PIA News Service - Friday, Aug. 6, 2010

Surigao Norte gov opens 1st Siargao Surfing Festival,DOT vows support to local tourism

GEN. LUNA, SURIGAO DEL NORTE (6 August) – “Enjoy and earn,” this was the message of Governor Sol F. Matugas during the launching of the 1st Siargao Surfing Festival to the people of Siargao on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at the Paseo de Cabuntog, Gen. Luna in Siargao Island.

The lady governor explained that they purposely injected the name festival for the reason that they would like to promote the culture and history of Siargao, “and that while we are holding all these competitions in the island - having been known as the surfing capital of the Philippines it is but proper that Siargao has to be known also with its unique culture.”

Meantime, Prov’l Tourism Officer Ivonnie Dumadag revealed that one of the highlights of the festival is the opening of Agri & Aqua Trade Fair in Gen. Luna which will be participated in by all the municipalities of Siargao Island.  

“Another major highlight of this event is the street dancing competition showcasing different festivals of the 9 towns in the island,” Dumadag added.

Gov. Matugas also said that while everyone is enjoying others are also earning, “so enjoy and earn is the philosophy of the surfing festival.” 

Aside from the Agri & Aqua Fair and Street Dancing competition, the lady governor also wanted to showcase the “Pan de Surf” – a local pandesal that is shaped like a surf board. 

“It’s also a 1-day festival that will showcase our beloved local bread,” said Governor Matugas.

DOT vows support

Event Speaker, DOT Usec. Simeon Marfori has vowed to support the initiative of Gov. Sol Matugas in transforming the island as the surfing mecca of Asia.

“DOT is here to support you in pursuing your dream to be the Asia’s surfing capital,” said Marfori.

With the new leadership under DOT Secretary Alberto Lim, DOT’s thrusts now according to Marfori is thru a Community Based Tourism approach which include the filling-in of gaps in infrastructure that is prioritizing infra projects to the tourism rich areas and a unique way of creating products of tourism working closely with public and private sector for, “we cannot succeed without the private citizens.” 

Marfori also said that they also want to help capacitate the LGU and private sector by giving them proper trainings and bench markings. 

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The opening of the 1st Siargao Festival was also attended by some local mayors led by LMP President Bacuag Mayor Sheila Mae Cebedo, Local Chamber President Jake Miranda, and Congressman Francisco Matugas. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)


NYC gears up for the sk voters registration

The National Youth Commission gets ready for the Voters Registration for the 2010 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

The Commission on Elections promulgated Resolution No. 9004 which sets the date for the SK Voters’ Registration from August 6, 2010 until August 15, 2010. According to the COMELEC, any Filipino citizen who is at least 15 but below 18 years old and is a resident of the barangay where he/she intends to vote for at least six months, may register.

The registration will run from 8 AM to 7 PM at the Office of the Election Officer of the city or the municipality where the applicant resides and all COMELEC offices will be open even on weekends. The applicant must present any of the following documents when he/she registers:

1. Certificate of Live Birth
2. Baptismal Certificate
3. School Records
4. Any other document that will establish his/her identity.

On August 5, 2010, the NYC launched a nationwide campaign on the SK Voters Registration at the House of Representatives and through distribution of campaign materials to different government agencies and local government units (LGU all over the country). This is in cooperation with the Kabataan Partylist, Committee on Youth & Sports (House of Representatives), and COMELEC.

The Mindanao Launching of the SK Voters Registration was held on August 5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kiosk, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, spearheaded by SK Federation President of Cagayan de Oro City, Hon. Kreena Poquita. The SK National Federation President, Hon. Jane C. Cajes, attended the activity. (Mignonette Reposar, Sarah Grutas, Salma Jayne A. Tamano/ PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010

Authorities torched 1.6 M worth of uprooted MJ hauled from AgSur-Bukidnon border plantation 

Joint police, military and anti-illegal drug operatives scored a big haul in its anti-illegal drugs campaign recently when it uprooted and burned large volume of cultivated marijuana at a discovered plantation concealed among the thick vegetations not far from the forested mountain ranges along the borders of the Agusan del Sur and Bukidnon provinces.
 
