Pagadian, Dapitan sponsor New Year’s fireworks display

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 31 (PNA) -– The cities of Pagadian and Dapitan are sponsoring fireworks and dancing fountain displays Tuesday night to welcome the year 2014.

In this city, Mayor Romeo Pulmones said the fireworks and dancing fountain displays will be preceded by a Holy Mass sponsored by the city government at 9 p.m. at the San Jose Parish Church, which is just beside the City Plaza Luz.

Entrance at the Plaza Luz (Photo by JONG CADION)

The Plaza Luz will also be the venue of the fireworks display aside from the dancing fountain display.

Pulmones said local police chief Supt. Glenn Dulawan has readied security measures to ensure the safety of the public while enjoying the merry making activities in welcoming the New Year.

DOLE gains more support for SPES implementation in Zambo Sur

By Hirohito D. Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 31 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) is gaining more support from the Local Government Units (LGUs) as well as from the business community in this province.

“As of Dec. 30, this year, the pledges for 2014 had already reached to P 7.8 million compared to P 7.1 million of this year,” DOLE Provincial Officer Lourdes Amores told the Philippines News Agency.

“There are still 11 businessmen scheduled to submit their pledges in January next year,” Amores added. 

Dapitan City Celebrates Hudyaka sa Pag-Handuraw

The 7th year celebration of Hudyaka sa Pag-Handuraw

(Recalling of the joyous past) in Dapitan City

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 31 (PNA) -- The 7th year celebration of Handuraw (Reminiscing) in Dapitan City ended Monday.

On December 28–30, 2006, the city government of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte, held the first Handuraw Festival in part as culmination of the 110th death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in 2006. The festival was held every year to promote Dapitan and Jose Rizal's work. Dapitan was also the last stop of the touring exhibition, "Rizal-Blumentritt" of which the Czech Embassy promoted the role of Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt in Rizal's life. The three-day festival would always feature a number of activities and competitions which pertains to Rizal's versatility as a person.

But this year, the city government held Handuraw in Barangay Ilaya, Dapitan City in affirmation of Ilaya's role in the history of Dapitan City. Handuraw would not only give credence to Dr. Jose Rizal but to all the prominent personalities way back in the 1500's when Dapitan can already be seen in the Philippine map. It will going to be a much more joyous event where the academe, athletes, historians and the likes converge, City Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong said.

Pagadian police force strengthen security measures

Pagadian City Police Station (Photo by JONG CADION)

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 27 (PNA)--The local police have strengthened the security measures in a bid to curb criminality in this city.

This came about after cases of shooting incidents have occurred on Christmas Day wherein three people were hospitalized.

Local police commander Supt. Glenn Dulawan said Friday the strengthening of security measures is to ensure safety of the public this coming New Year’s Day celebration.

Dulawan disclosed there will be random checkpoint aside from police visibility. They will be backed by soldiers from the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion.

Pagadian City releases social pension for the elderly

The local government through the City Social

Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has

released the last quarter social pension to the

388 senior citizens in this city.

(Photo by JONG CADION)

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 27 (PNA) -– The local government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has released the last quarter social pension to the 388 senior citizens in this city.

Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) head Emeteria Arbitrario said Friday the senior citizen-beneficiaries have received Thursday their social pension at P1,500 each.

Arbitrario said the P500 monthly social pension given to the senior citizens is mandated under the Republic Act 9994 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Dole 2014 livelihood program budget for ZamboSur in creases

DOLE-Zamboanga del Sur Chief Lourdes B. Amores

(Photo by JONG CADION) 

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (Frontline News Dec. 27, 2013) – The Department of Labor and Employment 2014 budget for Zamboanga del Sur increased especially on the DOLE-Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).

DOLE-Zamboanga del Sur Chief Lourdes B. Amores told PNA the increase of budget is beneficial to those who would like to avail the DILP for group livelihood projects or individual livelihood.

DILP 2014 budget had increased to 4.9 million pesos from 2.4 million pesos in 2013.

The budget for Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) had also increased to 8.4 million pesos from 7.9 million in 2013, DOLE Chief Amores disclosed. 

