(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


PIA News Service - Monday, Jan. 11, 2010

Verzosa reminds cops of guidelines on checkpoints 

PNP Chief, Director General Jesus A Verzosa, today directed Police Regional Directors to closely supervise election security operations of PNP field units particularly those manning Security Control Points of the PNP-Comelec-AFP Joint Security Control Centers on different localities. 

Verzosa said he is holding PNP unit commanders directly responsible for the actions of PNP personnel assigned to perform election security functions, particularly those assigned to checkpoint duties to implement the nationwide gunban and the prohibition on unauthorized security personnel. 

Comelec Resolution No. 8729 orders the establishment of at least one Comelec-JSCC checkpoint in each city or municipality to ensure strictly enforcement of the nationwide gunban and other prohibited acts during the 150-day lection period from January 10, 2010 thru June 9, 2010. 

Verzosa reminded police unit commanders of the guidelines on the establishment of Comelec checkpoints during the election period. 

The Chief PNP particularly emphasized that Comelec-JSCC checkpoints must be established in well-lighted areas with visible sign boards in coordination with the concerned city or municipal election officer; and must be done in a manner that will impose minimum inconvenience upon the persons to be searched such that the rights of the persons are not violated. 

Verzosa said local Comelec election officers shall directly supervise the JSCC-Comelec checkpoints which can also be put-up in other locations upon prior coordination with the JSCC team leader. 

PNP and AFP personnel manning the Comelec-JSCC checkpoints must be in complete uniform and led by an officer with a rank of at least Lieutenant or Police Inspector, Verzosa said. 

The Chief PNP explained that a valid search on vehicles must be authorized by a search warrant issued by an appropriate authority. However, Verzosa qualified, warrantless visual search can be done under the plain view doctrine, and further search is also authorized if the officer conducting the search has “reasonable cause to believe that the occupant of the vehicle is a law offender or that the instrumentality or evidence pertaining to the commission of a crime can be found in the vehicle to be searched, or on the basis of prior confidential information which are reasonably corroborated by other attendant matters.” 

Verzosa said the PNP Police Operational Procedures shall be strictly observed by police personnel manning checkpoints particularly in situations where search, seizure and arrests are made, including the use of reasonable force against violent aggression.  
All arrested persons must be treated humanely and with utmost respect for the person’s constitutional rights, Verzosa emphasized. 

Chief PNP appealed to the public for their cooperation with authorities who are implementing orders of the Comelec to conduct checkpoints to ensure orderly and honest elections. 

He reminded concerned individuals that any unauthorized person carrying firearms will be arrested on the spot and investigated. 

For his part, PNP Spokesman, Chief Superintendent Leonardo A Espina, advised motorists to slowdown and dim car headlights and turn on cabin lights when approaching checkpoints at night. He also advised motorists to have vehicle and personal documents ready for inspection when requested by authorities. 

Other PNP units and representatives of law enforcement agencies will also be fielded in the Comelec-JSCC checkpoint to enforce other special laws and local ordinances on vehicle-related violations and other offenses. 

Primers on the 2010 national elections published by the Comelec for PNP, AFP and other Law Enforcement Agencies have been circulated to PNP Units for widest dissemination to lower units and personnel. (P/CHIEF SUPT Leonardo A Espina, Public Information Office, Camp Crame , Quezon City/ PNP-13)
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PNP-13 14th Leg of transformation caravan torch relay set in Butuan 

BUTUAN CITY (11 January) – The Police Regional Office 13 will host the 14th Leg of Transformation Caravan Torch Relay where Caraga Regional Director-Police Chief Supt. Lino de Guzman Calingasan will receive the transformation torch here this coming Thursday, January 14, with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Jesus Verzosa officiating the torch’s turnover from Police Regional Office-10 Regional Director. 

In a written statement sent to PIA, PCSupt Amalio Alcalde said the torch run caravan program will commence with a 10- kilometer, 5-km, 3-km, and 1-km torch run that will start at South Montilla Boulevard, in-front of ANECO sub-station at exactly 5:30 in the morning and will end at Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, this city. 

The advocacy run will be highlighted by a turn-over ceremony and briefing presentation and interaction with the tri-media and different stakeholders at PRO-13 Conference Room.

Also, this projects aims to highlight the gains and objectives of the Integrated Transformation Program (ITP) that will focus on peace and development updates. 

The transformation program will likewise promote the culture of reform in the PNP personnel and stakeholders through advocacy programs and effective functions.

