ZamboNewsOnLine  022718

Wage board holds public Zamboanga consultation

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) started on Tuesday the conduct of public consultations to determine whether there is a need for a wage hike in Region 9.
The first consultation was held in this city. It will be followed on March 7 in Isabela City; March 13, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; March 14, Pagadian City; and, March 15, Dipolog City.
Joel Ijirani, RTWPB secretary, told the Philippine News Agency that those who attended the first public consultation were from the employer and labor sectors and other stakeholders.
Ijirani said they discussed the socio-economic indicators such as the inflation rate and consumer price index during the consultation.
He said all the data taken during the consultations would be collated to be used as basis in the decision-making by the wage board.
He said they are taking actions motu propio despite there was no petition for wage hike from the workers sector.
The last time the RTWPB issued a wage order in the region was on October 1, 2016.
The existing wages of workers based on Wage Order No. 19 are as follows: PHP277, plantation workers; PHP267, non-plantation workers; PHP283, retail service establishments; PHP267, cottage handicraft enterprises; and, PHP296, non-agricultural including private hospitals, educational institutions, security agencies, janitorial and retail/service establishments.
The wage board consisted of two representatives each from the employers and workers sectors, and one each from the National Economic Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry.
Ofelia Domingo, as Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional director, sits as the Board chair. (PNA)

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Bronze Cross Medal awarded to Fleet-Marine team in Zamboanga

The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) awarded on Monday the Bronze Cross Medal to the gallant sailors who foiled a hijack attempt of a cargo vessel by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)-linked pirates off Basilan province.
The awardees were the personnel assigned with the three patrol crafts--PC381, PC386 and BA485--and Naval Special Operations Unit-6 (NAVSOU6) of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem).
Lt. Commander Ferraren and Lieutenant Jeffrey Mendoza, skippers of PC386 and BA485, respectively, received the awards on behalf of the gallant sailors.
The others who received the award were GM1 Heremias Quijada, Petty Office-in-Charge (POIC) Gunnery, PC386) and S1UO Jay Ancheta of the NAVSOU6.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, and Read Adm. Rene Medina, Navforwem commander, led the awarding ceremony, which was held during Monday’s flag raising ceremony at Camp Basilio Navarro.
Camp Navarro houses the Westmincom headquarters in this city.
“I am happy for the ability displayed by Rear Adm. Medina as the leader of the Anti-kidnapping Joint Task Force. The quick and immediate response only proves the readiness and effectiveness of our Fleet-Marine Team,” Galvez said.
He said the award accorded to the gallant sailors “merits their selfless devotion to duty at all times to protect our waters against any threat and terror acts.”
“I hope these soldiers will serve as an example to all who are ready to serve anytime and as the need arises,” he said.
The timely response of the sailors coupled with evasive maneuver have prevented the ASG-linked pirates to hijack a cargo vessel, M/V Kudos 1, in the evening of February 18 near Sibago Island, Mohammad Ajul, Basilan.
The M/V Kudos 1 was on its maiden voyage from Davao to Manila when around 12 pirates aboard on three motorboats pursued and tried to board the ship.
The ship, which was loaded with tons of steel bars, is manned by a 27-man crew, including the skipper.
The pirates, who are equipped with hooks and ropes, tried but failed to climb on the ship as the crewmen splashed them with hot water mixed with oil. (PNA)

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Soldier, NPA reb killed

in Zambo Norte clash

A soldier and a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel were killed in a firefight with government forces in the nearby province of Zamboanga del Norte, the military reported.
Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander, disclosed the firefight took place at around 8:34 p.m. Saturday in Barangay San Isidro, Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte.
Patria said the clash broke out while his troops led by 1Lt. Abner Pilando conducted a strike operation following the reported presence of a group of NPA rebels in Barangay San Isidro.
Patria said the clash lasted for about 15 minutes that resulted in the death of a soldier and a rebel after which the rest of the NPA rebels scampered to different directions.
He said the slain NPA member, whose remains were left behind by his comrades, was not immediately identified. An AK-47 assault rifle was also recovered at the clash site.
The name of the slain soldier was withheld pending notice to his family.
Patria said the NPA rebels were harassing the civilians when the clash ensued.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, condemned in the strongest terms the continued atrocities of NPAs against the hapless civilians.
“Our soldier died a hero while protecting our people and our communities. We will vigorously pursue these NPA terrorists until they will be left with no choice but surrender or get killed,” Murillo said.
“The cooperation of the civilians who reported the armed group’s presence in their area is a strong manifestation that civilians have long been tired of these NPA’s terroristic activities in forms of extortion and harassment,” he added. (PNA)

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PRO-9 community

relations officer

promoted

Madzgni Mukaram, Regional Police Community Relations Division (RPCRD) chief of the Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) formally took his oath as newly-promoted Senior Superintendent on Monday at Camp Col. Romeo Abendan which houses the PRO-9 headquarters in this city.
Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, PRO-9 director, administered the traditional oath-taking and donning of rank insignia to Mukaram during the flag raising ceremony.
Mukaram along with six Senior Police Officers were officially promoted to the rank of Police Senior Superintendent in permanent status effective February 12, 2018 by virtue of General Orders Number 394 as approved by President Rodrigo Duterte and duly signed by Eduardo M Año, OIC-secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, PRO-9 information officer, said Mukaram during his stint as the Chief of RPCRD initiated various projects in support to the plans and programs of PRO-9.
Galvez said among his innovative projects were as follows: Counter-Violent Extremism; Counter-Radicalization; and, Wellness and Recovery Program of the drug surrenderers. (PNA)