Reports from Agusan del Sur police reaching police regional headquarters at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez stated that a joint team coming from Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office, Regional Public Safety Battalion personnel lead by PInsp. Archie Amores, Agusan del Sur Public Safety Company led by PCInsp. Romeo L. Ramos, La Paz Municipal Police Station personnel led by PInsp. Arvin Bolotano, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 13 agents led by Investigating Agent 5 Joel B. Plaza and a contingent from the Philippine Army led by Corporal Antonio Manser T. Morgadez, all under the direct supervision of Agusan del Sur Police Director PSSupt. Antonio B. Paguirigan, raided a Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa L.) plantation on the hinterlands of Sitio Tinkug, Barangay Casapa 1, La Paz, Agusan del Sur, 5:30 P.M. Monday.

In an interview with IA5 Joel B. Plaza, PDEA 13 deputy director this morning, he disclosed that the operation dubbed as “OPLAN DAHON 01-10” acted on persistent reports by some natives living near the area about the existence of the said marijuana plantation at the said place. 

There were actually two areas according to Plaza, which were reported to be planted with Marijuana. The fields, he said had blended so well with the nearby thickets and forests which hid it from view, making it hardly observable by casual trekkers or from the air. Plaza said that when the lawmen reached the first smaller area where the prohibited plants were reportedly intercropped with upland rice, they found out that the marijuana plants were already uprooted.

They however were successful in their second raid at another bigger area when they discovered the marijuana plantation in a 2,000 square meter field. The operatives successfully uprooted 8,100 stems of fully grown Marijuana plants, estimated to amount to one million six hundred thousand pesos (P 1,600,000.00) in value when sold.

Unfortunately, nobody was around neither were anybody in sight during the uprooting of the marijuana plants.

According to Plaza, that the Marijuana harvests from the said plantation could have sufficiently supplied the drug demands, not only of the Caraga region but also of the neighboring provinces of Bukidnon, and Misamis and even as far as the Davao areas.
For now, Plaza said their next move is to determine who the tillers of the said field are and to conduct a deeper probe and to gather more evidences for the filing of appropriate charges in court.

Due to the largeness of the volume of the Marijuana haul, the bulk of the uprooted plants were burned at the plantation site after its documentation with 400 stems of uprooted marijuana were brought down by the group for evidence and laboratory examination purposes. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)


PNP Chief postpones Caraga visit; legacy run indefinitely

Police Director General Jesus A. Versoza had postponed indefinitely his scheduled visit to the Caraga region, along with the legacy transformation run and the integrated transformation forum.

This was disclosed by PCInsp. Nelly T. Villagarcia, PRO 13 chief PIO in an interview at her office this morning. Villagarcia said that the indefinite postponement of the highest PNP official’s visit to the region was announced during a command conference at the regional headquarters conference room on Monday. It was accordingly due to some upcoming major development in the PNP hierarchy which may possibly initiate changes involving the country’s police topmost position. She did not elaborate but just hinted however, that the chief PNP had been called up by the President recently “for an important meeting” regarding the matter.

She said that they are still awaiting further instructions from their higher headquarters as to when will the scheduled visit of the general in the region be pushed through. Dir. Gen. Versoza and party was supposedly scheduled to arrive here in the region today, and to lead the legacy run early morning tomorrow and conduct the integrated transformation program forum afterwards.

In another development, it was also announced by CSupt. Lino DG Calingasan during the said command conference that Police Regional Office 13 bested the other 17 regions in the country when it got the topmost place in the implementation of the gun ban and checkpoint during the May 2010 elections. Also the regional police office made it to top three in terms of delivery of quality service during the period and that it got a positive public perception of 76.82 %. In the implementation of the integrated transformation program (ITP), it also got an acceptance approval of 68.37 %.

