18 ZAMBONEWSONLINE

Confiscated dried seahorse

missing at customs bodega

By Letty Militante

The Bureau of Customs has reported that at least

seven out of the 15 bales or cartoons equivalent to 152   kilograms of confiscated dried seahorse are lost or missing while being stored at the Customs warehouse, Port area this city.

In an interview, District Customs Collector Atty. Lyceo C. Martinez said that  the office already called for   an independent investigation on the  missing items by  the National Bureau of Investigation or NBI last September 6,2018.

“We are waiting for the  NBI to take the necessary actions, “ Martinez said.

According to Martinez, he came to know of the missing 7 bales or cartoon of the confiscated dried  seashores  kept in the BOC warehouse  last September 6,2018

The BOC warehouse is  supervised and is  under the control and responsibility of the Custom police – a separate unit  which is still under the supervision of Martinez.

Martinez said that he came to know of the loss the other week because he was at that time attending a collector’s conference in Manila.

The Philippine Coast Guard under Commander  Noriel Ramos formally turned over the confiscated dried seahorse contained in some 15 bales or cartoon  to the BOC

The  dried seahorse were inside a  container van on board  a  cargo vessel 

Martinez disclosed that formal charges were already filed in court against  the cargo vessel for exporting – shipment of endangered species – seahorse.

As this developed, Martinez said that initial steps were immediately undertaken at the BOC while waiting for the NBI reports such as the installation of CCTV cameras in the BOC warehouse and roof from where the robbers took the dried seahorse .

This is to make sure it will not happen again, he said.

Martinez added that he keys to the warehouse held by two employees were all taken from these employees.

In other related development, Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar is appealing to the people to help check the whereabouts of the contraband dried seahorses.

Climaco Salazar said that the BOC really has to patrol their ranks considering this is not only the first time that some confiscated items were taken without permission from  inside the BOC warehouse.

Several bags of  recently confiscated sugar were also discovered missing at the BOC warehouse.

This loss of confiscated sugar occurred during  previous collectors. (Letty M. Militante)

222

‘TienDA sa BFAR’ benefits thousands in Zamboanga

Thousands of residents have benefited on Saturday from the one-day “TienDA sa BFAR” initiated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in this southern port city.

Isidro Velayo Jr., BFAR-9 director, said the conduct of the activity is in line with the agency’s 55th fish conservation week, which is from September 17 to 21.

Eight exhibitors, including the National Food Authority (NFA), have joined the conduct of the TienDA held at the compound of BFAR in this city. Among the products sold at cheaper prices were fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood and process foods.

The NFA sold the government-subsidized rice at PHP27 a kilo. A maximum of five kilos is sold to an individual.

Velayo said they invited the NFA to join the TienDA activity to provide an opportunity to poor families to buy cheaper rice.

Asha Tasi, a resident of Barangay Sta. Barbara, was elated that BFAR has conducted the activity since she was able to buy rice and shrimps at cheaper prices.

“It's cheaper here, I hope they will hold again similar activity since it is of big help especially to those who have less in life,” Tasi added.

TienDA is a new marketing scheme which ensures that farmers’ products can be directly sold to consumers in urban areas without the intervention of middlemen.

It was initiated by Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. (PNA)

333

‘Ompong’ displaces 193 families in the city

A total of 193 families were displaced by flash floods that inundated three barangays late Friday in this city due to inclement weather condition enhanced by Typhoon “Ompong.”

Ma. Socorro Rojas, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) chief, on Saturday said the city government immediately provided assistance to the affected families.

Rojas said of the total affected families, 110 were from Barangay Tumaga, 75 in Sta. Maria, and eight in Tugbungan. They were temporarily sheltered at the covered court of the three barangays.

The eight affected families from Tugbungan were rescued by the Coastguard personnel since they were trapped by high waters in their houses.

“We have to prioritize rescuing the elderly, women and children who were trapped in their houses. There were also sick people, who cannot walk, which we need to rescue and turn them over to medical responders in the area to avoid further casualties,” Lt. Commander Noriel Ramos, Zamboanga Coastguard Station Commander, said.

The Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga experienced moderate to occasionally heavy rains coupled with strong winds brought about by the southwest monsoon that the weather PAGASA said was enhanced by Typhon “Ompong.”

The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) have been directed to continue monitoring the situation and to initiate response if the need arises. (PNA)

4444

7 ASG bandits killed, 23 others wounded in clash

Seven Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed while 23 others wounded, including 17 soldiers, in a fierce firefight in the province of Sulu, the military reported Saturday.

Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the firefight broke out around 1:30 p.m. Friday in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu.

Dela Vega said the troops were on combat operations when they clashed with around 100 ASG bandits led by ASG one-armed leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan in Barangay Bakong.

Sahiron is the oldest among the leaders of the ASG based in the province of Sulu.

Dela Vega said the firefight resulted to the death of seven ASG bandits whose remains were recovered while six others were reported to have been wounded.

He said the troops received reports one of the six injured ASG bandits was Sawadjaan, who sustained critical injuries. They fled to different directions.

Seventeen soldiers were injured during the clash, most of them sustained shrapnel wounds. They were taken to the Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for treatment.

Dela Vega said the cadavers of the slain ASG bandits were also taken to the same hospital for forensic examination and proper disposition.

He said the troops recovered from the clash site the following: one M-16 Armalite rifle; four magazines of caliber 5.56-millimeter ammunition; an ammunition bandolier; one touchscreen cellular phone; and, assorted war materiel and ammunition.

“I commend the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu for this recent accomplishment,” Dela Vega said.

“All sorts of assistance will be provided to the battle casualties and our prayers are with them for their speedy recovery,” he added.

He said that troops are tracking down the rest of the ASG bandits who fled to different directions. (PNA)

5555

Zambo police activates 800

-man disaster response group

*                           

*                         

The Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has activated an 800-man disaster response group as Typhoon Ompong continues to threaten several parts of the country.

Although it is not within the storm's path, this city has been experiencing moderate to occasionally heavy rains - coupled with strong winds brought about by the enhanced southwest monsoon due to “Ompong”.

Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis Licup, PRO-9 director, said Friday he disaster response group will be deployed any time in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, as well in this city, as the need arises.

Licup said the group, known as the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF), will also provide security, humanitarian, disaster relief assistance to the residents in areas that will be affected by the typhoon.

“At the same time, they are the additional manpower during force evacuations and road clearing operations,” Licup added.

He said all provincial and city directors have been directed to pre-position personnel and equipment in different identified risk-prone areas.

Licup has met with key officers and readied Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for “Ompong”.

He also ordered police officers to properly coordinate with other agencies, including the local government units (LGUs) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs), as well as the military, for the efficient implementation of the plan.