Selected volunteers from disaster-prone areas graduated First Aid Course

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has trained 40 selected

community volunteers from four disaster-prone

barangays in this city on Comprehensive First Aid.

(Photo by JONG CADION)

Volunteer Nurdaya Sakili performing CPR

(Photo by JONG CADION)

BY JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (Frontline News, Dec 26, 2013) – At least 40 selected community volunteers from 4 coastal barangays in Pagadian City had graduated in a 3-day Comprehensive First Aid Training recently.

The Training was conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross Training team, Pagadian City Chapter facilitated by Ummah Fi Salam (UFS), a Muslim Civil Society Organization (CSO) based in Pagadian City.

Around 40 people from the four coastal communities and 5 from UFS Disaster Risk Response (DRR) Team are selected to participate in the training. 

Christmas Eve fire injures 2 persons; destroys boarding house

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 25 (PNA) -– Two people were injured and an estimated P100,000 worth of property was destroyed in a 30-minute fire here on Christmas Eve. 

City Fire Marshall Senior Insp. Reggy Olmedo said the fire broke out at around 11:50 p.m. Tuesday along Jamisola Street Extension in Barangay Sta. Lucia, this city.

Zambo Sur provincial police head leads firearms muzzles sealing

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 24 (PNA) -– Provincial police director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre spearheaded Tuesday the simultaneous sealing of the muzzles of firearms of police in this province.

Ecaldre said the sealing of the muzzle of the gun is neither a form of restriction on the use of the firearm nor a sign of distrust on the part of the commanders but a show of commitment and resolve against indiscriminate firing during Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

The police have recorded one fatality of stray bullet during the 2013 New Year’s revelry in this city.

Dapitan City mayor plans a yearly ‘Pasko sa Nayon’

PAGADIAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PNA) -–Mayor Rosalinda Jalosjos of Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, is eyeing to make the “Pasko sa Nayon” as a permanent activity every Christmas Season.

The “Pasko sa Nayon” is the giving of free snacks to churchgoers after attending “Simbang Gabi”- an early morning mass.

Monsigñor Jun Villamil said Jalosjos’ plan came after the latter has observed that the activity has added color to the “Simbang Gabi” and has become the attraction especially to the children.

The free snacks is given by the Dapitan City government through the City Tourism Office.

Slain Zambo Sur mayor, wife, nephew buried in hometown

Photo courtesy by Leah Agonoy

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Saturday/Dec. 23, 2013) - Mayor Ukol Talumpa of Labangan town, his wife Lea, and nephew Saripudin, were buried Saturday morning in his hometown of Labangan, this province.

Photo by JONG CADION

Photo by JONG CADION

Moro Civil Society Organization head Ibrahim Balimbingan said the remains of the three arrived in this city around 6 a.m. aboard a C-130 military cargo plane from Manila and were immediately transported to his residence in Labangan municipality.

Balimbingan is a third degree cousin of the slain mayor.

Police, military assure they are in control of Zambo Sur town’s peace and order

Police and military officials of Zzmboanga del Sur

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 23 (PNA) -– Police and military authorities have assured the residents of the nearby town of Labangan that they are in control of the situation in the area.

The assurance were made by provincial police director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre and Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Victor Tanggawohn as tension has gone high after the death of the town mayor of Labangan.

The tension was brought about by the attack of unidentified gunmen around 10 p.m. Friday on the residence of former Mayor Wilson Nandang in Barangay Dalapang, Labangan town.

ANNUAL ROUND-UP: 71 journalists were killed in 2013

ENG : http://en.rsf.org/71-journalists-were-killed-in-2013-18-12-2013,45634.html

FRA : http://fr.rsf.org/71-journalistes-ont-ete-tues-en-18-12-2013,45633.html

By Reporters Without Borders

2013 in numbers
Journalists killed: 71 (-20%)
Journalists arrested: 826 (-6%)
Journalists threatened or physically attacked: 2160 (+9%)
Journalists kidnapped: 87 (+129%)
Journalists who fled their country: 77 (+5%)
Media assistants killed: 6
Netizens and citizen-journalists killed: 39 (-17%)
Bloggers and netizens arrested: 127 (-12%)

Journalists killed:
39% in a war zone
8% freelance
4% women journalists

Media types
Print: 37%
Radio: 30%
TV: 30%
Website: 3%

178 journalists in prison (on 16 December 2013)

The annual toll of journalists killed in connection with their work was again very high in 2013, although this year’s number, 71, was a slight fall (-20%) on last year’s, according to the latest round-up of freedom of information violations that Reporters Without Borders issues every year.

