(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 19 March 2024) Easterlies affecting 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. Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


PIA News Service - Monday, Oct. 25, 2010

40 youths hidden in a beach resort in Agusan del Norte for the SK Elections, SB official confirmed

By: Robert E. Roperos

Buenavista, Agusan del Norte Sangguniang Bayan Member Victoria Nakila confirmed that around 40 youths were brought in a beach resort in Carmen, Agusan del Norte for the SK elections.

SB Nakila said that a candidate running for SK Chairman in Barangay 2 Poblacion, Agusan del Norte in the person of Cymatrex Atasan is responsible of hiding 30 to 40 youths and is believed to be released today to vote in the elections.

Nakila added, to ensure the victory of a certain candidate, more than half of the registered voters in the area will be gathered by certain candidates and will be released during the election day. (PIA-Caraga)

 
Candidates gathering and detaining voters may be filed kidnapping raps

By: Robert E. Roperos

Caraga COMELEC Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pone today said candidates gathering and detaining voters may be filed with kidnapping, following the report that a candidate in the SK Chairmanship position gathered and detained around 40 registered youth-voters in one of the beach resorts in Carmen, Agusan del Norte, to ensure his victory in today’s election.

The official said, what the said candidate is doing is a clear violation of the Omnibus Election Code and may be filed kidnapping for detaining persons.

Also, Pobe reminded those drivers whose vehicles were used to transport the voters to be cautious because they may also be filed with kidnapping case for being an accessory to the crime. (PIA-Caraga)

 
PNP-Agusan Norte conducts probe on alleged voters’ detention

By: Robert E. Roperos

Following the report involving a candidate in the SK chairmanship position allegedly gathered youth-voters and detained them in a beach resort in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, PNP Agusan del Norte Provincial Director PSSupt Nestor M. Fajura said they have immediately conducted investigation regarding the matter.
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In a phone-patch interview this morning, the official said, upon receiving the report, they immediately conducted investigation yesterday and found out that “it’s positive that there were youths in the said resort,” he said. However, when the team asked them (youths), they said the group is just conducting recreational activities and that they were not forced by anybody to join the group.

However, Fajura enjoined the parents that if their children were detained by force, they may file appropriate complaints before the local authorities and the COMELEC, in general.

Meanwhile, Fajura said the voters’ turnout in Agusan del Norte as of press time is from moderate to heavy and the whole province turned out to be generally peaceful. (PIA-Caraga)


Surigao del Sur SB member shot dead 

By: Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

As per info received from Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office this morning, Hon. Valentin Campos, SB member of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur was declared dead on arrival after in a shooting incident last night.

Report said, unidentified assailant shot the victim who was standing in front of the rice mill in Poblacion, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur at around 6:50 yesterday, October 24, 2010. PNP report revealed that motive still undetermined as of press time. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

 
Agusan Sur is peaceful as precincts opens early today

By: David M. Suyao

Inspite of the liquor ban, many stores in Agusan del Sur still sell intoxicating wine. As a result, many were drunk which resulted to petty fist fights but as of reporting time, no serious election-related incidents were reported.

Vote-buying in the gold rich municipality of Rosario, reach up to P1,000, but regular amount that roam around ranges from P20 to P50. Overall situation provincewide is peaceful, and the weather is fair. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Agusan Norte COMELEC still awaits for some ballots to arrive before 12 noon today

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

In an interview with COMELEC-Agusan del Norte Provincial Election Supervisor and Caraga Assistant Regional Director Atty. Roland Edayan, the official said there are some precincts in the province lacks official ballots and has already informed COMELEC Central Office regarding the matter.

Atty. Edayan also said, if said ballots will not arrive before 12 noon today, voting time of the affected precincts will be extended until 5 p.m. 

Also, COMELEC will have to reset the precinct elections on the following day if ballots will not be delivered today. (PIA-Caraga)

  
Massive vote-buying in Surigao del Norte observed

By: Fryan E. Abkilan

Massive vote-buying also marred the Barangay and SK polls in Surigao del Norte. Reports reaching PIA showed that the going rate in a barangay in Surigao City was up to P500 per voter. 

A resident who requested anonymity said since Saturday, she received a total of P1,350.00. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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PNP Reg’l Safety College deploys 118 men to augment police officers in Surigao del Norte

By: Fryan E. Abkilan

Two platoons of augmentation force left Saturday, October 23 for deployment prior to the barangay and SK elections in Surigao del Norte.