Aside from the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. weather bulletin Friday that the other areas affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by “Ompong” are Palawan, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.

PAGASA said “Ompong” has maintained its strength as it continues to threaten the Isabela-Cagayan area.

The weather bureau said the typhoon is expected to make landfall in the Cagayan-Isabela area on Saturday morning. (PNA)

6666

Military denies 2 abducted Indons taken to Sulu

*                         

The military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) on Friday denied that the two Indonesian fishermen abducted early this week in Malaysia are already in the province of Sulu.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Westmincom information officer, said there is no confirmation yet on reports that the victims were taken to the area of responsibility of the command.

Besana’s statement came after the east Malaysian newspaper, Daily Express, reported on Friday that the “pirates and their hostages arrived in Talipao at 3 a.m. Tuesday.”

The Malaysian authorities identified the kidnapped victims as Samsul Sagunin, 40, and Usman Yunus, 35, both Indonesians who were abducted on board a fishing boat shortly after it docked at the Pulau Gaya jetty near Semporna, Malaysia on Tuesday.

Two of their companions managed to escape by hiding in one of the boat’s compartments.

The newspaper report said the victims were taken to Tawi-Tawi aboard a speedboat and “believed their final destination is Talipao in Sulu, an area where the Abu Sayyaf Group has previously based its kidnap-for-ransom operations.”

“We have no confirmation or validation if the KVs (kidnap victims) and kidnappers really went inside our AOR (area of responsibility). If ever, we could have intercepted them immediately," he said.

He added that considering the information given to them, there's a slim possibility for them to just cross our border unnoticed because of the reported watercraft they're using. 

“Until now, wala pa talaga pumasok sa atin (no one has entered our area) based on the latest report from our forces,” he added.

Nevertheless, Besana said government troops “have been in a tight lookout” for the two Indonesians reportedly abducted in Sempornah. (PNA)

777

Abu Sayyaf

surrenderers

climb to 179

The number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrenderers have climbed to 179 this year as two more bandits gave themselves up to authorities in the province of Sulu, a top military official said Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, identified the two as Ranu Jillang and Ben Kirah, both former followers of the late ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya and sub-leader Salvador Muktadil.

Dela Vega said Jillang and Kirah surrendered at around 9 a.m. Tuesday to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 (MBLT-3) headed by Lt. Col. Ramil Holgado in Barangay Seit Lake (Poblacion), Panamao, Sulu.

Mayor Al-Fraizer Abdurajak of Old Panamao town, in coordination with Col. Armel Tolato, commander of the Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu, facilitated the surrender of the two ASG bandits.

Dela Vega said the two surrenderers were brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista for medical examination and custodial debriefing.

“The accomplishments of our Joint Task Forces are greatly attributed to the indefatigable support of the local government units and the populace,” he said.

Of the 179 ASG surrenderers this year, he said, 75 yielded in Basilan, 95 in Sulu, six in Tawi-Tawi, and three in Zamboanga City.

“Rest assured all the surrenderers will be catered with the programs launched by the Philippine government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for all those who chose to return to the folds of the law,” he added. (PNA)

8888

No law vs. premature campaigning: Comelec

*                          By Ferdinand Patinio  

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reiterated that they cannot stop “aspiring candidates” from promoting themselves ahead of the May 2019 midterm polls as no law prohibits premature campaigning.

“The Comelec does not make the law, but we’ve been helping legislation get passed to address this,” Jimenez said on his Twitter account, @jabjimenez, on Saturday.

“The Comelec has never been silent about this loophole in the law, since at least 2013,” Jimenez added.

His statement came amid the reaction of netizens questioning the poll body’s supposed lack of action against possible candidates in the forthcoming polls.

“We are actively supporting the bills that will help solve this problem,” Jimenez said.

Under Republic Act No. 9369, “any person who files his certificate of candidacy within (the period for filing) shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period for which he filed his certificate of candidacy.”

It also states that “unlawful acts or omissions applicable to a candidate shall take effect only upon the start of the aforesaid campaign period.”

Pending bills filed by senators Leila de Lima and Richard Gordon seek to prohibit any form of premature campaigning for any prospective candidate ahead of an electoral exercise. (PNA)

*                          'Kalinaw Kultura Mindanao' comes to Zamboanga City

*                         

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA),  is launching on Friday the Kalinaw Kultura Mindanao in this city.

The Kalinaw Kultura Launching Program will be held at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) and will be coupled with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Cultural Product exhibit.

PIA Director-General Harold Clavite on Thursday said the primary purpose of the activity is to raise public awareness about the rich, diverse, dynamic, and colorful Mindanao cultural heritage.

Clavite said the program also seeks to develop a deep appreciation for Mindanao culture through observation, instruction, and experience of local creative content and talents as well as promote and encourage preservation of Mindanao’s crafts and creative arts.

He said Kalinaw Kultura seeks to share and promote Mindanao’s pride among the youth, community leaders and influencers, tourists and netizens.

confiscat

Dr. Pilar Banaag, NCCA communication committee vice head, said the program aims to promote the different cultures “to clear out some wrong notions of which people from Mindanao have projected pertaining to the different areas in the region.”

“This is a way or a means for us in the NCCA to disseminate the different cultures, the behaviors, the arts, as well as the different people who are involved in Mindanao, that Mindanao is a peaceful area, Mindanao has its own culture, Mindanao is a nice place to stay,” Banaag said.

The Kalinaw Kultura is a Mindanao-wide cultural dissemination roadshow to be held in the cities of Iligan, Butuan, Zamboanga, Davao, and Koronadal.

The launching here is the third of a series since the first and second was held in Iligan and Butuan cities. It will kick-off with a motorcade Friday afternoon from Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue to the ZSCMST campus, where the formal program will be held.

The program will be followed by the Kalinaw Kultura Fashion Show at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga, showcasing culturally-inspired haute couture and hablon collections.

The viewing of local cultural films at the Centro Latino Theater Room, which was also scheduled on Thursday, was canceled due to the  inclement weather condition spawned by Typhoon “Mangkhut.” (PNA)

Zamcelco gets 10,000  votes for crown’s hold in IMC

By Letty Militante

Some 10,000 out of the some 120,000 member consumers approved the Investment Management Contract or IMC  of the  Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative or Zamcelco last Tuesday with winning bider CrownInvestment Holdings,Inc.  or CHI to manged the affairs of the cooperative.

This approval will be forwarded to the National Electrification Administration or NEA for confirmation before final implementation of the IMC.

President Omar Sahi of the Zamboanga CityElectric Cooperative or Zamcelco told Zambopen Journal that it was a unanimous votes with no abstain nor against  in favor to the CrownInvestment  Holdings ,Inc. as   the winning bider  among the four other bidders  who participated the biding process but failed to appear during the scheduled opening of bids last August 30,  2018 .

