12
15 17 ZamboNewsOnLine
Health
office traces defective
Dengvaxia
use in Zamboanga
The City Health Office is reviewing
the list of patients of pediatricians in private practice to determine whether
they were injected with the Dengvaxia vaccines.
Dr. Rodelin Agbulos, City Health
Officer, on Monday said some of the pediatricians may have possibly used
Dengvaxia even though there was no vaccination conducted in this city.
“We are coordinating with the
pediatricians to review the list so that we could trace their whereabouts if
and when there were children who were given Dengvaxia,” he said.
He said children injected with
Dengvaxia will be closely monitored.
Dengvaxia, manufacture by French
pharmaceutical giant Sanofi, has been granted marketing authorization in 2015
by Mexico
The DOH reported that 733,713
children from three regions in Luzon have been
vaccinated with Dengvaxia under the agency’s school-based immunization program
launched in 2016.
But the DOH suspended the dengue
vaccination program after it was reported that Dengvaxia has dangerous side
effect. (PNA)
Troops
neutralize 354 Abu
Sayyaf
men since January
Government security forces have
neutralized 354 members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in a continued offensive
against the ASG in Western Mindanao since
January this year, a top military official announced.
This, as President Rodrigo Duterte
ordered the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) to continuously pursue the
ASG to deny them of safe haven and to prevent atrocities.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.,
Westmincom chief, told the Philippine News Agency that the number of
neutralized ASG members this year is “five times higher” compared to 75 in
2016.
Of the 354, Galvez said 127 of them
were killed in separate clashes in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and
Tawi-Tawi.
He added that 137 have surrendered
while the remaining 90 were arrested.
He said a total of 230 firearms
were also recovered, seized and surrendered to the different units.
Meanwhile, he said the number of
kidnapping incidents had drastically reduced to 12 this year from 23 in 2016.
Galvez attributed this to the
conduct of continuous offensive and joint cross border patrols the navies of
the Philippines , Malaysia , and Indonesia
Violent incidents perpetrated by
the ASG have also decreased to 77 this year from 123 recorded in 2016 based on
Westmincom report
These violent incidents included harassments, bombings, kidnappings, and killings.
These violent incidents included harassments, bombings, kidnappings, and killings.
Galvez said the campaign against
the ASG would continue until all leaders and members are neutralized.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint
Task Force Sulu commander, said there are still an estimated of 400 Abu Sayyaf
bandits in the province.
Sobejana said they are headed by
Radulan Sahiron, the one-armed and the oldest ASG leader, with six sub-leaders.
(PNA)
DOJ
files inciting to rebellion
raps vs
alleged ISIS recruiter
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has
filed inciting to rebellion charges against a woman allegedly involved in
recruiting foreigners into the country for terrorist activities through social
media.
In a 16-page resolution dated last
Nov. 27 but was released to media on Wednesday, the DOJ indicted Karen Hamidon
for 295 counts of inciting to rebellion under Article 138 of the Revised Penal
Code in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
(Republic Act 10175) before the Taguig City Regional Trial Court.
“Respondent’s act of inciting
others to commit rebellion was done by posting various messages through social
media multiple times,” read the DOJ resolution, which was prepared and signed
by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong and was approved by Senior
Deputy State Prosecutor officer-in-charge Amor Robles and Acting Prosecutor
General Jorge Catalan Jr.
The charges against Hamidon were
based on the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The DOJ
said the NBI was able to present evidence that she incited others to the
execution of any of the acts of rebellion even as it dismissed the complaint
for rebellion for lack of merit.
“Respondent’s acts of inciting
others to commit rebellion was done by posting various messages through social
media multiple times. In sum, respondent should be charged for 295 counts of
inciting to rebellion in violation of Article 138 of the Revised Penal Code, in
relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175,” it added.
The DOJ also dismissed Hamidon’s
claim that she was instigated by an NBI undercover agent to commit the alleged
crime.
“The same deserves scant attention,
since the contents of the messages and the multiple times these were posted
defy her theory of instigation,” the DOJ added.
