Friday, December 15, 2017

12       15  17 ZamboNewsOnLine



Health office traces defective

Dengvaxia use in Zamboanga

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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 making it the first vaccine to be licensed in the world for the prevention of dengue.
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

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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.
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

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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. We note that the door to immigration is open to the cities of Marawi and (the southern region of) 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

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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday opened another Negosyo Center in this city to further address the needs of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Negosyo Center, which is the fourth, is situated in Barangay Curuan, located 50 kilometers east of this city.
The other three are located at the DTI provincial office on Veterans Avenue; Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College; and, Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone in the west coast.
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 and the distance to and from the city center, transportation is one of the major concerns of our MSMEs in far-flung barangays. With the establishment of a Negosyo Center in Barangay Curuan, government services will now be brought closer to MSMEs in the area in order to promote their growth and development,” Rubio said.
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).

 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. With this better and more functional version of the office here, rest assured that this field operations office will be more active in pushing our ICT initiatives, programs and projects on this side of the country ,” 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 region and the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi .
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; and, two, Talisayan.
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

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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)

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Palace seeks public support

for ML extension in Mindanao

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·                          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

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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 last time to see what the situation is on the ground if we can actually suspend the holding of the election because of the state of lawlessness or rebellion that was used to declare ML in certain areas,” Guia added.
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 to know the opinion of the people if they want the village and youth polls to push through or not.
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)


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