The Crown Holdings Investment ,Inc. invested P2.5 billions for  the Investment Management Contract or IMC of Zamcelco.

Sahi who give thanks to member consumers who attended for the support and cooperation said that right after the conduct of the Special General Membership Assembly the members of board immediately conduct a session to make another resolution address to the National Electrification Administration or NEA for the final approval and  confirmation to Crown Holdings Investment Inc. the winning bider to implement the P2.5  billions IMC.

Sahi is hopeful that NEA will approve and give the final confirmation  for the IMC and Crown Holdings Investment as the winning bider  of P2.5 billion Investment.

As this developed, Sahi said that the P1.2 billions debts of Zamcelco will be the top priority among other concern.

The debts to be paid are NEA and to the different power providers like Mapalad, WMPC,, TMI, Infinity,PSALM  and  San Miguel.

The remaining investment of the P 2.5 billion of CHII will be used for the working capital of Zamcelco this are the upgrading of  old transformers, old metering, old or dilapidated electrical posts,  lines and among  others.

The retirement benefits of employees will also be paid from the P2.5 billions investment .

Sahi said that with the P2.5 billion investment of CHII for the IMC, Zamcelco who has been ill  for the past ten (10) years on  system loss, power trip offs , blackout and the like. , will soon have a better services and full power supply  with no more power interruptions , trip off and blackouts  to the member consumers. (Letty M.Militante)

The Mindpro Citimall announces its rebranded name as  “SM Mindpro Citimall “on its temporary closure on October  13,2018 to give  way to its full renovation to become a fully developed SM mall.

Mindpro Citimall in a joint venture with SM Prime Holdings Inc. last August 2016 will pave way for a mall development that will bring SM’s awesome shopping  experience in Mindanao by the year 2019 .

It will be recalled that Mindpro Citimall  is the first mall in Zamboanga City who had opened to the public last December 7,1996 caters not only the city of Zamboanga but as well as the neighboring provinces and cities in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

.

Early this week , Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar met with the representatives of SM’s in Cityhall for the final entry and its rebranded name of Mindpro Citimall to  SM Mindpro Citimall on its total renovations.

Recalled further that Climaco Salazar had announced early last year 2017 the entry of SM Prime Holdings Inc. who was received a warm appreciations by the Zamboanguenos .

Climaco Salazar  even declared it as  awakening giant in  Mindanao’s economic and further considered as one of the fastest growing economies in Mindanao.

Mindpro Citimall  with a gross floor area of 45,144 square meters    ,located in La Purisima Street,Zone 3 houses a Mindpro Supermarket,  screen cinemas, foodcourts, department store and several branded stores and boutique.

The SM Mindpro Citimall will brings  a brand new dining options  of Starbucks and Breadtalk together with the affiliate stores of SM Department , Uniglo, Ace Hardware and SM Appliance Center.

SM Mindpro Citimall will have the state of the art cinemas with car park building that can accommodate up to 400 vehicles.

It will include a  Cyberzone -  the largest chain of IT retail stores in the country .

The SM Prime Holdings Inc. is staying aggressive on its biggest expansion of over 20 new malls for completion in this current year 2018 and in 2020.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle  cities that enrich the quality of life  to millions..(Letty M.Militante)

DTI to hold off price hikes for basic goods in next 3 months

By Azer

*

MANILA – The prices of basic goods such as water, sardines, noodles, among others will not increase in the next three months, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured on Wednesday.

DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo allayed fears of consumers that rising inflation and the tax reform for acceleration and inclusion (TRAIN) law would also cause a spike in the prices of basic goods.

“To allay the fears of our consumers, kasi maraming nagsasabi tataas ang presyo bigla or tatalon ‘yan, pag natapos iyong three-month period (because there are many saying it will suddenly increase or jump after the three-month period),” Castelo said.

She said the DTI has convinced manufacturers of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPCs) to hold off price increases for the next three months.

“Na-convince natin sila at pumayag sila (We were able to convince them and they agreed) – some committed three months; some committed six months; some committed nine months,” Castelo said in a Palace briefing.

“Assured ang consumers (are assured) that for the next three months, hindi gagalaw ang presyo ng BNPCs nila(the prices of their BNPCs will not change),” she added.

Castelo said the following BNPCs will have fixed prices: canned sardines, noodles, milk, bottled water, canned meat, detergent, and bath soaps.

She noted that all price increases have to be first approved by the DTI.

“They will have to submit data before they can change the market price or iyong presyo sa retail – doon sa panibagong SRP list iyon (the retail--new standard retail price list),” Castelo said.

Castelo added that the DTI has also convinced the Department of Agriculture (DA) to issue SRPs on some agricultural products.

“Ito iyong agricultural products niya na may (These agricultural products with) SRP, and hopefully will be enforced. This includes rice, milkfish, tilapia, galunggong, iyong basic rin (the basics),” Castelo said.

She said the DA has jurisdiction over these agricultural products but since July 2018, the DTI had started to assist. (PNA)

Read More

Chavacano de Zamboanga Junto con Felino - Part 1

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18 ZAMBONEWSONLINE

Confiscated dried seahorse

missing at customs bodega

By Letty Militante

The Bureau of Customs has reported that at least

seven out of the 15 bales or cartoons equivalent to 152   kilograms of confiscated dried seahorse are lost or missing while being stored at the Customs warehouse, Port area this city.

In an interview, District Customs Collector Atty. Lyceo C. Martinez said that  the office already called for   an independent investigation on the  missing items by  the National Bureau of Investigation or NBI last September 6,2018.

“We are waiting for the  NBI to take the necessary actions, “ Martinez said.

According to Martinez, he came to know of the missing 7 bales or cartoon of the confiscated dried  seashores  kept in the BOC warehouse  last September 6,2018

The BOC warehouse is  supervised and is  under the control and responsibility of the Custom police – a separate unit  which is still under the supervision of Martinez.

Martinez said that he came to know of the loss the other week because he was at that time attending a collector’s conference in Manila.

The Philippine Coast Guard under Commander  Noriel Ramos formally turned over the confiscated dried seahorse contained in some 15 bales or cartoon  to the BOC

The  dried seahorse were inside a  container van on board  a  cargo vessel 

Martinez disclosed that formal charges were already filed in court against  the cargo vessel for exporting – shipment of endangered species – seahorse.

As this developed, Martinez said that initial steps were immediately undertaken at the BOC while waiting for the NBI reports such as the installation of CCTV cameras in the BOC warehouse and roof from where the robbers took the dried seahorse .

This is to make sure it will not happen again, he said.

Martinez added that he keys to the warehouse held by two employees were all taken from these employees.

