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Termination of talks with Reds now official with proclamation

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has formally declared the termination of talks between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front-Communist of the Philippines-The New People’s Army (NDF-CPP-NPA) through Proclamation No. 360 issued Thursday, Nov. 23.

The proclamation, issued on Friday, noted in part that, “in spite of the best efforts exerted by this Administration, the NDF-CPP-NPA failed to show its sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as it engaged in acts of violence and hostilities, endangering the lives and properties of innocent people.”

“Now, therefore, I, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare the termination of peace negotiations with the NDF-CPP-NPA and all its adjuncts and organizational units,” the proclamation also read.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Panel for Peace Talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF were accordingly directed “to cancel all peace talks and meetings with the NDF-CPP-NPA.”

Late night on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque Jr., announced the proclamation after Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza made a statement a day earlier on the cancellation of talks.

“We find it unfortunate that their members have failed to show their sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peaceful negotiations,” Mr. Roque said of the NDF-CPP-NPA.

‘NO. 1 TERRORIST’
Peace talks between the GRP and the NDF-CPP-NPA started early this year but a fifth round of talks was canceled following reports of NPA rebels attacking government forces.

On Wednesday, Mr. Duterte said he will order the arrest of the rebels as they were already categorized as terrorists. He also said even their “legal fronts” could be arrested as they worked together to topple down the government.

“The President, as we all know, has always wanted to leave a legacy of peace under his administration. He has, in fact, walked the extra mile for peace. Rest assured that he will continuously pray that we may all find the peace that we seek for our beloved country in the fullness of God’s time,” Mr. Roque said.

For his part, NDF chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison branded Mr. Duterte as “the No. 1 terrorist in the Philippines,” and as “a mass murderer, political swindler, a sycophant to foreign powers and a corrupt bureaucrat.”

“The Filipino people and revolutionary forces waging the people´s democratic revolution have no choice but to intensify the people´s war through an extensive and intensive guerrilla warfare in rural areas and partisan or commando operations in urban areas,” Mr. Sison also said.

“Duterte is now worried to death by his own fear that anti-Duterte officers within his own army and police are inclined to act in the name of the people and unite with the broad opposition and mass movement in order to end the Duterte regime in the same manner that the Marcos and Estrada regimes were ended,” he added.

Mr. Sison’s wife, Julieta de Lima, in her statement as chairperson of the NDFP Reciprocal Working Committee on Social and Economic Reforms lamented that Mr. Duterte’s “latest scuttling of the talks comes at a time when unprecedented advances have already been achieved in forging agreements on urgently needed socio-economic reforms to alleviate mass poverty and resolve the roots of the armed conflict.”

‘US INTERVENTION’
Although the proclamation stopped short of declaring the rebels as terrorists, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said in response to the proclamation: “Sa tingin ko, among others, magbubukas ito sa isang mas malala na direktang intervention ng US military sa counter-insurgency operations. The same way na ‘yung US ay deeply involved sa giyera kontra sa Maute kasi ISIS daw ‘yan, terrorist group. So kinikilala ng US government na terrorist group ito, therefore may pahintulot na manghimasok sa mga counter-terrorist operation ng Armed Forces of the Philippines.” (I think this will open the way to a worse direct intervention by the US military in counter-insurgency operations. The same way the US was deeply involved in the war against Maute because they were deemed ISIS, a terrorist group. So the US government recognizes [the communist rebels] as a terrorist group, therefore this gives them room to be involved in the counter-terrorist operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.)

Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate of Bayan Muna party-list for his part said: “Unfortunately, mukhang nagiging tindig ngayon ng administrasyon ay pasukuin na lamang ang mga rebolusyonaryong grupo at magkaroon ng pangmatagalang ceasefire na hindi ina-address ‘yung root causes of the armed conflict…” (Unfortunately, it appears the administration’s stand now is to force the surrender of the revolutionary group and enforce a cease-fire that will not address the root causes of the armed conflict.)

Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago of the Kabataan party-list said Mr. Duterte’s proclamation was tantamount to an “all-out war” against the rebels.

But Rep. Jericho Nograles of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), on the other hand, said in a statement that “Duterte is right to tag CPP-NDF-NPA as ‘terrorists.’”

“The negotiations between the Government and the CPP-NDF-NPA have been going nowhere for years. In fact, it has been simply a ‘hearing commission’ more than a true negotiation for peace,” Mr. Nograles said.

He added that based on Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007, NDF-CPP-NPA are thus defined as terrorists.

“They act like terrorists so it’s only correct to classify them as terrorists,” Mr. Nograles said.

For his part, Senator Francis N. Pangilinan in his statement as Liberal Party president said in part: “The Party expresses serious concern over the President’s cancellation of peace talks with the National Democratic Front. Both sides have already endured enough, and cancelling the peace talks would only mean further suffering for all, especially civilians who are caught between the seemingly endless arms struggle.”

“We need to have a continuous dialogue about dealing with the civil unrest. We need to continue talking about land reform, improving and ensuring workers’ rights, protecting indigenous peoples, and alleviating the injustices long felt by our country’s working class,” Mr. Pangilinan also said. — Rosemarie A. Zamora with Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

Duterte appoints new heads of ERC, Comelec

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed former solicitor-general and justice secretary Agnes T. Devanadera as Chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and Sheriff M. Abas as Chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Ms. Devanadera is set to assume the seat of Jose Vicente B. Salazar, who was fired by Mr. Duterte in October after the Palace found him guilty of simple and grave misconduct.

In a 21-page order dated Oct. 6, 2017, the Office of the President imposed the penalty of dismissal from government service “with all accessory penalties” upon Mr. Salazar, who was suspended by the same office in August for four months because of insubordination. Mr. Salazar said in October that he intended to tap legal options after his dismissal.

In an appointment letter dated Nov. 22 and released to the media on Friday, Ms. Devanadera will serve as chairperson until July 10, 2022.

The ERC confirmed receipt of Malacañang’s appointment letter on Ms. Devanadera as its new chairperson. “Yes we confirm receipt of such appointment,” said Floresinda B. Digal, ERC spokesperson.

“We welcome the appointment of the new Chairman and CEO to complete the Commission. We look forward to continuously performing our mandate to the public under this new leadership,” she said, quoting the ERC’s official statement on Ms. Devanadera’s appointment.

Sought for comment, NGCP spokesperson Cynthia P. Alabanza said: “We welcome this development so that projects pending approval with the ERC may move forward. There’s lots to be done.”

Ms. Devanadera had served as solicitor-general of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007 and justice secretary from 2009 to 2010.

Mr. Abas, meanwhile, was named new Comelec chairman, a month after Andres D. Bautista resigned amid his impeachment by the House of Representatives.

In his appointment letter, Mr. Abas will serve as the poll body chairman until Feb. 2, 2022.

Mr. Abas is the nephew of Moro Islamic Liberation Front chief negotiator Mohagher Igbal.

Prior to his appointment to the Comelec, Mr. Abas was acting assistant regional director of the Civil Service Commission in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. — Victor V. Saulon and Rosemarie A. Zamora

Japan to train Filipino construction workers

THE Philippines and Japan have agreed to cooperate in training construction workers to help address a shortage in skilled labor in the Philippines.

The two governments on Thursday signed a memorandum of cooperation during the 1st Philippines-Japan Conference on Construction, signed by Ruth B. Castelo, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business Group (CEODBG), and Koichi Yoshida, Vice Minister for Land Infrastructure and Hokkaido Development of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT).

“This is a mutual commitment between the government of the Philippines and government of Japan to develop the Philippine construction manpower sector,” Ms. Castelo told BusinessWorld.

Under the agreement, “they will send Japanese experts in the Philippines to train trainers” as well as directly train workers, she said.

Ms. Castelo added that the government will work with Philippine construction companies like DMCI Holdings, Inc. and Makati Development Corp., to facilitate integration of returning overseas workers.

