31 front items zampen jan 2017

Shooting incidents

in the rise-  police 

City Police Director Sr. Supt Luisito Magnaye of the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) reports  on increasing cases of shooting incidents during the month of January 2017 in this city .

Magnaye compared  the crime statistics  from the year 2015 with a number of 12 cases of shooting incidents;  seven (7) in 2016 and eight (8)  for the current year 2017.

These shooting incidents occurred in separated places in the city  Magnaye said.

These places include  Curuan, Siramonon Island, Sta. Catalina, Recodo, Lunzuran and Tetuan .

As this developed, Magnaye   has intensified police visibility, police patrols and more checkpoints  in the city .

Magnaye said that  as off presstime  the number of shooting incidents for January alone has  already increased and  reached to 8 cases as compared in the previous year 2016.

 In term of crime statistics compared this month of January alone shooting incidents now are eight , “ Magnaye said.

As this developed, the police  motorcycle tandem can now be seen on streets as part of the visibility patrols.

It will be recalled that Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar issued single motorcycles to the local police force  to augment the police visibility patrol on streets . ( Letty M. Militante )  

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Council Oks P1M donation

for Cagayan flood victimd

The City Council passed and approved a resolution granting one million pesos (php 1,000.000.00)  as cash donation to Cagayan de Oro recently affected by heavy flooding  that resulted to damages to property and  the like.

Councilor Teodiver Arquiza who sponsored said resolution recalled that Cagayan de Oro was also the first city  to assisted  the city government  last  2013 Zamboanga City Siege.

Cagayan de Oro  that was   recently affected by  heavy flash floods  is now under the State of Calamity .

Reports revealed that  cars submerged  in Cagayab de Oro last January 16, 2017 during the heavy rainfalls that  affected  thousands of commuters , including students and malls goers who were stranded by the chest deep flood waters in low lying areas.

Aside from the stranded commuters, there were hundreds of vehicles stuck in many flooded streets  causing  massive traffic jams.

 Furthermore, landslide has also been reported  along the city’s west district  and half of the city has no electricity .

This as , the power firm has cut the power supply distribution in flooded areas for safety measures.  (Letty M. Militante)

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Andanar leads PCO 

Roadshow in Zambo

Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Sec. Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar spearheaded on Saturday the conduct of the PCO Roadshow in this city.

Andanar said the roadshow was aimed to update local stakeholders from different sectors on areas of national interest.

Among the issues that were tackled during the roadshow was the Freedom of Information, its accomplishments and challenges with Lawyer Kris Ablan, PCO Assistant secretary, as the resources speaker.

The other topics that were discussed included the New Media Communications for Participatory Governance by Princess Pebbles Duque and Carlos Munda; Philippine Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017 by the Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Ma. Hellen De La Vega; and, Administrative Order No. 1 and the Protection of Journalists by Undersecretary Jose Joel Sy Egco, executive director, Presidential Task Force on Media Security.

Administrative Order No. 1 was the first order the President signed on Oct. 11, 2016, creating the Presidential Task Force on violations of the right to life, liberty, and security of the members of the media with the PCOO co-chairing the Task Force with the Department of Justice.

The other officials who joined Andanar in the PCOO Roadshow were Philippine Information Agency Director General Harold Clavite and Deputy Director-General Gregorio Angelo Villar.

The roadshow held in this city was the second to be held in the country. The first was on Jan. 15 in Davao City.

The PCOO is conducting roadshows all over the country focusing on its current programs as well to provide easily accessible information about the national government programs, projects and services to the public. (PNA)

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Police, Lobregat initiate rehab 

program for drug surrenderees

 The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) is conducting citywide campaign encouraging drug surrenderees to avail of the Project Healing in Oneness and Policing through Education (Project HOPE) to start a new life.

Initiated by the ZCPO, Project HOPE is a community-based rehabilitation program that includes the conduct of skills training for the eventual employment of the drug surrenderees.

Senior Supt. Luisito Magnaye, ZCPO director, said an initial batch of 1,000 drug surrenderees could avail of the Project HOPE program.

Magnaye said that first district Rep. Celso Lobregat had sourced out Php 6 million funding from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the implementation of the program.

“We admit that illegal drugs is one of the serious problems in the city, we have to address this, in the manner that while the police continues to implement “Oplan Tokhang,” I also do my part to assist in rehabilitating those users and pushers for them not to go back anymore in their vices,” Lobregat said.

Magnaye said the drug surrenderees could avail of DOLE’s Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantage (TUPAD) program for temporary employment. TUPAD’s program budget is Php3 million.