Villagarcia also disclosed that the PNP is now all set to initiate customer/clientele service training especially in the handling of its complaint desks so that it may become more acceptable and accessible to the public. She said that local and community partnership will be emphasized also during the said training. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga) 

PIA News Service - Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Gov. Sol to lead launching of Siargao Surfing Festival in Siargao Island

By Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE (August 4) – Gov. Sol Matugas will lead the launching of this year’s Siargao Surfing Festival at Gen. Luna, Siargao Island this province.

It was learned that the event will kick-off at the Paseo de Cabuntog in Gen. Luna at exactly 4:00pm, Thursday, August 5, 2010.

Provincial Tourism Officer Ivonnie Dumadag said the event comprises various sports, cultural activities and tourism/trade fair highlighting the National Surfing Competition and the 16th International Surfing Cup come September at the renowned surfing haven, Cloud 9.

Culminating the event launching is a fellowship dinner still at the Paseo de Cabuntog with 1st District Cong. Lalo Matugas and 2nd District Cong. Jun Romarate who are also expected to grace the said event.

The island of Siargao, with its good waves and white-sand beaches, served as the venue of the series of surfing competitions in the past years of the province, which was held through the initiative of the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and the Department of Tourism. ( PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Insurgency problem leads mass evacuation in Lianga

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

SURIGO DEL SUR (August 04) - Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer May Navidad Salinas confirmed that 24 families (90 dependents or 111 individauls) of Purok 5 Upper Oregon of Brgy San Isidro, Lianga, this province was evacuated to Purok 1 also of the said barangay on July 31. 

The two separate shooting incidents happened on July 28 and July 31, following the military operation caused the residents to leave their place and took shelter in their relatives at the barangay proper, some 5 kilometers away, this was revealed by PSWDO Salinas in an interview with PIA.

In a written report released by Lianga MSDO Melita Encenso, it was learned that on July 28 at around 6:30 in the morning, a certain Rey Ranque, 29 years old known as a “Bagani” soldier was shot to death by an unidentified armed man while fetching water few meters away from Purok 5 proper. 

Another reported incident happened on July 31 at around 6 am where a certain Ritchie Enot, 24 years of age, married while doing “tuksi” or stripping abaca in his farm and wearing a headphone, alleged members of the military shot him at his back after he was not able to respond to the group when he was called.

On the other hand, Col Augusto Tolentino, Philippine Army’s 401st Brigade Commander, in a phone-patch interview with PIA confirmed the present conduct of the military operation in the area due to several harassment incidents in the past few days. The victim, Ritchie Enot, was allegedly a member of the NPA and according to the military, as of press time, the victim was kept away by his relatives. 

Meanwhile, LGU Lianga already sent four sacks of rice while Governor Johnny Pimentel thru Provincial Dsaster and Coordinating Council (PDCC) and Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) had given 10 kilos of rice per affected family, it was learned.

Lianga Mayor Sarmen, in coordination with the provincial government of Surigao del Sur had already addressed the insurgency problem in the said area. It can be recalled that on August 2009, this same people also evacuated from the said area and joined with the evacuees who were transported to Tandag Pastoral Center for same reason. (PIA Surigao del Sur)
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Cebuano News: RDCC nagpahigayon sa quiz-bowl kabahin sa climate change adaptation ug disaster risk reduction

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Ni Michael Imbo

BUTUAN CITY – Ang Regional Disaster Coordinating Council Caraga Region nagpatigayon ug “quiz bee” lambigit sa climate change adaptation ug disaster risk reduction dili palang dugay didto sa Department of Education, Function room, ni’ng dakbayan.

Sa pagsaulog sa national Disaster Conciousness Month (NDCM) gitambongan sa nagkalain-laing ahensya sa gobyerno ang kalingawan ubos sa pagdumala ni RDCC Executive Officer Dr. Blanche T. Gobenciong kinsa Caraga Regional Director sa Office of the Civil Defense.

Sumala ni Dir. Gobenciong nga pinaagi niining kalihukan lakip na ang gipahigayong “quiz-bee”, ang mga ahensya sa gobyerno ug uban pang sector makatabang sa pagpalig-on sa impormasyon ug suporta kabahin sa pagsalbar sa kinaiyahan nga ma-proteksyun kini ug pag-responde sa kalamidad.

