8 minors rescued in anti-prostitution sting in
AgSur
By Daisy Jane M. Apit
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 8 (PIA) – Eight minors were
rescued by the joint inspection team (JIT) during an anti-prostitution sting in
San Francisco, Agusan del Sur last August 24.
The JIT is composed of the representatives from
the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), Licensing Division of the local government unit (LGU), and Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
According to Maximo Magallen of DOLE-Caraga, the
minors, aged 14-17, were rescued from the six establishments namely, Yuki
Store/KTV Bar, Lina Store/KTV Bar, Jings KTV Bar, Pearl KTV, Neneths Videoke
and Ella KTV.
“The action was also a product of the joint
project of the government agencies which is called ‘Sagip Bata Manggawa.’ This
is part of our mandate and we will continue to monitor establishments not only
in the province but in the whole region as well
to mitigate the HIV spread and child prostitution,” said DOLE-Caraga
regional director Atty. Johnson G. CaΓ±ete.
CaΓ±ete added that the minors were briefed and have
undergone psychological evaluation and physical examination with DSWD and DOH,
respectively. They will also be prioritized for the livelihood and educational
assistance, he added.
Meanwhile, the mentioned establishments are now
undergoing DOLE assessment and are recommended for closure after affording them
due process, it was learned. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)
DTI releases September SRPs of basic goods
By Rodrigo R. Matabaran
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 8 (PIA) –
The Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) under the Consumer
Protection Group of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently
released the suggested retail prices (SRPs) of basic necessities and prime
commodities, as of September 1, 2015.
The newly released SRPs succeeded the July 23,
2015 SRPs, it was learned.
Almost all SRPs of basic and prime commodities
remained the same except for the P1.60 increase of Alaska Powdered Milk Drink
(150grams) from P44.15 in the July 23 SRPs to P45.75.
Major retail establishments in the city will be
provided of the latest SRPs for their information.
The SRPs will be posted at the establishments’
premises for the reading of the buying public.
Consumers interested to know more about SRPs and
other related concerns are encouraged to visit and contact the DTI-Surigao del
Norte at the 2nd Floor of Simtoco Building, Burgos Street, this city or contact
at telephone number 826-6129. (SDR/DTI-SdN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DTI releases September SRPs of basic goods
By Rodrigo R. Matabaran
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 8 (PIA) –
The Consumer Protection and Advocacy Bureau (CPAB) under the Consumer
Protection Group of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently
released the suggested retail prices (SRPs) of basic necessities and prime
commodities, as of September 1, 2015.
The newly released SRPs succeeded the July 23,
2015 SRPs, it was learned.
Almost all SRPs of basic and prime commodities
remained the same except for the P1.60 increase of Alaska Powdered Milk Drink
(150grams) from P44.15 in the July 23 SRPs to P45.75.
Major retail establishments in the city will be
provided of the latest SRPs for their information.
The SRPs will be posted at the establishments’
premises for the reading of the buying public.
Consumers interested to know more about SRPs and
other related concerns are encouraged to visit and contact the DTI-Surigao del
Norte at the 2nd Floor of Simtoco Building, Burgos Street, this city or contact
at telephone number 826-6129. (SDR/DTI-SdN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
SurSur PNP files raps vs. 3 suspects on slay of IP
school director, 2 lumads
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 8 (PIA) –
Surigao del Sur PNP Director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero said charges of
multiple murder, arson, grave coercions, robbery, and grave threats had been
filed with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office here on Monday in Lianga against
three suspects who were allegedly behind the killings of Emerito Samarca,
executive director, Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural Development
(ALCADEV); Dionel Campos, chair, Malahutayong Pakigbisug alang sa Sumusunod (Mapasu); and Aurello
Sinzo, a civilian.
Named in the charge sheets were siblings Bobby and
Loloy Tejero, Garito Layno, and 20 John Does.
Allegedly, during the early morning of September
1, Samarca’s throat was cut aside from being stabbed to death while hogtied
inside the ALCADEV school; Campos and Sinzo, on the other hand, were gunned
down in front of civilians who were gathered by armed suspects believed to be
members of “Bagani Forces,” at a basketball court in Kilometer 16, Sitio
Han-ayan, Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, 90 kilometers south, this city.
Due to the scary incident, over a thousand of
“lumads” had to flee their homes immediately afterwards and took refuge at
Surigao del Sur Sports Center here travelling en masse by public transport and
other kinds of vehicles.
However, since Day One, the number of refugees has
continued to rise, according to Abel De Guzman, PDRRMO chief.