Meanwhile, Dir. Calingasan said the PNP Transformation Torch is a beacon that carries the light symbolizing the transformation program being undertaken by the PNP to turn itself into more capable, effective, and credible police service. 

“As light turns away darkness, so does the torch inspire, motivate and encourage the men and women of the PNP never lose hope, press on and run the race towards genuine transformation that maintain discipline, healthiness and alertness in every command,” PCSUPT Calingasan said. 

The activity is anchored on the theme: “Pushing forward the Genuine PNP transformation”. (Mike A. Imbo, PIA-Caraga)


2 separate events for 1 day
NPAs torch heavy equipment in Surigao del Sur


TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR (11 January) – Suspected Communist Terrorists (CTs) burned heavy equipment in two separate places in one day. The terroristic act happened recently in Barangay Anahao Daan, Tago and hinterland Barangay in Lanuza, this province.

As reported earlier, around 2 o’clock dawn of Friday (Jan. 8), CTs hacked a hectare of Banana Plantation of owned by DOLE Philippines, Inc. and burned a unit of backhoe owned by Ventic Construction based in Davao and a contractor of DOLE Philippines, Inc. On that same day at around 2:30 in the afternoon, the 58IB of the Philippine Army confirmed that the CTs again burned four units of wrecker truck owned by Carumba trucking Services, a sub-contractor of SUDECOR.

In a statement, the Philippine Army said, they believed that CPP-NPA are perpetrating the terroristic acts. “Said strategy is always repeated whenever the company refuses to pay the revolutionary tax,” Army personnel said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army appeals that Peace and Development could only be attained in Surigao if the people will cooperate.

The two companies in Surigao del Sur had economically help the province to alleviate the lives of the Surigaonons from poverty, and great opportunities to those who want to land a good job living in nearby towns where these companies are operating. (Nida Grace B. Tranquilan, PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Cebuano News: ABC President sa Surigao del Norte, gipatay

BUTUAN CITY (11 January) – Gipasaka na ngadto sa Surigao del Norte Provincial Prosecutor’s Office ang kasong murder batok sa mga killer nga mipusil-patay kang ABC President Wilbert Suanco Origenes, didto sa Taganaan, Surigao del Norte, dili pa lang dogay.

Si ABC President Suanco ang gipusil niadtong December 29, 2009 mga bandang alas 7:00 ang takna sa gabii sa may Barangay Aurora, Taganaan, Surigao del Norte.

Sa nadawat nga report, nahibaloan nga ang mga suspek nailhan sa pangalan nga Pedro Cuarenta alyas Loloy Waray o Wawart, taga Tagbina, Surigao del Sur kauban ang grupo nga sila si Alberto Ramos alyas Baby Face, John Doe ang gitudlong mastermind ug usa ka Peter Doe ang giilang Financer.

Ang kasong murder ang gisang-at sa Provincial Prosecutor’s Office ubos NPS XIII-060INV-10A-006 pinetsahan January 7, 2010.

Ang biktima nga si Suanco ang nasayran nga mi-file sa iyang kandidatura pagka Bise Mayor karong eleksyon 2010 ilalom sa Nacionalista Party. Ang mga suspek ang padayon pa nga gisubay sa kwerpo sa kapulisan. ( Mike A. Imbo, PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Mga Backhoe gipangsunog, plantasyon sa saging gipangtigbas sa NPA

BUTUAN CITY (11 January) – Gipasanginlan ang grupo sa rebeldeng New Peoples Army-NPA nga mao’y reponsibilidad sa pagsunog sa mga heavy equipment ug pagpanigbas sa plantasyon sa sagingan didto sa Purok Paraiso, Barangay Anahao Daan, Tago, Surigao del Sur mga bandang alas 2:00 a.m ang takna sa kaadlawon, niadtong (08 January).

Si SSupt. Julito Diray, PNP Provincial Director nagtug-an nga ang mga gipangsilaban nga mga backhoe ang gipanag-iyahan sa VENTIC Construction nga naka-base sa Davao City ug ang contractor niini ang DOLE Philippines, Inc.

Sa nakuhang impormasyon gipangtadtad ang plantasyon sa banana sa DOLE Phil. Inc. ug paghuman niana gipangsunog ang mga heavy equipment sa wala matino nga rebeldeng grupo sa NPA.

Base sa report gikatahong gibana-bana nga mikabat sa P4 milyon ang nahimong danyos sa pagpangatake . 

