(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 09 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 165 km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan (12.3N, 118.7E) It is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to ITCZ. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Southwest to West will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


PIA News Service - Monday, July 20, 2009

Illegal settlers around Camp Bancasi given till August 31 to vacate homes
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BUTUAN CITY (July 21) – Illegal settlers at the Military Reservation area in Bancasi, this city is given until August 31, to vacate their homes. This is revealed by Lt. Col. Efrain Oropel, Camp Commander of the Camp Bancasi Military Reservation during a press conference recently. 
The eviction is prompted by plans of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to pursue development in the military reservations throughout the country. 
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“The eviction is part of the developmental plan of the AFP, the plan could not be pursued without evicting the illegal settlers surrounding the military reservation. This is true to all military reservations throughout the country not just in Bancasi,” says Cpt. Aldrich Uayan of the 4th Infantry Division. 
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The eviction is covered by AFP Special Order No. 26 dated December 16, 2006. The said order aims to clear military reservations throughout the country of all illegal settlers. 
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The military reservation in Bancasi was granted to the Philippine Army (PA) through Presidential Proclamation No. 113 dated November 23, 2009. 
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The eviction of illegal settlers around Camp Bancasi is supposed to be done last January, 2009. For humanitarian reasons the eviction was postponed till May 31, but residents of the area through a Barangay Order asked for another 3-month extension, which the AFP concede.  
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“As per order from the top, residents surrounding the Camp Bancasi are ordered to vacate the area. The order is supposed to be effective last January 2009 but because of humanitarian considerations, I personally extended the eviction till May 2009. Now, thru a Barangay Order the residents asked for a three months extension till August 31,” explains Col. Oropel. 
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The military is confident that there will be no resistance during the eviction on August 31. 
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“I don’t think there will be resistance during the eviction, since they (the illegal settlers) has been given ample time. In fact, four concrete houses in the area has voluntary demolished their homes,” says Col. Oropel.
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Major Eduardo AbaΓ±o of the 4th Infantry Battalion added that, “If they go against the military, they can be charged with direct and indirect assault. And I don’t think, the active military service men in the area will object in anyway because it is a direct order from the headquarters.”
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To help relocate illegal settlers in the area the AFP tapped the local government unit of Butuan. There is already a relocation program for the illegal settlers but fund for the purchased of the lot is still unavailable. There are also relocation areas in Butuan where those who will be relocated can apply. 
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Illegal settlers in the military reservation started through permission by Camp Commanders for military personnel to build houses in the area considering that their job is semi-permanent. But they were not required to build concrete houses, only houses made up of indigenous materials. 
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Most of the settlers are civilians and not connected to the military, children of former military officers. There are also some active military personnel and retirees. (Lovely Laudette D. Gamba, PIA-Caraga)
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ALCADEV blamed for another 500 evacuees in Lianga Surigao del Sur
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Around 500 civilians coming from km. 16, South Han-ayan; km 9; km. 14; km. 15; and km. 18, South Manluy-a of Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur have evacuated on Saturday morning, July 18, 2009.
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Reliable informant said, based on the information elicited from one of the evacuees, they were coerced to leave their houses by one of the administrators of the Alternative Learning Center of Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) Inc., a tribal school, saying that the military will bomb the school and Indigenous People’s communities due to the presence of Communist Terrorists in the area. 
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According to Lt. Col. Benjamin Pedralvez, Jr., 58IB Commanding Officer, that the Sangguinang Panlalawigan of this province certifies that ALCADEV has no records for accreditation as one of the registered non-government organizations in this province as required under the rules and regulations implementing Local Government Code of 1991.
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This was supported by the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education (DepEd) saying that this organization (ALCADEV) was organizing classes not in accordance with DepEd’s curriculum. DepEd also claimed that ALCADEV is not in direct control of their department.
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Meanwhile, Fred Gonzaga, Lianga Executive Secretary also confirmed that as of July 18, there are 279 families and 1,650 individuals evacuated at Lianga Gym. 
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He also clarifies that out of the total number of evacuees, 66 families evacuated from Purok 5, Barangay San Isidro since June 18. These civilians evacuated after the Communist Terrorist harassed the Research Team for Peace and Development (RTPD) in the vicinity of Purok 5, as reported earlier.
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As of press time, no conflicts were recorded by the Philippine Army in Barangay Diatagon where the new evacuees come from, only the presence of Research Team for Peace and Development who conducted research focusing on the development of this interior Barangay in Km 9 and 16.
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Finally, according to Ryan Recalde, one of the evacuees, the presence of the RTPD is the main reason why the IPs are afraid everytime there is a presence of government troops in the area. (Nida Grace B. Tranquilan/PIA Surigao del Sur)