Si Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Regional Director Ponciano Q. Joven representante ni Regional Director Dr. Gloria D. Benigno ang mihatag pod sa mensahe nga nagsentro sa sulosyon, pagdugang impormasyon ug pagpangandam sa mga hulga sa climate change.

Sa laing bahin si Ms. Grace C. Harting sa National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga Region ang nangulo sa quiz bee pinaagi sa pagtunol sa mga pangutana. Sulod sa 5 ka Segundo kinahanglan tubagon sa team ang pangutana pinaagi sa ilang gipili nga letra (A,B,C,D).

Gisaksihan ang programa isip mga hurado sa pagpanguna ni Office of the Civil Defense Caraga Regional Director Dr. Blanche T. Gobenciong, Caraga DepEd Assistant Regional Director Ponciano Joven ug NEDA-Assistant Regional Director Atty. Bonifacio Uy.

Gidugang sa taho nga ang kada ahensya adunay gitugot nga 3 ka grupo nga mo-representar sa ilang ahensya isip usa ka team.

Nasungkit sa Department of Agriculture (DA) ang first prize sa kantidad nga P5,000.00, samtang ang Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) nakakuha sa 2nd prize sa kantidad nga P3,000.00, ug sa 3rd prize nakuha sa Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) sa kantidad nga P2,000.00. 

Ang premyo gihatag niadtong Biernes (July 30) didto sa Luciana, Convention Center sa Butuan City alang sa ipahigayong Awarding ug Culmination program. (PIA-Caraga)


Soldiers dropped everything and read

36 Infantry “Valor” Battalion showed that they are a “child-friendly” military unit when they celebrated its 36th founding anniversary on 01 August 2010. The battalion spearheaded by LTC JOSE EMMANUEL MARIANO INF (GSC) PA initiated a community project which aims to focus on the children and participate in the DEP-ED’s program of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read). It is but important to take note that these children, aged 5-10 years, are in a stage where their inquisitiveness are just starting to flourish and their environment takes a vital role in this level of maturity. The unit considered it necessary to start this community service so that while these children are growing up they will have a better appreciation for the military and start to understand that they are not here to promote war but to preserve peace.

This activity will start in elementary schools near the battalion headquarters and on 02 August 2010, Gamut elementary school in brgy Gamut, Tago, Surigao del Sur was the first. Principal Levi Lagura was very supportive and appreciative in having his school as the first beneficiary. Likewise, the students, those from preschool (1 classroom), grades I (3 classrooms), II (2 classrooms) and III (2 classrooms), are very excited in having a teacher soldier in their classrooms. Their class advisers are also present to give guidance to the military when they deem it necessary since these youngsters are not quite that easy to handle without proper background and understanding. 

Other schools are also scheduled for the same community service. On 03 August 2010 elementary schools of brgy Dayo-an and brgy Tabon-Tabon are the recepients and on 04 August 2010 Falcon Memorial elementary school the central elementary school in the municipality of Tago is on deck all from Tago, Surigao del Sur. They would have the same concept like that of Gamut elementary school for preschool, grades I, II and III where the soldiers will be incorporated in their first subject which DEP-ED called DEAR (Drop Everything And Read). The soldiers will read along the children and have some question-and-answer portion. This is a new experience for both the soldiers and the students. This is a new horizon in the attainment and preservation of peace. (36IB GABATIN/PIA-Caraga)


PMA sets 2010 entrance exam requirements

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Office of the Cadet Admission will be conducting a PMA Entrance Examination at 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army Gymnasium, Camp Evangelista, PATAG, Cagayan de Oro City on 29 August 2010. 

The Cadet Admission Office requires all applicants some specific qualifications such as: he or she must be a natural born Filipino Citizen, physically fit, single and never been married; must at least 17 years old but not a day older than 22 years on 01 April of the year following the date of examination taken; a High School graduate with a grade point average of 85% or higher; and, as minimum of 5 feet 4 inches tall if male and 5 feet 2 inches tall if female. 

