Alexander Martin Remollino: Journalist, Poet, Activist

Alexander Martin Remollino was a journalist, poet and activist who devoted the best years of his life to serving the Filipino people.
During his college days at the University of Santo Tomas, Alex joined the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and participated in mass protests not only against tuition increases but also against problems confronting the public. His political activism never stopped even as he was forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints.

For Alex: Para kay Kasamang Alex: Hindi Kinang Kundi Liwanag (Judy Taguiwalo); Zumel Center: ‘Alexander Martin Remollino Is Journalist of the People’; NDFP: ‘We Honor Alex as a True People’s Journalist and Poet’; Ngayong Maulang Gabi, Susulat Ako ng Tula ng Dalamhati – Hindi ng Pamamaalam (Noel Sales Barcelona); Sa Tula Ko Tatapusin ang Dalamhati (Richard Gappi); Bigkas: Munting Alay sa Pag-alaala kay Sir Alexander Martin Remollino (Francis Murillo Emralino); MILF: Men Like Alex Do Not Really Disappear Forever (Mohagher Iqbal); Pakikiramay at Pagpupugay kay Kasamang Alexander Martin Remollino (Joma and Julie Sison); For Alex Who Served His Muse Well (Ina Alleco Silverio); Elegy for Alexander Martin Remollino (Melissa Roxas); Ikaw Na Nagturo Sa Aming Manalamin Sa Harap Ng Hangin (Kislap Alitaptap); Nagtangka Kami (Axel Pinpin); Tuparin Natin ang Banta ng Ating Panahon* (Artists Arrest) and Huling Mensahe kay Alex Remollino (Danilo Araña Arao).

In 2002, he worked briefly for Ibon Foundation as researcher and, later that year, started writing for Bulatlat.com, an alternative online magazine.

Alex wrote in flawless English with ease; his writing skill enabled him to write about complex issues in a language understandable to the common reader. For nearly 10 years, Alex used his talent to expose the issues of the oppressed and the marginalized. With his writing chops, he could have chosen to work for the mainstream media where he could earn a more decent income but he opted to stay with Bulatlat to pursue the progressive, pro-people journalism the website is known for.

The aspirations and the struggle of the Filipino people for genuine freedom and sovereignty, their quest for peace based on justice, the Moro and indigenous peoples’ struggle for self-determination — the mainstream media largely ignored these issues but Alex was there to consistently and passionately write about them.

“The way it is, I compare my situation as a journalist with other journalists who work in other publications: even though they receive higher wages than we, the intellectual and professional environment in Bulatlat is more satisfying,” Alex said in an interview with a blogger in 2008. Such satisfaction emanates from writing about the daily struggles of the ordinary people that most in the mainstream media often ignore.

While he also wrote for other publications to make ends meet, Alex never compromised his activist principles. In fact, he used these other venues to further inform the public about the plight of the Filipino masses.

Alex was known for being taciturn but he minced no words about issues he felt strongly about. While he seldom talked about his personal circumstances and feelings, he was very active in political discussions.

Alex used for his poetry the truths he gleaned from his journalism. Unlike other young poets who found muses from the imagined, Alex drew inspiration from the real sentiments and aspirations, agony and hope of the masses. What he would not share with friends and colleagues would end up in his poems, told more fervently, told more gracefully.

Alex left Bulatlat in February this year and went on to work for Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan). There, he used his writing skills to help Bayan amplify its positions on the burning issues of the day and even took on the task of speaking about these. Even as his health began to deteriorate — he was later diagnosed as a diabetic; his vital organs had been so severely damaged he ended up at the ICU — Alex continued to perform the tasks assigned to him. To the very end, he remained a writer for the people. To the very end, he never wavered in his commitment to serve them.

At 33, his life may have been short but what Alex did during the best years of his life will be remembered for quite sometime.

MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE TRIAL FROM TAGUIG CITY TO QUEZON CITY?

Three scions of the powerful Ampatuan clan asked the Supreme Court on Monday to transfer the venue of the Maguindanao massacre trial from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City to the Quezon City Hall of Justice.

In their petition, Akmad "Tato" M. Ampatuan and brothers Sajid Uy Ampatuan and Anwar Uy Ampatuan said holding of the multiple murder trial venue inside Camp Bagong Diwa is "a mockery of justice" because it is not a real court room.

