BUTUAN CITY (4 March 2009) – Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga Regional Director and Chairman of the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) Atty. Marilyn Pintor cited the council’s program to resolve issues particularly violence against women and children.
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga Regional Director and Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) Chair Atty. Marilyn Pintor presented the activities lined-up in celebration of the Women’s Month in Caraga during the taping of “Caraga in Focus”, a weekly TV program of PIA-Caraga on Monday (March 2) at the People’s Hall, City Hall, Butuan City. With Atty. Pintor are (L-R): Edna Hontiveros of Forward Filipina, an NGO whose aim is to protect women’s welfare; and DOLE-Caraga Regional Director Chona Mantilla. On the adjacent table are members of the local media and PIA-Caraga personnel. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga) During the taping of “Caraga in Focus”, a weekly TV program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Caraga Region, Atty. Pintor stressed that with the increasing number of cases pertaining to violence against women and their children, GADCC and CHR is closely monitoring such cases in coordination with concerned authorities.
“Out of this increasing number of cases, rape posted the highest. And as the chairman of the council, I can assure the public that we are closely monitoring cases pertaining to violence against women and children,” Pintor said.
This week’s episode of “Caraga in Focus” featured the Women’s Month celebration as spearheaded by GADCC-Caraga.
On Monday (March 2), GADCC kicks-off the month-long celebration with the “Walk for a Cause” and “Hataw” exercise participated in by 82 private and public organizations and agencies.
Anchored on the theme “Babae, Yaman ka ng Bayan” (Woman, you are the nation’s wealth), this year’s theme highlights the critical role of women in nation-building and recognizes that women are an important resource who can contribute to the reduction of poverty.
The theme also supports the fulfillment of the country’s international treaty obligations, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against women (CEDAW), the Millennium Declaration, and the International Labour Organizations (ILO) conventions.
This year’s celebration is in cognizant of the Arroyo administration’s Ten-Point Agenda and the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) from 2004-2010 which identifies the creation of three million enterprises and ten million jobs, with women as the main target of micro-finance initiatives.
The objective of this year’s celebration is to serve as a venue for sharing of inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs, lessons learned and good practices in entrepreneurial activities.
It also serves as a channel for the nationwide campaign to promote women’s economic empowerment and rights through entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, GADCC-Caraga, the lead committee of the annual celebration in the region was organized in 1998 thru Resolution No. 38, Series of 1998 of the Regional Development Council (RDC), placing the committee under the council. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)
PNRC hosts IHL Forum in Surigao City
Surigao City (4 March 2009) – The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) – Surigao del Norte chapter hosted its Provincial Forum on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) on Tuesday, March 3 at the Surigao City Cultural Center.
Atty. Jerry Centro, San Sebastian College law professor gave a comprehensive introduction on IHL and its distinction to Human Rights.
The IHL, otherwise known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, as discussed by Atty. Centro is a set of rules which place restrictions on the use of weapons and methods of warfare; protects people who are not, or no longer, participating in hostilities, and aims to protect human dignity and to limit suffering during times of war.
The forum highlights the major role of PNRC in the implementation of the IHL and the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the implementation of IHL.
Sr. Merceditas Ang, SPC, LLB, president of St. Paul University Surigao shared the relevance of IHL in the province’s current initiative.
Participants of the forum were the rescue groups, heads of government and non-government offices in the province.
The forum aimed to raise awareness on IHL and strengthen cooperation in humanitarian initiatives especially in promoting and lobbying of both IHL and emblem bills. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Philip Amer Posas Mazo
Alleged attempted robbery
On March 2, 2009 at 8:45 in the morning at the Provincial Capitol of Surigao del Norte, a telephone call received by Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office (PPO) informing that the Provincial Governor's Office of Gov. Robert Ace Barbers, Provincial Legal Office and the Provincial Health Office, all of Provincial Capitol of Surigao del Norte Province were entered by unidentified suspects.
Immediately, personnel from Surigao City Police Station in coordination with SOCO Team responded and went to the said place.