Hidejiro Suzuki, Deputy Director General of MLIT, said in his remarks: “We are expecting our technology and know-how of Japanese companies can surely contribute to your industry.”

Ms. Castelo has said that 70% of the work force in the construction industry is unskilled. She said that the cooperation with Japan can help in addressing the problem, as Japanese companies will take in unskilled workers for training.

She added that the shortage of workers is now estimated at 2 million, with 3.863 million construction workers as of July 2017. The shortage was previously estimated at 2.5 million last year. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

Robinsons Land readies P20-B stock rights offer

ROBINSONS Land Corp. (RLC) said its board of directors has approved in principle the company’s plan to raise up to P20 billion in fresh capital from a stock rights offering.

“RLC intends to use the majority of its net proceeds from the Offer to finance the acquisition of land located in various parts of the country for all its business segments,” the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Friday.

The company said the rights offer, which was approved by the board on Nov. 13, 2017, has an entitlement ratio of one rights share for every 3.6 to 4.3 common shares, approximately.

It has yet to determine the number of shares to be offered, the ex-rights date, record date as well as the start and end of the offering period. But the company said the number of shares to be offered is approximately 950 million to 1.1 billion shares.

On Friday, shares in RLC fell 14.63%, or P3.60, to P21 each.

RLC, the real estate arm of Gokongwei-led JG Summit Holdings, Inc., is one of the country’s leading property developers based on revenues, number of properties and project size.

It closed 2016 with four business divisions: commercial centers, residential, office buildings and hotels.

The company is involved in the development and operation of malls and hotels. It also builds mixed use properties, office and residential buildings, as well as land and residential housing, including socialized housing in cities and other urban areas.

So far this year, it has announced a fifth business division: infrastructure and integrated business unit, which will focus on vast mixed-use developments, real estate-related infrastructure projects including reclamation projects, and development of warehousing facilities. — Victor V. Saulon

Duterte vows anew to resign if he fails to solve drug crisis

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday, Nov. 24, vowed anew he would resign if he fails to solve the country’s drug crisis.

He made these remarks amid the ongoing deliberations in the Senate on the 2018 national budget, including the proposed budget for the Oplan Double Barrel anti-drug campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Pag hindi ko kaya ito, bababa talaga ako. Sabihin ko sa inyo,” he told the 1st Scout Rangers in San Miguel, Bulacan, on the occasion of their 57th founding anniversary. (If I can’t solve this, I will really step down, I tell you.)

“And if I cannot control drugs then maybe it is time for me to think about resignation,” he also said.

He elicited his audience’s applause when he said, “I have not yet signed the executive order [reverting the antidrug campaign to the PNP]. But I am inclined to call back the police and join again in the drug war.”

BUDGET DELIBERATIONS
Mr. Duterte’s inclination to have the PNP once again lead the drug war elicited various responses from the Senate.

For Senate President Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III, there is still time to adjust the 2018 budget for Oplan Double Barrel should Mr. Duterte make official his recent pronouncements.

“We should be aware of the President’s latest pronouncements. May time pa to adjust (There is still time to adjust),” Mr. Pimentel said.

During the Senate interpellation on the proposed budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) last Nov. 17, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said he would seek the realignment of the P900 million allotted for the PNP’s anti-illegal drug campaign including the DILG’s P500 million for its Masa Masid program, a crime, corruption, and anti-illegal drugs prevention program in barangays.

Mr. Drilon said he would propose in the period of amendments that both funds should go to the PNP’s housing since the campaign is currently with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

In a statement issued collectively by his fellow Liberal senators, Mr. Drilon also said that if the government is serious in its drug war, it should use all possible means to pursue those behind the drug shipment and find out the identity of a certain “Tita Nanie.”

The statement noted that customs broker Mark Taguba named “Tita Nanie” as the one behind the influential “Davao Group,” whom he approached to facilitate the entry of his shipments.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson for his part said that if the President’s plan to return the anti-drug campaign happens after Congress ratifies the bicameral conference committee report, “the P900 million…cannot be reinstated anymore unless the President exercises his veto power when he approves the national budget.”

