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
According
to Martinez
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
*
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
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.
xxx
Police
activate city’s own
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.
xxx
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
xxx
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.
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.
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)
xxx
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
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.
xxx
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.
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
Beltran said Omar, who was arrested
in his residence in Malamawi
Island
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.
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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