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PRO-9 awards  Medal

to officers, personnel

The Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) on Monday awarded Merit Medal to the policemen from its different units and Regional Supports Unit for exemplary performance that led to the accomplishment of their tasks.
Awarded the Merit Medal (Medalya Ng Kagalingan) were the personnel of the Regional Intelligence Unit-9, headed by Supt. Dominador Matalang, and 10 others composed of Senior Insp. Lee Jan Ungria, Senior Insp. Leonel Roncesvalles, SPO2 Jess Rick Mendoza, SPO2 Ronaldo Remoto, SPO1 Edylyn Dato, SPO1 Armela Angeles, PO3 Lunvie Ortega, PO3 Rodel Vergara, PO3 Eric Montanez, and PO2 Almonjade Luddin.
Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, PRO-9 information officer, said they were recognized for the arrest of two Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members namely Isa Sampang and Paisar Sampang on January 27 in Barangay Mariki, this city.
Both ASG members were arrested for the crimes of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention. They were allegedly involved in the kidnapping of 15 workers at the Golden Harvest plantation on June 11, 2001 in Barangay Tairan, Lantawan, Basilan.
Galvez said that Chief Insp. Hazel Fernandez, SPO4 Orlando Gellecania, SPO3 Eduardo Covarruvias, PO2 Asmie Joe and PO1 Edgar Gaganting, all from the Police Station 4, this city, were cited for the arrest of another ASG member identified as Mudrim Akbar on January 23 in Barangay Sangali, this city.
Akbar was arrested for the crimes of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention and involved in the Golden Harvest Kidnapping in Lantawan, Basilan on June 11, 2011.
Galvez said also awarded the Merit Medal were Senior Insp. Felixberto Rule of the Zamboanga Del Sur police office, Insp. Marjan Sali and PO1 McStuart Balang, both of Regional Mobile Force Battalion-9, and Senior Insp. Oscar Buenaobra of the Regional Intelligence Division 9.
She said they were awarded for their operational accomplishment in their respective area of responsibility.
Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, PRO-9 director, led the awarding ceremony, which as held during Monday flag-raising at Camp Col. Romeo Abendan in Barangay Mercedes, this city.
Beltran said the awardees, who exemplified the icon of a true and dedicated public servant having earned honor and prestige, worthy of praise and emulation not only by their peers, in particular, but also for the entire Philippine National Police, in general. (PNA)

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PH must learn to produce own CMS, other military equipment

•  

The Philippines must produce its own combat management system and other related defense equipment in order to protect its military capabilities.
"The only way we can do that is to make our own. We produce our own CMS, everything, so nobody will know about it," Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said during Monday's Senate hearing about the Frigate Acquisition Project (FAP).
He also admitted that as long as the Philippines sub-contracts ships and other military equipment from other nations, there is nothing the country can do to prevent others from knowing about its capabilities.
The FAP has a contract of PHP18 billion including the weapon systems and munitions.
Earlier, the DND chief said that using the Thales Tacticos CMS would shoot the price of the frigates by USD7 million per ship or USD14 million for the two vessels.
In Monday's hearing, Lorenzana defended the decision of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to pick Hanwha as the supplier of the CMS for its two frigates over Thales Tacticos, the manufacturer preferred by former PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado.
While acknowledging that Thales Tacticos is a good CMS brand, the DND chief said the Hanwha CMS being selected to fit the Navy's first two missile-firing capable frigates are equally capable.
"We are not buying a lesser product. we are buying an equally capable product to be put into our ship(s)," he added.
Also, Lorenzana emphasized that Mercado's relief last December was brought about by the latter's refusal to comply with two of his memorandum on the CMS and pronouncements that he will have the project cancelled if Thales Tacticos was not selected to supply the above-mentioned equipment.
"(The reason for his relief as FOIC was) dahil dalawang beses na memo ko hindi n’ya sinusunod tapos, sa mga conference niya (sinasabi) na pag hindi (na)tuloy ang (Thales) Tacticos, ika-cancel niya ang FAP (The reason for his relief as FOIC was he disobeyed my memos twice and he says in his conferences that he will have the FAP cancelled if Thales Tacticos will not be selected)," the DND chief pointed out.
Also, Lorenzana said that it was Mercado who had the specification "Tactical Data Link 16" or the ability to transmit and receive data from various platforms in a bid to justify the preference for the Thales Tacticos CMS. (PNA)

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Ex-Zambo del Norte town mayor, 
others face raps on bidding scam