Mr. Lacson shared that, based on “his talks with some senior grade police officials who were directly involved in drug-related operations before (Mr. Duterte) took the task away from them, and who will again be at the forefront in the event that they are redeployed for the same mission, they have now become more conscious, if not wary of possible dire consequences of the excesses committed by the men under their command.”

“It now seems to be the common sentiment shared by many PNP personnel. This is mainly due to the many investigations conducted by the Senate that have exposed such human rights abuses like the Karl Arnaiz and Kian de los Santos (murders) and other similar incidents that put them on the spot and under closer scrutiny by different human rights groups and advocates,” Mr. Lacson added.

“[T]he rest remains to be seen when the primary task of handling the drug problem is finally given back to them. When that happens, the key is vigilance to always put them on notice that they are being watched,” said the senator, a former PNP chief during the Estrada administration.

Senators Gregorio B. Honasan II and Ralph G. Recto, for their part, do not see any problem with the President’s pronouncement.

“Any realignment of functions and mission including presidential prerogatives and powers are allowed by the law to serve public order and safety, protect life, liberty, and property,” Mr. Honasan said.

For Mr. Recto, “That’s the prerogative of the president. I hope the PNP has learned from its mistakes.”

He said the PNP this time should be “more careful and should protect the rights of the suspects.”

For her part, Senator Grace Poe said the PDEA is the right agency to handle the anti-drug campaign.

“Since PDEA is legally mandated to be the country’s primary agency in the anti-drug campaign, it would be ideal if the PDEA retained leadership and the PNP lends its full operational muscle to fill up the lack in manpower besetting the drug agency,” Ms. Poe said.

“We must not forget that the PNP has been involved in too many controversial operations, thus casting doubt on the organization’s ability to uphold the rule of law and respect basic rights. With PDEA remaining on top of the operations and with PNP as main support, the government will be able to help rectify the manner or conduct of such operations. This is also consistent with the President’s desire to pursue a more vigorous anti-drug campaign,” Ms. Poe added.

Ms. Poe also said “the PNP must clean up its organization and strengthen the IAS (Internal Affairs Service).”

UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS
Meanwhile, Malacañang on Friday criticized a joint statement by three United Nations Special Rapporteurs who reiterated their call to the Philippine government to investigate the killings in the course of the drug war.

On Thursday, UN Special Rapporteurs Agnes Callamard, Michel Forst, and Diego Garcia-Sayan issued a joint statement that read in part: “United Nations human rights experts have called on the Government of the Philippines to carry out prompt, impartial investigations into the high number of killings in the context of the anti-drugs campaign, to bring the perpetrators to justice, and thoroughly review its current policy in this regard, with a view to stopping further attacks taking place.”

“A great number of new cases have been reported to us involving killings of men, women and children,” the statement added, as it also noted that the killings being reported to them appear to be perpetrated by law enforcement officials and by unknown assailants.

“The Philippines is required to protect its population, and its Government has a positive obligation to take effective measures to protect the right to life. Failure to do so is a violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” the statement also read.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., for his part said: “We saw this when an entire city police force (Caloocan Police District) was relieved after violations in operational procedures. This is a proof that we investigate and punish erring policemen and hence, discharged our state obligation to protect and promote human rights. We believe that accountability is an indispensable part of good governance and the President himself made a clear stance that legitimate operations follow protocols.”

“We therefore decry the Special Rapporteurs who signed the joint statement for making negative assumptions about the country despite our explanations to the contrary,” he added.

Mr. Roque also said the government will not allow “biased individuals parading themselves as human rights experts to abuse such a mechanism to bully States by concocting falsehoods.” — Arjay L. Balinbin and Rosemarie A. Zamora

MGB says Congressional franchise not applicable to miners

THE acting director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau does not believe that miners ought to obtain Congressional franchises in order to operate, saying that franchises apply only to public utilities.

