SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 23 -- Caraga-based mining firms
spent P97.3 million for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) assistance in
response to the government’s call for collective action to fight the pandemic.
Pursuant to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, member companies of the
Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) mobilized their assets to secure
food items, medical supplies, equipment, and other essential supplies for the
benefit of the communities affected by the community quarantine imposed to
prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
Taganito Mining Corporation and Taganito HPAL Nickel allotted P58.7
million and served over 157,000 families and 6,000 households in Claver,
Surigao del Norte. They provided relief goods, medicines, personal protective
equipment (PPE), medical equipment, disinfectants, medical facilities and
services.
The Platinum Group Metals Corporation, for its part, provided relief
goods, medical supplies, and financial assistance, as well as conducted
disinfection measures, all of which amounted to P11.28 million for the 21
municipalities in Surigao del Norte.
Also, the Marcventures Mining and Development Corporation used P7.11
million from its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) fund to
support the host, neighboring, and non-impact barangays in Carrascal, Cantilan
and Madrid in Surigao del Sur. The company distributed relief goods, food
packs, vitamins, financial assistance, and seeds to encourage backyard
gardening in the communities.
More than 9,000 families in Tagana-an, Surigao del Norte have also benefitted
from Hinatuan Mining Corporation’s SDMP fund. The mining firm spent P5.56
million in relief assistance by providing relief goods and medical supplies.
The Municipality of Cagdianao and seven other municipalities in Dinagat
Islands received much-needed assistance through Cagdianao Mining Corporation
(CMC). CMC allotted P4.16 million to provide relief goods, food packs,
transportation assistance, disinfectants and medical equipment for the
communities.
Carrascal Nickel Corporation utilized Php3.93 million in support to 13
host and neighboring barangays in Carrascal. Families and frontliners received
relief goods, food packs, medical equipment and PPE. Likewise, CTP Construction
and Mining Development Corporation spent P1.33 million on relief goods, financial
assistance, PPE, vitamins, disinfectants, medical equipment to assist the
community in the area.
It also sourced majority of its fresh vegetable requirements from
farmers and other goods from local establishments to provide relief to more
than 10,000 families. The group’s joint relief efforts have reached some 46
barangays consisting of its primary and secondary communities.
Meanwhile, Pacific Nickel Philippines, Inc. allotted P1.80 million for
15 barangays in Surigao City and Dinagat Islands.
The SDMP is a five-year budgeted plan for development programs in mining
communities, which the Mines and Geosciences Bureau has allowed to be realigned
during this pandemic. (Chamber of Mines of the Philippines/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
Cops
seized over P6-M hot logs in Caraga
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 23 -- A total of 150,242.88 board
feet of lumber and logs valued at P6,006,624.78 were confiscated by the
Philippine National Police – Caraga (PNP-Caraga) on its intensified campaign
against illegal logging from January 1, 2020 to present across the
region.
This is the result after the conduct of 206 anti-illegal logging
operations wherein 158 persons were also arrested for the said period.
An estimated volume of 250 board feet of Lauan lumber valued at P6,250
and one black Euro motorcycle were confiscated during the recent checkpoint
operation conducted by joint PNP personnel of Tandag City Police Station,
Surigao Del Sur Police Provincial Office and 2nd Surigao del Sur Provincial
Mobile Force Company in a provincial road of Purok Pluto, Barangay Telaje,
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. Suspect was identified as Neil Cubero Estrada, 31
years old and a resident of Purok Cabugan, Barangay Bag-ong Lungsod, Tandag
City, Surigao del Sur.
Meanwhile, police operatives from Dapa Municipal Police Station also
confiscated Lauan lumbers with a total volume of 120 board feet worth P4,000 in
Barangay 2, Poblacion, Dapa, Surigao del Norte and arrested Joseph Plaza
Tolibas, 31, and Anthony Convicto Porpayas, 23, both residents of Pangi,
OsmeΓ±a, Dapa, Surigao del Norte.