 The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of charges before the Sandiganbayan against former Labason, Zamboanga del Norte Mayor Wilfredo Balais and Vice Mayor Virgilio Go for falsification of public documents over the alleged irregularities in the 2011 procurement of a Nissan Patrol Wagon.
Likewise charged were Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman Melchor Chipoco; BAC members Christy Buganutan, Philip Balais, Aida Villamil, Ceriaco Sabijon; BAC Secretariat Glenda Eslabon. and a certain Thelma Antoque.
Charges for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were filed against Chipoco, Buganutan, Eslabon, Philip Balais, Villamil, Sabijon, and Antoque.
Records showed that on Jan. 28, 2011, the municipality, through the then Vice Mayor Go, acquired a second-hand 2001 Nissan Patrol Wagon from Eduardo Ayunting of the Oro Cars Display Center worth PHP960,000.
A review of the bidding documents showed fraud in the procurement of the vehicle, as bid documents, such as the Abstract of Bids and Minutes of the opening of bids, were falsified to make it appear that two other bidders joined the bidding.
The probe also found that the vehicle procured by the respondents was the same vehicle sold by the then Mayor Balais to Ayunting for only PHP500,000 under a deed of sale dated Nov. 26, 2010.
In its resolution, the Ombudsman said: “It cannot be denied that the above-named respondents have control over the documents in their respective capacities and signed these documents even when they contained utter falsities. In their effort to come up with an impression of regularity, they made it appear that bidders, including the alleged winning bidder, participated in the procurement of the vehicle when in fact these bidders did not. Clearly, the elements of the offense attend this case.”
Meanwhile, in the related administrative case, Philip Balais and Sabijon, who were found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave misconduct, and serious dishonesty, were ordered dismissed from the service.
Balais and Sabijon were also meted with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, and forfeiture of retirement benefits.
In case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to the respondents’ salaries for one year. (PNA)

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CBCP insists,

No to divorce

 

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Public Affairs Committee (CBCP-PAC) on Tuesday reiterated its stand against the divorce bill being pushed by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
“Cong. Lagman is twisting the truth on divorce. The Catholic Church strongly opposes the measure,” CBCP-PAC executive secretary Fr. Jerome Secillano, CBCP-PAC said on his Facebook account.
He also explained the difference between Canonical nullity and the dissolution of marriage.
“Canonical nullity is different from dissolution of marriage (divorce). The former is a declaration that marriage is null and void from the very start while the latter invalidates what is otherwise a valid marriage,” the Catholic priest added.
Secillano said that instead of creating laws that will strengthen marriage, lawmakers are destroying its beauty and sanctity by introducing measures that may break couples.
“Some Congressmen, however, understand it differently. Instead of formulating laws that will strengthen it, uphold its beauty and sanctity, they’ve bastardized and destroyed it by introducing measures, such as divorce, that hasten the disintegration of couples,” he said.
“Marriage enjoys the ‘favor of the law’. No less than the 1987 Constitution and the Family Code treat it as an inviolable social institution that should be protected by the State,” the CBCP-PAC official added.
Lagman has expressed confidence that the measures introducing divorce in the country will be passed into law before the 17th Congress ends in 2019.
The Albay representative heads the technical working group consolidating and discussing the measures filed to introduce divorce.
Aside from the Vatican, the Philippines is the only country in the world which does not allow divorce. (PNA)

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Zambo still

“uncomfortable”

over new BBL

By  Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, (PIA) -- During the Senate public hearing on the new Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) here last Friday (February 9), the city’s two congressional representatives still expressed concern over the bill’s “opt-in” provision, which could still resonate to the city’s possible inclusion in the Bangsamoro in the future.
Congressman Celso Lobregat for his part emphasized that based on the current drafts, Zamboanga City could still be “included in a plebiscite.”
“Why don’t we limit the area of the Bangsamoro to what it is right now? Any expansion would have to pass Congress,” he said.
Congressman Lobregat has been a critic of the BBL, as he maintains that he is “for peace, but not for appeasement at the expense of the Republic.”
Meanwhile, Congressman Manuel Jose Dalipe III shared a similar opinion. “The opt-in provision seems uncomfortable. If you want things to succeed, everyone must be comfortable.”
Zamboanga City’s officials led by Mayor Beng Climaco, the City Council, to include the leaders of the 98 barangays have been continuously voicing out their vehement position: to “never include Zamboanga in the Bangsamoro, now or ever.”
“The position of Zamboanga is firm. We want peace in Mindanao, and the BBL must be inclusive,” declared Mayor Climaco during the hearing. “We must continue dialogues with the MILF and the MNLF to address grievances. And we expect the Senate and Congress to pass a BBL that is consistent to the Constitution, to end conflict and not to appease.”
Given the city’s position on the issue, BBL sub-committee chair Senator Migz Zubiri reassured Zamboangueños that the city was never included, although he admitted that based on the draft, a people’s initiative in a popular vote and plebiscite could make a city or municipality be part of the Bangsamoro. However, Zubiri said, “we plan to include additional safeguards, maybe increase the percentage of registered voters who need to petition for inclusion.”
Senate President Koko Pimentel shared that their position on BBL in the Senate is “solid to the last member.”
“All of us are in favor of the BBL’s concept, and we hope that by March, it would pass the Senate,” he said.
Congressman Lobregat nevertheless assured his constituents that he will continue to make representations in Congress to totally exclude Zamboanga in the Bangsamoro. “I will be there till the very end, fighting for Zamboanga City’s interest, standing firm for what is best for Mindanao, defending the Constitution and protecting the Republic.”
Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte certified the BBL as urgent, which he hopes would correct the injustices of the past and put an end to the decades of struggle and violence in Mindanao. (ALT/DIS/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