Wilfredo G. Moncano, speaking on the sidelines of the 64th Annual National Mining Safety and Environment Conference in Bauio City, said miners are not recognized as public utilities under Philippine law, unless there is a Constitutional amendment.

“It’s a legal issue actually. Personally it’s my position as a lawyer that mining companies are not public utilities. Only public utilities are required to secure Congressional franchises… unless there’s an amendment on the constitution but right now the existing law does not require them to (seek franchises),” he said.

Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang said Congress will push for franchising to ensure that the government secures a fair share of mining profits.

“Mining companies earn a lot but we don’t see it. That’s why this bill is proposed in the first place,” he said. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

SWS poll:77% satisfied with efforts by Duterte gov’t to rebuild Marawi

EFFORTS by the Duterte administration to rebuild Marawi City yielded an excellent +70 net satisfaction rating, according to the latest results of the Third Quarter 2017 Social Weather Survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The noncommissioned survey conducted Sept. 23-27 also found that 53% of Filipinos think it will take five years or more before the areas damaged by the Marawi City crisis can fully recover, while 46% say it will take one to four years, SWS said.

77% of respondents expressed satisfaction (43% very satisfied and 35% somewhat satisfied, correctly rounded) with the efforts to rebuild Marawi City, the scene of a siege by Islamist terrorists that began May 23 and ended this month. Dissatisfied respondents constituted 8% (4% somewhat dissatisfied and 3% very dissatisfied, correctly rounded), which led to the +70 excellent net satisfaction rating (% agree minus % disagree, correctly rounded).

SWS’ terminology for net satisfaction is as follows: +70 and above, “Excellent”; +50 to +69, “Very Good”; +30 to +49, “Good”; +10 to +29, “Moderate”, +9 to –9, “Neutral”; –10 to –29, “Poor”; –30 to –49, “Bad”; –50 to –69, “Very Bad”; –70 and below, “Execrable.”

The survey showed net satisfaction with the Duterte administration’s efforts to rebuild Marawi City as being highest in Mindanao at an excellent +77 (81% satisfied, 4% dissatisfied); followed by Metro Manila at an excellent +75 (83% satisfied, 8% dissatisfied); Balance Luzon at a very good +66 (74% satisfied, 8% dissatisfied); and the Visayas at a very good +65 (75% satisfied, 10% dissatisfied).

The results hardly varied across locale — an excellent +70 in overall urban areas, and a very good +69 in overall rural areas.

By education, satisfaction was an excellent +76 among college graduates, and an excellent +74 among high school graduates. It was a very good +67 among elementary school graduates and a very good +54 among non-elementary school graduates.

By religion, it was within the excellent net satisfaction range among Iglesia ni Cristo members (+75) and religions other than INC, Islam, and Roman Catholicism (+72). It was within the very good net satisfaction range among Roman Catholics (+69) and Muslims (+65).

As for projections on Marawi’s recovery, the proportion of those saying it will take five years or more for Marawi City to fully recover was 60% (21% 5-6 years, 38% 7 years or more, correctly rounded) in Mindanao, 60% (25% 5-6 years, 35% 7 years or more) in the Visayas, 50% (19% 5-6 years, 31% 7 years or more) in Balance Luzon, and 44% (22% 5-6 years, 22% 7 years or more) in Metro Manila, SWS said.

The survey also noted the proportion of those who believe it will take five years or more for Marawi City to fully recover tends to be higher among the older age groups: 60-63% among 45 years old and above, compared to the 48-50% range among the 25-44 year olds, and 36% among 18-24 year olds. The results hardly varied across locale, class, sex, educational level, and religion.

The survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide, 600 in Balance Luzon and 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao (with sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% each for the other areas).

