Abductors of Zambo Sur education official locally-based KFRG

Kidnapped suspect Ryan Tumales, (By JONG CADION)

Ryan Tumales

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 30 (PNA) -–The group behind the abduction of an education official in Kumalarang municipality, this province, is a locally based kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG).

This was disclosed by suspect Ryan Tumales, who also revealed that he was a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) before he joined three months ago the KFRG involved in the abduction of Rudy Luna.

Tumales, 22, was arrested barely two hours after they seized Luna and his wife, Tessie, around 8:00 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay Diplo, Kumalarang town.

Police, military arrest 10 kidnappers of Labangan, Zambo Sur businessman’s son

Two of the 10 kidnapped suspects Ronald Luzon

and Jovencio Luzon arrested by the Joint government

operatives. (Photo by JONG CADION)

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 27 (PNA) – Combined police and military forces have arrested Sunday in separate operations 10 people who were responsible in the kidnapping and killing of a businessman’s son of Labangan town, this province.

Provincial police director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre announced Monday that five of the 10 suspects were separately arrested in Labangan, this province, while the other five in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.

Arrested in Purok Manga 2, Barangay New Labangan, Labangan town were the following: Ray Mansa, 43, his wife, Lucita, 39; Ronald Luzon, 30; Jovencio Luzon, 45; and Hamedi Balatocal, 26.

Recovered in Balabagan the Corpuz’s motorcycle

and the motorized banca they used in transporting

the victim from Zamboanga del Sur to Lanao del Sur.

(Photo by JONG CADION)

Police arrest lady drug courier in Zamboanga del Sur

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 25 (PNA) -- The police have intercepted a shipment of shabu and arrested the suspected drug courier Friday evening in the municipality of Molave, this province.

Arrested was Mailynjean Victoria alias May-May, 22, an alleged Ozamis City-based drug courier, according to Provincial police director Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre.

Ecaldre said the suspect was arrested at a checkpoint along Quezon Street, Barangay Madasigon, Molave, while she was on her way to deliver shabu coming from Ozamis City.

AMRECO builds 100-MW power plant to address future power crisis

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Director

RomeoMontenegro (R)accepts a token of appreciation

From (L) Siargao Electric Cooperative General Manager

Sergio Dagooc, president AMRECO) over-all chairman

of the Mindanao Congress of the Advocates for Renewable

Energy and Rural Electrification and Development

(MinCARED), and (C) Dr. Ricardo Rotoras, president of the

Mindanao University of Science and Technology and

MinCARED co-chairman.Montenegro, who is MinCARED

co-chairman. (Photo by BONG D. FABE)

 By Hirohito D. Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PNA) -– The Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) is putting up a 100-megawatt power plant in a bid to address the power crisis and to help regulate the power rate in the future here in Mindanao.

Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative-1 (Zamsureco-1) information officer Liberal Cabatcha disclosed that the 100-MW diesel power plant of the GN Power Limited in now under construction in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte and is expected to start operation by 2017.

Cabatcha said the GN Power Limited Company is owned by the Power Sector Aggregator Corporation (PSagCor), a subsidiary corporation of AMRECO.

Government Forces Encounter NPA in Zamboanga del Norte

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR  (Jan. 25, 2014 Pagadian FRONTLINE NEWS)  – The government forces belong to the Aplha company of 10^th Infantry Battalion under the 101^st Brigade of the Army’s Premier Infantry (TABAK) Division had encountered more or less forty members of New People Army (NPA) yesterday at about 9:00 o’clock in the morning with no casualties on government side.

The army under 1Lt Arlene Q. Palafos and 2Lt Arrian Hector B. Inopia encountered the NPA members at the boundaries of sitio San Isidro, barangay Sta. Maria and sitio Lapanan barangay Morob in the municipality of Leon B. Postego, Zamboang del Norte was in response to a report by concerned citizens regarding the presence of the armed men, Division Public Affair Office (DPAO) Officer In charge Major Edmundo P. Abella said.  
  

Zambo agri official warns prawn farmers of deadly virus

By Antonio M. Manaytay

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (Jan.31, 2014 Pagadian FRONTLINE NEWS) --- With the onset of hot weather that could possibly triggers infestation on the shrimp farming industry, an agriculture office warns shrimps and prawns farmers of a possible outbreak of the same deadly virus in Barangay Vitali, Zamboanga City.

Rico Tabal, field agricultural officer in Vitali, Zamboanga City Field Agriculture Office 6, told reporters yesterday that reports reaching his office from fishpond operators indicated a "possible infestations of prawns by White Spots Syndrome Virus (WSSV)".