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Butuan prepares for a week-long 59th Charter Day Celebration
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BUTUAN CITY (July 21) – Responding to people’s call, the city government opted to conduct yet another Mega Job Fair in time for the week long celebration of the 59th Adlaw Hong Butuan.
Job seekers can avail of the 2-days Adlaw Hong Butuan Mega Job Fair on July 27 and 28 at the city hall lobby, where more than 20 local and overseas agencies were invited to the event.
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The new City Tourism Chief whose appointment has already been approved by the Committee on Tourism recently has drafted the calendar of events and presented the same to City Tourism Council Chairperson Daisy B. Plaza, who promised to make the celebration festive.
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One event that could draw attention for those in search of action is the motocross competition to be held at the City Sports Complex on August 2, the Charter Day Celebration.
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Organizers hope, that this is not simply an adrenaline rush that draws motocross riders, enthusiasts and their families.
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“It's also where friendships made, the family atmosphere, the discipline and sportsmanship learned, and the excitement and fun”, said City Sports Coordinator, Councillor Randolf Plaza.
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Part of the tradition is the wreath laying ceremony on the tomb of Marcos M. Calo who was the congressman who fathered the bill converting Butuan into a city.
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It was on August 2, 1950, that Butuan became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 523 otherwise known as the City Charter of Butuan, and from being a chartered city, Butuan was reclassified into a highly urbanized city on February 7, 1995 based on its outcome and population. (Jocelyn E. Morano, Radyo ng Bayan Butuan)
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SONA security up 
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“Everything is now being put in place,” so said S/Supt. Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, in an interview. 
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Espina issued the statement in relation to the security plan being implemented by the PNP, including the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in strategic areas in Metro Manila in coordination with the PNP – National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 27, 2009. 
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The PNP spokesman said that aside from the installation of CCTV cameras, the PNP, the rally organizers and Quezon City Mayor Belmonte will meet on July 22, 2009 to iron OUT matters that may cause security concerns during the event. 
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He explained that the PNP is doing this to install peace, security and road traffic ease for the general public despite rally groups’ protest actions. 
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In a related story, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Leila De Lima said that emotions are expected to rise because this is the last SONA of the incumbent President. 
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She pointed out that protest actions should be given leeway as this is a way for people to express themselves to the government.
(PIA)
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POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
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PNP arrests wanted persons
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On July 16, 2009 at 12:15 afternoon at Barangay Lipata, Surigao City, a suspect charged for murder identified as Joselito Escatrin, 21, single, jobless and resident of Barangay San Pedro, Alegria, Surigao del Norte was arrested by joint team of Alegria Municipal Police Station led by PINSP Rommel S Cacayan and Surigao City Police Station led by SPO3 Eduardo Rendon. 
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Suspect was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) issued by Hon Judge Victor A Canoy of RTC Branch 29 and 30, Surigao City. 
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Escatrin is now detained at Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition. 
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Also, on July 17, 2009 at 7:15 in the morning, at Purok Bayabas, Sitio Hilamon, Barangay Burgos, Cortes, Surigao del Sur, joint team from Provincial Intelligence team of Regional Intelligence Unit 13 and Cortes Municipal Police Station led by PINSP Nelvin Rufon arrested the suspect identified as Danilo Tranquilan, 38, married, farmer and resident of said place.
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Suspect was arrested for the crime of frustrated homicide by virtue of WOA dated June 7, 2000 docketed under CC no. 3839, issued by Hon Judge Ermelindo G Andal of RTC Branch 27, Tandag, Surigao del Sur.
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Suspect was turned over to Tandag Provincial Jail for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga) 
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PNP arrests illegal fishing suspects
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PNP elements of Cortes Municipal Police Station led by PO3 Arnold Cortes in a joint seaborne patrol operation led by Vincent Duenas at Fishing Ground of Barangay Uba, Cortes, Surigao del Sur on July 15, 2009 at 11:30 in the evening apprehended the following persons; Felix Gomez, 33 years old; Vensio Maceda, 48 years old; Joshien Malingin, 40 years old and Solo Eway, 31 years old, all married and residents of Dagocdoc, Tandag, Surigao del Sur.
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Suspects were actually caught engaged in illegal fishing using Buso/compressor. Confiscated from their possessions were one unit pumpboat color blue with one ten Horse Power Engine; two pieces paddle; two pieces serviceable flashlight; 2 pieces diving mask; color black container with five liters gasoline; two pieces bow and arrow; four pieces swimming aid (kapay) and three kilograms assorted fish.
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Suspect and confiscated items were brought to Cortes Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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Report on illegal gambling 
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On July 17, 2009 at 4:46 pm, one team from 14th RGM led by PINSP JOEL A BIΓ‘AS together with Butuan City Police Station 1 conducted simultaneous operation within the area of Butuan City against illegal gambling which resulted to the confiscation in plain view of one unit Fruit Game machine at San Pedro, Montilla Boulevard and one unit machine at Rosales Street, Butuan City.
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During the confiscation, no one claim as owner of said machines. Said Machines were brought to 14th RMG Headquarters for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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PNP arrests theft suspect 
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On July 16, 2009 at 7:35 in the evening at Magallanes Street, Surigao City, suspect identified as Rexson Mendoza, 22 years old, single, jobless, native of Maasin Leyte was apprehended by the responding populace when he was actually caught snatching a wallet containing cash money amounting to Php 10,000.00 and pertinent receipts placed at back pocket of the jogging pants of the victim identified as Jackelyn MuΓ±oz, 21 years old, student of North Eastern Mindanao Colleges.
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Suspect was turned over to Surigao City Police Station. A case for theft was filed at Surigao City Prosecutor's Office docketed under NPS nr XIII-05-INQ-09G-00165 in an inquest proceedings. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)