DOTC Caraga ready for Oplan Semana Santa
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 19 (PIA) -- The Department of
Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Caraga Region is heightening security
in all seaports, airports, and bus terminals starting March 25 up to April 1,
an official said.
According to DOTC chief of operations, Engr.
Eugene Rula, to have a meaningful and to ensure a safe celebration of the
“Semana Santa” or Holy Week 2013, their office will again activate its “Oplan
Semana Santa” helpdesk in all public places in the region.
Rula said, their office will deploy law
enforces, inspectors, and personnel to different terminals of public utility
buses, vans, jeepneys, and other public places to assist passengers, inspect
franchises and road worthiness of vehicles traveling to different locations of
the region.
The Oplan Semana Santa helpdesk will be
activated from 8 a.m. up to 5 p.m.
Rula also said that prior to the activation of
the helpdesk, their office will conduct seminars to drivers and operators of
buses, vans, and jeepneys on Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21 in Butuan
City.
Rula also called and warned the public to be
vigilant when riding vehicles and going to crowded public places especially
that shoplifters/hold uppers are active during this time.
Their office also coordinated with different
motor pools like that of the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority, Department of Health, Philippine Red Cross, and local government
units to ensure and have an assurance that any untoward road incidents will be
given immediate actions by the concerned units. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Troops clash with rebels, NPA camp seized
By PO1 Ryan C. Cagula
VERUELA, Agusan del Sur, Mar. 19 (PIA) -- Combat
forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga region overran a camp of
the New People’s Army (NPA) following an encounter with the
communist-terrorists in the wake of insurgency operation at the vicinity of
Sitio Kawalian, Brgy. Sta. Emelia here on Saturday at 4:45 p.m.
One section of 133rd Regional Public Safety
Company led by PInsp Alvin T. Caballes encountered unknown number of rebels
under Guerilla Front 3 of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee that resulted in
25-minute firefight.
Leftists withdrew to southeast portion. No
reported casualty on the government side but still undetermined on the part of
adversaries.
Police seized food supplies, subversive documents,
uniforms and medicine kits in a camp abandoned by the NPA.
Nearby police stations were conducting
checkpoints to intercept the rebels while intelligence monitoring has been
intensified to track down their movements. (NCLM/PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