There was also a big increase (+129%) in abductions and the overall level of violations affecting news providers continued to be very high.

Airport attack leaves mayor, 3 others dead

http://www.solarnews.ph/news/metro/2013/12/21/airport-attack-leaves-mayor-3-others-dead#.UrgWc_s-eWM

Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

By Triciah Terada, Kimberly Go, and Jong Cadion

MANAILA, PHILIPPINES (SOLAR NEWS Friday December 20, 2013) - A gun attack left four people dead and five injured at Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at past 11 am Friday.

A witness says the attack came out of nowhere.

NAIA General Manager Jose Honrado says Mayor Ukol Talumpa of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, his wife, Leah Talumpa, and his nephew Salipudin Talumpa died before reaching the hospital.

An 18-month old boy, Philip Estuesta was also killed.

Move to protect Mount Pinukis in Zambo Sur gains support

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 10 (PNA) -– The protection of Mount Pinukis has gained support with the signing of a covenant by concerned stakeholders during the “Panaw-Senati uban sa Kabuhatan” (Walk-experience of Creation) Tuesday in Barangay Lison Valley, this city. 

The signatories are representatives from the Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace; Civil Society Organizations (CSO); Local Government Units; National Government Agencies; police, military; and, other environmental groups that supports the move to protect Mount Pinukis. 

Chinese national arrested in Zambo Sibugay for illegal sale of firecrackers

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Wednesday/Dec. 18) -– The police here on Wednesday arrested a Chinese national in an entrapment and confiscated some P.5 million worth of illegally-sold firecrackers and pyrotechnic products in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca, chief of the regional Firearms, Explosives, Security Agency and Guards Section (FESAGS), said the entrapment operation was carried out around 6 p.m. Tuesday at 168 Mega Commercial in Barangay Poblacion, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Zamboanga Sibugay Police Director Senior Supt. Robert Bahian identified the arrested suspect as a certain “Si Bahya Chang,” a Chinese national.

“We are now campaigning for zero firecrackers this Christmas to avoid injuries, especially during the New Year’s Eve revelry,” Bahian said.

Defeated Zambo Sur mayoralty bet elected unopposed as Liga ng mga Barangay president

ZSur Liga ng mga Barangay president Wilfredo Asoy

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Thursday/Dec. 19) –- Wilfredo Asoy, who ran for mayor last May in the town of Dinas but lost, was unopposed and therefore elected as this province’s Liga ng mga Barangay president.

The election for the Liga ng mga Barangay was held Wednesday at Alindahaw Hotels in this city.

Asoy replaces Jesus Daowala of Brgy. Upper Pulacan, Labangan and will sit as an ex-officio member in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Asoy has served for two terms as provincial board member representing the second district of this province.

Mindanao peace caravan demands inclusive peoples’ participation

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (Thursday/Dec 19, 2913) - More than 300 grassroots leaders converge on a peace caravan calling for genuine inclusive peoples’ participation in light of all Mindanao peace processes, the recurrent environmental disasters as well as the onslaught of development aggression such as mining, logging and agri-business plantations that constantly affect the sustainability of their communities.

The peace caravan leads to the 7^th Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Summit in Tubod, Lanao del Norte yesterday that will end on Sunday where they will voice out their issues and concerns to the representatives of the peace panels of the GPH-MILF, GPH-MNLF, GPH-RPMM-RPA and GPH-CPP-NPA-NDF peace processes as well as to the Commissioners of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines.