The three are relatives of clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr. and son, former Datu Unsay, Maguindanao mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. — key suspects in the Nov. 23, 2009 carnage in Ampatuan town that left 57 people dead.

The petitioners are also on the charge sheet in the multiple murder case being heard by Quezon City Regional Trail Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.

The Ampatuans allegedly ordered the bloodbath to prevent rival Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu from filing his certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor. Mangudadatu eventually won in the recent May 10, 2010 elections.

The three Ampatuans said the holding of the trial in Metro Manila is draining their financial resources because "the accused must shoulder the transportation, lodging, and meals of their witnesses."

Sinister atmosphere

They also said the makeshift court room in Camp Bagong Diwa has a sinister atmosphere. They also assailed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's presence in one of the trial proceedings earlier this month.

"Her presence can be perceived as intended to have undue influence on the court. At least, this is the perception of the accused," the Ampatuans said.

They also sought for a public trial so that their supporters, relatives, and friends can give them moral support.

"Clearly, the government's effort to hold the proceedings of the instant case at Camp Bagong Diwa is prejudicial to the petitioners as they are denied not only of their constitutional but basic human right to speedy, fair, and public trial," the petitioners said.

Previous SC decision

Last April 13, the Supreme Court ordered that the trial venue for the multiple murder hearing be transferred from the Philippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City to the Metro Manila police headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa.

As a result of the SC ruling, all suspects in the massacre, including six members of the Ampatuan clan and more than 50 implicated policemen, were all brought to one detention facility inside the police camp.

Former Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tinga then contested the SC ruling, fearing that the transfer of trial to Bicutan would pose security threats to surrounding schools and communities. But the high tribunal later ruled Tinga's motion was based on mere speculations.

On Monday, the Ampatuans made the plea even if the Supreme Court had already junked Tinga's motion.

Separate trial, new judge

In the same petition, the three Ampatuans also asked the Supreme Court to order a separate trial proceeding and to assign a new judge to handle the case.

They said their only crime "is that they bear the same surname and pose as obstacles" to the ambitions of a rival political clan in Maguindanao. However, the petitioners did not indicate whether they were referring to the Mangudadatus.

The three said they deserve a separate, speedy trial because in the main multiple murder case, only three of the 227 witnesses are set to testify against the the petitioners.

"Should trial be joint, the petitioners must await for the termination of testimonies of all the witnesses for the prosecution and the defense, even should the three witnesses against them be made to testify first," said the three Ampatuans.

Moro rebels declined to attend a two-day peace summit

Moro rebels declined to attend a two-day peace summit that started on Monday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), saying the event was purely a government initiative.

Muhammad Ameen, central committee secretariat chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said that while they recognize the good intention behind the event, they would rather focus on the peace talks.

“The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is not even the result of the [Government of the Philippines-Moro National Liberation Front] peace negotiations, but a baby of then President Corazon Aquino in 1987," he सैद on the MILF website, noting the venue of the event, Cotabato City, which is under ARMM.

He said they considered the peace summit to be in the ambit of government’s initiative, adding that the MILF — the largest secessionist organization in the country — will only participate in the negotiation track that is the being held under the third party facilitation of the Malaysian government.

According to the MILF, its chairman Al-Haj Murad was invited to the summit, “but he politely explained to the bearer of the invitation why the MILF cannot give way to such kind invitation."

Organizers of the two-day summit said the event will discuss issues affecting peace and development in the troubled region of Mindanao. They also aim to craft a regional agenda containing recommended solutions.

The summit is aimed at helping to create a paradigm for peace and development thrusts that may serve as reference of the Aquino administration and the MILF in their imminent resumption of peace talks.

Participants include various concerned sectors, including foreign and national dignitaries.
Also invited were envoys from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries belonging to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Colorful Moro banners and fliers were placed around the summit venue inside the ARMM government complex and along the highway leading to the site “to make the atmosphere very conducive to talking peace," said Romeo Sema, a summit working committee member and a key leader of the Moro National Liberation Front.

GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY OFFICIALS LIABLE FOR THE HOSTAGE TRAGEDY

The Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) on the August 23 hostage incident that left eight Chinese tourists dead has recommended the filing of charges against several senior government and military officials who were held liable for the tragedy, President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III announced Monday.