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Pro-BBL, supporters rule

public hearing in Basilan

 

by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, (PIA) -- Supporters and pro-BBL groups, individuals, and organization dominated the joint public hearing on the Bangsamoro Basic Law Bills held recently at Basilan State College, this city.
 At least six senators, including Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III arrived in Basilan, together with Sen. Win Gatchalian, Sen Risa Hontiveros, Sen Sonny Angara, Sen Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, and the sub-committee chairman on the BBL, Sen Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.
 The senators’ pronouncement that the entire Senate supports the passage of BTC (Bangsamoro Transition Commission) version of the BBL was welcomed with a loud applause from attendees.
 “The President is prioritizing the BBL. We want to assure you today that we have timeline in place,” Sen. Zubiri said.
 Zubiri said that the passage of the BBL has the overwhelming support of the Senate. He said that at least one-fourth of the Senate is in Basilan, a manifestation that the Senate is taking the BBL seriously and that public opinion and inputs are important. He added that after the Feb. 13 last public hearing, a plenary deliberation follows and by March 22, the Senate will vote for its passage on third and final reading.
 Moreover, Senate President Pimentel concurred with the statement of Sen. Zubiri that the idea and concept of the Bangsamoro Basic Law has the solid support of the Senate.
 “We are doing this in the name of peace or a means to achieve peace. Kaya dinadala sa mga lugar for the details para ma-discuss at makakuha ng input galing sa inyo (Thus, we are bringing this in the areas in order to gather details and input from the ground),” Pimentel explained.
 He said that the Senate commits to be open-minded and that they will listen to the people and harmonize everything.
 “But we must have this kind of a law which will improve the autonomous region in our beloved Mindanao,” he said.
 Pro-BBL individuals expressed their insights, to include, Nurkaisa E. Alidain for the women’s sector, Maluso Mayor Hanie Bud, from the Basilan Ulama Supreme Council, and Isabela City Councilor Atty. Faigdar Jaafar, among others.
 Councilor Jaafar however asked the Senate to conduct a massive information drive on the BBL to the grassroots in order for the people of Isabela City to have an informed choice. For the past two plebiscites, Isabela City has voted twice against its inclusion in the current ARMM.
 Due to limited time for the public hearing and the need for it to be finished before noon for the Friday prayer obligations of Muslims, many “other” voices were not heard in the public hearing.
 Some sectors observed that the hearing was rashly done and that those who were given the opportunity to speak on the floor were all pro-BBL. The “opt-in” provision of the BTC version also raised great concern, saying that “an opt-in option should also be complemented with an opt-out option.”
 Meanwhile, peace adviser Secretary Jesus G. Dureza urged the public to take time to study the BBL and reminded that the passage of the Bill is not like electricity that when you switch on, it will light immediately.
 “Marami pa tayong gagawin pag naaprubahan po to. At hindi lang opisyales ng bagong autonomous region, di lang legislative, di lang executive kung saan dapat ang suporta at pagbabago, hindi sa batas kundi sa tulong ng taongbayan (We still have a lot to do when this is approved. The support and effort does not rest only on the new autonomous region, the legislative, or on the executive. The responsibility is on the people. Ang pagbabago ay hindi sa batas, ang pagbabago ay sa sarili natin (The change is not on the law, change rests on ourselves),” Dureza stressed.
 The Senators immediately left Basilan for another public hearing in the afternoon in Zamboanga City. (ALT/RVC/PIA-Basilan)

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First female PAF aviator

to avail USAF scholarship

PAGADIAN CITY, PIA) -- 2nd Lt. Catherine Mae Gonzales recently became the first female aviator from the Philippine Air Force to be selected for the Aviation Leadership Program (ALP), a United States Air Force scholarship program which provides undergraduate pilot training to select officers from other nations’ air forces.
Gonzales, who was among the top ten members of her graduating class at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), will attend the program from February 2018 to May 2019.  During the program, she will receive 164 hours of flight training in the T-6A Texan II aircraft, as well as 239 hours of flight operations ground training.  Gonzales says she is excited to learn how to fly a new aircraft, as well as to experience American culture.
Gonzales’ inspiration to become a pilot stems from witnessing the important role aviation assets played during the 2013 Zamboanga Siege, which took place in her hometown.
“Since then, I started to dream of becoming a pilot,” Gonzales said.
“During those times, I really felt a great eagerness to defend my hometown, and I thought I could be of great help to that mission from above, since insurgents are vulnerable from this point,” she added.
Gonzales is honored to serve her country, and feels proud that the Philippine Air Force selection board chose her to attend the ALP.
“Serving my country as a female officer shows how the military profession has matured and opened for great changes by allowing us, female officers, to lead,” she explained.
The ALP is designed to build relationships between future leaders of the United States Air Force and other participating air forces, as well as increase overall cooperation and partnership between countries. (ALT/CAL/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur/US Embassy Press Release)

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02092018 ZamboNewsOnLine No dates set for completion of renovation works Grandstand

02092018 ZamboNewsOnLine

No dates set for completion of

renovation works Grandstand

By Letty Militante 

There is no specific date when the ongoing renovation and rehabilitation of the Joaquin F.  Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex  in Boulevard, Baliwasan this city will be completed. .