Some 118 men from the PNP Regional Safety College were deployed to beef up the strength of police in the province. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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Ballots for San Agustin, Surigao del Sur misdelivered to El Salvador, Misamis Oriental

By: Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

Ms. Alma Acosta, Surigao del Sur Provincial Election Officer revealed today that the 3,752 ballots intended for San Agustin, Surigao del Sur were misdelivered to El Salvador, Misamis Oriental.

According to Acosta, the affected barangays in San Agustin will possibly reset their elections tomorrow (October 26) if said ballots will not be picked-up before 12 noon today in Butuan City.

Except for some barangays in San Agustin, all other municipalities in the province conducted the elections peacefully and orderly.
(PIA-Surigao del Sur)

 
4Ps beneficiaries will not be delisted, DSWD assures

By: Fryan E. Abkilan

Beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Surigao del Norte need not to worry of being delisted from the program if they don’t vote for certain candidates for the barangay and SK elections.

Reports reached DSWD said that some 4Ps beneficiaries were allegedly being threatened to be delisted by some municipal mayors. 

The local social welfare office in Surigao del Norte clarified that the 4Ps program is a national program being implemented by DSWD and not the local government units much less the barangays. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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MinDA Chair to visit Surigao del Sur on Oct. 26

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

Tandag, Surigao del Sur - Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG) Chair & Executive Officer of Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) Mr. Junie Pimentel, bared that Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair & Sec. Luwalhati Antonino is set 2 visit Brgy. San Isidro, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 9:30am. 

The said barangay is a pilot area in Caraga and the lone recipient barangay in this province of Strengthening Response to Internal Displacement in Mindanao (stride-Mindanao) Mindanao.

Sec. Antonino will grace the turn-over ceremony of the accomplished projects of the StRIDE implemented under Act for PEACE (A4P) Programme, a GoP-UNDP aided by European Union. Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel will also assist Sec. Antonino during the turn-over. 

The four (4) major projects accomplished by StRIDE-Mindanao-A4P programme in coordination with the Local Government of Surigao del Sur are the following: Water Supply System (Level 2-Purok 1 & level 1 in Purok 5); Establishment of Botika ng Barangay; Construction of Safe Spaces for Children and; Construction of Barangay Health Station. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Cebuano News: 40 ka mga botante gidala sa beach resort 
 
Ni Michael Imbo

BUTUAN CITY - Gipangdala sa usa ka exclusive nga beach resort ang 40 ka mga botanteng batan-on para masiguro niini ang kadaugan sa ipahigayong Barangay ug Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) eleksyon 2010, didto sa Carmen, Agusan del Norte.

Gikumpirma ni Buenavista Agusan del Norte Sanguniang Bayan Member Victoria Nakila ang alegasyon nga ang 40 ka mga botanteng batan-on ang gidala sa usa ka beach resort.

Sa asoy ni SB Nakila usa ka Cymatrex Atasan ang responsable sa paghipos sa 30 hangtud 40 ka mga botante.

Nahibaloan nga si Atrasan midagan pagka SK Chairman didto sa Barangay 2, Poblacion, Agusan del Norte.

Gidugang ni Nakila nga gitapok sa batan-ong kandidato ang katunga sa rehistradong botante aron masiguro niini ang kadaugan pagka SK Chairman sa ilang barangay. (PIA-Caraga)
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Cebuano News: Kandidatong mi-detin sa mga botante mahimong kasohan og kidnapping-Atty. Pobe
 
Ni Michael Imbo

BUTUAN CITY - Gibutyag ni Caraga COMELEC Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe nga puydeng makasohan sa kidnapping ang kandidato nga mi-detin sa mga botante human nga nahibaloan ang taho nga dunay 40 ka botanteng gipangdala sa usa ka beach resort, dili pa lang dogay.

Sa pamahayag sa opisyal giklaro niini nga milapas sa Omnibus Election Code ug mahimo nga pasakaan sa kasong illegal detention ang kandidato pagka-SK Chairman.

Ang report nagtug-an nga base sa pamahayag ni Buenavista, Agusan del Norte SB Member Victoria Nakila nga dunay SK Chairman nga naila sa pangalan nga Cymatrex Atasan kinsa mauy gitudlong midagit sa 40 ka mga botante ug gidala kini didto sa usa ka beach resort.

Gipahimangnoan usab ni Atty. Pobe nga kadtong drayber sa sakyanan ug uban pang transportasyon nga maghakut sa botante ang apil nga kasuhan sa posibleng lakang lambigit sa insidente nga may kalabotan sa Barangay ug SK Eleksyon. (PIA-Caraga)

 
Cebuano News: Surigao del Sur SB Member, gibugha
 
Ni Michael Imbo

BUTUAN CITY - Nakalas ang kinabuhi sa usa ka Sanguniang Bayan Member kinsa gipatay sa wala mailhing armado sa miaging gabii.