Si Tago Mayor Hermenegildo Pimentel misaysay sa usa ka interview nga miatake ang armadong grupo nga gituhuang mga NPA ug mauy nanghasi sa planta sa sagingan ug gidauban ang mga backhoe. Dugang niini “The ruthless incident affected the economy within the municipality and also the lives of the ordinary citizens in the area,” sulti sa alkalde sa wala pa hisayri ang motibo sa maong hitabo.

Ang 58 Infantry Battalion mipagawa sa ilang pamhayag sa pagkondena sa dili makatarunganon nga gihimo sa NPA. “Ang kumunistang teroristang CPP/NPA ang isa sa mga balakid sa pag asenso ng ating bansa. Hinahadlangan nila ang mga proyekto mapa gobyerno man o pribadong sektor. Katulad ng ibang mga kumpanya, kapag hindi magbigay ng butaw o revolutionary tax susunugin ang mga equipment. 

Ang sakop sa kapulisan kauban ang tropa sa kasundalohan ang mihimo na sa ilang aksyon alang sa dugang imbestigasyon sa maong hitabo.
( Mike A. Imbo, PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Pres. Arroyo gi-appoint si Sec. Cabral isip bag-ong DOH-Secretary

BUTUAN CITY (11 January) – Gi-anunsyo sa Malacañang ang mga bag-ong posisyon nga matud pa si Secretary Francisco Duque III ang hulipan ni Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral niadtong Domingo (10 January). 

Si Secretary Cabral ang nailang usa ka cardiologist, ang mopuli sa iyang gibiyaan nga posisyon mao si DSWD Undersecretary Celia Yangco ubos sa maong ahensya. 

Nahibalo-an nga si Secretary Duque ang bag-ong molingkod sa Civil Service Commission human nga gi-aprobahan ang pinal nga appointments gikan kang Chairman Ricardo Saludo sa Commission on Appointments. 

Sa miaging hugon-hugon, sila si Secretary Cabral ug Secretary Duque ang gituhuang moapil unta sa indigay sa piniliay ilalom sa administration's senatorial slate. Apan ang duha ka gabinete ang midesisyon nga magpabilin isip Cabinet member hangtod sa katapusang termino ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo karong Hunyo 2010. 

Dugang sa report nga si Sec. Duque ang gitugutan sa pagdawat sa bag-ong posisyon sa CSC pinaagi sa gihimong kunsultasyon ni Former CSC Chairperson Saludo ug Corazon Alma de Leon.

Si Secretary Cabral misaysay nga sayo niadtong Biernes nadawat niini ang impormasy0n gikan kang Secretary Ermita lambigit sa mga bag-ong posisyon. 

"I am honored to serve the Filipino people in this capacity just as I was honored to serve them for four years as social welfare secretary," she said when sought for reaction to her new assignment. She also thanked the President "for yet another opportunity to be of service to her country." Sulti ni Sec. Cabral

Sa laing bahin, si Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita midugang nga si Secretary Agnes Devanadera ang magpabilin sa posisyon isip Secretary sa Department of Justice. 

Si Sec. Devanadera ang mipuli sa departamento human nga si Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales gitudlong chief presidential legal adviser niadtong Hunyo 2009. (Mike A. Imbo, PIA-Caraga)


GSIS disburses P53.33 billion in loan proceeds in 2009

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) released around P53.33-billion in loan proceeds in 2009, a 30.16 percent improvement from the P40.97-billion it disbursed in 2008. 

The GSIS said 877,502 of its members benefited from the various loan programs of the pension fund. These loan windows include the Consolidated Loan or Conso-loan, the Policy loan the Pension Loan, Cash Advance, and the Emergency loan, which is extended to members who have become victims to calamities.

The GSIS managed to disburse another record amount in loans despite the difficulties it had with its systems, particularly the system slowdowns and shutdowns due to the reportedly defective database management software of IBM.

Records show that in 2009, P4.83 billion in emergency loans was disbursed by the GSIS, P4.47 billion of which went to the 223,496 victims of tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng. 

The amount of emergency loan released last year by the pension fund increased almost three-fold from P 1.6 billion in 2008.

Meanwhile, a total of 56,270 GSIS members availed of the one-time Cash Advance Plus loan program through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (G-W@PS) kiosk. The GSIS loaned P562.7 million in Cash Advance last year.

In addition, the GSIS also released in 2009 around P1.21 billion in pension loan, which benefited 26,838 pensioners, P 2.75 billion in Policy loan (regular and optional) which went to 168,324 members, and P43.98 billion ConsoLoan proceeds, which was availed by 384,728 members.