Initial investigation revealed that the Provincial Governor's Office was entered by unidentified suspects gaining entrance through the backdoor of said establishment by opening its window near the door.
Culprits simultaneously robbed the Provincial Legal Office by gaining entrance at the back portion, by destroying the window which is made of decorative shells and the table drawers were forcibly opened and missing valuable items are yet to be confirmed.
Then Provincial Health Office which is situated in a separate building was also entered by unidentified suspects by forcibly destroying its padlock. However as per result of the investigation reveled that no valuable items were missing or taken by the culprits.
The Provincial Capitol of Surigao del Norte is being secured by the Civil Security Unit, SOCO Team of Surigao del Norte, and PNP also conducted proper documentation by lifting latent prints at the said offices.
Continuous investigation and intelligence monitoring is being undertaken by Surigao City Police to identify the culprits for possible filing of appropriate charges in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP arrests wanted persons
On March 2, 2009 around 11:00 in the morning at Barangay Poblacion, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, elements of Tagbina Municipal Police Station led by SPO4 Daniel J Barios arrested Joel Bandojo, 36 years old and a resident of Barangay Kahayagan, Tagbina, Surigao del Sur by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) for the crime of robbery and attempted rape docketed under CC number 2006-2-3003-T issued by Hon Judge Merlyn Pacarro CaΓ±edo of Regional Trial Court (RTC) 11th Judicial Region, branch 29, Bislig City with bail bond recommended amounting to Php 150,000.00.
On March 2, 2009 around 2:00 in the afternoon at Sitio Ginabsan, Barangay San Isidro, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, elements of Marihatag Municipal Police Station led by PI Danilo B Palen, COP, together with Barangay Captain Rumolo Malasarte, Barangay Tanods - Danny Urbistondo, Joel Gallego, Rolando Delos Reyes, and Gemelito Luzcida arrested a certain Jingle Tejero, 22 years old, married and a resident of Purok-Santol, Barangay San Isidro, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur.
Jingle Tejero was arrested by virtue of WOA of the crime of Murder docketed under CC number L-2194PP issued by Hon Alfredo P Jalad, Executive Judge of RTC branch 28, Lianga, Surigao del Sur with No Bail Bond recommended.
On March 1, 2009 around 5:30 in the afternoon at Barangay Libetad, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, elements of Bunawan Municipal Police Station led by SPO2 Juliano Dacman, arrested Elmer Otaza Doblero, 41 years old, married and a resident of the above-mentioned place by virtue of WOA for the crime of homicide docketed under CC number 3622 issued by Hon Judge Evangeline Yuipco of RTC 10th Judicial Region branch 10, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur dated October 15, 1996 with no bail bond recommended.
Arrested persons now under the custody of respective Municipal Police Stations for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Report on illegal gambling
On March 2, 2009 at 8:30 in the evening at Purok-8 R. Rosales Street, Barangay Limaha, Butuan City, elements of Butuan City Police Station 1 (BCPS1) Vice Control Section led by PSI Ronaldo V Plaza in coordination with BCPS 2 led by PSI Inocencio T Amora, executed the Search Warrant with number 1052-2009 for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9287 (Illegal Gambling) dated 25 February 2009, issued by Hon Emmanuel E Escatron, Presiding Judge, Hall of Justice, Butuan City against the suspect identified as Annabel Pejoles, 45 years old, widow, and a resident of Purok-8 R. Rosales Street, Barangay Limaha, Butuan City for Alleged Lotto/Swertres General Coordinator.
Seized from the suspect’s possession during the search were the following illegal gambling paraphernalia such as 13 pieces filled up lotto/swertres tally sheets dated March 2, 2009; five pieces swertres tips; 87 pieces issued swertres ticket stubs; two pads blank swertres stubs; two pieces calculator; one piece stapler; one unit fax machine; and cash bet in the amount of Php 1,715.00.
Arrested suspect was brought to BCPS 1 for recording, documentation and filing of appropriate charges in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
