Pagadian City donate relief goods to Zamboanga City evacuees

Inner Wheel Club of Pagadian President Melanie

De Pedro, past district chair Jane Ortiz and club

secretary Lovella Luy together with the staff of

Philippine Red Cross, Zamboanga del Sur chapter

loading the relief goods for Zamboanga City

evacuees. (Photo provided)

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZamboSur (Sept. 29, 2013) – Residents of Pagadian City, Business Community, some Civil Society Organization and Rotary Club with Inner Wheel Club of Pagadian responded and joined the City Government thru Mayor Romeo “Tata” Pulmones in their campaign to help more than 100-thousand evacuees from the just concluded standoff between the government troops and MNLF in Zamboanga City.

The City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWD) tasked in receiving all donations had delivered the first batch truckload of relief goods including used clothing, mats, mosquito nets, blankets, ready to eat foods (canned goods, noodles, etc.) and mineral waters.

City SWD Officer-In-Charge Teresita Roldan

(Photo By JONG CADION)

“We are expecting to have more relief goods this week and so we will be sending another batch anytime next week. I sincerely expressed my thanks to the generous donors for their cooperation and support extended to the evacuees in Zamboanga City,” City DSWD Officer-In-Charge Teresita Roldan  said.

Civilians with no homes to return to

http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/update/2013/27-09-philippines-civilians-displaced.htm

The evacuees inside Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial

Sports Complex (Photo by ICRC)

ICRC-PRC Joint Operational Update

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - More than two weeks after the outbreak of violence in Zamboanga, 132 people have so far been killed and a further 213 wounded according to government sources. Over 118,000 civilians have fled their homes with few if any belongings. Prospects for the displaced are looking very grim.

"Our house was completely razed by fire," said Milagrosa Magalso, a 46-year-old mother of two who used to live in barangay Santa Catalina, one of the areas hardest hit by the fighting. "It's hard to accept that we'll have to start building our lives again from the ground up." With thousands of houses completely burned down and public infrastructure having suffered significant damage as a result of the fighting, many civilians will never be able to return to their homes.

"This is a devastating reality for the population of Zamboanga as a whole," said Gwendolyn Pang, secretary-general of the Philippine Red Cross. "Besides losing their homes, many people have lost their livelihoods. They will need to rebuild their lives from scratch, which will take considerable time and effort. Together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, we have to prepare for and work to respond to long-term displacement."

PNP files against 4 MNLF members for rebellion and illegal recruitment

Members of  MNLF surrendered to Tigbao PNP

(Photo by JONG CADION)

By JONG CADION

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur (September 27, 2013) -  At least 4 members of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) loyal to Misuari group are now facing charges of Violation of Article 134 and 138 of Revised Penal Code (RPC) and illegal recruitments to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office thru Prov’l Prosecutor Victoriano B. Gonzaga after the case was filed by the newly assumed Provincial Director P/SSupt. Attorney Sofronio Palana Ecaldre of the Zamboqanga del Sur Police Provincial Office Wednesday afternoon September 25, 2013.

 

Prov’l Prosecutor Victoriano Gonzaga (left)

And (center) newly assumed Police Provincial

Director Atty. P/SSupt. Sofronio Palana Ecaldre

(Photo by JONG CADION)

The filling of the case was done after the 2 recruits MNLF member voluntary surrender to the police operatives of Tigbao Municipal Police Station last week due of fear that they might be arrested after some of their companions recruited was seen in the television among those MNLF who were surrendered and arrested in their involvement in Zamboanga City Crisis.  

Police Provincial Director P/SSupt. Ecaldre identified the 2 surrenderees as Feliciano B. Canoy and Jimmy L. Morales both Christian and residents of Purok Gumahan, Barangay Limas, Tigbao Municipality, Zamboanga del Sur.  

“We are supporting the 1996 Final Peace Agreement but not in bloody solution,” Zamboanga del Sur MNLF

Exclusive video interview by Solar News

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (September 23, 2013)  – The Moro National

Ressan Dumamba, MNLF

Member (Photo by JONG CADION)

Liberation Front (MNLF) in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur are still supporting the September 1996 Final Peace Agreement but not in bloody solution like what they did in Zamboanga City.

The statement was agreed during their meeting participated by the majority leaders of the MNLF in Western Mindanao held in Pagadian City recently as their unified support of the statement of their comrades in Central and Northern Mindanao Region.   

During the meeting, a resolution was approved requesting both parties from the Government Armed Forces and MNLF Commander Habier Malik to stop the war and sit down to review the Final Peace Agreement in the Tripartite Committee. 