In other related development, Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar is appealing to the people to help check the whereabouts of the contraband dried seahorses.

Climaco Salazar said that the BOC really has to patrol their ranks considering this is not only the first time that some confiscated items were taken without permission from  inside the BOC warehouse.

Several bags of  recently confiscated sugar were also discovered missing at the BOC warehouse.

This loss of confiscated sugar occurred during  previous collectors. (Letty M. Militante)

222

‘TienDA sa BFAR’ benefits thousands in Zamboanga

Thousands of residents have benefited on Saturday from the one-day “TienDA sa BFAR” initiated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in this southern port city.

Isidro Velayo Jr., BFAR-9 director, said the conduct of the activity is in line with the agency’s 55th fish conservation week, which is from September 17 to 21.

Eight exhibitors, including the National Food Authority (NFA), have joined the conduct of the TienDA held at the compound of BFAR in this city. Among the products sold at cheaper prices were fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood and process foods.

The NFA sold the government-subsidized rice at PHP27 a kilo. A maximum of five kilos is sold to an individual.

Velayo said they invited the NFA to join the TienDA activity to provide an opportunity to poor families to buy cheaper rice.

Asha Tasi, a resident of Barangay Sta. Barbara, was elated that BFAR has conducted the activity since she was able to buy rice and shrimps at cheaper prices.

“It's cheaper here, I hope they will hold again similar activity since it is of big help especially to those who have less in life,” Tasi added.

TienDA is a new marketing scheme which ensures that farmers’ products can be directly sold to consumers in urban areas without the intervention of middlemen.

It was initiated by Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. (PNA)

333

‘Ompong’ displaces 193 families in the city

A total of 193 families were displaced by flash floods that inundated three barangays late Friday in this city due to inclement weather condition enhanced by Typhoon “Ompong.”

Ma. Socorro Rojas, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) chief, on Saturday said the city government immediately provided assistance to the affected families.

Rojas said of the total affected families, 110 were from Barangay Tumaga, 75 in Sta. Maria, and eight in Tugbungan. They were temporarily sheltered at the covered court of the three barangays.

The eight affected families from Tugbungan were rescued by the Coastguard personnel since they were trapped by high waters in their houses.

“We have to prioritize rescuing the elderly, women and children who were trapped in their houses. There were also sick people, who cannot walk, which we need to rescue and turn them over to medical responders in the area to avoid further casualties,” Lt. Commander Noriel Ramos, Zamboanga Coastguard Station Commander, said.

The Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga experienced moderate to occasionally heavy rains coupled with strong winds brought about by the southwest monsoon that the weather PAGASA said was enhanced by Typhon “Ompong.”

The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) have been directed to continue monitoring the situation and to initiate response if the need arises. (PNA)

4444

7 ASG bandits killed, 23 others wounded in clash

Seven Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed while 23 others wounded, including 17 soldiers, in a fierce firefight in the province of Sulu, the military reported Saturday.

Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the firefight broke out around 1:30 p.m. Friday in Barangay Bakong, Patikul, Sulu.

Dela Vega said the troops were on combat operations when they clashed with around 100 ASG bandits led by ASG one-armed leader Radullan Sahiron and sub-leaders Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan and Idang Susukan in Barangay Bakong.

Sahiron is the oldest among the leaders of the ASG based in the province of Sulu.

Dela Vega said the firefight resulted to the death of seven ASG bandits whose remains were recovered while six others were reported to have been wounded.

He said the troops received reports one of the six injured ASG bandits was Sawadjaan, who sustained critical injuries. They fled to different directions.

Seventeen soldiers were injured during the clash, most of them sustained shrapnel wounds. They were taken to the Camp General Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital for treatment.

Dela Vega said the cadavers of the slain ASG bandits were also taken to the same hospital for forensic examination and proper disposition.

He said the troops recovered from the clash site the following: one M-16 Armalite rifle; four magazines of caliber 5.56-millimeter ammunition; an ammunition bandolier; one touchscreen cellular phone; and, assorted war materiel and ammunition.

“I commend the troops of the Joint Task Force Sulu for this recent accomplishment,” Dela Vega said.

“All sorts of assistance will be provided to the battle casualties and our prayers are with them for their speedy recovery,” he added.

He said that troops are tracking down the rest of the ASG bandits who fled to different directions. (PNA)

5555

Zambo police activates 800

-man disaster response group

*                           

*                         

The Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has activated an 800-man disaster response group as Typhoon Ompong continues to threaten several parts of the country.

Although it is not within the storm's path, this city has been experiencing moderate to occasionally heavy rains - coupled with strong winds brought about by the enhanced southwest monsoon due to “Ompong”.

Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis Licup, PRO-9 director, said Friday he disaster response group will be deployed any time in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, as well in this city, as the need arises.

Licup said the group, known as the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF), will also provide security, humanitarian, disaster relief assistance to the residents in areas that will be affected by the typhoon.

“At the same time, they are the additional manpower during force evacuations and road clearing operations,” Licup added.

He said all provincial and city directors have been directed to pre-position personnel and equipment in different identified risk-prone areas.

Licup has met with key officers and readied Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for “Ompong”.

He also ordered police officers to properly coordinate with other agencies, including the local government units (LGUs) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs), as well as the military, for the efficient implementation of the plan.

Aside from the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. weather bulletin Friday that the other areas affected by the southwest monsoon enhanced by “Ompong” are Palawan, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga.

PAGASA said “Ompong” has maintained its strength as it continues to threaten the Isabela-Cagayan area.

The weather bureau said the typhoon is expected to make landfall in the Cagayan-Isabela area on Saturday morning. (PNA)

6666

Military denies 2 abducted Indons taken to Sulu

*                         

The military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) on Friday denied that the two Indonesian fishermen abducted early this week in Malaysia are already in the province of Sulu.

Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Westmincom information officer, said there is no confirmation yet on reports that the victims were taken to the area of responsibility of the command.

Besana’s statement came after the east Malaysian newspaper, Daily Express, reported on Friday that the “pirates and their hostages arrived in Talipao at 3 a.m. Tuesday.”

The Malaysian authorities identified the kidnapped victims as Samsul Sagunin, 40, and Usman Yunus, 35, both Indonesians who were abducted on board a fishing boat shortly after it docked at the Pulau Gaya jetty near Semporna, Malaysia on Tuesday.

Two of their companions managed to escape by hiding in one of the boat’s compartments.

The newspaper report said the victims were taken to Tawi-Tawi aboard a speedboat and “believed their final destination is Talipao in Sulu, an area where the Abu Sayyaf Group has previously based its kidnap-for-ransom operations.”

“We have no confirmation or validation if the KVs (kidnap victims) and kidnappers really went inside our AOR (area of responsibility). If ever, we could have intercepted them immediately," he said.