The PMA Cadetship Application form will be distributed nationwide and it can be downloaded to the PMA official website, http://www.pma.ph.  

All interested and qualified applicants must complete the information in the application form and subsequently attach two (2) copies of 2x2 ID picture, pencil, authenticated or NSO copy of birth certificate, and true copy of High School Form 137. 

The form shall be mailed to the Office of Cadet Admission, Philippine Military Academy, Fort del Pilar, Baguio City 2602, not later than two weeks before the scheduled examination date.

The PMA entrance examination covers Algebra and geometry, Grammar and Composition, Reading and Comprehension, Verbal and Numerical Reasoning and pattern Analysis. Examination permits are sent through mail to the address reflected by the applicants in their application forms and also can be verified at the venue during the examination. (4ID Diamond Division, PA/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, August 3, 2010

PACAP to conduct Community Forum in Surigao City

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SURIGAO CITY - The Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), on its five years of engagement in the province through the Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) will conduct a Community Forum on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at Hotel Tavern.

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The forum is anchored on the theme: “Celebrating Partnerships, Sustaining Development Initiatives.”

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PACAP Provincial Project Officer Monina G. Hernandez said the event aims to share significant practices, lessons and insights among local communities, civil society organizations and the government. Moreover, it would also serve as venue for the ceremonial turnover to the provincial government of all project gains resulting from the dynamic partnership between PACAP and the local stakeholders. Aside from the awarding of certificates, this whole-day event will also feature a photo and product exhibit.

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People’s organizations and representatives from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and government line agencies are expected to attend in the said event. It was also learned that Governor Sol F. Matugas and David Swete Kelly, PACAP Program Director will lead the turnover ceremony tomorrow.

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At present, Hernandez bared that a total of 21 community-based projects were already implemented throughout the province and three Focal Community Assistance Scheme (FOCAS) secretariat services; the Hinatuan Passage Development Alliance (HIPADA), Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), and Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) from 2005-2010 with a total grant funding of Php 81,737,563. 

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“This amount includes PACAP’s support for the four-year secretariat operations of the three clusters and the extension of HIPADA and LMDA. Of this amount, total grant funds for the barangay level projects amount to Php 67,787836.08,” Hernandez said.

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Results of the Impact Review on FOCAS projects have shown that the most significant impacts generated from the project include the increased size of marine protected areas/Increase in size of area protected/ regenerated/ conserved, enhanced capacity of the people’s organization and increase in capital used for livelihood activities.

Also, PACAP have established partnerships with the LGUs, POs and other institutions in the 64 barangays within the 20 municipalities and one city reached by the projects. A total of 71 people’s organizations had been recipients of PACAP grants and had also provided in-kind and financial counterpart. Aside from these, PACAP has engaged a total of 14 NGOs, one community-based cooperative, one academic institution, and one fisherfolk association in implementing these projects. (Susil Ragas, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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WFP welcomes support from Germany and Spain for conflict-affected people in Mindanao 

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MANILA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed contributions from Germany and Spain of 500,000 Euros (estimated 56.7 million pesos) each to jumpstart WFP operations to support conflict-affected people in Central Mindanao.

As more internally displaced people return to their homes or resettle in other communities following the ceasefire in mid-2009 and peace talks continue, WFP recently shifted its focus from emergency relief activities to programmes designed to support the early recovery of returnee communities. 

 “We are extremely grateful for the support of the German and Spanish governments,” said Mr. Asaka Nyangara, WFP Deputy Country Director and head of operations in Mindanao. “Their donations come at a very critical time of rebuilding and restoring livelihoods in Mindanao,” she said. 

In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), WFP will contribute to the continuing peace-building efforts through assistance to the most vulnerable, particularly in remote and insecure areas of Central Mindanao. 

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WFP’s Food for Work and Food for Training activities, with support from the European Union through its Food Facility programme, encourage people to become progressively more self-sufficient through the rebuilding and rehabilitation of important community assets, and developing new skills which help them support themselves. 

