22 ZAMBO NEWS ON LINE

Zamboanga Medical center

upgraded to 800B capacity

 

 The government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) is hiring additional personnel as it was recently upgraded to an 800-bed from 500-bed capacity.
Dr. Afdal Kunting, ZCMC spokesperson, on Thursday said the additional personnel and bed capacity aims to better serve the public.
Kunting said the additional personnel to be hired include physicians, nurses and other hospital staffs.
Kunting said the additional 300 beds will be allocated for the specialty center such as the Neuro Center, Cardiac Center, Cancer Center, and Trauma Center.
He said they are rushing the completion of the four-storey building, known as the Tower 1, that would house the different centers.
ZCMC is also serving patients from nearby areas in the region to include Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, which is already part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
ZCMC serves some 1,200 patients daily through its Out-Patient Department alone. It is one of the government-run hospitals directly managed by the Department of Health (DOH).
Others are the Mindanao Central Sanitarium; Labuan Hospital; Basilan General Hospital; Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital; Margosatubig Regional Hospital, and Sulu Sanitarium. 

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Zamcelco uses gen sets

to meet power demand

 

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (Zamcelco) is utilizing generators to cope with the power demand of its consumers.
This came after Zamcelco stopped acquiring power since February this year from the Western Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC), which used to supply some 50 megawatts (MW) to the cooperative.
Roewe Endaya, administrative officer of Crown-DESCO, which has taken over the operations of debt-ridden Zamcelco, told the Philippine News Agency that they have already installed a 6-MW generator in Barangay Talisayan to augment power supply to consumers in this city's west coast area.
Endaya said that another unit of generator with a 10-MW capacity will be installed at the Cabatangan sub-station in two to three weeks time.
Endaya assured the electric consumers that there will be no immediate power rate increase even though they are utilizing generators to boost the power firm's output. He noted that any power rate increase should be approved first by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
Crown-DESCO, which is now managing Zamcelco through an Investment Management Contract (IMC), decided to stop its power supply agreement with WMPC after alleging that the latter had over-billed the cooperative several times.
As a result, Zamcelco imposed a two-hour rotational blackout as a response to the decreased power supply.
Zamcelco is currently being supplied by San Miguel Power Corporation (60-MW), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation (5-MW), Efinity (8-MW), Putik sub-station generators (10-MW), and the Talisayan-based 6-MW generator. (PNA)

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4 suspects nabbed in Zambo

Sur ex-vice mayor slay try

 

ILIGAN CITY--Four suspects have been held by the police in the Lanao del Norte town of Maigo in connection with the gun attack on a former Zamboanga del Sur mayor Wednesday morning (March 20), an official said.
Police Captain Jake Peralta, chief of Maigo Municipal Police Station, said four men onboard a black pick-up vehicle was flagged down at a checkpoint minutes after the shooting incident that wounded Naciancino Pacalioga, a former mayor and vice mayor in Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur.
A police report said Pacalioga, 57, had just got out from his vehicle in Barangay Esperanza, Bacolod in Lanao del Norte to urinate when he was shot by unidentified suspects on a motorbike.
He was on his way to the Zamboanga del Sur from Iligan City when the incident happened.
Peralta said the suspects "will be turned-over to Bacolod Municipal Police Station that has jurisdiction over the case" after their own investigation.
Chief Insp. Salman Saad, Lanao del Norte provincial police information officer, said Pacalioga is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Iligan City.
Saad said firearms recovered from them will be subjected to paraffin tests and other procedures through the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO).
Pacalioga served as mayor of Dumingag town from 2007 to 2016 and as town vice mayor in 2016.
He was dismissed from his post in 2017 by the Office of the Ombudsman for deliberately omitting several properties from his 2011, 2012, and 2014 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs).
He was charged with “Falsification of Official Document and Serious Dishonesty’ for not declaring 10 parcels of land located in different barangays in Dumingag town.
Pacalioga was indicted with three counts of perjury and three counts of violation of Section 8 in relation to Section 11 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713). 

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Duterte permanently ends

peace talks with communists

 

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday officially announced the permanent termination of the peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Duterte made the announcement that drew applause while delivering his speech during the 122nd Philippine Army (PA) founding anniversary in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

“I am officially announcing the permanent termination of our talks between the Government Panel and the Communist Party of the Philippines,” he said.