He added that considering the information given to them, there's a slim possibility for them to just cross our border unnoticed because of the reported watercraft they're using. 

“Until now, wala pa talaga pumasok sa atin (no one has entered our area) based on the latest report from our forces,” he added.

Nevertheless, Besana said government troops “have been in a tight lookout” for the two Indonesians reportedly abducted in Sempornah. (PNA)

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Abu Sayyaf

surrenderers

climb to 179

The number of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) surrenderers have climbed to 179 this year as two more bandits gave themselves up to authorities in the province of Sulu, a top military official said Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, identified the two as Ranu Jillang and Ben Kirah, both former followers of the late ASG sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya and sub-leader Salvador Muktadil.

Dela Vega said Jillang and Kirah surrendered at around 9 a.m. Tuesday to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 (MBLT-3) headed by Lt. Col. Ramil Holgado in Barangay Seit Lake (Poblacion), Panamao, Sulu.

Mayor Al-Fraizer Abdurajak of Old Panamao town, in coordination with Col. Armel Tolato, commander of the Philippine Marine Ready Force-Sulu, facilitated the surrender of the two ASG bandits.

Dela Vega said the two surrenderers were brought to the Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista for medical examination and custodial debriefing.

“The accomplishments of our Joint Task Forces are greatly attributed to the indefatigable support of the local government units and the populace,” he said.

Of the 179 ASG surrenderers this year, he said, 75 yielded in Basilan, 95 in Sulu, six in Tawi-Tawi, and three in Zamboanga City.

“Rest assured all the surrenderers will be catered with the programs launched by the Philippine government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for all those who chose to return to the folds of the law,” he added. (PNA)

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No law vs. premature campaigning: Comelec

*                          By Ferdinand Patinio  

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reiterated that they cannot stop “aspiring candidates” from promoting themselves ahead of the May 2019 midterm polls as no law prohibits premature campaigning.

“The Comelec does not make the law, but we’ve been helping legislation get passed to address this,” Jimenez said on his Twitter account, @jabjimenez, on Saturday.

“The Comelec has never been silent about this loophole in the law, since at least 2013,” Jimenez added.

His statement came amid the reaction of netizens questioning the poll body’s supposed lack of action against possible candidates in the forthcoming polls.

“We are actively supporting the bills that will help solve this problem,” Jimenez said.

Under Republic Act No. 9369, “any person who files his certificate of candidacy within (the period for filing) shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period for which he filed his certificate of candidacy.”

It also states that “unlawful acts or omissions applicable to a candidate shall take effect only upon the start of the aforesaid campaign period.”

Pending bills filed by senators Leila de Lima and Richard Gordon seek to prohibit any form of premature campaigning for any prospective candidate ahead of an electoral exercise. (PNA)

*                          'Kalinaw Kultura Mindanao' comes to Zamboanga City

*                         

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA),  is launching on Friday the Kalinaw Kultura Mindanao in this city.

The Kalinaw Kultura Launching Program will be held at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) and will be coupled with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Cultural Product exhibit.

PIA Director-General Harold Clavite on Thursday said the primary purpose of the activity is to raise public awareness about the rich, diverse, dynamic, and colorful Mindanao cultural heritage.

Clavite said the program also seeks to develop a deep appreciation for Mindanao culture through observation, instruction, and experience of local creative content and talents as well as promote and encourage preservation of Mindanao’s crafts and creative arts.

He said Kalinaw Kultura seeks to share and promote Mindanao’s pride among the youth, community leaders and influencers, tourists and netizens.

confiscat

Dr. Pilar Banaag, NCCA communication committee vice head, said the program aims to promote the different cultures “to clear out some wrong notions of which people from Mindanao have projected pertaining to the different areas in the region.”

“This is a way or a means for us in the NCCA to disseminate the different cultures, the behaviors, the arts, as well as the different people who are involved in Mindanao, that Mindanao is a peaceful area, Mindanao has its own culture, Mindanao is a nice place to stay,” Banaag said.

The Kalinaw Kultura is a Mindanao-wide cultural dissemination roadshow to be held in the cities of Iligan, Butuan, Zamboanga, Davao, and Koronadal.

The launching here is the third of a series since the first and second was held in Iligan and Butuan cities. It will kick-off with a motorcade Friday afternoon from Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue to the ZSCMST campus, where the formal program will be held.

The program will be followed by the Kalinaw Kultura Fashion Show at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga, showcasing culturally-inspired haute couture and hablon collections.

The viewing of local cultural films at the Centro Latino Theater Room, which was also scheduled on Thursday, was canceled due to the  inclement weather condition spawned by Typhoon “Mangkhut.” (PNA)

Zamcelco gets 10,000  votes for crown’s hold in IMC

By Letty Militante

Some 10,000 out of the some 120,000 member consumers approved the Investment Management Contract or IMC  of the  Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative or Zamcelco last Tuesday with winning bider CrownInvestment Holdings,Inc.  or CHI to manged the affairs of the cooperative.

This approval will be forwarded to the National Electrification Administration or NEA for confirmation before final implementation of the IMC.

President Omar Sahi of the Zamboanga CityElectric Cooperative or Zamcelco told Zambopen Journal that it was a unanimous votes with no abstain nor against  in favor to the CrownInvestment  Holdings ,Inc. as   the winning bider  among the four other bidders  who participated the biding process but failed to appear during the scheduled opening of bids last August 30,  2018 .

The Crown Holdings Investment ,Inc. invested P2.5 billions for  the Investment Management Contract or IMC of Zamcelco.

Sahi who give thanks to member consumers who attended for the support and cooperation said that right after the conduct of the Special General Membership Assembly the members of board immediately conduct a session to make another resolution address to the National Electrification Administration or NEA for the final approval and  confirmation to Crown Holdings Investment Inc. the winning bider to implement the P2.5  billions IMC.

Sahi is hopeful that NEA will approve and give the final confirmation  for the IMC and Crown Holdings Investment as the winning bider  of P2.5 billion Investment.

As this developed, Sahi said that the P1.2 billions debts of Zamcelco will be the top priority among other concern.

The debts to be paid are NEA and to the different power providers like Mapalad, WMPC,, TMI, Infinity,PSALM  and  San Miguel.

The remaining investment of the P 2.5 billion of CHII will be used for the working capital of Zamcelco this are the upgrading of  old transformers, old metering, old or dilapidated electrical posts,  lines and among  others.

The retirement benefits of employees will also be paid from the P2.5 billions investment .

Sahi said that with the P2.5 billion investment of CHII for the IMC, Zamcelco who has been ill  for the past ten (10) years on  system loss, power trip offs , blackout and the like. , will soon have a better services and full power supply  with no more power interruptions , trip off and blackouts  to the member consumers. (Letty M.Militante)

The Mindpro Citimall announces its rebranded name as  “SM Mindpro Citimall “on its temporary closure on October  13,2018 to give  way to its full renovation to become a fully developed SM mall.