City  Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar can not tell as to when  the JFEMSC will be completed although some officials predicted that the work will be completed by the first quarter of this year..

“ I can not tell when it will be  finished ,” Climaco Salazar said.

However, Climaco Salazar said that the work is now t 60 % done

Acccording to Climaco Salazar, the weather particularly rains have caused delays on the work although the completionof the repair and renovaton work  the JFEMSC was earlier set for the first or  the 3^rd quarter or September of the  current  year 2018.

Among those need to be completed are the putting of artificial grass- first inMindanao,  aside from the rubberized playing courts and oval.

This also include the other facilities like lighting  on dormitories and comfort rooms.  

The doors will be fabricated for durability instead of being made from  ordinary lumber.

As this developed, Climaco Salazar is hoping  to realize the completion of the JFEMSC at the proper time time. (Letty M. Militante)

300 ends TESDA trainings

in Livelihood skills, projects

By Letty Militante

Some 300 scholars of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) completed their months long training in four schools in this city yesterday.

Their graduation held at a local school was witnessed by Congressman  Dennnis C. Laogan representing  the Kabuhayan  Party List.

Laogan told newsmen that the 300 graduates of TESDA is part of the training covered by an appropriated budget of P 10 million for the city of Zamboanga.

The TESDA graduates completed courses like driving,, baking –pastry making , cooking, preparations of cold dishes, massage-therapy and  others  .

Laogan said that the party list on  kabuhayan will continue to  give the scholars  these training  programs as part of a  promise for the  whole city  of Zamboanga composing the 98 barangays.

Laogan said that the scholars program for kabuhayan , kinabukasan at  kalusulugan (KKK)  will continue  by adding  more scholars to for training.

They will also be provided with tool kits   so they can start livelihood projects after the training (Letty Militante)

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Troops, crime group clash

in Kalawit,  Zambo Norte

Government security forces clashed with a syndicated crime group involved in extortion and kidnapping activities in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a top police official said Wednesday.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 director, said the clash happened at around 12:08 p.m. Tuesday in Sitio Monob, Barangay Daniel Maing, Kalawit, Zamoanga del Norte.

Beltran said joint police and military forces were on combat patrol when they encountered more or less 20 gunmen, who are said to be members of a crime syndicate.

He said the firefight lasted for around 30 minutes after which the armed men fled towards the hinterlands.

He said there were no casualties on both the government and the enemy side. The armed men are reportedly involved in extortion and kidnapping activities in Kalawit and in nearby areas.

He said the troops recovered from the clash site the following: one KG9 (9-mm Luger) assault rifle with ammunition; a rifle grenade; a fragmentation grenade; 10 sets of hammock; four sets of fatigue uniforms; six backpacks; a binocular; four flashlights; a cellular phone; and empty shells for M-16 Armalite rifle and M-14 rifle.

He said troops are tracking down the whereabouts of the syndicate crime group members. (PNA)

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BBL draft now in

House committee

The House of Representatives’ version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is now submitted and being deliberated in the joint congressional committees.

This after the sub-committee meetings were conducted last week and it was presented as an urgent priority of the Committee on Local Government and Peace, Reconciliation and Unity to come up with the “draft bill,” which will be tackled for public consultation and finalization in the House plenary in due time.

Rep. Celso Lobregat of this city’s first district on Wednesday said the BBL Sub-Committee, in which he was one of the three members, took the lead to harmonize its provisions as they had already discussed it provision by provision and “agreed to disagree” the constitutionality and partiality of it and taking into consideration the unconstitutional provisions, which needed to be discussed thoroughly.

The sub-committee, chaired by Rep. Wilter Wee Palma II (1st District, Zamboanga Sibugay) and represented by at least three members each from the three committees, is now coming up with a working draft bill based on House Bills 6475, 92, 6121 and 6263 authored by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Deputy Speaker Bai Sandra Sinsuat Sema (1st District, Maguindanao), Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga) and Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo (1st District, Lanao del Norte), respectively.

The four bills seek to provide for the BBL and abolish the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). They seek to repeal Republic Act 9054, entitled “An Act to Strengthen and Expand the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” and RA 6374 entitled “An Act Providing for an Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

“We were already done with our bloody work of consolidating the four proposed BBL bills, those provisions not agreed upon will be referred to the mother committee, after that we shall have public consultations and there might be changes again before it reaches the plenary,” said Lobregat, member for the majority of the House Committee on Local Government, Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.

He said the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) version of the BBL was dominant, but it didn’t mean that the house committees would approve it, instead they would still had to scrutinize it and determine its constitutionality based on the consolidated version of the BBL.

“We made it very clear, we make the consolidated draft bill and this will be used for discussion in the committee level,” Lobregat said.