The said resolution will be submitted also to the peace forum tomorrow in Davao City for their unified stand to the OIC to be included in the agenda in the Tripartite Committee meeting.  

ON MNLF STANDOFF: ZAMBOANGA BLEEDING

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Philippines: No respite for civilians in Zamboanga

The sports complex turn into evacuation center in

Zamboanga City (This photo was grabbed from

Facebook of PIARegion 9)

GENEVAL, MANILA (ICRC press@icrc.org http://www.icrc.org ) – Increasing numbers of people are fleeing their homes amid ongoing clashes in Zamboanga city, on Mindanao Island, generating more humanitarian needs. Together with the Philippine Red Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is stepping up its response.

“A significant number of civilians have been injured or killed, while an unknown but substantial number of houses have been burnt. This is of clear concern for us and will make it all the harder for normal life to resume,” said Pascal Mauchle, the head of the ICRC’s delegation in the Philippines. “We have reiterated, in our dialogue with both sides involved in the fighting, the obligation to take the necessary precautions to spare civilians and their property.”

On World Mercury-Free Dentistry Week Phase-out Mercury use in Dentistry Now!: Green and safer alternatives exist

By Angelica Pago
(63) 915-9260371/angelica@bantoxics.org

QUEZON CITY, Philippines - “Patients have the right to know what’s being put inside their mouths.”

Marie Marciano, Chief Operations Officer of BAN Toxics! (BT) said as the group expresses solidarity for the celebration of the International Mercury-Free Dentistry Week on September 15-21, 2013.

“Silver fillings should correctly be called mercury fillings, as there’s more mercury in these fillings than silver.”

Marciano said that the use of mercury has been popular in the past only because alternatives are few and information was insufficient.

Although there is now a ban on using mercury and mercury-containing equipment and products in health care facilities in the Philippines through Department of Health’s Administrative Order 21, mercury in the dental sector, particularly dental amalgam, is not clearly mentioned.

An amalgam is used for dental fillings and is composed of 50% mercury, together with other metals such as copper, tin, silver and zinc. It is the greatest source of mercury in humans who have it.

“When we realize the environmental and health hazards caused by mercury, I am sure that we will opt to use mercury-free alternatives,” Marciano added.

Interfaith in Pagadian City Condemns Zamboanga City Crisis

http://frontlinemindanaobalita.blogspot.com/2013/09/interfaith-in-pagadian-city-condemns.html?view=magazine

Convenors of Interfaith during their regular

monthly meeting. From right Pastor Dado

Marquez, Sultan Maguid Maruhom and beside

PNP representative is Fr. Felix Tigoy.   

(Photo by Jong Cadion)

JONG CADION

Online Editor

Pagadian Frontline News

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (September 19, 2013) – The Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace (IFSP), a movement of religious and civil society leaders of Christians, Muslims and Subanens in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur not only abhors this bloodshed in Zamboanga City but strongly condemns the acts of individuals and groups that had caused this tragic event to happen, this is their official statement issued yesterday after their emergency meeting on Monday September 16, 2013.

The official statement signed by the convenors Rev. Pastor Diosdado Marquez from the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP), Sultan Maguid Maruhom from the Ummah Fi Salam Moro Convenor, Timuay Joe Macarial Subanon Convenor, Rev. Fr. Felix Tigoy from the Roman Catholic and Head Convenor Bishop Emmanuel Cabajar, C.Ss.R.

PhilHealth ID and MDR distribution to 8K BERT members

BERT members showing their MDR (Photo by Jong Cadion)

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (September 17, 2013) – Almost 8,000 members of newly organized Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT) had received their PhilHealth Identification Card and Member Data Record today during their First BERT Congress in line with the celebration activities of 61^st Founding Anniversary of Zamboanga del Sur.

The PhilHealth ID cards and the MDR for BERT Members were officially turned over to the 27 LGUs by the DOH Secretary Enrique Ona assisted by Gov. Tony Cerilles and Congressman Victor Yu of the 1^st District and Congresswoman Aurora Enerio Cerilles of the 2^nd District of Zamboanga del Sur.

The government’s aim is every Filipino citizen must avail health services through PhilHealth membership before 2020, DOH Secretary Ona said. 

DOH Sec. Ona graces the 61st Founding Anniversary of Zamboanga del Sur today with tight security

Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona at the

back stage of Dao Grand Stand before the program

started during the 61^st Founding Anniversary of

Zamboanga del Sur. (Photo by JONG CADION)      

By JONG CADION

Gov. Tony Cerilles

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (September 18, 2013) – The Police and Military authorities tightened the security yesterday due to the ongoing atrocities in Zamboanga City following the celebration of 61^st Founding Anniversary of Zamboanga del Sur with Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona as the guest of honor.