Sa impormasyon nga nakutlo gikan sa Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office, nasayran nga ang biktima naila sa pangalan nga Hon. Valentin Campos, SB member sa San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Giingon nga gipusil tumong sa ulo ang biktima gamit ang wala matino nga kalibre sa armas hinungdan sa hinanali niining kamatayon. Subay sa taho usa ka suspek kinsa nagtindog sa usa ka ricemill sa Poblacion, Surigao del Sur pasado alas 6:50 sa gabii niadtong (October 24, 2010) ang nakit-ang mitira sa biktima.

Base sa report human sa pagpamusil abtik nga nakasibat ang suspek sa wala matino nga direksyon. Ang San Miguel Municipal Police Station mihimo na sa tukmang lakang alang sa imbestigasyon kalabot sa nahitabo sanglit wala pay nasutang motibo lambigit sa krimen. (PIA-Caraga)
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Precincts in Butuan City closed at 3pm, starts counting of votes

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY (25 October) – Around 3:00 p.m. today, majority of the precincts in Barangay Libertad, Butuan City have closed the votation and have started the canvassing of the votes. 

It was learned that during the May 2010 national and local elections, Barangay Libertad registered the most number of voters in Butuan City, followed by Brgy. Ampayon, Brgy. Obrero, and Brgy. San Vicente.

Meanwhile, in Agusan National High School, one of the biggest schools in Butuan City where precincts of three barangays of the city were housed have officially closed the votation and immediately conducted the counting of votes.
 
It was learned that as of 4:30 p.m. today, some candidates for SK chairmanship have already celebrated their victory inside the school campus. (PIA-Caraga)
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3, 900 ballots fail to arrive in some Caraga region towns, polls postponed 

BUTUAN CITY (October 25) – Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Monday were not held in some villages in Northeastern Mindanao region after they failed to receive some 3, 900 official ballots, region’s election official said. 

Lawyer Francisco Pobe, regional director of Caraga region Commission on Election (Comelec) said the affected polling places are 5 barangays in San Agustin town and 4 barangays in San Miguel town, both in Surigao del Sur province. 

The region’s Comelec director said the election of these affected areas will be reset on Wednesday (Oct. 27). 

“The delay of delivery of the official ballots in these areas was affected because the intended ballots were delivered to Region 10 (Northern Mindanao),” he said. 

“We must also consider the distance and terrain of these areas, that’s why we reset it the next day,” added Atty. Pobe. 

He also said those areas where start of voting has been delayed due to late arrival of official ballots will be extended up to 5 p.m. then to resume up to Tuesday. 

Comelec Resolution 9078, issued on October 24, this year stated that if election paraphernalia and other forms have not arrived by 12 noon election day at the polling centers, voting will be moved to Tuesday, October 26, or even on Wednesday, October 27. 

Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal, regional director of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) said all police contingent deployed in several polling places in the region will not vacate their respective areas until the election is finally completed. 

“They will not vacate their respective assigned areas until the election will be finished,” stressed Chief Supt. Rafal in an interview. (muc/PIA-Caraga)
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Bet for village councilman shot dead in Surigao del Sur 

CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City (October 25) – A candidate for barangay kagawad (village councilman) was gunned down hours before midnight Sunday inside his house in Lingig town, Surigao del Sur province. 

Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal, regional director of Northeastern Mindanao Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13), identified the victim as Eduardo Tacder, 48, of Sitio Sayon, Barangay Mahayahay, Lingig town. 

Rafal said unidentified armed men barged into Tacder's house at about 9 p.m. Sunday and shot the victim in front of his family members. 

Tacder died while being treated at the Andres Soriano Doctors Hospital in Bislig for multiple gunshot wounds in various parts of the body, three hours after the shooting incident. 

Rafal said the gunmen fled to unknown areas aboard a maroon van. 

Lingig town is about 200 kilometers away from Butuan City, the region’s capital. 

Rafal, who just assumed the Caraga PNP chief post less than a month, ordered tightening of security measures Monday afternoon, saying he hoped the latest reported killing will be the last. 

Police were still determining the motive behind the slay. 

Tacder was the fifth victim of violence in Caraga Region in time for the Oct. 25 Barangay and SK elections. 

Hours before Tacder’s killing, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur councilor Valentin Morales Campos was shot dead infront of a warehouse of a ricemill in Poblacion San Miguel. 

An incumbent Bayogo barangay chairman and a number of companions, shot a man in the face last Oct. 22. in Barangay Bayogo, Madrid, Surigao del Sur. (muc and bs/PIA-Caraga)