He said there was no problem in passing the BBL as long as the unconstitutional provisions would be removed and it would not jeopardize the welfare of other Filipinos who did not wish to be under the jurisdiction of the proposed Bangsamoro region.

“It is the commitment of the House leadership that the BBL will be materialized, we were give a timeline, but again, we wanted a constitutional BBL, we are part of the Philippines, it is not only the Bangsamoro who has to be considered but the entire Filipino nation should also be heard, and it is the reason why the senate and congress are now doing its series of public consultations here in Mindanao region,” Lobregat said.

“Again, I would like to reiterate to the public, that I am for peace, I am not anti-peace but we need a Bangsamoro Basic Law that is just, fair, acceptable, feasible and within the realm of the constitution and existing laws,” Lobregat added. (PNA)

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ARMM  local executives  

warned vs 4Ps anomalies

JOLO, Sulu – Local government executives down to the barangays in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) have been sternly warned to stop all irregularities in the payout of cash incentives under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Lawyer Laisa Alamia, Armm executive secretary, issued the warning during the Local Government Unit (LGU) Assembly on Social Welfare Protection at Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Busbus, this town on Feb. 6..

Alamia, who is also the Department of Social Welfare Secretary in ARMM (DSWD-Armm), said her office has received reports that there are barangay officials, teachers and local social welfare personnel who are pocketing portion of the cash incentives of 4Ps beneficiaries.

Each family-beneficiary of the 4Ps receive PhP1,400 monthly. The program is a human development measure of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of children aged 0-18.

Alamia said the beneficiaries of the program are being threatened to be delisted once they will complain or report about the irregularities with the office of the DSWD-Armm.

There are also people who were listed as beneficiaries although they are not from poor families or the names are not that of the persons in the photograph that appears on the list of beneficiaries.

Alamia said they must stop such illegal practices or face arrest.

“We are serious about this. I’ll give you the chance, the opportunity (to stop). No arrest will happen, but one you are caught during the payout, you will not just be removed from the service, you will be arrested,” she said during the assembly.

She said they have tapped the military, police and other law enforcement agencies to help them monitor the implementation of the 4Ps.

She warned that military personnel will be watching them and monitoring the implementation of programs and projects of the government in the barangays sinceMindanao is under martial law.

The release of the cash incentives under the 4Ps in Armm is “actual payout” with corresponding biometrics. Previously, the incentives is released through the banks by way of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) like in other regions.

Alamia, however, said there are still irregularities since they uncovered there are collusion among the beneficiaries, who don’t belong to poor families.

Alamia is optimistic this irregularity will be stopped with the help of the military, police and other law enforcement agencies.

During the forum, the mayors and their respective barangay officials were reminded of their obligations and responsibilities based on Martial Law Instruction No. 1 issued on January 8, 2018, by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who is the martial law administrator.

The assembly concluded with the signing of commitment by the mayors and barangay officials to help stop the irregularities.

The assembly was aimed at reiterating the importance of the 4Ps program and that the “no fraud” policy is being implemented in its fullest capacity.

It was also a venue for members of the LGU, the military and the merchants to show their commitment and support to help monitor and be watchful of fraudulent activities and that benefits from the national government reaches its beneficiaries in full. (PNA)

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More Zamboanguenos

urged to donate blood

The Zamboanga City Blood Council (ZCBC) has embarked on information campaign to encourage the public, especially the barangays, to regularly donate blood.

Maria Christine Lim, ZCBC program coordinator, on Tuesday said this came about as only 33 out of the 98 barangays were regularly conducting blood letting activity despite an ordinance that establish City/Barangay Blood Councils.

City Ordinance No. 336 seeks to establish the City/Barangay Blood Councils and prescribe the rules and regulations for its effective implementation in Zamboanga city.

The ordinance was enacted on July 24, 2008 and approved on August 8 of same year.

It was aimed to institutionalize the provision of Republic Act No. 7719 otherwise known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994.

Lim said one of the hindrances in the mobile blood donation was that there were residents afraid to donate blood.

Those qualified to donate blood are individuals aged 18 to 65, weighing 50 kilograms with normal blood pressure, and hemoglobin count not less than 125 gm/ml.

Lim said they had coordinated with the Liga ng Mga Barangay to encourage all of the barangays to conduct their respective mobile blood donations.

“We have to inculcate the value to be there for others. We will not have problem on blood supply if all healthy individuals will donate blood and all barangays will conduct mobile blood donations” she said.

Aside from helping others, she added that donating blood also stimulated the bone marrow to produce new blood cells “making our blood forming organs function more effectively.”

Meanwhile, Lim is also encouraging the barangays to come up with a registry system that will serve as blood directory.

She said the directory was useful in times of emergency since it would serve as guide what types of blood were readily available in the community. (PNA)

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Elite Army battalion

in Sulu vs Abu Sayyaf

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deployed a battalion of elite troops to defeat the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu.

Deployed in Sulu is the Army’s 5th Scout Ranger Battalion, which was deployed inMarawi City at the height of the battle against the Daesh-inspired Maute Group just after the unit was activated last year.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, on Monday led the send-off ceremony of the battalion held at Camp Basilio Navarro in this city.

The program was held after Monday’s flag raising ceremony.