Mindpro Citimall in a joint venture with SM Prime Holdings Inc. last August 2016 will pave way for a mall development that will bring SM’s awesome shopping  experience in Mindanao by the year 2019 .

It will be recalled that Mindpro Citimall  is the first mall in Zamboanga City who had opened to the public last December 7,1996 caters not only the city of Zamboanga but as well as the neighboring provinces and cities in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

.

Early this week , Mayor Maria Isabelle C. Climaco Salazar met with the representatives of SM’s in Cityhall for the final entry and its rebranded name of Mindpro Citimall to  SM Mindpro Citimall on its total renovations.

Recalled further that Climaco Salazar had announced early last year 2017 the entry of SM Prime Holdings Inc. who was received a warm appreciations by the Zamboanguenos .

Climaco Salazar  even declared it as  awakening giant in  Mindanao’s economic and further considered as one of the fastest growing economies in Mindanao.

Mindpro Citimall  with a gross floor area of 45,144 square meters    ,located in La Purisima Street,Zone 3 houses a Mindpro Supermarket,  screen cinemas, foodcourts, department store and several branded stores and boutique.

The SM Mindpro Citimall will brings  a brand new dining options  of Starbucks and Breadtalk together with the affiliate stores of SM Department , Uniglo, Ace Hardware and SM Appliance Center.

SM Mindpro Citimall will have the state of the art cinemas with car park building that can accommodate up to 400 vehicles.

It will include a  Cyberzone -  the largest chain of IT retail stores in the country .

The SM Prime Holdings Inc. is staying aggressive on its biggest expansion of over 20 new malls for completion in this current year 2018 and in 2020.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. remains committed to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle  cities that enrich the quality of life  to millions..(Letty M.Militante)

DTI to hold off price hikes for basic goods in next 3 months

By Azer

*

MANILA – The prices of basic goods such as water, sardines, noodles, among others will not increase in the next three months, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assured on Wednesday.

DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo allayed fears of consumers that rising inflation and the tax reform for acceleration and inclusion (TRAIN) law would also cause a spike in the prices of basic goods.

“To allay the fears of our consumers, kasi maraming nagsasabi tataas ang presyo bigla or tatalon ‘yan, pag natapos iyong three-month period (because there are many saying it will suddenly increase or jump after the three-month period),” Castelo said.

She said the DTI has convinced manufacturers of Basic Necessities and Prime Commodities (BNPCs) to hold off price increases for the next three months.

“Na-convince natin sila at pumayag sila (We were able to convince them and they agreed) – some committed three months; some committed six months; some committed nine months,” Castelo said in a Palace briefing.

“Assured ang consumers (are assured) that for the next three months, hindi gagalaw ang presyo ng BNPCs nila(the prices of their BNPCs will not change),” she added.

Castelo said the following BNPCs will have fixed prices: canned sardines, noodles, milk, bottled water, canned meat, detergent, and bath soaps.

She noted that all price increases have to be first approved by the DTI.

“They will have to submit data before they can change the market price or iyong presyo sa retail – doon sa panibagong SRP list iyon (the retail--new standard retail price list),” Castelo said.

Castelo added that the DTI has also convinced the Department of Agriculture (DA) to issue SRPs on some agricultural products.

“Ito iyong agricultural products niya na may (These agricultural products with) SRP, and hopefully will be enforced. This includes rice, milkfish, tilapia, galunggong, iyong basic rin (the basics),” Castelo said.

She said the DA has jurisdiction over these agricultural products but since July 2018, the DTI had started to assist. (PNA) 

Establishment of crematorium,

columbarium pushed in Zambo

City Councilor Jimmy Villaflores is pushing for the establishment of a government-owned crematorium and columbarium in this city.

Villaflores, a mediaman turned politician, said the facility would cater to families whose departed loved ones wish to be cremated.

Villaflores noted that at present the families used to transport the remains of their departed loved ones to Manila to be cremated.

He said the facility could also cater to residents of the nearby areas aside from this city.

He said the facility could be established at the city government-owned cemetery in Barangay Mampang.

He said the city government has sufficient funds to put up the facility. The crematory machine roughly costs PHP8 million.

Villaflores, in pushing for his plan, has sponsored a proposed ordinance seeking for the establishment of a crematorium and columbarium and appropriating funds thereof.

The measure hurdled on first reading on Tuesday, March 6, during the regular session of the City Council.

The crematorium and columbarium here, once established, will be the first in the region as well as in Mindanao. (PNA)

City to buy patrol vehicles,

drones to boost security

·                         

The local government is utilizing its 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance prize of PHP2.4 million to buy patrol vehicles and drones to boost security of this city.

Councilor Josephine Pareja, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Peace and Order, on Thursday told the Philippine News Agency the decision to purchase two patrol vehicles and two drones was based on the recommendation of the City Administrator’s Office.

Pareja said each of the patrol vehicles costs PHP900,000 while the drone is PHP300,000 each.

She said the vehicles would be used in the enforcement of city ordinances while the drones for security, monitoring and during big events of this city.

She said the city government at present just borrows drones from private individuals when the need arises.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has awarded this city PHP2.4 million when it won the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance. (PNA)

DTI honors

top entreps

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will host an event dubbed as “Ocacion de las Mujeres" to honor outstanding women entrepreneurs in line with the celebration of the National Women’s Month this March.

DTI City Director Ceferino Rubio said the activity aims to give due recognition to Zamboangueña entrepreneurs who have contributed outstanding accomplishments, initiatives and projects to the cause and development of women entrepreneurs in this city.

“We, in DTI, reiterate our faith in every woman’s innate abilities to pursue her passion and be able to significantly contribute in whatever field she hopes to take part in. Thus, for the second consecutive year, we are honoring Zamboangueña entrepreneurs who have harness their potentials and become potent agents of positive and significant changes in the field of entrepreneurship,” Rubio said.

The event will showcase seven award categories and these are the following: Female Entrepreneur of the Year; Young Female Entrepreneur of the Year; Emerging Female Entrepreneur of the Year; Best Home-Based Business Award; Best Use of Innovation Award; Social Female Entrepreneur of the Year; and, Achievement Award.

For Female Entrepreneur of the Year, the award will be presented to a woman in the small and medium business category who has achieved great results in her own business.

Rubio said the awardee should clearly demonstrate export potential for her products or show proven export success.

The Young Female Entrepreneur award will be presented to a woman in the small and medium business category, aged 20-30 years, who has achieved great results in her business.