Among the officials and media personalities he named were the following:
* Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez
* Former Philippine National Police Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa
* Former Manila Police District (MPD) Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay
* National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leocadio Santiago
* Undersecretary Rico Puno of the Department of Interior and Local Government;
* Negotiator, Superintendent Orlando Yebra;
* Erwin Tulfo and Michael Rogas, from Radyo Mo Nationwide

He added that "three networks" may also be held liable, but did not give details.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, chairperson of the IIRC, earlier said 12 government and police officials and media practitioners will be held liable for the mishandling of the August 23 hostage crisis.

At a press conference, Aquino approved the release of the report to the public and said it will be posted on the government's Official Gazette, www.gov.ph.

"This morning, we sent a copy of the report to the Chinese ambassador. Now I am authorizing the release of IIRC’s findings of fact to the public, in fulfillment of our administration’s commitment to transparency. It will be published online in the Official Gazette," Aquino said.

He said he has ordered Executive Secretary Paquito "Jojo" Ochoa Jr. and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Ed de Mesa to review the report before he acts on the IIRC's recommendations.

On August 23, a dismissed senior police inspector, Rolando Mendoza, hijacked a bus carrying 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos. He was demanding for his reinstatement and the dismissal of a pending case against him in the Office of the Ombudsman. However, at the end of an 11-hour standoff, Mendoza and eight Hong Kong tourists were killed.

"We are committed to implementing the necessary changes to upgrade the capabilities of our local government units, police and security forces, to ensure the safety of the public," Aquino said.

"We have also been working to review and improve our procedures and protocols for emergency and crisis situations and a draft of a new crisis management manual is now being prepared. This report represents a significant and necessary step in this process," he added.

The Aquino government's handling of the hostage crisis drew criticism from the international and local community.

Analysts and observers pointed out that the police appeared to lacked the skills and equipment to respond properly to the situation.

The media's live coverage of the hostage crisis has also been widely criticized.

Aquino will leave with a 57-member delegation for the United States at 10:30 p.m on Monday. The delegation is expected to return on September 28.

Aquino will visit the US for the following:
* attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York;
* meet with US investors for his administration’s public-private partnership (PPP) projects, and
* witness the formal signing of a US$434-million compact grant agreement under the US
government’s Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).

"As I am now leaving on an important mission, I want to emphasize that I do not want make decisions regarding such important matters without a thorough review. I will study their findings upon my return, and decide accordingly," Aquino said.

"I will release the committee’s recommendations alongside the legal team’s evaluation and recommended course of action at that time," he added.

STATEMENT of His Excellency BENIGNO S. AQUINO (On the release of the IIRC Report)

STATEMENT of His Excellency BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines
On the release of the IIRC Report


[September 20, 2010]

I would like to thank Secretary de Lima and the members of the IIRC for the comprehensive work they have done. Our people have witnessed their diligence and perseverance to ferret out all the relevant facts, despite tremendous public pressure and time constraints.

This morning, we sent a copy of the report to the Chinese ambassador. Now I am authorizing the release of IIRC’s findings of fact to the public, in fulfillment of our administration’s commitment to transparency. It will be published online in the Official Gazette.

The report is recommendatory in nature. I have forwarded it, and its recommendations, to a legal team composed of the Executive Secretary and the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel to make a thorough review of the IIRC’s recommendations.

As I am now leaving on an important mission, I want to emphasize that I do not want make decisions regarding such important matters without a thorough review. I will study their findings upon my return, and decide accordingly.

I will release the committee’s recommendations alongside the legal team’s evaluation and recommended course of action at that time.

We are committed to implementing the necessary changes to upgrade the capabilities of our local government units, police and security forces, to ensure the safety of the public. We have also been working to review and improve our procedures and protocols for emergency and crisis situations and a draft of a new crisis management manual is now being prepared. This report represents a significant and necessary step in this process.

"Greatest Filipino Athlete of All Time"

Bowling, billiards, boxing and basketball are the four big Bs of Philippine sports. These four sports events have rewarded the country richly and produced world champions like Paeng, Coo, Bata, Django, Amang, Flash, Pancho, Onyok, and Caloy.

In a 1999 survey, local poll firm Social Weather Stations claimed that the most popular sports in the Philippines were basketball (72 percent), boxing (55 percent), billiards (37 percent) and bowling (15 percent).