He said the DSWD had also allocated Php 3 million for the drug surrenderees to avail of the agency’s Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

Lobregat said he would continue to look for funding for rehabilitation program in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs and to assist the local police in their drug rehabilitation efforts. (PNA)

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San Roque open

recreation park

A recreational park  opened  on Saturday, January 28, in one of the barangays in the west coast area of this city.

The park, known as the Bog Lake Recreation Park, is located in Barangay San Roque.

Its opening is expected to provide a nature-based recreation park for the residents of this city.

San Roque Barangay Chairman Joselito Macrohon said that they have allocated PHP 1 million to improve the park.

Macrohon said the park will serve as an economic enterprise of San Roque. It will be managed by the San Roque barangay council.

The amenities of the park include the following: zip line; boating; mini zoo; tree house; play ground; zorb ball; water walking ball; cottages; horse riding; fishing; fish feeding; and floating cottage.

A drone is also available for rent for visitors who want to document their visit at the park.

Macrohon said entry and use of amenities in the park on Saturday is free of charge on Saturday since it is the opening day.

He said that initially, the park would be opened to the public from Friday to Sunday.

Later on, the park would be opened from Monday to Sunday.

Macrohon said they have come up with the project to provide the opportunity to the people to enjoy nature while bonding with family members. (PNA)

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President Duterte to MNLF, MILF: Do

 not provide sanctuary to terrorists
By Noel Y. Punzalan

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has urged both the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) not to provide sanctuary to perceived terrorists to keep the peace in Mindanao.

The President made the call in Camp  Siongco, Maguindanao,  Friday following a closed door meeting with military officials assigned at various parts of the island-region.

“We are facing a more dangerous enemy, I am referring to the ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), but I am more worried with (suspicious–looking) Islamic scholars wandering around here (nowadays),” the President said as he addressed men of this camp, which is the headquarters of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID).

He assured the 6ID men that he is with them all the way in the fight against the enemies of the state.

“We are facing a serious problem so let us not wait,” he said.

President Duterte said he recognizes the fact that the Moro people were the first settlers of Mindanao but urged Muslim brothers to just talk peace and make necessary adjustments.

“It is because if we would not covert Mindanao into a federal state, walang katapusan ito (there won't be an end to this),” he stressed.

Mr. Duterte noted that if the economy of Mindanao, wh suffers from being the breadbasket of the country as brought about by threats of terrorism, then the problem should be faced head-on.

“I still want peace. I want to talk, but if extremism persists, wala na ako magagawa (I cannot do anything), he said.

The Chief Executive then added, "Nakikiusap po ako sa (I appeal to) MILF at (and) MNLF not to provide sanctuary to these terrorists kasi hinahanap namin sila dahil may atraso sila (we are hunting them because they have committed crimes).”

The President then warned the two Moro fronts against welcoming members of the Maute terror group into their camps as he would be forced to order the military to enter their encampments.

“I have so much to give but wag nyo akong pigain because I do not own the government. I am guided by the will of the majority in the government,” he said.

While here, the President also awarded 12 soldiers wounded in a day-long gun battle with armed men in the interiors of Ampatuan town on Thursday, particularly in Barangays Salman and Saniag, in search for Ampatuan Mayor Rasul Sangki.

Sangki is included in Malacañang's list of politicians allegedly involved in trafficking of the illegal drug methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu."

The soldiers bestowed by the President with wounded personnel awards were Ssgts. Manuel Asania and Arvin Esperanza; Sgts. Elmer Pelle and Leonardo Remulta; Cpl. Raffy Matingkal; Pfc. Jerusel Castaneda; and Pvts. Alden Cahoy, Eldie Mallorca, Erwin Mistoso, Harold John Dionisio, Cresaldy Coronado and Vincent John Gregorio.

Apart from terrorism, the Duterte administration is also committed to clearing the country of illegal drugs. (PNA)

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Troops arrest ASG 

sub-leader in Zambo

Joint police and military operatives arrested Friday a sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) facing 87 counts of kidnapping charges in this city.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director, identified the arrested ASG bandit as Faizal Jaafar, who carries the aliases of Jaafar Mundi, Abu Jaafar, Abu Aren, Abu Ben and Abu Raba.

Beltran said Jaafar was arrested around 12:30 a.m. in Barangay Cawit, some 13.35 kilometers west of City Hall.