The Emerging Female Entrepreneur award will be given to a woman in the small and medium business category who has built a strong, scalable business foundation and has achieved early success with strong market potential.

Rubio said the business should have been in the industry for not more than three years.

The Best Home-Based Business Award will be given to a female entrepreneur who has a home-based business and has made a great contribution in terms of elevating the family’s standard of living.

The Best Use of Innovation Award will be given to a female entrepreneur who has used an innovation or technology-based business and has achieved early success with strong market potential.

The Social Female Entrepreneur of the Year award will be given to a woman who has immense contributions to society and seeks to generate social value rather than profits.

The Achievement Award will be awarded to an exceptional female entrepreneur who has achieved recognizable success and acts as a role model for women in business.

In addition, Rubio said the candidates of the seven award categories should possess the following requirements, to wit: she must be a resident of Zamboanga City for at least five years; she should be at least 20 years of age; she must have an asset size of not more than P100 million at the time of nomination; business of the candidate is duly registered with DTI, Securities and Exchange Commission, Cooperative Development Authority, local government unit or any authorized government entity; and, has availed of the services and assistance of DTI like training, product development, trade promotion activities, financing facilitation, customer relations, business registration, sales promotion, among others.

Rubio said the awarding ceremony will be held on March 23.

Qualified women entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. Nomination of qualified women entrepreneurs is also recommended.

To secure a copy of the application and nomination forms, they may visit DTI-Zamboanga City Office or download the forms at www.facebook.com/DTI.ZamboangaCity.

Deadline of submission of duly accomplished form is on March 15.

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Police activate city’s own

Indigenous Peoples desk

The city and provincial offices under Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga) have activated the Indigenous Peoples (IP) desk.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, PRO-9 information officer, said Friday the IP desks are manned by responsible policemen to address and cater to the issues and concerns of the region’s IPs.

Galvez said the IP desks are placed under the Office of Investigation and Detection Management section of the city and provincial police offices.

She said the IP desk, just like other desks, is also responsible for the protection and promotion of the interest and well-being of indigenous peoples with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions.

The other desks in the different police stations are for human rights, and women and child protection.

Galvez said the IP desk was established at the initiative of Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, PRO-9 director, to address the various issues and concerns confronting Indigenous Peoples to effectively and efficiently deliver the basic services they need.

The city and provincial offices under PRO-9 are the Zamboanga del Norte Police; the Zamboanga Sibugay Police; Zamboanga del Sur Police; Zamboanga City Police; and the Isabela City Police.

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5 timber cutters seized;

troops launch rescue ops

Pursuit operations by government troops continued in a bid to rescue the remaining hostages from suspected kidnappers in the hinterlands of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Thursday.

This, as the kidnappers killed one of the five hostages they seized when pursuing policemen and soldiers caught up with them at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday that triggered a 10-minute firefight at sitio Kabatunayan, Barangay Panabutan, Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the slain hostage as Mario Rosales alias Mario Ungok, 46, a resident of Barangay San Nicolas, Sirawai.

Galvez said Rosales was positively identified by his employer, Tata Subebe, a resident of Barangay San Vicente, Sirawai town.

Rosales was one of the five timber cutters from San Nicolas, who were reported missing on Monday, March 5.

The four others were the following: Roger Jung-an, 36; Jomar Maglangit, 26; Reymond Purisima, 14; and, Jomar Mantangan, 25 all residents of San Nicolas village, Sirawai.

They went to Sitio Maasum, Barangay San Nicolas on March 3 to cut timber but failed to return home since then.

Galvez said that two days later, the kidnappers have demanded PHP10 million in exchange for the release of the victims.

She said the kidnappers used the cellular phone of one of the five victims and relayed the ransom demand at around 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 5, to Jojo Ebalde, a chainsaw operator and a resident of San Nicolas.

She said the ransom demand was lowered to PHP75,000 or at PHP15,000 each hostages when the kidnappers made the second call later.

Sirawai Mayor Gamar Janihim convened the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) to find solution to the kidnapping.

Galvez said the CMC was able to identify the leaders of the kidnappers as Jamilon Wahab and Bating Lumiguis, whose group operates in the hinterlands of Sirawai and in nearby areas.

She said the troops recovered a caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle and a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition from Thursday’s clash site in Sitio Kabatunayan, Barangay Panabutan.

She added that around 10 gunmen figured in Thursday’s clash with pursuing policemen and troops from the Army’s 42nd Infantry Battalion.

She disclosed that troops from the Army’s 13th Special Force Company and policemen were deployed as blocking forces in Barangay Riconalla, Siocon, an adjacent town of Sirawai, while pursuit operations in a bid to rescue the remaining four hostages continue. (PNA)

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Zamboanga Sibugay beefs

rice production program

Two hundred eighty-one farmers have availed of the rice production assistance program as the provincial government has strengthened the campaign on organic farming method to pursue sustainable agriculture system here.

“Rice is the most important crop that the government needs to implement effective programs of increasing the food production,” Gov. Wilter Yap Palma on Wednesday said.

Palma has increased the budget this year to PHP15 million from last year’s P10 million of the provincial government’s rice production program dubbed as Agricultural Support to Farmers on Rice Production (ASFRP).

ASFRP is a lending rogram of the provincial government for the rice farmers, which is implemented through provincial agriculture’s office.

Under the program, each rice farmer can borrow as much as PHP20,000 with zero interest.

Dianne Palanas, provincial focal person on ASFRP, said the rice farmers who can avail of the program are with rice field in irrigated areas and are into organic farming method.

Palanas said the ASFRP recipients were farmers from the municipalities of Buug, Diplahan, R. T. Lim and Titay covering 281 hectares in irrigated rice-land.

“We started at P400,000 in 2013 but this year, because of Gov. Palma’s commitment, he increased the allocation to P15 million,” Palanas said.

Data from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) showed this province is the second largest rice producer next to Zamboanga del Sur here in the region.

Records from the Provincial Planning and Development Office also revealed that around 3,149.57 square kilometer of agricultural land is for development in this province.

Palma said rice is the most fundamental food source in this province, which means, “we are traditionally dependent on agriculture.”

He is very hopeful that the sustainability in farming is attributed to the strong commitment of the farmers and that rice production is the most important economic activity. (PNA)

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CHED launches caravan on

free higher educ in ZamboPen

 

Some 50,000 students from the region are set to initially benefit from free higher education pursuant to Republic Act 10931 otherwise known as the Universal Access to Quality Education Act.

Dr. Juanito Demetrio, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regional director, made this announcement on Monday during the launching of the nationwide information caravan for R.A. 10931 in this city.

R.A. 10931 that grants free higher education was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 3, this year.

“50,000 students will benefit of this free education in Region 9,” Demetrio told the Philippine News Agency.