In addition to its return and recovery programmes, WFP also provides nutrition support to vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant and breast-feeding mothers through supplementary feeding and school meals. WFP programmes are implemented in close collaboration with the communities, local government and other local stakeholders. 

WFP returned to the Philippines in 2006 to contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Mindanao by addressing the food security of vulnerable people in conflict-affected areas. 

WFP also supports large-scale natural disaster response of the Government of the Philippines on a case-by-case basis. WFP is currently providing emergency relief and early recovery assistance for flood-affected areas in Luzon. (WFP/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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PNP Chief to lead legacy run and transformation roadmap forum in Butuan

BUTUAN CITY – The PNP is undertaking the Legacy and Transformation Forum in the various regions of the country to sustain the gains in the efforts of raising the PNP into a more credible, effective and capable police force.

PNP Chief, Police Director General Jesus Versoza will be in Butuan on August 6 -7, 2010 to lead the Legacy Run which will start at Diosdado Macapagal Bridge and ends at Police Regional Office 13.

Inspired by the success of the PNP Transformation Caravan that culminated on March 29, 2010 and the successful conduct of the 2010 National and Local elections, PNP Chief Versoza once again launched a visit to all Police Regional Offices for the Legacy Run and Transformation Roadmap 2016 Forum.

PIO Chief of Police Regional Office 13, Police Chief Inspector Nelly Villagarcia said, the activity will promote awareness of the PNP Integrated Transformation Program –Performance Governance System 2016 that serves as a blueprint for the PNP ITP-PGS Roadmap 2030.

The PNP ITP-PGS encompasses the PNP’s direction in achieving its vision by year 2030 through the PNP Transformation Roadmap 2030, making the country globally competitive by 2030.

The Legacy Run will be PNP Chief Versoza’s 3rd stage after the ITP Run and Torch Run in his journey towards genuine reform before retiring in December, 2010.

After the Legacy Run, the Chief PNP will spearhead the debriefing of police officers and all stakeholders for the success of the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections following the PNP’s launching of the campaign of Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections 2010 (HOPE 2010) at FSUU Gym at 8 o’clock in the morning of August 7.

On this occasion, PNP Chief Jesus Versoza will convey his appreciation to the academe, media, religious sector, business, youth, and NGO’s who supported the police force during the elections.

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PNP Chief Versoza led the Legacy Run in PRO 10-Cagayan de Oro City on July 30-31, 2010.

Next is Butuan, wherein, the event will continue to PRO 2-Tuguegarao on August 13-14, PRO ARMM in Parang, Maguindanao on August 20-21, PRO 4B Calapan City on August 27-28 and lastly in NCRPO in Bicutan on September 3-4, 2010. (Jocelyn E. Morano, dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Caraga)
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Cebuano News: Motorista gi-ambush, 1 patay

Ni Michael Imbo

BUTUAN CITY – Gipaulanan sa bala ang motorsiklo nga gisakyan sa magsoon human kini gi-ambush sa wala mailhing armadong grupo, sa miaging Sabado (July 31, 2010), didto sa Purok 5, Barangay Padiay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.

Sumala sa kapulisan gipusil ang biktima nga naila sa pangalan nga Leonardo Behing alyas “ANDOT”, 44 anyos, minyo ug molupyo sa Purok 6, Barangay Poblacion, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.

Samtang samaran ang igsoon niini nga naila sa pangalan nga Antonio Behing, hamtong ang pangedaron, minyo, ug molupyo sa Barangay Padiay, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur.

Sa nakuhang police report nasayran nga pasado alas 4:30 ang takna sa hapon nahitabo ang insidente samtang sakay sa motorsiklo ang mga biktima padulong sa maong lugar sa dihang kalit kining gi-atngan sa armadong grupo.

Naka-angkon sa nagkadaiyang samad sa lawas si ANDOT hinungdan sa hinanali niining kamatayon samtang tulo ka samad pinusilan sa bukton ang naangkon sa iyang igsoon kinsa gidala sa Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital, Libertad, Butuan City.

