(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 - Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Captured NPA official says military didn’t violate his human rights

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 20 (PIA) -- Tatay Julieto Pescadero Canoy, secretary and finance officer of Guerilla Front 21-B sees the military – their mortal enemy as evil, with no qualms at torturing any New People’s Army (NPA) member apprehended.

Then he was captured along with his comrades in an encounter with the 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade on April 1, 2011 at about 11:10 in the morning at Sitio Hebron, Brgy. New Tubigon, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur. He knew, they would be subjected to physical battering and all sorts of torture but to his surprise, they were fed, clothed, their needs taken cared of, instead.

When asked in a press conference on Wednesday morning, what their experiences were while in the hands of the military after they were captured, Tatay Julieto said “our human rights were respected by the military and we were not able to experience tortures and any another physical battering. Instead, they take good care of us… they gave us what we need – food, clothing, etc.”

Tatay Julieto also admitted that he did not surrender, instead, he was captured. But in spite of what happened, the government troops treated him fairly and in accordance with the law, a thing which encouraged him to call on his comrades especially those who want to return to the government side not to have second thoughts of whether or not they will surrender.

“Kami gani, nadakpan ug wala ni-surrender, apan gi-atiman man guihapon mi sa mga military. Unsa pa kaha kung mobulantaryo sila sa pagbalik sa sabakan sa atong balaod” (We were captured and we did not surrender but still, the military treated as fairly and in accordance with the law. What more if they will surrender voluntarily to the government troops), Tatay Julieto said.

Tatay Julieto has been in the revolutionary activities of NPAs for 30 years. He started as a part-time member of the group in 1981 and became full-time in September 1, 1998. He said he joined the “Organisasyong Masa” from 1995 to 1997. Tatay Julieto is still active in the group, until he was captured in April 1, 2011.

Meanwhile, Col. Rodrigo Diapana, Commanding Officer of the 402nd Infantry Brigade said the other two female captives are with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Office of the province of Agusan del Sur through PSWD Officer Josefina Bajade.

The capture of the NPA members is a result of the series of operations conducted by the 402nd Brigade in its effort to fight insurgency in Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)


Caraga health research consortium preps for 3rd anniversary

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 20 (PIA) -- To promote a dynamic health research community for the attainment of proper health in Caraga Region, officials of the Caraga Health Research and Development Consortium (CHRDC) spearheaded by the Regional Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is on its final stage of preparation on its third anniversary celebration in the region.

According to Gladys Cubal of DOST - Caraga, the two-day celebration on May 12 and 13 will feature Essay Writing Contest on the first day to be participated by students in the secondary level in both private and public schools.
Also, a forum on aligning research to local health needs will be conducted as part of the agenda setting for the consortium, as well as a workshop for the validation on health research in Caraga.

Meanwhile, Cubal said the second day which marks the third anniversary celebration will be featuring a forum or seminar on health research application. Highlighting the forum is a telemedicine where participants will be given instructions on how and what medicine to apply for the kinds of diseases or illnesses.

Cubal further said an ovicidal trap for dengue will be featured in the forum. DOST through its research center recently discovered a way in trapping mosquito through the ovicidal/larvicidal (OL) trap, the newly finished research study for application were launched in Tacloban City. It is a system used to control the population of the dengue-carrying Aedes mosquito.

The OL trap is made of pellets diluted in tap water inside a black plastic cup with an ice drop lawanit stick for mixing the substance.

The establishment of the CHRDC started last October 16, 2007. Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of the Philippine HRDC presented to the participants from academe, health institutions and line agencies involved in the implementation of health services the situation of the health status of the Filipino people and conducted a briefing on the Philippine National Health Research System and the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) and the need to establish the Regional Health Research System in the region.

Meanwhile, DOST Asst. Regional Director Dominga Mallonga, in an interview said the consortium for 2010 has conducted fora and strategic planning particularly on seminar on Health Research, Climate Change and its impact on Health, training of HERDIN Ne-ON System, Writeshop on R & D Program and Incidence of Dengue in Caraga Region, as well as the Incidence of Pneumonia in the region.

These projects has created an impact to the community specifically in mitigating climate change, health researches, and solid waste management system.

Dir. Mallonga also said CHRDC selected members were able to attend planning-workshop of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) in time with the 28th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).

“With this, the members were able to obtain additional inputs as to how a research project will be enhanced and thus, obtaining a reliable output that serves as input for the interventions of concerned agencies especially on mitigating the impact for climate change,” Mallonga said.

Mallonga further said CHRDC was able to send Dr. Fernando Herrrera, project leader of the research project entitled “Level of Information Education Campaign on Solid Waste Management and Household Practices on Solid Waste Disposal in Butuan City” to an orientation and hands-on training on software for Processing Qualitative Data.
Mallonga said, the research is already successful and result of the study will be given to the local government unit of the city of Butuan for proper action.

DOST-Caraga is the lead agency of CHRDC. (PIA-Caraga)


CAFGU ambushed, 1 Dead

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, April 20 (PIA) -- Amidst the observance of Lenten Season, the New People's Army (NPA) in Surigao del Sur continue to show violence.

On Holy Tuesday, April 19, at about 6:00 o'clock in the morning, an ambush was staged by alleged NPA rebels against four (4) members of Special Citizen's Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Armed Auxiliary (SCAA) in Km 15, Upper Tugopon, brgy. Hinapoyan, Carmen, 45 kilometers North here.

The incident took place while said members of the Security forces from 4th SCAA Company assigned in Surigao del Sur Development Corporation (SUDECOR) where on their way to provide security in the area.

