(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 - Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010

MGB-13 to spearhead field evaluation on small-scale mining activities in Surigao Watershed

By Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO CITY – The Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB-13) will spearhead an inventory, field verification and evaluation on small-scale mining activities (operating and non-operating) within the Surigao Watershed Forest Reserve otherwise known as “Parangparang Watershed” on October 6-7, 2010. 

MGB Caraga Reg’l Dir. Alilo Ensomo, Jr said the evaluation seeks to gather information and database needed in the formulation of a holistic approach to the recurrent issue of illegal small-scale mining activities within and inside the proposed 1 km. buffer zone of the watershed.

According to Ensomo, the clamor to stop these illegal small-scale mining activities within the watershed area has escalated in view of the evident insufficiency of the water supply in almost all areas in the city.

However, to address this, Ensomo said the issues must be clearly identified for concerned stakeholders to come-up with a realistic and doable determination of the most applicable solution. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Gov’t troops repulsed NPA dawn attack!

Joint elements of the 23rd Infantry Battalion, 4ID, Philippine Army successfully defended a Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA) Patrol Base, located at a southern province in Caraga region of a dawn attack by a heavily armed group believed to be communist guerillas, under an unknown leader.

According to the reports reaching police regional office headquarters, Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City from Surigao del Sur provincial police, that the CAA patrol base located at Purok 5, Brgy. San Isidro, Lianga town in Surigao del Sur under the command of Corporal Singson was attacked 3:00 A.M. Friday, by 9 heavily armed group led by an unknown commander, believed to belong to the Front Committee 19A of the New Peoples Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The base occupants under Cpl. Singson, reinforced by the elements from the 75th IB, Philippine Army bravely defended their base which resulted to a 5-minute firefight. The base defenders succeeded in repulsing the attackers who were forced to withdrew towards some unknown direction.

There were no reports of casualties however from both sides.

Lianga police investigators are now conducting investigation on the said incident. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga) 


Police scores against illegal drugs

The regional police scored anew in its campaign against illegal drugs as its intelligence operatives nabbed a suspected drug pusher, Sunday evening.

According to reports from the police regional headquarters at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, Brgy. Libertad, Butuan City that the intelligence operatives of the 13th Regional Public Safety Battalion (13th RPSB) led by Police Chief Insp. Reynante N. Sibayton, closely supervised by the Battalion Commander PSupt. Francisco D. Dungo, Jr. conducted an anti-illegal drugs operation at Purok 7, Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City at 6 P.M. Sunday.

The police operation led to the arrest of a certain Allan Mamarinta, of legal age and a resident of Brgy. Ong Yiu, Butuan City; one of the city barangays which is a known drug lair, which recently was subjected to incessant police and PDEA anti-illegal drugs operations and surveillance.

The police operatives had recovered from the suspect’s possession 3 large packets (sachets) of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride (commonly known as shabu), 2 small packets, a digital weighing scale and 2 pieces of Php. 1,000.00 marked money.

The operation was witnessed by a Brgy. Kagawad (Village Councilor) Rodrigo Morin of the said barangay. Mamarinta and the confiscated items from his possession were brought to the 13th RPSB headquarters insude camp Rafael C. Rodriguez for booking. He is now turned over to Butuan City Police Station 3, Brgy. Libertad, this city for custody as an appropriate case is now prepared against him in court.

It should be noted that the anti-illegal drugs campaign was among the things mentioned by the newly-assumed police regional chief CSupt. Reynaldo S. Rafal, said he will give primary attention.

Meanwhile, a 32-year old suspect is also now detained at Butuan City Police Station 3, after a 17-year old lass from a barangay of the western section of this city had accused him of molesting her three times. 

Korina (not her real name) 17; accused the suspect whom she identified as a certain Ferdinand Cervantes, 32; before BCPS3’s Women and Children Protection Desk investigators that the suspect had sexually molested her on three separate incidents; in the morning of September 13, also in September 18 and the last time was on the evening of September 30, all of these year.

The victim who said that she cannot bear anymore the humiliation done by the suspect against her made her decide to report the matter to Brgy. Capt. Vincent Rosario. The village chief also reported the matter to the police who immediately took action on the matter and arrested the suspect at his residence last Friday.
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His alibi was that he and the victim were lovers, a claim which was vehemently denied by the victim.