Today, GSIS members can apply for these loan programs through any of the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (G-W@PS) kiosks deployed nationwide. These kiosks are deployed in all GSIS servicing offices and selected government agencies.

Members can also apply for these loan programs via over-the-counter at any GSIS servicing office.

The GSIS extended to its members and pensioners P40.97-billion in loan proceeds in 2008. Of the total, P34.70 billion were Consolidated Loan proceeds, P1.47 billion were policy loans, P1.6 billion were emergency loans, P1.37 million were pension loans and P1.28 billion were cash advance. (GSIS)
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POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania

Report on escapee 

Two detainees from Magallanes Police Station Detention Cell escaped on January 7, 2010 at 9:35 in the evening. Initial investigation disclosed that said detainees escaped by destroying the ceiling of said detention cell. Incident discovered when the guard on post PO2 Holde Mediante noticed unusual sound coming from the detention cell and immediately checked and found out that the two detainees identified as Rey Borja Yurag and Dennis Borja Yurag, both charged for serious physical injuries and other two detainees namely Ryio Cua and Dante Curilan Aspe, both charged of murder thru inquest proceedings, docketed under CC number XIII-02-09K-00094 were all out from their detention cell. PNP personnel of Magallanes Municipal Police Station are now conducting manhunt operation against the said escapees. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga) 
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Report on illegal logging 

On January 7, 2010 at 2:00 in the morning at Crossing Cancavan, Carmen, Surigao del Sur, PNP elements of Carmen Municipal Police Station and Forest Guard of multi-sectoral of Carmen while conducting checkpoints were able to intercept the following: one TMX motorcycle color blue with plate number LN 2464 owned by Joel Opitan and driven by Arnold Friaz, a resident of Barangay Pakwan, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, loaded with 11 pieces sawn narra lumbers with total volume of 78.7 board feet. 

One sunrizer motorcycle without plate number owned by Jonathan Bat-ao and driven by Marlon Bulando, all residents of Barangay Pakwan, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, loaded with 12 pieces sawn narra lumbers with t total volume of 108.86 board feet.

The confiscated lumbers with an estimated value of Php 9378.00 and said motorcycles were turned over to the custody of Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of said place for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

PNP arrests wanted person

One Nelson Ayao Bustillo, married and resident of said place was arrested by PNP personnel of Butuan City Police Station 3 led by PSI Ave Mario Romero on January 8, 2010 at about 8:30 in the morning at Purok-5, Barangay Ambago, Butuan City by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) under CC number 4638 for the crime of direct assault, issued by Hon Judge Dennis Castilla of MTCC Branch 1, Libertad, Butuan City. Arrested person now detained at Butuan City Police Station 3 for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)  

Progress report on shooting incident 

A case for murder has been filed at Surigao del Norte Provincial Prosecutor's Office against Pedro Cuarenta alias Loloy/Waray or Wawart, trigerman and resident of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur and his companion named Alberto Ramos alias Babyface as conspirator, John Doe the mastermind and Peter Doe as the Financer under NPS XIII-060INV-10A-006 dated January 7, 2010. Charged were suspects for the killing last December 29, 2009 at 7:00 in the evening at Barangay Aurora, Taganaan, Surigao del Norte victimizing Wilbert Suanco Origenes, ABC president of Taganaan, Surigao del Norte and Vice Mayoralty candidate on May 2010 election under the banner of Nationalista Party. Suspects are still at large. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
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Illegal possession of firearms in relation to Comelec resolution 8714 

One Romeo Paden y Ramos, 32 years old, Security Guard of Visa Security Agency detailed at Green Bank located at South Montilla Blvd., Butuan City and a resident of Purok 2, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte was apprehended in the checkpoint at Km 6, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City on January 10, 2010 at 8:40 in the morning conducted by Butuan City Police Station 3 led by PSINSP Ave Mario Romero. Confiscated from his possession one cal .40 pistol armscor with serial nr 1121873 loaded with 12 live ammunitions. 

Also, at 11:00 in the morning of the same date, PNP Personnel of 13th Regional Public Safety Management Battalion 913th RPSMB) led by PINSP Joel A Biñas brought to the Police Station 4 of Butuan City Police Office one Aquillo Colina, 56 years old, married and resident of Purok 4, Barangay San Juan, Gingoog City after having been caught in his possession and control one unit cal .38 revolver (paltik), smith & Wesson with serial number 203340 and six live ammo during a checkpoint operation along the national highway, Barangay Taligaman, Butuan City. Subject persons are now under the custody of respective Police Station for filing of appropriate charges in court. Progress report to follow. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)