Bowlers

Bowling, one of the four big Bs of Philippine sports is no doubt a field where Filipinos have excelled in. Two Filipinos have been included in the 1993 inaugural International Bowling Hall of Fame, namely: Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo. Bowling has also produced an Olympic gold medal and six Asiad gold medals for the Philippines. Too bad, bowling was just a demonstration sports when Arianne Cerdena won a gold in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Nevertheless, Filipinos have already etched their names on top of more than 100 million bowlers worldwide.

Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno
Paeng owns the following distinctions: "Greatest Filipino Athlete of All Time", "Athlete of the Century", and "International Bowling Athlete of the Millennium." He has won the World Cup in bowling four times in three decades. He could even win his fifth in fourth decade.

He won his first World Cup in Tehran, Iran on November 19, 1976 when he was only 19 years old; his second World Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 1, 1980; his third World Cup in Le Mans, France on November 8, 1992; and his fourth World Cup in Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 23, 1996.

Paeng also won two equally prestigious international titles, namely: the International Tournament championship in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 8, 1984 and the World Tenpin Masters championship in London, England on March 7, 1999. On October 4, 2002, Paeng won a gold medal together with RJ Bautista in bowling's double event for men at the Asian Games held in Pusan, South Korea. All in all, Paeng has won over 100 tournament titles.

He is the only bowler who had received the prestigious International Olympic Committee (IOC) President's Trophy and was the first enshrined in the International Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Missouri in 1993. In November 1999, the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) named Paeng as the "International Bowling Athlete of the Millennium."

In a ceremony held in Dubai, United Arab Ermirates, an FIQ official cited Paeng with these words: "No international bowling athlete is more deserving of recognition than Paeng. In addition to his long list of well-known achievements as a world champion in three decades, Paeng truly has been and continues to be an extraordinary ambassador for our sport. I congratulate Paeng for receiving the highest award possible from the IOC. Being the first time an IOC recognition has been given to a bowling athlete, I can only say: On behalf of 100 million bowlers in the world, I salute Paeng Nepomuceno as the international bowling athlete of the millennium."

Paeng, who is still an active player, was born in Manila on January 30, 1957. Truly, Paeng is a world champion and we are proud to say that Paeng is a Filipino!

Bong Coo dubbed as "Asia's Bowling Queen"

Like Paeng Nepomuceno, Bong Coo dubbed as "Asia's Bowling Queen" was enshrined in the World Bowling Hall of Fame in 1993. She is the most awarded female Filipino athlete in history, having won 107 national and international titles including two world titles, one World Cup and five Asiad gold medals. She set three world records in consecutive FIQ World Championships in 1979 and 1983 and one world record in 1979 World Cup.

Lita dela Rosa
Lita dela Rosa won bowling's World Cup in Bogota, Colombia in 1978.

Arianne Cerdena
It was a Filipino triumph just the same. Despite being excluded from the regular gold medal tally, Arianne Cerdena's Olympic gold medal, which she won at Royal Bowling Center in Seoul, South Korea on September 18, 1988 only proves that the Philippines could easily beat other countries for that elusive Olympic gold. For the record, bowling was considered only as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Asiad Gold Medallists
Bong Coo has won five gold medals in the Asian Games from 1978 to 1986. Her teammates in five-person team events were Lita de la Rosa, Rosario de Leon, Lily Reformado, and Nellie Castillo. On October 4, 2002, Paeng Nepomuceno and RJ Bautista won the men's doubles bowling event at the 14th Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. It was the first Asiad gold for Nepomuceno. Both Paeng and RJ are left-handed.

Other Champion Bowlers
Among the other Filipino bowlers who have performed competitively in World Cup and other international tournaments include Irene Benitez, Jojo Canare, Liza Clutario, Angelo Constantino, Rosario de Leon, Liza del Rosario, Benito Dytoc, Jorge Fernandez, Cecilia Gaffud, Delfin Garcia, Irene Garcia, Chester King, Loreto Maranan, Richard Poblete, Lolita Reformado, Leonardo Rey, Linda Reyes, Rene Reyes, Engelbert Rivera, Virgilio Sablan, Rudy Salazar, Jose Santos, Catalina Solis, Christian Suarez, Manny Sugatan, Diana Tanlimco, Paulo Valdez, Bec Watanabe, and Cecilia Yap.