MRC Allied taps Chinese partner for LNG venture

MRC Allied, Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Guangdong Power Engineering Co., Ltd. (GPEC) to explore projects in liquefied natural gas (LNG)project in the Philippines two months after pursuing a similar deal on renewable energy projects.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, MRC Allied said the purpose of the MoU “is to confirm that both parties have interest in exploring the possibility of investing, constructing, developing and operating” local LNG projects. It said the memorandum was signed on Thursday.

“There is a growing interest and increasing excitement about prospects in the LNG industry in this country. We are looking forward to having solid partnerships with foreign investors” said MRC Chairman Carlos Jose P. Gatmaitan in a statement.

“We are likewise excitedly waiting for the government to come up with the legal and regulatory framework that will govern the LNG industry. We heard that the Department of Energy will release the rules very soon,” he said.

MRC Allied, a mining and property company that is bent on shifting to energy, described GPEC as based in Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China, which is engaged in the business of exploration, development and construction of energy projects.

In July, MRC Allied, Inc. entered into a separate MoU with the Chinese energy engineering group to look into the renewable energy projects in the Philippines that have been identified by the local company.

In the latest MoU, MRC Allied said within a period of one year, the parties will conduct due diligence to identify prospective LNG projects.

“Subject to the result of the due diligence, the parties will execute a more definitive agreement covering an identified LNG project,” the company said in its regulatory filing on Friday.

It also said the MoU is in effect for a period of one year from signing.

“The effect on the business, financial condition and operations of the Issuer will be subject to the definitive agreement to be executed by the parties after the conduct of due diligence within the one year period,” MRC Allied said.

On Friday, shares in MRC Allied rose by 11.69% to close at P0.43 each. — Victor V. Saulon

Mindanao-Sulawesi shipping route resumes with smaller vessel

DAVAO CITY — An Indonesian-flagged boat, the Gloria 28, with capacity of 256 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), has started plying the Davao-Manado route as an alternative to the Davao-General Santos-Bitung service that has been put on hold for lack of demand.

The Davao-GenSan-Bitung roll on-roll off (RoRo) service, launched on April 30 this year with President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo leading the ceremony, used the 500-TEU M/V Super Shuttle RORO 12 of Philippine company Asian Marine Transport Corp.

“Since (Super Shuttle RORO 12) was facing difficulties, we looked for an alternative, which is a smaller vessel and this vessel has sailed. We put a lot of effort to launch this smaller RoRo,” Indonesian Consul General Berlian Napitupulu told the media in a forum on Nov. 22.

The Gloria 28 started on the Manado-Davao route in October, and is scheduled to make a second trip before the end of November.

Mr. Napitupulu, who is based in Davao City, said that there has been enough cargo both ways and he and Philippine partners are working to expand the variety of goods that can be traded.

“For instance they bring Christmas decorations (from Davao) to Manado because most of the people of Manado are Christians and they celebrate Christmas,” he said.

On the other hand, products that were shipped in from Manado include agricultural goods, plywood, and soft drinks.

“This is small, but it has started. Better than to have a big launch that makes no economic sense,” Mr. Napitupulu said.

“If any two kinds of Indonesian food and beverage come to Mindanao, I am happy. To bring two products is not easy,” he added.

Part of the campaign for trade expansion is the holding of the first Indonesia Fashion Expo on Nov. 24 to 26 at the activity center of Abreeza Mall, where 24 Indonesian companies are expected to participate.

Mr. Napitupulu said among the exhibitors are wholesale and retail firms involved in textile, garments, shoes, bags, leather products and accessories.

The event will also feature one-on-one business matching meetings, and tourism promotion activities.— Maya M. Padillo

Harbor Star buys into GenSan solar power plant operator

LISTED logistics company Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc. has acquired 60% of a solar power plant operator in General Santos City for $6.3 million (P318 million) in a move it said “positions itself in the energy sector of the future.”

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Friday, the shipping company said the deal is between its subsidiary Harbor Star Energy Corp. (HSEC) and Astronergy Development Gensan Inc. (ADGI).

The agreement covers the purchase of 45% of the issued capital stock of ADGI from existing shareholders and the subscription to ADGI primary shares to raise HSEC’s stake to 60%.