The 61^st Founding Anniversary Celebration activities were opened on Friday September 13, 2013 at the Provincial Government Center inside Dao Sports Complex with sportsfest competition from the different departments of the local government units (LGUs).

 

BERT Contingents from Dumingag town headed by

Mayor Nacianceno “Jun” Pacalioga Jr.

(Photo by Jong Cadion)

Participating BERT contingents coming from 27 LGUs

of Zamboanga del Sur during the the 61^st Founding

Anniversary parade along PL Urro Avenue, Pagadian

City (Photo by Jong Cadion)

Early morning today at about 8:00 o’clock a parade started from the City Plaza Luz going around the major city roads of Pagadian participated by the newly organized Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT) coming from the 26 municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur headed by the Municipal Mayors as Chairman of the Municipal Peace and Order Council. The contingents proceeded to Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Government Center in Dao Sports Complex for program proper.

ARMM says 7,500 food packs for Zamboanga on standby

At the Evacuation Center. Photos grab from PIA-9 FB

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Some 7,500 food packs are ready for transport to Zamboanga City, a top official of the Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) here said.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia said the food packs are currently with the region’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) office awaiting go signal from Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman for delivery.

“The food packs are on standby pending orders from the governor,” Alamia said.

DSWD-ARMM Secretary Pombaen Kader said an additional 1,500 other food packs are currently being readied by her office staff should the need for its distribution may arise.

Early this week, the ARMM has sent an initial 2,000 food packs to Zamboanga, which have been distributed to various evacuation centers in the area.

The Zamboanga Standoff (The Sabah look-alike version)

MG520 on Aerial survey over Zamboanga City

Photo by Richel V. Umel

By MR. BOBBY BENITO

Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, Inc. (CBCS)

09266421280

bc.justpeace@gmail.com

COTABATO CITY (September 14, 2013) - What happened (is happening) in Zamboanga city is similar to what happened in Sabah months ago. The Zamboanga siege could not have happened had the venue for peaceful talks was used. The Tripartite Review is the peaceful venue for the MNLF and the GPH to “justly and rightly” conclude the 1996 FPA.

This could have prevented the Zamboanga incidence that had claimed several lives including those of the innocent civilians and destructions of properties.

The Sabah crises had taken its tolls to the civilians who had been untimely sent back home leaving their “better” lives in Sabah. I hope the Zamboanga crises will not deepen prejudices and discrimination between the Christians and Muslims in the city. The downside of violence and wars had always been, deaths, displacement, destruction, deepening of prejudices and refreshing wounds of discrimination and hatred.

ZamboSur BM and Pagadian Ex-Mayor Pajares declares dead; Witnesses statement confirm committed Suicide

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur September 14, 2013) – Pagadian City ex-Mayor and now number one Board Member Joaquin “Joy” Gloria Pajares declared dead at about 4:24 pm September 13, 2013 by his attending Physician 4 days after staying at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Joy Pajares on 4 days comatose at the Pagadian City Medical Center after his brain was partially hit by the bullet of caliber 38 revolver. His physician successfully extracted the bullet from his head during the operation Wednesday and is under observation in the ICU but he died due to his decisive condition, the reliable sources said.  

At least 4 witnesses who collaborated their statement that Pagadian City ex-Mayor and now number one Board Member committed suicide by firing a gun to his head in front of his parent’s tomb on September 10, 2013 at 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. What a coincidence, September 10 is the International Suicidal Day. 

MANIFESTO AGAINST ALL KINDS OF PORK

MANILA, Philippines - Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) had issue a manifesto on September 9, 2013 against all kinds of Pork.

The AIJC condemns in the strongest terms the pork barrel and the corruption that it has bred, whether in the legislative or the executive branch of government.

In the pursuit of truth and justice, we express our outrage over an evil system that wantonly assigns huge lump sums of the people’s money and scandalously allows these sums to be used without accountability or transparency.

We make known our indignation over the betrayal committed by those stewards of the people’s funds who have callously and wrongfully enriched themselves, their families and their cohorts through their privileged access to the pork barrel.

INTERFAITH FORUM IN ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR SUPPORT TOTAL ABOLITION OF PORK BARREL

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (September 11, 2013) – A big rally will be held today September 11. 2013 at 1:00 to 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon along corner F.S. Pajares and Rizal Avenue in front of the City Commercial Center (C3).

