Facing the media Tuesday, Mangudadatu said he had no ill-feelings towards Teodoro after the former defense chief had reminded the Maguindanao leader that the Ampatuans—the powerful clan that had an iron-grip control of the province for a decade—were particularly violent.

“Mahal na mahal kita, Toto. May pagkabayolente ang mga taong yan. (I care a lot about you, Toto. Those are violent people),” Mangudadatu quoted Teodoro as warning him.

Mangudadatu revealed this conversation in his testimony during the resumption of the hearing on Andal Ampatuan Jr.’s petition for bail before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

That remark, he said, was made when Teodoro sought out Mangudadatu sometime last year before the latter’s wife, relatives, political allies and journalists accompanying them were killed November 23 on their way to Shariff Aguak to register Mangudadatu’s candidacy for governor. Ampatuan Jr. has been tagged by witnesses as the mastermind of the politically-motivated killings and is now detained at the National Bureau of Investigation facility in Manila .

“I’m a party man and my support for Secretary Teodoro has not been tainted or diminished,” Mangudadatu said in Pilipino.

“What he told me was a friendly remark. I do not see how he should be blamed for that,” he said.

The Ampatuans were in fact helping Sen.. Manny Villar in his quest of the presidency as the Nacionalista Party standard-bearer, he said, adding: “Villar even spent the night in the house of the Ampatuans” when he came to visit.

It is no secret in Maguindanao that Villar had received help from the Ampatuans in the past, although the Ampatuans were known Lakas-Kampi CMD stalwarts in the region, Mangudadatu said.

In his economic blueprint for Mindanao, Teodoro sees a sustainable peace in Mindanao as a key agenda in tapping its full potential in agriculture and food production that in turn could ensure the country’s food security.

“We cannot have peace and progress with armed groups still holding out. The national government under Teodoro will not compromise its sovereignty and will work to secure a government monopoly of force in Mindanao ,” the Lakas standard bearer stressed.

Clad in white polo and jeans, Dominguez’s first stop was in barangay New La Union where he formally turned over a school library to the representatives of Kipalkuda Elementary School.

“Ang pinakamabisang susi upang makalabas sa kahirapan ay magkaroon ng kaledad na edukasyon. Sa mga magulang, sana ang pagcelebrate natin hindi lang dahil birthday ko kundi dahil maliwanag ang kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak,” he said.

Several residents in the barangay also received PhilHealth Cards through their barangay health workers. The giving of cards was a surprise for the villagers who never expected such “gift” from the governor.

Earlier before noontime, Dominguez, together with Maitum Mayor Elsie Perrett and some board members, proceeded to Upo Elementary School in barangay Upo where a big crowd awaited for him. The event was also graced with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, and businessman Roy Chiongbian, who will run for Congress in the province in May 2010 polls.

“This is the true leader, he gives instead he receives,” said Solon, who recognized the governor’s effort in supporting a provincial outreach composed of a free medical mission, a feeding program, and the giving out of PhilHealth cards to the residents of at least six barangays.

The provincial outreach was also supported by the Chiongbian Group of Companies, the 73rd Infantry Battalion headed by Col. Edgardo de Leon, the Philippine National Police, and other agencies.

Dominguez said the giving of health cards is one of the initiatives of the provincial government in order to improve health services for the poor.

The governor also graced the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion and improvement of rural health unit of Malalag in the same municipality. The project was funded by the Yacap Partylist through the effort of the governor and the municipal mayor of Maitum.

“We are very fortunate that we were able to experience the help and services extended by our governor,” Perrett said.

Meanwhile, to complete his series of visits, Dominguez led the officers of Kapitbahayan Resettlement and Housing Project in Valencia village in Salakit, Kiamba to take oath before the rest of the members of the association.

The resettlement area was intended for flood victims in the coastal areas of barangay Salakit. The project targets to benefit 100 families. (Joy Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Butuan –An elaborate and heartwarming send-off ceremony was held in the morning of February 4 at PPA ground to the two Balangays as Voyage of the Balangay resumes its journey in the remaining areas of Mindanao with former DOTC Undersecretary Art Valdez heading the team composed of badjao’s from Tawi-Tawi and the Mt. Everest Team.

Masawa Hong Butuan with Team Captain Art Valdez led the sailing moving slowly from PPA Port with Diwata ng Lahi not far behind.

The two flotillas was escorted by the City Disaster Coordinating Council, the coastguards and two motor banca’s following behind sending them off with people from riverside barangays waving Philippine flags shouting “Maayong Paglawig” (Von Voyage).

Balangay Masawa Hong Butuan as Kaya ng Pinoy described, made her shakedown and test and onward voyage all rolled into one along with the ‘Diwata ng Lahi’ at past 12 noon with almost 20 guest crews joining the maiden voyage from Butuan to Carmen in Agusan del Norte anchoring at 5 in the afternoon.

In the morning of February 5, the Balangay boats lifted anchor at 8:30 for Gingoog City continuing its 6th leg, consisting of Camiguin, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Ozamis.

The Balangay, also known as Butuan Boat is the first wooden watercraft excavated in the late 1970’s in Butuan City and was radiocarbon tested and was dated at year 320.

The Kaya ng Pinoy Foundation launched in June of last year an undertaking that will retrace the migration the Filipinos’ ancestors across the oceans using only the Balangay, built by master carpenters from Sibuto, Tawi-tawi based on tradition used during the ancient times.

Inspired by the cause, Butuan Global Forum, Inc. and Butuan Historical & Cultural Foundation decided to build their own Balangay which started on December of last year with the same master carpenters from Sibuto.

Jorge Navarra of Butuan Global Forum clarified, that if the balangay’s name was “KASAWA HONG BUTUAN”, as a noun KASAWA could be taken to mean as Radiance or brightness.

Navarra added, “Masawa Hong Butuan” as put together simply means that MASAWA, the native name of the place that Pigafetta had written as “Mazzaua” or “Mazaua” where Magellan landed, is of Butuan – MASAWA belongs to Butuan, therefore the literal translation would be MASAWA OF BUTUAN.”

Butuan Global Fourm wants to emphasize the point as MASAWA in BUTUAN, or where the first blood compact and the first Easter mass was held.

Masawa Hong Butuan measuring 24.7 meters will be back in Butuan by December after the Voyage of the Balangay has successfully finished navigating the rest of Mindanao and parts of Southeast Asia.

The Voyage of the Balangay according to Art Valdez will be back to Manila early part of November, 2010.

Butuan – A security guard of Millros Security Agency identified as one Joseph Carmelotis, legal age, single, a resident of Purok-3, Ambangan, Barangay Ambago, this city and was detailed at AMC Plywood Company compound located at Purok-1, Barangay Taguibo, was allegedly shot and clubbed by two unidentified suspects.

Victim sustained injuries on his head and one gunshot wound on the left portion of his nape and was brought to Butuan Medical Center for medical treatment and declared on stable condition.

Initial investigation disclosed that while the said security guard was conducting routine roving inside the compound, two unidentified suspects suddenly appeared one of which armed with a revolver handgun immediately shot the victim hitting his nape and clubbed his head twice.

Although the victim was wounded he was able to draw his issued caliber .38 revolver, shot the fleeing suspects and believed hitting one of them.

The responding members of Butuan City Police Station 4 led by SPO1 Wilfredo Dar found out that the issued caliber .38 of the victim was lost.

Manhunt operation is being conducted by the members of BCPS 4 for possible identification and arrest of the suspects.