Government investigators conducting
undercover work and a forensic examination had accused Hamidon of using
messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp, where they said she was "prolific in
her recruitment and promotion activities for ISIS ”.
ISIS is the Islamic State of Iraq
and Syria.
"The Islamic State invites you to join in the Philippines Mindanao ," state
investigators quoted Hamidon as saying in a Telegram post.
Hamidon earlier insisted that she
was an Islamic missionary who had used social media for religious purposes.
Describing
herself as a "weak woman", Hamidon, a former call center agent and
flight attendant, said she had no means to take arms against the government.
“As a matter of fact, she owes the
government so much because she was raised by her parents through their salaries
from being government employees, specifically of the Philippine National
Police," Hamidon’s counter-affidavit stated.
Hamidon denied that she intended to
recruit fighters to join the Maute group, who had claimed allegiance to the
ISIS.
“I vehemently deny the charges
against me because there was an instigation on my part which is illegal. The
acts allegedly committed were not done voluntarily and against my will and
caprice,” she said in her counter-affidavit.
But for the DOJ, the contents of
the messages and the multiple times these were posted “defy her theory of
instigation”.
“As to her arguments that she was
not committing any crime at the time she was arrested and at the time her
mobile phone was seized, and all the aforequoted social media posts do not bear
her name, these arguments are evidentiary in character which are best
ventilated in a full-blown trial,” the DOJ said in a resolution.
“The presumption prevails that
complainants regularly performed their official duties and ordinary course of
business has been followed,” it added.
The DOJ recommended that she post a
bail bond of PHP20,000 for every count charged against her, or a total of
PHP5.9 million.
On the other hand, the DOJ turned
down the recommendation of the NBI to file a rebellion case against her since
“there is nothing to show that respondent took arms or was in open hostility
against the government”.
“Their evidence only points to
respondent’s acts of inciting others to the execution of acts of rebellion,
among others, to go to Marawi-City or Mindanao and join those fighting for the
establishment of a Wilayah of ISIS East Asia,” it said.
Under the law, the DOJ explained
she could also be charged with rebellion if those who heeded her call took up
arms.
“In this case, there is no
showing that rebellion was actually committed by the persons to whom the
aforequoted messages were sent,” it said.
The 36-year-old suspect was
arrested by operatives of the NBI’s Counter-Terrorism Division at her residence
in Taguig City last Oct. 11 and has since been detained at the NBI headquarters
in Manila.
Hamidon is the ex-wife of
Singaporean Muhammad Shamin Mohammed Sidek, as well as the widow of slain Ansar
Khalifa Philippines (AKP) leader Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, alias Tokboy, who was
killed in a shootout with police in Saranggani last January.
Sidek is detained in Singapore for
his links with ISIS, while, the AKP has been identified as the group behind the
Sept. 2016 Davao City night market bombing, which was done in cooperation with
the Maute, and the foiled bombing attempt of the United States Embassy in
Manila in December last year. (PNA)
DTI
opens 4th Negosyo
Center
in Zamboanga City
The Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) on Wednesday opened another Negosyo Center
The Negosyo Center
The other three are located at the
DTI provincial office on Veterans
Avenue Zamboanga
City State
Polytechnic College
DTI officials, led by DTI-IX
Director Sitti Amina M. Jain and DTI-ZCO Provincial Director Ceferino J. Rubio,
as well as barangay officials of Curuan attended the launch on Wednesday, December
13.
The event was also attended by
other concerned stakeholders.
“Considering the immense size of Zamboanga City Negosyo Center
The creation of the Negosyo Centers
is pursuant to Republic Act No. 10644 otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act”
that stipulates for the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all provinces,
cities and municipalities.
The basic policy of R.A. 10644 is
to foster national development, promote inclusive growth, and reduce poverty by
encouraging the establishment of MSMEs that facilitate local job creation,
production and trade in the country.
The functions of the center are
business registration assistance; business advisory services; business
information and advocacy; monitoring and evaluation; and, other functions that
may be assigned by the MSMED Council as germane to RA 10644 and other related
laws.