PBGen. Joselito T. Esquivel Jr, regional director of PNP-Caraga, stated
that aside from war against drugs and other criminal activities, Caraga police
are also focused on combating all forms of violations such as illegal logging
as part of PNP’s “LOI Sangyaman” that ensures the protection and preservation
of the environment and natural resources. (PNP-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
8 individuals
arrested for illegal fishing in Surigao Norte
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 23 -- The persistent anti-illegal
fishing operations of Caraga police resulted in the arrest of eight violators
and confiscation of illegal fishing paraphernalia in the seawaters of Surigao
del Norte and Dinagat Islands on June 20, 2020.
The police personnel of Sta. Monica Municipal Police Station conducted a
seaborne patrol in the vicinity of Brgy. Tangbo that resulted in the arrest of
Ronnie Ortojan, Manuel Dumagtoy, Jeffrey Socuano and Wencil Camingue who were
all caught in the act of using fishing gear locally known as “boso.”
Confiscated from them were pump boat and illegal fishing paraphernalia.
Meanwhile, Libjo Municipal Police Station immediately responded to a
report about an ongoing illegal fishing activity in the seawaters of Brgy.
Plaridel, Libjo, Dinagat Islands. Suspects were also caught in the act using
”boso.” Arrested persons were identified as Marlo D. Traya, Carlito A.
Pasulion, Arthuro S. Pamalaran, and Joseph V. Ebano.
Confiscated also from their possession were pump boat, compressor tank,
two pairs of improvised flippers locally known as “kapay/yapak,” two pieces of
spear gun (pana), and a long rubber tube more or less 45 meters.
Police Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr, regional director of
Philippine National Police - Caraga (PNP-Caraga) urged the fishers to adhere to
the provisions of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and all local
ordinances protecting the marine life.
“These anti-illegal fishing operations are part of our implementation of
PNP Master Plan “Sangyaman” that aims to help protect and preserve our
environment, cultural properties, and natural resources,” said BGen. Esquivel.
(PNP-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Over 800 terrorist
group leaders, members neutralized by PNP-13
BUTUAN CITY, June 23 -- Police Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel,
Jr, regional director of the Philippine National Police – Caraga (PNP-Caraga)
reported that since his assumption to office as the head of the agency on
September 2019 until June 20, an overwhelming 869 leaders and members of
Communist Terrorists Group (CTG) have been successfully neutralized by PNP
Caraga in line with PNP's fight against insurgency in the region.
Of the 869, 67 were arrested, 12 died during police operation, five were
captured and 786 were surrenderers who are categorized as active members,
Militia ng Bayan (MB) and Underground Mass Organization (UGMO) members.
The massive surrender of CTG leaders and their members are attributed to
the combined focused military operations, intelligence efforts, civil-military
operation, reintegration efforts and peace and development programs of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PNP, and local government units (LGUs).
PNP Caraga is expecting more surrenderers in the coming days as former
rebels and supporters expressed discontent under the Communist Party of the
Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) movement.
Statements coming from the former rebels revealed that they were
deceived with the false promises of their leaders and the pattern of deception
being done by the NPA terrorists.
Surrenderers are from the following NPA underground affiliates:
Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda; Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad; Yunit
Milisyang Bayan; Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, Grupong
Tig-Ugnayan sa Baryo, Grupong Tig-organisa ng Bayan, Komiteng Tig-organisa ng
Bayan and other Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National
Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) or CNN organization.
“Government's Executive Order No. 70 or the whole-of-nation approach in
ending local communist armed conflict in the country has been significantly
contributory to the surrender of terrorist group members and supporters. Sooner
we will attain inclusive peace and development for the country and our people,”
said BGen. Esquivel.
PNP Caraga is currently conducting routine interviews to the
surrenderers for processing of their eligibility in order to avail of the
government’s assistance for former rebels under the Enhanced Comprehensive
Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG). (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