The battalion, headed by Lt. Col. Mario Jomalesa, underwent a series of trainings at Camp Gen. Arturo Enrile in this city after its stint in Marawi City.

“I am sure that you will do well in defeating the threats in Sulu as you did a great job in leading the fight to liberate Marawi City from the claws of the terrorists,” Galvez told the scout rangers.

“I am confident that you will be able to deliver the soonest,” he added.

Five, including a junior officer, of the 5th Scout Ranger battalion were awarded Gold Cross Medals for gallantry during the series of firefight against the Maute Group last year in Marawi City.

The awardees were First Leiutenant Jay-arr Quiapo; Sergeant Gerry Gaspar Padayogdog; Sergeant Antonio Basa; Corporal Lisan Aspacio; and, Corporal Rodrigo Novilla. (PNA)

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Abu Sayyaf attacks won't

hamper dev't  in ARMM

·                         

Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has vowed to continue the implementation of infrastructure projects amid attacks by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) against workers undertaking the program.

Hataman issued the statement after the members of the ASG killed two workers and injured two others in an ambush last week at Barangay Baas, Lamitan City in theprovince of Basilan.

The victims were employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways in ARMM (DPWH-ARMM) which is undertaking road construction projects in the province.

“We remain firm in our determination to continue building the infrastructure our people need. Yes, we grieve, but these attacks will not deter the ARMM regional government from continuing efforts to provide the infrastructure and vital services our people need,” Hataman said in an interview here.

He noted that the Abu Sayyaf bandits persisted in attacking since 2012 the ARMM government’s ongoing construction of transcentral roads in Basilan.

He said the bandits are against the projects “because these roads provide the law enforcement and military personnel and their vehicles easier access to the Abu Sayyaf lairs on the island.”

He said the transcentral roads they are building are vital to connecting communities in the region and facilitating growth and development that will offer the people better opportunities for prosperity and peace.

“The DPWH-ARMM builds roads so that development can reach the most isolated and poorest communities--even if our district engineer has been attacked twice with hand grenades, even as the department has been subjected to numerous threats, and attempts at extortion,” he added.

An improvised bomb exploded on Thursday, February 1, at the residence of Engineer Soler Undug while another explosive was safely detonated after it was recovered at the residence of Engineer Bong Lasatan in Isabela City, Basilan.

Undug is the Basilan provincial engineer of the DPWH-ARMM while Lasatan is the assistant engineer of the provincial engineering office.

“Even as we mourn the deaths of the two workers, we condemn the attack on them and the assaults on the personnel of the ARMM who have been working to ensure that government services are delivered well so a lasting peace may become a reality here (in Basilan),” Hataman said. (PNA)

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Hunger, abuses push

  ASG members yield

Difficulties in life and maltreatment are some of the reasons why members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) decided to surrender to the military authorities in Basilan province.

Brig. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander, on Monday said these were the revelations of the three notorious ASG members who surrendered to his command in Basilan.

Uy identified them as the following: Garama Sulayman, 21; Omar Jaljalis, 18; and, Marhaban Pael, 34, who surrendered on Saturday his battalion commanders.

Uy said Sulayman alias Abu Tarik is number nine in the list of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as among the notorious ASG member in Basilan.

Sulayman is a follower of ASG sub-leader Radzmil Jannatul.

Jaljalis alias Oman was among the followers of ASG Basilan-based leader Furudji Indama.

Uy said they turned over two M-16 “Baby Armalite” rifles and a carbine rifle with ammunition.

“They said they decided to surrender due to hardship and hunger they experienced with the ASG. Besides, they also experienced manhandling and worst some of them were killed,” he said.

He said the surrenderees “are now happy that they finally have the chance to live a new life with with loved ones.”

They were brought to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force Basilan for custodial debriefing, medical checkup, and proper disposition.

“The surrenderees in the Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) areas continue to snowball as the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), through the different Joint Task Forces, sustains its security operations, particularly isolating the reformables from the hard core ASG members, through community-based dialogue, community support programs, and diplomatic mentoring,” Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief said.

The surrender of the three have brought to a total of 170 ASG members who surrendered to the government authorities.

Of the total, 75 have surrendered in Basilan; 60 in Sulu; 33 in Tawi-Tawi; and, two inZamboanga City. (PNA)

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Zambo pushes conversion

of Voc-Techs into colleges

 

·                         

The City Council is pushing for the conversion of the two Technical Vocational (Voc-Tech) schools into a city government-owned college.

To be converted into a college are the Ayala and Vitali Technical Vocation Schoolswhich will be named Colegio De La Ciudad de Zamboanga.

Councilor Elbert Atilano Sr. on Monday told the Philippine News Agency that the conversion of the two vocational schools is aimed to bring tertiary education closer to residents in the far-flung areas.

The Ayala Vocational Technical School is located in Barangay Ayala which is 16 kilometers west of the city, while Vitali Vocational Technical School is in Barangay Vitali 73 kilometers east of City Hall.

Atilano said the curriculum of the Colegio De La Ciudad de Zamboanga will be focused on industrial education.

“This is relevant to use especially Zamboanga City is considered as an industrial city,” Atilano said citing this city is the home to the nine of the 12 canning factories in the country.