Duterte said he will no longer entertain “any interventions or maybe persuasions in this democratic state of the Republic of the Philippines”.

“My sense is that you can maybe talk to the next president of this Republic one day,” said Duterte, whose term will end in 2022.

The President mentioned the government's preference for localized peace engagements.

"It is, indeed, very important to engage stakeholders and communities in combatting insurgency and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies, and I believe that empowering Indigenous Peoples and others in this regard is the key to this fight," he said.

Duterte said the communist rebels' call for land reform is already being done under his administration.

Land reform

“You know I have, to date, distributed something like --- 60,000 hectares to land beneficiaries. I mean the only way to make the issue of communism and you know of commonality of things is that you make them irrelevant,” Duterte said.

“And sinasabi ko naman sa komunista hindi naman kayo ang marunong mag-distribute ng lupa (I tell communists that they do not know how to distribute land). I have been at it actually ever since I became President," he added.

The President said the CPP-NPA, which was declared by the US and European Union as terrorist organization, are also land grabbers.

"It’s not only other people are land grabbers. Communists are. So ‘yung mga asosasyon nila (their associations) amongst the inner group, iyong mga manggagawa na walang ginagawa (those workers doing nothing). Then they try to fish out the lands that they would give to the people. Iyong nangyari doon (What happened there) was they were depriving the original tenants there because they wanted the association to control the distribution," he said.

Army’s gains

Meanwhile, Duterte congratulated the “brave men and women in uniform” for their significant accomplishments in both internal and civil-military operations in many parts of the country.

He described the Army’s accomplishments for the last 122 years as testament of their “unwavering commitment to defend our institutions and our democratic way of life”.

Duterte said through unrelenting efforts of the Filipino soldiers, they have successfully conducted over 550,000 operations resulting in the recovery of almost 6,000 firearms, neutralization of more than 600 families of the enemies, the surrender, and capture and apprehension of over 1,700 lawless elements.

“May these gains inspire you, our valiant soldiers, to never waver in your commitment to perform your duties. Intensify our focused military operations against communist terrorist groups so that, alongside our [civil-military] operations, we may persuade more of their members to surrender and return to the folds of the law,” Duterte said.

His administration, he said, will continue to promote the welfare of the soldiers and their families through decent housing programs.

“We target to complete by June another five condominium buildings for the senior army officers and their families,” Duterte said.

“I assure you that we will continue to pursue these programs as an expression of the Filipino people’s appreciation for all that you have done for our country. Indeed, we are all truly indebted to you for risking life and limb for love of country,” he added.

On Wednesday, Malacañang announced the termination of the appointments of government peace negotiators with communist rebels.

Among those whose appointment papers were terminated include that of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III as chief government negotiator, and government peace panel members Antonio Arellano, Hernani Braganza, Angela Librado-Trinidad and Rene Sarmiento.

On November 23, 2017, Duterte signed Proclamation 360 declaring the termination of peace negotiations with the communists, citing the CPP-NPA-NDF’s supposed failure to show sincerity to the peace process.

In December 2018, Duterte issued EO 70 which institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach in attaining peace and created a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. (PNA)

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Sayyaf in standoff

undergoes inquest

A self-confessed member of the renegade Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) who was among those who fought off the military during government operations to rescue Malaysian hostages last March 15 underwent inquest proceedings Thursday at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Karah Musa Salapuddin a.k.a. Cesar, 49, of Tungkil, Jolo, Sulu, was presented by law enforcement officials led by Sgt. Roliver Pascua of Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) before Assistant State Prosecutor Ethel Rea G. Suril at the DOJ.

Charges of frustrated multiple murder and illegal possession were filed against Salapuddin for his alleged involvement in the incident in Banguingui, Sulu.

A preliminary investigation was ordered on the case by the prosecutor on March 28.

Two members of the Philippine Marines were wounded and about 500 residents were forced to flee during operations on the island in Banguingui, Sulu where the ASG, led by sub leader Salip Mura, reportedly held two Malaysian nationals in captivity.