Beltran said Jaafar was arrested in a law enforcement operation by way of serving warrant of arrest for the crime of 87-count kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Beltran said Jaafar was involved in the 2001 kidnapping of 21 people, mostly Europeans, in Sipadan, Malaysia.

He said that Jaafar has also standing warrants of arrest for murder and illegal possession of firearms, issued by the courts of Isabela City, Basilan and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, respectively.

He said Jaafar was placed under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-9 (CIDG-9).

Beltran lauded and commended the operating police and military units for a job well done and for their utmost efforts that resulted to the arrest of Jaafar.

He urged the general public to continue to support and cooperate with the police by providing timely and relevant information on any wanted person and terrorist who may be hiding in their respective places.

“Report any suspicious persons to the nearest police station or to PRO-9 Hotline 0917-577-19-97,” he added. (PNA)

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Police nab KFRG man

in Zamboanga del Sur

 Government intelligence operatives have arrested a member of a kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, a top police official announced Friday.

Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre, Zamboanga del Sur police director, identified the arrested KFRG member as Benhar Abdusalam, who carries the aliases of Jaylene, Helen, and Rajak.

Ecaldre said Abdusalam is a member of the Zamboanga Sibugay-based Abdusalam criminal group that is engaged in kidnapping for ransom, extortion and other criminal activities.

Ecaldre said Abdusalam was arrested around 10 a.m. Thursday at the municipal gymnasium of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur.

He said Abdusalam is facing charges for the crime of kidnapping and serious illegal detention before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 in this city.

Abdusalam, according to Ecaldre, is listed as number 12 in the Abdusalam criminal group and has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

He said Abdusalam was taken to the Region Intelligence Unit-9 headquarters in this city. (PNA)

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Shipping firm, bus company ink 

passenger service agreement

Two firms of public conveyances have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Thursday to hasten the travel of people from key cities of the country to provinces here in Region 9.

The signatories of the agreement were Jojo Dabi, 2Go Travel area manager for passage; and Noel Fuentes, Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. (RTMI)-Zamboanga branch manager.

The MOA signing was held at the local Philippine Ports authority (PPA) office.

Stipulated in the MOA is that starting next month, RTMI buses would directly fetch passengers of arriving 2Go vessels from the local wharf to their destination in the nearby provinces.

The MOA initially covers RTMI buses coming from this city bound for Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte; Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; and, Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur.

Dabi said they have come up with the scheme to provide comfort and convenience to the passengers of 2Go vessel bound to the provinces.

The vessel of 2Go Travel arrives in this city every Tuesday, coming from Manila via Dumaguete City.

The maximum capacity of the vessel is 1,900 passengers.

Arriving passengers bound to the provinces would have to ride a passenger jeep or tricycle from downtown to the Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) in Barangay Divisoria, some six kilometers east of the city proper, to take the bus bound for nearby provinces.

Oftentimes, passengers from provinces are victimized by city tricycle drivers who charges exorbitant fare that reach more than PhP 1,000 especially if they are bringing many baggage.

Such malpractice of unscrupulous tricycle drivers would be minimized, if not eliminated, Dabi assured.

He said passengers bound to the provinces will be notified that a bus would fetch them from the port upon boarding the vessel from its point of origin bound to this city.

"There will be no extra charges," he stressed.

Fuentes, after signing the MOA, said it is a welcome development not only for the RTMI but also for the riding public.

Engr. Liberto Dela Rosa, PPA general manager, has assured that they would provide a bus holding area at the local port.

Dela Rosa said his office would issue permit to operate inside the port to RTMI buses that will fetch passengers from the vessel of 2Go Travel. (PNA)

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Lamitan City eyes 

airport construction 

The city government in Lamitan  is set to undertake a gargantuan project that would boost local economic development as well as that of the entire province.

Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay announced Thursday they have tapped the expertise of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ (CAAP) consultant and an airfield developer to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of an airport in this city.

Furigay said the feasibility study would also determine the cost of the airport project that could accommodate smaller and medium-size passenger planes.

Furigay said the stretch of the runway of the airport they envisioned to be constructed would range from 1.2 to 1.4 kilometers in length.

He said the city government led by his wife-mayor, Rosita, have identified the border of barangays of Buahan, Calugusan, and Luksumbang as the airport site.

Furigay said the owners of the lands in the three barangays are willing to allow the construction of the airport.

He said the construction of an airport in this city would lure businessmen to pour investment in this province.

He said the airport, once completed, would hasten the shipment of fresh local agriculture and marine products to supermarkets in key cities of the country. (PNA)