He said the city government-run college, once in place, should be equipped with complete and modern equipment in support to the local government unit’s thrust on education.

“This school will be an option for those students who cannot afford to go to private universities and colleges,” he said.

“We (the city) had been providing assistance to the education sector but the focus is on basic education. We don’t have support for the tertiary, which is the reason why there are several students who cannot pursue college after graduating in high school,” he added.

Atilano, who is pushing for the creation of the Colegio De La Ciudad de Zamboanga, has authored an ordinance seeking the creation of the city government-owned college.

The ordinance has been referred to the City Council’s Committee on Education after it hurdled the first reading last week. (PNA)

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Let’s give BBL a

chance: --Dureza

·                         

JOLO, Sulu -- Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza urged officials here to rally behind the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which is being pushed by the Duterte administration.

“Let's give this (BBL) a chance to make it work,” he told a gathering of local officials inside the municipal hall of Jolo on Wednesday.

Dureza, who arrived here ahead of the Senate hearing on the BBL on Thursday, emphasized the “new BBL now is an improvement of the old BBL.”

He was referring to the previous BBL which failed to pass congressional scrutiny due to issues in the Constitution.

The Presidential Adviser said his presence in this island province is to ensure that the local leaders and public will be clarified on the content of the BBL.

“Jolo is the model place. What Jolo will feel will resonate to other municipalities in Sulu,” he said, adding “We would like to hear from you if there are doubts on the BBL.”.

According to him, it is vital for the residents in the Autonomous Region to support the creation of the new Bangsamoro government. “Even if we sign an agreement and Congress pass the law, but if there's no support from the people, nothing will happen,” he said.

“It should be acceptable to the people in order to address the historical injustices and give the Moros their right to self-determination,” he pointed out.

He said in order to achieve it, the current efforts of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is to simultaneously implement both works in the peace process and development.

Undersecretary Nabil Tan, the deputy presidential adviser on the peace process, concurred Dureza’s statement, saying that President Rodrigo Duterte expanded the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) from 15 to 21 to ensure that the BBL is inclusive.

The BTC’s primary job is to draft the BBL as part of the implementation process of the signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014.

“The BTC focused to correct the unconstitutional issues of the past BBL,” Tan, who is a native of Sulu, said.

Earlier, framers of the current 1987 Constitution have stated that the new version of the BBL has no constitutional infirmities during congressional hearings.

Tan said the passage of the BBL is crucial for the normalization track of the peace agreement so it can be fully implemented, such as the decommissioning of the MILF’s combatants.

BTC commissioner Jose Lorena said people of Sulu will greatly benefit in the BBL.

“We are hit by a calamity of conflict. A man-made calamity. An artificial calamity that only men can solve. We should move forward,” he said referring to the objective of the BBL in addressing the underlying factors of the conflict besetting Sulu and the ARMM.

As such, Lorena said the BBL gives the local government rights to control over their municipal waters.

At present, the municipal government has no direct control over the 15-kilometer municipal water but only beneficial rights.

Lorena said the BBL does not only seek to grant the local government a power to control over their waters but also has created another 7.2-kilometer buffer to the national waters.

“The idea is that (industrial-scale) commercial fishing vessels can't encroach to our waters,” he said.

In addition, the BBL will also create Zones of Joint Cooperation in the Sulu Sea and the Moro Gulf.

“The idea here is for us (the people) to have a participation in the management of the waters that will benefit the small fisherfolks,” he said.

Abdel-Razi Amin, vice mayor of Jolo, expressed his gratitude for “the opportunity to learn about the BBL.”

Both houses of Congress are simultaneously conducting public hearings on the BBL.

Congress targets to pass the BBL by March. (OPAPP-PR)

Comelec 85% ready for

barangay, SK elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is 85 percent ready for the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections on May 14, exactly 96 days to go.

This was how the electoral body described it, as it highlights its countdown to Election Day.

Comelec Director and Spokesperson James Arthur Jimenez admitted to reporters on Tuesday that Comelec still had concerns in Mindanao, where preparations could not be at full speed ahead.

It could be recalled that Mindanao was placed under Martial Law on May 23 last year as the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group took siege of Marawi City for several months.

In the joint media conference with the Comelec, Martin Diño, Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), said continuous preparations for the May elections were underway. So are related activities, such as the DILG's nationwide campaign for the so-called "Matino, Mahusay, at Maaasahan (Upright, Efficient, and Reliable)" Barangay and SK Officials to encourage the public to vote for good leaders.

Diño said the DILG had so far not received any word from either Malacañang or the Congress for the possible postponement of the forthcoming elections.
DILG Assistant Secretary for Communication and Public Affairs Jonathan E. Malaya urged the media to be a partner in moving the Filipino voting public to go to the polling precincts and exercise their right to vote.

"We call on you, our friends in the media, to help us in rallying for reform bottom-up, from barangay and SK officials. Together let us move the Filipino people to exercise their right to vote this coming May 14," Malaya said.

Malaya said that the "Matino, Mahusay, at Maaasahan" campaign would be brought to the DILG’s regional and field offices to conduct similar activities to urge the public to vote wisely. (PNA)

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