As a result, SCAA Tonton Salahay, resident of Sitio Gacub, Barangay Hinapuyan died.

After the incident, according to a report from police Provincial Office (PPO), the more or less 15 attackers immediately withdrew to northwest direction.

Meanwhile, the police in Surigao del Sur tightened up its security measures for the Holy Week.

Contained in Operation Plan (OPLAN) Semana Santa issued recently, police provincial Director SSupt. Julito Diray ordered the setting up of checkpoints all in entry and exit zones of every town and cities in the province, among others. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)


MGB 13 and PENRO holds consultation with mining operators

by Rosario Roxas

DINAGAT ISLANDS, April 20 (PIA) - The Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB-13) and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Dinagat Islands initiated a consultative meeting on Tuesday, April 19 with the large and small scale mining operators and traders in the province.

The said consultation, presided by MGB-13 Regional Director Alilo Ensomo, has come up with a systematic agreement on the mitigation measures on the adverse effects brought by small scale operations and resolving issues on ore trading.

These measures include the stricter implementation on the accreditation requirements of mining operators and traders, issuance of Ore Transport Permit (OTP) either by MGB-13 or by the provincial government with actual validation by both agency representatives, regulating hydraulicking, setting up of settling ponds, silt dams and tree planting.

It was learned that small scale mining operations in the province are temporarily stopped to focus the rehabilitation efforts.

Local officials who attended the meeting include PENRO Zacarias Vales, Chairman of the Committee on Mining and Environmental Protection Board Member Eukim Ecleo, and Basilisa Vice Mayor Ceasar Borja. (PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Sec. Robredo leads groundbreaking rites of police stations in Siargao Island

by Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, April 20 (PIA) – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the two proposed Philippine National Police (PNP) police stations in Gen. Luna and Dapa towns in Siargao Island, this province on Monday, April 18, 2011.

The proposed Gen. Luna Tourist Police Station will be built near the town’s boulevard with an estimated cost amounted to P12Million.

Sec. Robredo has already pledged to fast track the release of the funds on the first week of May and he is hoping that it will be completed before the start of the international surfing competition on September.

Gov. Sol Matugas, being a native of Gen. Luna is proud of the proposed modern police facility for this is the first of its kind in the entire province.

In Dapa, 1st district Rep. Francisco Matugas revealed that the amount for the first phase of the proposed P6.5Million Dapa Standard Police Station Building near the municipal plaza has already been downloaded which amounted to P2.5Million.

According to PNP Caraga Regional Director PC/Supt. Reynaldo Rafal the construction of these new police stations are in line with the PNP-Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Governance System (PNP-ITP-PGS) funded through PNP appropriations with the support of the local government units.

The capsule-laying and groundbreaking ceremonies were also witnessed by top brass of the Philippine National Police - Caraga Regional Office, DILG family, 4ID Asst. Commander BGen. Emiliano Gupana and other local officials. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Butuan City police chief lauds troop with “Boodle Fight”

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 20 -- A boodle fight ensued recently between the officers and members of the Butuan City Police Office personnel together with other augmentation troops to mark the success of providing security to National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) delegates and other accomplishments.

PSSupt. Jose Carillo, Butuan City Police Director personally commended his troop with a boodle fight which is a usual tradition that aims to strengthen the camaraderie of the PNP personnel particularly the BCPO and the Regional Public Safety Management Battalion (RPSMB) which was utilized as an augmentation troop from the PRO 13 Headquarters.

It can be recalled that last week, around 4,000 students flocked to Butuan City to attend the DepEd-sponsored 11th NSPC Congress prompting the police to provide security to delegates. As a result, Carillo gave orders to his officers to utilize the BCPO office personnel to augment the already depleted troop his office is experiencing.

Carillo expressed his gratitude over the minimal incident reported in relation to the conduct of NSPC. He also reminded on the security preparation in the observation of the Lenten Season and the forthcoming Balangay Festival Celebration with maximum police visibility, check/chokepoint in all strategic places. He also reiterated his expression of gratitude to his troops during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony recently.

“I am giving my personal commendation to all members of the Butuan City Police Office especially those who contributed their best for the success of our mission. I also commend the Intelligence Section, Theft and Robbery Unit, and Investigation Section for the immediate solution and filing of the case of the Petron and Unicity robbery suspects which was arrested in less than 24 hours,” Carillo disclosed. (BCPO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: SPES Program 2011 sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Butuan, ilusad

ni Ritchell F. Encabo

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 20 -- Sa pagsunong sa Republic Act 7323 kalabot sa implementasyon sa programa sa Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), ang lokal nga panggamhanan sa Dakbayan sa Butuan magalusad sa SPES 2011 karong Abril 19, 2011 didto sa Balanghai Hotel, alas otso (8:00) sa buntag.

Tumong nga mahatagan kahigayonan ang mga estudyante nga makapang-empleyo atol sa summer break, matud pa sa atong Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. nga, “oportunidad kini nga ihatag sa atong panggamhanan ngadto sa atong mga kabataan nga nangandoy nga mapadayon ang ilang pagtuon taliwala sa kawad-on.”

Kaabag sa Syudad sa Butuan ang Philippine Employment Service Office (PESO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), ug Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), sugdan ang maong programa karong umaabot nga Abril 25, 2011 og gilauman nga mahuman karon Mayo 20, 201diin gitantiya nga dul-an usa ka libo (1,000) ka kabataan ang makabenpisyo niini gikan sa 86 ka barangay. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)