“As a one-stop-shop for existing
and potential MSMEs, the Curuan Negosyo Center will facilitate and expedite the
business application process of MSMEs in the east coast in coordination with
the local governments and other concerned agencies and will provide assistance
in the availment of technology transfer, production, and management training
programs and marketing assistance of the DTI and other government agencies,”
Rubio added. (PNA)
“Pipol Konek” now
in Zamboanga
City
The government has already
established several free wifi statons in the city and the region days go.
The operation of these wifi-free
networks was announced last
Tuesday by the Department of Information and Communication (DICT).
Tuesday by the Department of Information and Communication (DICT).
The Pipol Konek free
wifi is a government project of the present administration President
Rodrigo Duterte under the DICT.
The Pipol Konet wifi aims to
provide free broadband internet access to cities and municipalities .
Among those 25 listed live
sites in Mindanao Cluster 1 are as follows: DICT Zamboanga City
PoP, Paseo del Mar A, Paseo del mar B, Municipal Plaza of
Dimataling, Municipal Plaza of Dumalinao, Municipal Plaza of Labangan A ,
Municipal Plaza of Labangan B, Municipal Plaza of Ramon Magsaysay,
Municipal Plaza of Tukuran A, Municipal Plaza of Tukuran B, Municipla
Plaza of Buug A, Municipla Plaza of Buug B, Municipal Plaza of
Diplahan, Municipal Plaza of Imelda , Municipal Plaza of Roseller Lim a,
Municipal Plaza of Rosseler Lim B, Municipal Plaza of Jose Dalman,
Municipal 9Plaza of Pres. Manual A. Roxas A , Municipal Plaza of
Pres. Manual A. Roxas B, Municipal Plaza of Salug, DICT Pagadian
Pop, Zamboanga City Health Office, Philippine Ports Authority ZC and Zamboanga
City Police Office .
The wifi speed will vary from
committed rate of 512 kbps to 50 mbps9 depending on the location as to
how far you are with the wifi connected on.
This wifi devices are capable
of faster data rates with faster processing time.
Devices that can be used to connect
with the wifi internet are smartphones,
tablets, laptops and mobile devices to include desk tops that are
capable for wifi .
The Pipol Konek is compatible
with google android and chrome iOS, Apple ios and MAC and windows .
(Letty M. Militante )
DICT field office
Opens in Zambo
The Department of Information and
Communication (DICT) inaugurated their newly renovated Field
operations office –Mindanao cluster 1
last December 12, 2017 at 4 o’clock in the afternoon 9 in Corcuerra
Extensi9on, Port Area this city .
OIC Secretary Eliseo M. Rio ,
Jr. who was the keynote speaker revealed the three priority projects of
the present administration President Rodrigo Duterte.
These three projects are the 1.)
national broad band plan - is a blue print to a9ccelerate broadband9
infrastructure deployment to improve the coverage and speed of internet
services in the country ; 2.) the national government portal - a
one –stop gateway for all web –based government data and public services
and 3.) free public wifi in public places this will provide free
internet access in the Local Government Unit (LGUs) nationwide .
“The DICT keeps its line accessible
to you thru our field operations office here in Zamboanga City Rio said .
The DICT was created in pursuant to
Republic Act No. 10844 as the lead agency in implementing the
ICT in the country . There are eight (8) cluster field offices to
include Mindanao as cluster 1 located in this city of Zamboanga
Cluster 1 will cover the
entire Zamboanga
Peninsula
The Mindanao cluster 1 offers free
ICT training and free use of facilities for research, start ups and co-working
space for free lancers and among others. (Letty M. Militante)
336 WC
Storm surge victims
benefit
from DOLE program
A total of 336 victims of storm
surge have been employed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
through the agency’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage (TUPAD)
workers in nine west coast barangays in this city.
The employment of the storm surge
victims was facilitated by first district Rep. Celso Lobregat.
