofthe highlights of the day was the introduction of Cabrera as The

Gym Team’s newest mentor. Cabrera who is currently in Kuwaitwith her husband is currently searching for appropriate gyms andfitness centers h where she can share her passion or Zumba andLatin music and dance. Cabrera is also a noted choreographer anddancer and has been very much involved in promoting culturesand traditions of Peru and Latin American countries.

“The Filipinos have earned my respect long back since I have metmany of them aborad, for having shown unmatched passion andlove for latin music and dance, not only we share similar cultures buttheir traditions are among the closest to us. I hope to be moreinvolved in many projects of The Gym Tean and hoping that I can bean effective mentor too to others” added Cabrera. The Gym Teamalso celebrated Sami Behbehani member’s birthday with simplefood to share with everyone. Emmanuel Galicia, President of Fitprodonated four boxes of energy drink courtesy of Health Planet.

Filipinos impress Peru Zumba trainer

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016

Page 6

Filipinos impress

Peru Zumba

trainer

Below are the winners:

KUWAIT: FBC 74th regular tourney finals came to its electrifying and thrilling conclusion lastFriday, Augusy 19, 2016 welcoming returning champions and ushering in newcomers to thewinners’ podium.

FBC is inviting all badminton enthusiasts to join the 75th tourney (Aug 26, Sept 2 & 9) from 8 amto 1 pm, upcoming FBC One-Day Tourney - “Clash of the Novices” to be held on September 16, 2016,FBC Singles and adults/kids badminton coaching/tutorial and court rental from 2 pm to 5 pm.

FBC ‘s 74TH regular tourney concludes