This “March and Prayer Rally” is in solidarity to support with the EDSA TAYO action to demand for the Total Abolition of the PORK BARREL SYSTEM, said Rev. Diosdado Marquez from United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) one of the Convenor of Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

It was learned during the final meeting yesterday, the event will be led by the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace. It will begin with a march from the City Plaza Luz and end with a program at the heart of the city, in front of C3 Mall.

American and British National Found dead in separate places in Southern Philippines

http://frontlinemindanaopolicereport.blogspot.com/2013/09/american-and-british-national-found.html?view=magazine

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (September 7, 2013) – Reports reaching Police Regional Office said, two foreign nationals found dead in separate places in the afternoon on September 5, 2013 here in Zamboanga Peninsula, Southern Philippines.

A dead body of American National was reportedly found by the concern citizen at the vacant lot of Purok Makabibihag, Balangasan District Pagadian City at about 6:45 in the afternoon on September 5, 2013. While the British National found dead hanging with electrical cord inside his residence at Sitio Taguikon, Barangay Binuangan, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte at 4:45 in the afternoon of the same day.  

Untimely explosion of IED kill the suspect

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (September 4, 2013) – The untimely explosion of one of the two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was behind the death of the unidentified person believed to be a suspected bomber Tuesday at 7:30 in the evening on September 3 along the national highway at Barangay Tapodoc, Labangan town in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Newly assumed Municipal Police Station Commander Police Senior Inspector Lee Eric Humpa told Pagadian FRONTLINE that the man’s dead body was recovered headless beside the rice field by the maintenance crew of the Underground Technology Incorporated at about 1:30 dawn of September 4. The body was thrown-away some 15 meters from the bomb explosion. 
http://frontlinemindanaobalita.blogspot.com/2013/09/untimely-explosion-of-ied-kill-suspect.html?view=magazine

The suspected bomber dead body found headless and

armless some 15 meters away from the explosion area

(Photo by JONG CADION)

Police initial investigation disclosed, the IED had untimely exploded while planted by the suspect due to the darkness in the area caused by 4 hours routine brownout started at 6:00 o’clock pm until 10:00 o’clock in the evening. The dead body sustained multiple wounds whose arm and head was blasted and was wearing black shirt and pants color black and green combination. 

“We are surprised sir by the big explosion occurred some 30 meters west from our detachment,” the Soldier on duty located at the junction going to the cities of Cotabato and Iligan also said.

http://frontlinemindanaobalita.blogspot.com/2013/09/untimely-explosion-of-ied-kill-suspect.html?view=magazine

The police operatives still guarded the explosion area,

some 30 meters east from the junction going to the Cities

of Iligan and Cotabato where the Army Detachment

located. (Photo by Jong Cadion)

CIVILIANS SURRENDER THEIR FIREARMS; DENOUNCE NPA ATROCITIES

COL APOLINARIO Y ALOBBA INF (GSC) PA, the

Commander of 101^st Infantry Brigade deliver his

Message During the peace rally (Photo Provided)

By JONG CADION

BONIFACIO, Misamis Occidental – Approximately 600 civilian-participants composed of different sectors from the 12 Barangays of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental conducted peace rally recently at the municipal grounds with the theme “Pagtimbayayong, Pagtinabangay ug Pagpakabana… Yawi sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan” (Unite, Help One Another and Give Concern ….Key for Peace and Development). The peace rally aimed to highlight the people’s quest of peace and abhorrence of violence and war.

COL APOLINARIO Y ALOBBA INF (GSC) PA, Commander,

101^st Brigade, 1ID PA and LTC ROMMEL B ALMARIA INF

(GSC) PA, Commanding Officer, 55IB, 1ID PA inspected

the total of 112 assorted firearms surrendered by the

civilians to the Bayanihan Team operators of 55IB.

(Photo Provided)

COL APOLINARIO Y ALOBBA INF (GSC) PA, Commander,

101^st Brigade, 1ID PA and LTC ROMMEL B ALMARIA INF

(GSC) PA, Commanding Officer, 55IB, 1ID PA inspected

the total of 112 assorted firearms surrendered by the

civilians to the Bayanihan Team operators of 55IB.

(Photo Provided)

Col Apolinario Y Alobba, INF (GSC) PA, Commander, 101^st Brigade, 1ID PA and LTC Rommel B Almaria INF (GSC) PA, Commanding Officer, 55IB, 1ID PA also inspected the total of 112 assorted home-made low-powered firearms surrendered by the civilians from the 12 Barangays of Bonifacio, Missamis Occidental to the Bayanihan Team operators of 55IB.