Of the total, 242 are from Barangay
Labuan; 43, Limpapa; 16, 13, Sinunuc; Patalon; five, Ayala; five, Recodo;
three, La Paz
Lobregat on Monday said the TUPAD
beneficiaries will work for 15 days in their respective barangays and will
receive PhP296 daily salary. Each will receive a total of PhP4,440.
“This is the way the national
government through the DOLE is helping the victims of the storm surge,” he
said.
The beneficiaries have undergone an
orientation last Friday for them to know their obligations as TUPAD
beneficiaries.
Hundreds of residents were
displaced when a storm surge hit the west coast of this city in October, this
year.
The hardest hit was Barangay Labuan. (PNA)
New
DOST-9
director
named
·
President Rodrigo Duterte has
appointed a new regional director for the Department of Science and
Technology-9 (DOST-9) based in this city, an official announced on Wednesday.
Appointed as DOST-9 director is
Martin Wee, who has served for almost 11 months as officer-in-charge since
former Regional Director Brenda Nazareth-Manzano, was named earlier this year
as the agency’s undersecretary for regional operations.
DOST Regional Information Officer
Thelma Diego on Wednesday said President Duterte signed the appointment papers
of Wee on Monday, December 11.
She said Wee took his oath on
Tuesday before DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena, which was witnessed by other
top officials of the agency.
Wee has served as the assistant
regional director for finance, administrative services, and technical services
prior to his appointment as regional director.
Wee has been with the DOST for the
past 26 years. He finished Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and graduated as
Magna Cum Laude in 1985 at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and
Technology.
In 2001, he finished a master
course in Bioprocess Technology at Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok , Thailand
Wee, as Zamboangueño is married to
Editha Wee and blessed with two sons namely Ken Marvin and Karl Rensis. (PNA)
xxxx
Palace
seeks public support
for ML
extension in Mindanao
·
·
Malacanang on Wednesday welcomed Congress' approval of the
extension of Martial Law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao and asked the public to support the decision.
"We welcome the approval of
both houses of Congress to extend the proclamation of martial law and
suspension of writ of habeas corpus in the whole Mindanao ,"
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
Roque said public safety is the
government's "primordial concern," thus, asked the public to stand by
the administration.
"We ask the public to rally
behind our defenders to quell the continuing rebellion in Mindanao ;
eradicate the DAESH-inspired Da'awatul Islamiyah Waliyatul Masriq (DIWM) and
other like-minded local/foreign terrorist groups and armed lawless groups, and
the communist terrorists and their coddlers, supporters, and financiers,"
he appealed, adding this is "everyone's shared responsibility."
The Senate voted 14-4 in favor of
extending the proclamation, while the House voted 226-23 during a joint session
held in the House of Representatives on the same day. The approved extension
will take effect beginning Jan. 1, 2018 until Dec. 31, 2018.
President Rodrigo Duterte in a
letter dated December 8 transmitted the request to the Congress upon the
recommendation of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana "primarily to ensure
total eradication" of DAESH-inspired DIWM and other like-minded terror
groups.
Of the total legislators present,
240 all-in-all voted yes, while 27 voted against the move to extend martial law
in Mindanao . (PNA)
Defense,
AFP laud ML
extension
in Mindanao
An affirmation of trust and
confidence.
This is how Department of National
Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described Congress' decision to extend
martial law in Mindanao for one year.
"The DND is grateful for this
affirmation of trust and confidence from our legislators. The Filipino people
can rest assured that we will not squander this opportunity to finally end the
continuing rebellion and terrorism in Mindanao by destroying the Daesh (Arabic
name for ISIS) structure in the area, thwart like-minded groups from conducting
further acts of terrorism and prevent the spillover of violence and radicalism
in other parts of the country," he added.
And with the extension, the DND
chief expressed confidence that the government can move forward with unhampered
reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi
City
"The challenges we are facing
in Mindanao are also challenges to each and
every Filipino. Together, as a nation, we will prevail and prove to the world
our collective resilience against odds," Lorenzana said.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) public affairs Col. Edgard Arevalo said the Congress'
decision proves the validity of the military's grounds for seeking martial law
extension.