The encounter resulted in the wounding of Marine soldiers Corporal Syruss Valenzuela and Private Jude Louiss B Nabalan. 

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Duterte asks Misuari to

form negotiating panel

 

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has asked Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari to form a negotiating panel to address his group's concerns.

Duterte made this response to Misuari when they met in Malacañang on Tuesday and the MNLF leader told the President that he will go to war if the proposed shift to a federal system will not materialize.

“Sabi ni Misuari kagabi (Misuari said last night), ‘If you do not give it to me, let me be very honest: I will go to war.’ Sabi ko (I replied), I understand that Nur. So ganito na lang gawin natin (So here's what we will do). Let’s form a panel because we have to inform the people. We cannot negotiate secretly here," Duterte said in his speech during the campaign rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Marikina City on Wednesday night.

“Sabi ko para (I said, so that) day to day they will be briefed kung ano outcome, how gusto mo ma-apply yungfederal system sa gusto mo, gaya ba ng BOL o different type. (What the outcome, how you want to apply the federal system the way you want. Would it be like the Bangsamoro Organic Law or a different type),” he added.

The President said Misuari expressed his desire for federalism which was promised to his group since the administration of former President Corazon Aquino.

"Iyan ang inaasahan ng mga Moro para magkaroon naman sila, magkaroon, mabawi nila ‘yung mga lupa na inagaw ng mga pari, mga Español pati Amerikano (That is what Moros expect for them to regain the lands grabbed by the priests, Spaniards, Americans)," he said.

Duterte met with Misuari after the MILF leader returned from an overseas trip.

“Misuari kagabi galing siya abroad, (Misuari returned from abroad last night) I allowed him to go out kasi may kaso siya. Sabi ko (because he is facing charges. I told him) when you come back come here, we’ll talk,” Duterte said.

The President said National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. and Palace Spokesman Salvador Panelo were present when he met with Misuari.

Duterte earlier said he “admired” Misuari's patience in peace negotiations.

Meanwhile, Panelo said Misuari "was very happy" with the President's response to form a negotiating panel.  

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Over 3K gun ban

violators nabbed

 

More than 3,000 persons have been arrested for violating the election gun ban.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, Col. Bernard Banac said as of 6 a.m. Thursday a total of 3,105 persons have been apprehended in 350,663 police operations since the implementation of the gun ban by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last January 13.

Of this number, 1,690 suspects were intercepted during police patrol operations, 637 through search warrants, and 504 during “Oplan Bakal, Sita, Galugad” operations.

Banac said the figures include 234 persons apprehended in checkpoints and 40 others during the serving of warrants of arrest.

He said 2,924 of those arrested are civilians while the other 57 were security guards; 44 were government and elected officials; 32 were police officers; five were military personnel; seven were law enforcers; two members of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; and three foreign nationals.

Authorities have also arrested 23 persons from “threat groups” and six from private armed groups.

Banac added that the PNP has so far confiscated a total of 2,603 firearms (includes small, light, and others -- sumpak, improvised or homemade guns) and 22,930 deadly weapons which include grenades and other explosives, bladed/pointed weapons, ammunition and gun replicas.

The mid-term elections will be held on May 13 but the gun ban will last until June 12, according to the Comelec.

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Zambo City to mark Gen.

Aguinaldo’s 150th birth

 

The city government will lead on Friday the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the Filipino revolutionary leader who became the first Philippine president.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar will lead the Friday flag-raising ceremony at the City Hall grounds in recognition of the revolutionary leader who fought for Philippine Independence during the Spanish and American regimes.
Aguinaldo became the first President of the Republic of the Philippines under the Malolos Congress.
The celebration of the 150th birthday anniversary of Aguinaldo is pursuant to Memorandum Circular 2019-37 issued March 11, 2019 by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.
The memorandum enjoins all local chief executives “to conduct simple but meaningful commemorative activities such as flag raising and wreath laying rites, display the Philippine flag and Emilio Aguinaldo logo in offices and other related activities in their respective localities.”
Aguinaldo was a Filipino revolutionary, politician and military leader who is officially recognized as the first and the youngest President of the Philippines and first president of a constitutional republic in Asia. 

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