The national government has an initial budget allocation of PHP40 billion for the implementation of R.A. 10931 effective school year 2018-2019.

The students may enroll at any course in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with free tuition and miscellaneous fees.

The miscellaneous fees include the following: library; computer; laboratory; school ID; athletic; admission; development; guidance; handbooks; entrance; registration; medical and dental; and, cultural.

Lawyer Carmelita Yadao-Sison, OIC Executive Director of the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), said many will benefit from the program as K to 12 graduates are expected to go to college this year.

“There will be an influx of students since we already have K to 12 graduates who will enroll in college,” Sison said adding: “its good since many students can avail of the free higher education.”

Also to benefit from the free higher education are the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and those in the Technical Vocational Educational Institutions (TVEIs).

Sison said there is no more reason for a student not to finish studies since the program, through R.A. 10931, in already in place.

The nationwide information caravan for R.A. 10931 held here on Monday was the first to be conducted in the entire country.

The information caravan was attended by education stakeholders from Region 9. (PNA)

·                          President Duterte warns troops

·                          vs  resurgence of NPA sparrows

Soldiers and policemen have been warned against the resurgence of sparrow unit of the New People’s Army (NPA) in their locality.

The sparrow units are the hit men of the NPA in urban areas with primary mission to kill lawmen and government officials.

President Rodrigo Duterte issued the warning during his “talk to men” at the Edwin Andrew Air Base (EAAB) saying they should be vigilant of their security and safety.

“Be careful, they (sparrow hit men) are active now,” the President told the troops.

The resurgence came after the NPA hierarchy has ordered to intensify its attacks on government forces in the country after the President canceled the peace talks with the NPA.

Duterte told the soldiers and policemen to be watchful of their surroundings, especially at home, citing two to three soldiers die daily from sparrow attacks in the entire country.

The President said some of the troops were killed at home while others while doing marketing chores for the command.

Duterte said there are times different person would conduct the surveillance on probable targets and other individuals would strike.

He also told the troops to avoid loitering in stores and public places as they are vulnerable targets.

“Those are the things you have to be very, very careful, especially if you are carrying firearms,” he said citing “they are after the firearms.”

He said Agriculture Sec. Emmanuel Piñol has proposed the so-called “TienDa ng Bayan” to protect the troops from attacks by NPA sparrow unit.

The “TienDA ng Bayan” will serve as the market place where troops can purchase food supply and other needs at home or for the office.

The sparrow unit of the NPA has resurfaced which was very active in the 80s killing soldier and policemen in urban centers.

Meanwhile, President Duterte has awarded medals to 33 military officers and personnel in recognition for the service to the country.

The awardees for the Order of Lapu-Lapu (Kampilang Medal) were the Maj. Velmor Manaois; Capt. Dimas Jun Balai; 2Lt. Nathan Rey Eucare; SSgt. Ramonito Diapolet; Sgt. Ramises Relos; Sgt. Joemarie Perez; Cpl. Jovith Clamotcha; PFC Winston Tangilan; PFC Vladimir Ramos, represented by his mother, Susan; PFC Jefry Jacinto; and, PFC Jay Ar Nogodula.

The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said they were recognized for sustaining wounds while participating in the campaign against the Daesh-inspired foreign and local terrorists under Isnlon Hapilon and Omar Maute for almost five months from May 23 to October 2017 in Marawi City.

The President also awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu (Kamagi Award) to the following: Lt Col. Joel Mamon; Lt. Col. Alvin Luzon; Lt. Col. Jonathan Hallara; Maj. Jimmy Brey; Maj. Mark Anthony Salvador; Maj. Virgilio Sagge; Maj. Reese James Obeso; Capt. Jefferson Santos; Capt. Joffrey Tacusalme; Capt. Jo-Ann Petinglay; Capt. Michaelangelo Castro; 1st Lieutenant Albert Alvarez; 1st Lieutenant Jefferson Balante; 1st Lieutenant Junrey Sajulga; 2nd Lieutenant Rojean Rodriguez; Ensign Al Khaizer Amil; 2nd Lieutenant Jeff Brandon Cruz; Ensign Leo Adrianne Bello; MSgt. Rolly Principe; Underwater Operator 2nd Class Edgar Enojo; Underwater Operator 2nd Class Glenn Reus; and, Builders Utility 2nd Class Teodorico Decenan.

They were awarded for their exceptional performance and their active participation and contribution to the campaign against local and foreign terrorists during the five-month Marawi siege, according to the Westmincom.

Aside from medals, the President also gave tokens to the awardees. 

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P2-M smuggled

rice seized in city

·                           

Authorities have intercepted an estimated P2 million worth of smuggled rice shipment in this city, an official disclosed Saturday.

Lt. Commander Alvin Dagalea, Zamboanga Coastguard Station commander, said the shipment was intercepted at around 9:35 p.m. Friday 300 yards off Taha wharf in Barangay Baliwasan, this city.

Dagalea said the smuggled rice shipment was loaded aboard M/L Fatima and M/B Rajena when it was intercepted by joint team of personnel from Coastguard, Joint Task Force Zamboanga and Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Dagalea said they were on patrol when BOC personnel called and informed them that there is an arriving shipment of smuggled rice.

He immediately coordinated with the Joint Task Force Zamboanga, who backed them when they intercepted the rice shipment.

He said the rice shipment came from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi but ownership of the cargo has yet to be ascertained.

He said the M/L Fatima and M/B Rajena were taken to the local port.
He said that initial on board inspection on the two water crafts yielded numerous maritime safety violations.

But he said no explosive and narcotic products were found by the K9 unit aboard the two water crafts. (PNA)

Abu Sayyaf man linked

to mass kidnap held

  

Joint police and military operatives arrested an alleged Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member believed to be involved in the kidnapping of 53 people in Basilan province 18 years ago, a top police official announced Saturday.

Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office 9 (Zamboanga) director, identified the suspect as Masser Lim Omar, 57, resident of Barangay Panigayan, Malamawi Island, Isabela City, Basilan.

Beltran said Omar, who was arrested in his residence in Malamawi Island at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday, has a standing warrant of arrest for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom, with no recommended bail.

He said the suspect was involved in the March 21, 2000 kidnapping of 53 people, including slain Claretian priest, Fr. Roel Gallardo, from a school in Barangay Tumahubong, Sumisip, Basilan.

The other victims included teachers and students, who were herded to an ASG camp in Mount Punoh Mohaji, Sumisip. The Abu Sayyaf bandits executed Gallardo and some of the hostages, including two teachers.
The other hostages were later released in batches in exchange for food supply and “tokens” while the rest were rescued by the military in an assault that saw the fall of the ASG camp.

Beltran said Omar was taken to the Isabela City Police station for proper booking and disposition. (PNA)

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