Police is now preparing a “Rape” Case in relation to the violation of Republic Act No. 7610 (otherwise known as the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.). (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga) 


POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Criselda Bulahao-Nalam

Report on shooting incident

On October 03, 2010 around 6:00 in the evening at P-1, Tabon-Tabon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, one (1) Alberto Quiro y Polilio alias "Toto", 57 yrs old, married, self employed and a resident of said place was shot with the use of short firearms of unknown caliber by unidentified suspect. 

Upon receipt of reported incident, PNP elements of Sibagat MPS led by PINSP JOMARK Q CAñA, COP, proceeded to the place of incident to conduct scene investigation. Recovered at the crime scene were three (3) empty shells of cal. 45. 

Initial investigation revealed that the victim and the suspect are playing chessboard inside the premises of the victim and without any apparent reason, shot the victim. The victim sustained two (2) gunshot wounds on his head, which resulted to instantaneous death. Sibagat MPS still conducting follow-up investigation for the possible identification and arrest of the suspect. Progress report follows. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Report on wanted person

On October 04, 2010 around 11:30 in the morning at Brgy 4, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, PNP elements of Nasipit MPS led by PO2 Cannen, arrested one (1) Ernesta L Cubio and one (1) Wilfredo Cubio, both legal age, and a resident og Brgy 6, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte by virtue of warrant of arrest for Grave Oral Defamation with cc# 9722 and 9723 with recommended fixed bail bond at six thousand pesos (Php 6,000.00) each, issued by Hon Carlos B Cambray, Judge of 10th Judicial Region, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte dated September 22, 2010. Subject persons are now detained at Nasipit MPS for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
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Report on burning incident 

On October 04, 2010 around 6:00 in the morning, at Sitio Gacub, Brgy Hinapuyan, Carmen, Surigao del Sur, the employees service bus of SUDECOR, driven by Andres D Orillaneda with employees on board while in route to the logging area at the said place, were flagged down by more or less five (5) armed CT's. 

The passenger were directed to disembark and divested the following; a. six (6) cellphones, one (1) hand held Radio, four (4) battery packs and one haft (1/2) sack of rice. After which, the CT's burned the company bus and fled to unknown direction. Elements of the 36IB Phil Army led by 1Lt. Christian de Leon are now in hot pursuit operation while CaRmen MPS are conducting investigation. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Report on illegal possession of FA's

On October 03,2010 around 7:00 in the evening at P-5A, Brgy SAbang, Lingig, Surigao del Sur, PNP elements of Lingig MPS apprehended one (1) Eric Flores y Macaylas, 29 yrs old, married, a resident of P-1A, Brgy Poblacion, Lingig, Surigao del Sur and a CAA member of 23rd IB assigned at Sitio Pagkabakatan, Brgy Mahayahay,Lingig, Surigao del Sur. 

Suspect was caught in the act carrying undetermined caliber of firearm while walking along the abovementioned place and allegedly under the influence of intoxicating liquor. 

Confiscated from his possession and control were one (1) unit home made loose firearm w/o serial number with one (1) live ammo of 5.56 mm. Said suspect are now under custody of Lingig MPS for proper disposition. Progress report follows. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)


NPAs frustrated, turns to Innocent Civilian Employees

Around 05:30 am October 04, 2010, a SUDECOR Service Vehicle loaded with civilian employees on their way to their place of work was held by five (5) members of the New People’s Army (NPA) under Guerilla Front – 30 NEMRC. One of them was identified as AKA NICO (NTN) and four others armed with assorted high powered firearms.

Scared and exhausted employees revealed that while on their way to their place of work, five armed men suddenly appeared, blocking the way of their Service Vehicle at Placa area, Sitio Gacob, Brgy. Hinapuyan, Carmen Surigao del Sur. Forcing their way inside the vehicle, one of the NPA shouted and demanded that the victims’ money be given to them. Realizing that the victims didn’t have sufficient cash, CTs started taking personal belongings and company property such as : a portable DVD player, two ICOM Radios, cellular phones, and wallets . Identities of the said victims are withheld for their safety.
After the atrocious act, said culprits alighted from the vehicle, instructing employees to disembark the same followed by setting it on fire. They had fired their firearms indiscriminately, leaving the innocent civilians scared and disgusted.

Pursuit operations arecurrently conducted by members of the 36th Infantry Battalion and the Special CAFGU Active Auxillaries in the area. (4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army/PIA-Caraga)