Harbor Star last month disclosed its foray into the power sector, saying that HSEC has acquired a combination of primary and secondary shares in ADGI, as well as Astronergy Development F1, Inc., and Astronergy F2, Inc., which form ADI Companies, but the shipping company at that time did not yet indicate an amount spent for the acquisition.

ADGI has permits, licenses and entitlements to operate 25 megawatts (MW) solar plant, expandable to 75MW, in General Santos City. The construction of the initial 25MW solar power plant will be completed by the second quarter of 2018.

ADGI has an existing power purchase agreement (PPA) approved by regulators with South Cotobato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“SOCOTECO II”). Under the PPA, SOCOTECO-II will purchase all the energy output from the project.

Shares of Harbor Star rallied, closing at P3.93 apiece, up P0.82 or 26.37%.

Duterte assures justice in Ampatuan massacre

By Rosemarie A. Zamora

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has vowed to families of victims of the 2009 Ampatuan massacre that justice will be served “under his watch,” Malacañang said on Friday, Nov. 24.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., in his press briefing said Mr. Duterte had a “cordial, candid, and impassioned” meeting with the families on Thursday, Nov. 23.

That day marked the eighth anniversary of the massacre in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao, which claimed the lives of 58, including 32 identified with the media.

The massacre allegedly on the watch of the Ampatuan family is still deemed the biggest case of political violence in recent memory. The Committee to Protect Journalists describes this incident as “the single deadliest event for journalists in history.”

An update by the Supreme Court last Tuesday indicated the case was still in the stage of hearing evidence.

Mr. Roque for his part said, “The President gave specific instructions to [Justice Secretary Vitaliano N.] Aguirre, the PTFoMS [Presidential Task Force on Media Security] and the state prosecutors handling the case who were present, to see to it that a conviction would be handed down to the principal accused (at) the soonest possible time.”

“He likewise instructed Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go, to arrange employment, scholarships and financial assistance to the families,” Mr. Roque added.

Mr. Roque said the families had sought an audience with the President “to personally seek his help in their long quest for justice against the powerful members of the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao.”

The spokesman added: “President Duterte, a former prosecutor himself, even shared his thoughts on the dynamics and intricacies of the justice system, noting that even the right of the accused to be heard is sacred under our democratic rules. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that the strength of the case against them-188 respondents in all-will eventually lead to a verdict favorable to the victims.”

Mr. Roque also noted that Mr. Duterte, then mayor of Davao City during the massacre, was among the first to extend help to the families by providing a helicopter that helped locate the site of the massacre.

“Rest assured that us in the government, through PTFoMS, the DOJ and other stakeholders, will work without letup in ensuring justice for all victims of violence against members of the working press,” Mr. Roque said, adding:

“We are committed to upholding the President’s promise that his government will never condone violence and repression of media.”

BoI approves perks for plastic pellet exporter

PORTAL Steels, Inc. has won tax and fiscal incentives for its plastic pellet export business, qualifying under the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP), the Board of Investments (BoI) said.

In a statement Friday, the Department of Trade and Industry’s investment promotions said it approved incentives for the company’s P46.3 million plant at Hong Chang Compound, Carmona, Cavite.

The plant is expected to produce 2,400 metric tons of plastic pellets annually once it starts commercial operations next month, which will be used for food and beverage packaging products, bags, and gearbox motors. More than half of the output will be shipped out to Asian markets.

Portal Steels said in the statement that it plans to increase its work force to 44 from the current 26.

The IPP grants incentives for goods and servics exports.

According to the BoI, the production of plastic pellets falls under the automotive, construction, electronics, machinery, packaging and “other” sectors category of eligible projects under IPP.

The DTI is seeking to revive the local manufacturing industry through a program of incentives for projects outside Metro Manila.

In September, Portal Steels also qualified for incentives for its P323 million steel billet plant which will produce for both local and export markets.

The steel billet plant uses scrap metal as its raw material and is due to open in December. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

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