May Salinas, provincial social welfare and
development officer, placed the number of families at 589 as of last count,
adding that the number of individuals have yet to be updated. It was posted at 2,883 as of last count, she
pointed out.
Governor Johnny Pimentel indicated the provincial
government can only give so much but this cannot last for a long time.
The national government, the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the DSWD, and Sec. Ging Deles of OPAPP have
already been tapped for support.
Meanwhile, the 402nd Infantry Brigade under Col.
Isidro Purisima, including its two battalions—the 36th and 75th Infantries, has
continued to deny involvement in whatever manner about what happened since the
incident took place.
Col. Purisima even went to the extent of
condemning the acts of the perpetrators.
In an earlier statement Purisima said, “the
army... will not condone this act and they have negated all our peace
initiatives here in the area, led of course by the governor, and they have
destroyed actually what we have started for the past months to have a peaceful
resolution of our context here in the province.”
The 402nd Infantry Brigade headquarters has just
been established in Surigao del Sur since April, this year.
Both Lt. Col. Randolph Rojas and Lt. Col. Haron
Akaz, battalion commanders of 36th IB and 75th IB, respectively, have likewise
denied allegations.
However, Lt. Col. Akaz admitted his men, together
with Corporal Bebot Bigante Brital, who belongs to the 29IB, is under their “opcon,” (short for
operational control in military parlance), was nearby in the area of the crime
scene (about 400 to 500 meters) during
the incident but could not just react after the burst of gunfire was heard,
explaining immediately going to the area might worsen the situation as this
might result to more killings since the armed men could easily take the
civilians as hostage or human shield.
He added that the army corporal, a day or two
before the incident even introduced himself to a certain Gloria Campos, one of
the Lumads distinguished leaders, to request a “pulong-pulong” (dialogue), but
was asked to put off the plan due to the death of an elder in the clan.
It can be recalled that Governor Pimentel has been
open in implicating the “Bagani Forces,” an alleged army creation also known
among locals as “Magahat-Bagani Forces” used in combating insurgency, as having
a direct hand in the murderous attack.
On the contrary, Col. Purisima maintained that the
military, especially his battalion, has nothing to do with its creation or what
not, adding that cases have already been filed by the PNP; and they support the
police with this action taken.
As of press time, both army and police forces have
remained to be in the area to hunt down rogue armed men apart from trying to
restore back peace in the said
community, it was learned. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Butuan hosts 8th Interfaith Dialogue on Climate
Change
By Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 8 (PIA) - The 8th Regional
Conference of the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change was put into
realization as the different local government agencies, non-government organizations,
academe, tribal groups and members of various religious organizations gather in
one of the convention centers here recently.
During the event, Climate Change was viewed in a
theological perspective, starting from the creation of the planet all the way
to the destruction that it faces in the future. A total of 200 individuals
participated in the said event.
The resource speakers include DENR Caraga regional
director Nonito M. Tamayo, Vineyard Butuan pastor Rev. Ian V. Calo, Climate
Change commissioner Heherson T. Alvarez, Climate Change Congress of the
Philippines secretary Belinda Formanes, Advocacy and Capacity Building program
officer Evangeline A. Evarolo, and Human Rights commissioner Roberto Cadiz.
Comm. Alvarez highlighted the importance of carbon-use
reduction in the fight against climate change.
“We should promote a greener living and lesser
carbon. In your own little way you could save the world. A very good example is
having just one pair of shoes. Imagine how much carbon is used in machines to
be able to create a shoe, if you have 20 pairs of shoes, you have already
contributed a huge amount of carbon in the atmosphere making it warmer. Let us
pledge to act now starting from ourselves. As I say, I, Heherson T. Alvarez
will only have one pair of shoes, I will no longer smoke and I will use a bicycle
instead of a car. How about you, what is your pledge?” he said.
This was supported by the message of Dir. Tamayo
who gave emphasis on the need for not just unity but self-initiative in
fighting the battle against climate change.
“It is heart-warming to know that there are a lot
of people like you who have the utmost willingness to initiate climate change
adaptation and mitigation measures. We acknowledge that when it comes to this
issue, the government cannot work alone. Indeed, we will need the help from the
religious sectors, tribal groups, academe and other organizations. With
everyone’s commitment, our success in this battle is way more possible,"
Tamayo said.
The event ended with a workshop and output
presentation. A reading and adoption of the interfaith dialogue declaration was
also executed.
The convenors of the event include the Philippine
Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), Climate Change Congress of the
Philippines (CCCP), Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), Climate
Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR). (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