7th Mindanao People’s Peace Summit kicks off in Lanao del Norte

Delegation from different parts of Mindanao arrived Tubod, Lanao del Norte

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Wednesday/Dec. 18) -- The five-day 7th Mindanao People’s Peace Summit (MPPS) kicked-off Wednesday in a bid to gather progressive action to contribute in building peace in the southern Philippines.

The summit, which is set to end December 22, is being held at the Mindanao Civic Center in the town of Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

It was preceded by a meeting at noontime Wednesday in Dableston, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte and a “caravan for peace” by delegates coming from the region, Davao areas and Cotabato provinces to the event’s venue in the municipality of Tubod.

First Cavalry Squadron donates school supplies to Zambo, Yolanda children-victims

 
By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZamboSur (Pagadian Frontline News Tuesday/Dec. 17, 2013) – The First Cavalry Squadron of the Army’s Mechanized Division has donated 200 gifts packs of school supplies to children of families displaced by the Zamboanga standoff and super typhoon "Yolanda" in the Visayas.

This was announced here Tuesday by First Cavalry Squadron commander Lt. Col. Antonio John Divinagracia citing they cancelled the command’s Christmas Party and used the money to buy school supplies.

The school supplies consisted of backpacks containing eight notebooks, ballpen, pencil, and eraser. 

Basileño tops six-month Candidate Soldier Course Class 318-2013

Candidate Soldier Course Class 318-2013 (CSCC-318-2013)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=597217

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 16 (PNA) - Candidate Soldier Rodel I. Babao of Isabela City, Basilan, has graduated as topnotcher of the six-month Candidate Soldier Course Class 318-2013 (CSCC-318-2013) as he bested the other 137 members of the class.

The training course, cross trained with Jungle Warfare Mountaineering Operation Course (JWMOC), started last June 15 and ended Sunday, December 15.

The training was held by the Army's First Division Training School of the First Infantry "Tabak" Division based in Pulacan, Labangan town, this province.

Babao was followed by Candidate soldiers Richard R. Aninion and Nover B. Rillera, both from Molave town this province as second and third in class standing, respectively.

Candidate Soldier Course Class 318-2013 (CSCC-318-2013)

Pagadian City official, CSO head believe ex-mayor, wife also victims of investment scam

Former Pagadian City Mayor Sammy co and wife Ilang-ilang (Photo by JC)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=597272

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 16 (PNA) – The arrest of former Mayor Samuel Co and his wife, Prescilla Ann, will give them the chances to prove before the court and to the public that they are not guilty of the case filed against them.

These were the reactions of a civil society leader and one of the local officials citing they can now clear their names since they believed the Co couple was also victims of the Aman Futures investment scam.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents have arrested the Cos around 5:09 p.m. Saturday at Ashton 2 Serendra, Taguig City. They were wanted for their role in the Aman Futures investment scam that has allegedly victimized thousands of people.

Moro Civil Society Organization Leader Ibrahim Balimbingan said “the couple continuous evasion and hiding from law is a sign of guilt and their arrest ended their worries.”

Police foil NPA attempt to attack Zambo Sur police headquarters

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=597051

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 15 (PNA) -–The police have foiled an attempt of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to attack the police station in Josefina municipality, this province.

This came about after the policemen managed to detect that the uniformed men who went to their headquarters were not government forces.

The Josefina police reported that the NPA rebels arrived around 6:15 a.m. Saturday and pretended to report and turn over an arrested wanted person.

Gov’t troops pursue NPA rebs that attack police station in Misamis Occidental

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=12&sid=&nid=12&rid=597037

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Dec. 15 (PNA) -- The military have launched pursuit operation against a group of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who attacked early Saturday the police station in the municipality of Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Misamis Occidental.

Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Rommel Almaria has deployed troops from the battalion’s Alpha Company to pursue the NPA rebels who fled towards the hinterlands of Josefina town in Zamboanga del Sur after attacking the police station.

Almaria disclosed Sunday that the Alpha Company troops had initially clashed with the fleeing NPA rebels around 6 a.m. Saturday, an hour after the insurgents attacked the police station, when the troops established a blocking position.