Sumala sa kapulisan nga si ANDOT Behing ang responsable sa pang-kidnap sa mga opisyales sa Department of Environment and Natural Reosurces (DENR) niadtong miaging bulan sa November 2009 didto sa Sibagat.

Gi-imbestigahan na sa Sibagat Municipal Police Station ang krimen alang sa pagsusi sa motibo sa maong hitabo. (PIA-Caraga)
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Authorities held large volume of illegal lumbers; vessel in SurSur

A joint team of police, DENR personnel and representatives from the religious sector scored on their intensified campaign against illegal logging in the region recently as it held a large volume of Magcono (Iron Wood) lumbers in various sizes, worth more than half a million pesos and was believed to be illegally acquired including the sea vessel which was supposed to ferry it to it’s destination, 9:30 P.M. on Wednesday.

Belated police reports reaching Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez from Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office cited that a team from Lianga Municpal Police Station led by Police Insp. Christian L. Rafols II, together with a team from the DENR led by Mr. Gil Calanian (DENR-Lianga), Mr. Carlito Guillen (MENRO-Lianga) and some representatives from the religious sector led by Mr. Macario Angela, while conducting operation against illegal logging has chanced upon 163 pieces of Magcono Woods (Iron Wood) lumbers in various sizes, at Sitio Davisol, Brgy. Manyayay, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on the aforementioned date. The confiscated forest products by the authorities may reach a volume per estimate of 12, 165 board feet and may be valued at P 608,250.00.

The authorities were able to trace the ownership of the lumbers to a certain Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Makalisang of Siquijor Island. They then confiscated the lumbers including the sea vessel which was supposed to ferry the forest products to its destination.

The confiscated items and the vessel were now placed under the custody of DENR Lianga for its proper disposition. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)


Armed men gunned down Manobo chieftain

Unidentified assailants armed with high caliber long firearms shot dead a Manobo chieftain and hurt his brother, 4:30 P.M. Saturday, at a hinter village of Purok 5, Brgy. Padiay, Sibagat town in Agusan del Sur.

Agusan del Sur provincial police reports reaching Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, identified the fatality as Leonardo Behing y Iligan, 44; a resident of Purok 6, Brgy. Poblacion, Sibagat town in Agusan del Sur. The same report cited that Behing was riding on board a single motorcycle in tandem with his half-brother Antonio Behing y Bantono, from Brgy. Perez heading towards Brgy. Padiay of the same town (his brother’s place) when the two suspected gunmen waylaid and fired at them.

Leonardo sustained multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body. He died on the spot, while his bother Antonio survived the ambush with three gunshot wounds on the left portion of his shoulder and his hand. He was rushed to Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital for treatment and was declared to be out of danger by his attending physicians.

The assailants fled to unknown direction after the shooting. Sibagat police investigators initially cited personal grudges to be the motive behind the killing. They however, are conducting a deeper probe on the incident and were looking at other possible angles of the tribal chieftain’s shooting.

Leonardo “Andot” Behing, it should be recalled, was also implicated on the abduction of seven regional DENR personnel at Brgy. Anticala, Butuan City on October 20 last year. The hostages were later freed unharmed through a successful joint negotiation by the church, tribal council, the DENR, the police and the military.

In a related development, the communist New Peoples Army owned the killing of Behing as their handiwork. In a press statement sent to the local media outlets signed by their spokesperson “Ka Maria Malaya” claimed that it was a team from their Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) Unit of the Front Committee 21, under their so called “Pulang Diwata Command” of the Northeastern Mindanao Revolutionary Committee (NEMRC), who allegedly were responsible for the ambush. The same statement claimed that Behing, a leader of the military-organized “Lumadnong Pakig-bisog Sa Caraga”(Indigenous People’s Struggle in Caraga Region) or (LUPACA) was in their hit list over allegations of abduction, harassment, illegal logging activities and other alleged crimes. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)

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Tubay LGU donates lot for PNP shelter program

The Philippine National Police in the region finds a generous donor to enhance their “PNP Shelter Program” which is among the various measures implemented under it’s Integrated Transformation Program (ITP), when the local government of Tubay, Agusan del Norte donated a 10,000 square meters lot (1 hectare) located at Brgy. Dona Rosario, Tubay, Agusan del Norte.