"We see the grant of the
extension of ML (Martial Law) as an acknowledgement of the grounds we have
cited that need immediate and decisive actions," he added.
“Specifically, we need to quell the
ongoing rebellion in Mindanao and prevent its spread
to other parts of the country. The military will faithfully perform its mandate
to protect the people and secure the state,” he added.
The Senate and House of
Representatives, convening in a joint session, granted President Rodrigo
Duterte's request for the extension of martial law and the suspension of the
privilege of writ of habeas corpus for a period of one year from Jan. 1 to Dec.
31, 2018.
A total of 240 members of Congress
voted to approve the resolution of both houses calling for Martial Law
extension in Mindanao , while only 27 voted
against it. There was no abstention.
A total of 14 senators voted in
favor of the motion and four were against it, while 226 House members approved
the motion and 23 rejected it.
To recall, Duterte placed the
entire Mindanao under martial law last May 23 after Maute Group terrorists laid
siege to Marawi City
Earlier in July, Congress, in a
special joint session, granted the extension of martial law until Dec. 31 this
year at the President's request. (PNA)
Comelec
considers new hearing on conduct of
barrio polls in Mindanao
The Commission on Elections
(Comelec) may conduct another public consultation on whether or not to push
through with the holding of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls in
Mindanao which is set for May next year.
This, as the Congress approved
President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend martial law in the region for another
year.
Comelec Commissioner Luie Guia said
that they need to know the voice of the people if they want the scheduled polls
to be held or not.
“Just like before there is a state
of ML or whatever it is that justifies the declaration in certain area...What
we are looking is the same basis or grounds to declare or that will justify
suspension of the holding elections as well,” he said in an interview.
“On our part, we will conduct
another hearing as we had conducted in Davao
The poll body official explained
that the conduct of public hearing is also "a requirement before they can
declare any suspension or failure of elections."
“I think we will use the same
process if ever there is an extension... So we will also definitely take that
into consideration but we will have another assessment,” Guia added.
On the other hand, Comelec
spokesperson James Jimenez echoed Guia’s statement on the matter.
“The authority of Comelec basically
flows from the holding of elections. I think that’s what has to be looked at.
Most probably we will have consultation in case the extension is approved,” he
added
In August, the poll body conducted
a public hearing in Davao
City
In September, Comelec suspended the
holding of the said polls in Mindanao following the placing of the region under
martial law due to the five-month conflict between government forces and Maute
terrorists in Marawi
City
In a joint session Wednesday, the
Congress, voting 240-27, granted President Duterte's request for a one-year
extension of martial law in Mindanao . (PNA)
Congress
grants 1-year martial
law
extension in Mindanao
The Philippine Congress on
Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to extend martial law in Mindanao
for the entire 2018.
The Senate and House of
Representatives, convening in a joint session, granted President Rodrigo
Duterte's request for the extension of martial law and the suspension of the
privilege of writ of habeas corpus for a period of one year from Jan. 1 to Dec.
31, 2018.
A total of 240 members of Congress
voted to approve the resolution of both houses calling for martial law
extension in Mindanao , while only 27 voted
against it. There was no abstention.
A total of 14 senators voted in
favor of the motion and four were against it, while 226 House members approved
the motion and 23 rejected it.
Under the Constitution, the
Congress, voting jointly, has the sole power to extend martial law. A majority
vote of the two chambers -- or at least 158 members -- is needed to pass the
motion.
To recall, President Duterte placed
the entire Mindanao under martial law last May 23 after terrorists inspired by
the Islamic State (IS) laid siege to Marawi
City
Congress, in a special joint
session in July, granted the extension of martial law until Dec. 31 this year
at the President's request.
In his letter dated Dec. 8, Duterte
asked Congress to further extend the declaration of martial law in the whole of
Mindanao for 2018 to totally eradicate terror
threats posed by remnants of IS-linked terrorists and by communist rebels in
the region.
He said extending martial law for
another year would help state security forces crush the rebellion in Mindanao and ensure public safety. (PNA)
http://zambonewsonline.webs.com/