The donation was formalized in a signing of a memorandum of agreement yesterday during the Monday flag-raising ceremony between the leadership of Police Regional Office 13 represented by PCSupt. Lino DG Calingasan and the Tubay LGU represented by Mayor Sadeka Garcia-Tomaneng.

Twenty-three police personnel together with two officers, Tubay police chief PCInsp. Tex Maghanoy and Cabadbaran City police chief PCInsp. Zosimo Duarte, were made beneficiaries of the said housing program.

Mayor Garcia in her message for the occasion said that shelter program is one of her primary concern. The opportunity she, is always afforded under her administration for every Tubaynon in need, to acquire a land which her constituents can call “as their own.” This is similarly manifested according to her in the creation of barangay sites in every village as well as the development of municipal sites which were implemented to help free anyone from the yoke of tenancy and forge a sense of lovingness and pride to her town folks.

The measure taken by her administration she said is an affirmative response to a second mile call for the PNP shelter program “for we understand the need.” She continued that in behalf of her Tubaynon constituents and her local government, they with an open heart donated to the police force “a piece of their beloved hometown to hold and to nurture and later on to love and to care as their own.”

The mayor mentioned earlier that she is a firm believer of the “bayanihan” concept, where even with limited resources, each government institution be it local or national should not hesitate to offer what they can share to promote development and improve the lives of Filipinos everywhere. She emphasized that the convergence of efforts will make the challenges moore easier to handle.

Also she said that her administration never hesitated to support the regional police endeavor, to show her local governments appreciation to the PNP who made their community orderly and the lives of their town folks peaceful and calm. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)
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P101-M infrastructure projects soon to be completed in Agusan del Sur 

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PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur - Economic activities continue to spur in this landlocked province of Agusan del Sur in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) as vital infrastructure projects amounting to P101 million are set to be completed before the end of the year, public works officials reported Thursday. 

Once completed, these key infrastructure projects will connect to other provinces in the region and agricultural products and other industries will be easily transported to the market. 

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Scheduled to be completed are the ongoing construction of the Patin-ay bridge in this capital town of the province, the concreting of the Cuevas (Agusan del Sur)- Bislig City (Surigao del Sur) road, and the concreting of the Pianing-Padiay road. 

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“All these on-going projects are ahead of schedule and hitting its timeline completion,” said Agusan del Sur Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-District Engineering Office (DEO) District Engineer Jim Bernat. 

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Added to the burgeoning economic activity in the province is the completed rehabilitation/repair of the P48 million Tabon-Tabon Section and P35-million road construction/rehabilitation and repair of Tabon-Tabon Section, all of the same province. 

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Another ongoing vital infrastructure project is the construction, rehabilitation/repair of P115-million Wawa bridge in Sibagat town of this same province. 

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Meanwhile, DPWH Region 13 Regional Director Dr. Evelyn T. Barroso said all ongoing construction of presidential directives and pump priming projects are ahead of schedule and setting on its timeline of completion. 

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Director Barroso added that full economic activity in the Caraga region is already being noted following the completion of a total of P4.74 billion worth of infrastructure projects spread all over Caraga region. 

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The region’s DPWH chief also cited 216 road projects and seven bridges totaling 63.519 lineal kilometers were completed to include the five road sections of Surigao-Davao Coastal Road Project; the Dinagat Island Road Network’s San Jose, Loreto and Dinagat sections and the construction of Hawilihan-Salug-Sinakungan Road Bolo-Sinakungan section at Esperanza, Agusan Del Sur. 

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“These completed infrastructure projects already paved way to full economic development and also catered to the progress of agricultural business sectors in this part of Mindanao,” Barroso further said. (muc/PIA-Caraga)