"We are very aware of the possible onset of this kind of infestations during this time of the year last year and is likely to hit the local prawn farming industry," Tabal said.

DPWH: District of ZamboSur national highways will all be completed on 2016

By Jong Cadion

DPWH-ZamboSur 1st District

PAGADIAN City, ZamboSur (January 20, 2014 Frontline NEWS) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First Engineering District in Zamboanga del Sur is set to complete the concreting of more than 60 kilometers out of more than 240 kilometers non-pave national highways on 2016.

More than 60 kilometers out of more than 240 kilometers of national highway in the First Congressional District of Zamboanga del Sur were non-pave. These will soon be completed on 2016 as planned or programmed by DPWH, First Engineering District head Engr. Reynerio P. Alcachupas said.

These non-pave roads and are mostly newly converted into secondary national highways from provincial road, Engr. Alcachupas said.

Business community lauds Pagadian LGU for the establishment of one stop shop

By Hirohito D. Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 22 (PNA) – The business community has commended the local government for the implementation of a one stop shop system in the renewal and issuance of business permits in this city.

Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Incorporated president Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing said the establishment of the one stop shop system hastened the processing of business permits.

The establishment of the system was recommended by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in a bid to hasten and improve the processing of business permits.

Pagadian City grateful for the recognition given by DSWD

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 23 (PNA) -– Mayor Romeo Pulmones has expressed his gratitude to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for recognizing this city’s efforts in support to the programs of the DSWD especially through the Day Care Center services.

Pulmones said that this city was chosen among the 127 cities nationwide to receive the Panata ko sa Bayan Award (Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan) given by the DSWD in recognition to the support to the agency’s programs.

The award, a plaque and P25,000 cash, was handed over by no less than President Benigno Simeon Aquino III and DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman during the 63rd anniversary of the agency last Saturday in a ceremony held at its central office in Quezon City. 

EOD Robot assign for EOD Mobile Team in Region 9

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (Jan. 20, 2014 Pagadian FRONTLINE NEWS) – Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) from the Police Regional Office-9 had demonstrated to the City Officials on Saturday how the EOD Robot Caliber MK3 to be operated during their response to disrupt  the reported Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incident. 

The demonstration of EOD Robot Caliber MK3 last Saturday afternoon at the City Hall Complex was conducted by EOD Mobile Team leader Senior Police Officer-1 Jonathan Nodato.

Also attended the demonstrations are the members of Pagadian City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) headed by Haron Damada, Committee members of the Public Safety and Peace and Order in the Sangguniang Panglunsod (SP) led by the Chairman City Councilor Ernesto Mondarte and to the members of media. 

DPWH Budget for First District of Zamboanga del Sur increases this 2014

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN City, ZamboSur (January 20, 2014) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First Engineering District budget had increased for this year to P775-Million from P629-Million.

The P775 million is under the regular budget intended for the continuation of some projects that implemented last year and other projects to be implemented for this year 2014. The maintenance funds are not included in the regular budget, First Engineering District head Engr. Reynerio P. Alcachupas said.                                   

Out of P775 million budget, P365 million will be implemented by the DPWH regional office and the remaining P410 million will be under taken by the First Engineering District Office, Engineer Alcachupas added.    

Zambo Sur interfaith group plans another humanitarian mission for ‘Yolanda’ victims

By Hirohito D. Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 18 (PNA) -- The Zamboanga del Sur Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace is set to deploy another humanitarian contingent to help “Yolanda” victims in Leyte.

This was announced here by Interfaith Secretariat Information Officer Faye Reyes following the arrival Friday of the 60-man humanitarian contingent, the third batch so far the Interfaith group sent to help victims of super typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

The contingent had conducted 10-day humanitarian works in Barangay Candahug, the adopted community of the Interfaith group in the municipality of Palo, Leyte. The community is one of the most devastated areas.

Pagadian City gov’t commends police, military for peace ‘Pasalamat Festival’

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 20 (PNA) -- The city government has commended the police and military for the peaceful conduct of the week-long “Pasalamat Festival” in this city.

The festival kicked off Monday, January 13, and culminated Sunday, January 19, with this city’s fiesta in honor of the patron saint, Señor Sto. Niño.

Vice-Mayor Divina Grace Yu, Pasalamat Festival 2014 steering committee chairperson, noted there was not any untoward incident during the week-long celebration.

Big Shabu shipment seized anew at Zambo City International Airport

http://www.zamboangatimes.ph/zamboangatimes/top-news/9559-big-shabu-shipment-seized-anew-at-zambo-city-airport.html

ZAMBOANGA CITY  -- Authorities intercepted yesterday another big shipment of shabu — the third one in in three months — the Zamboanga City Airport.

The latest interception involved 200 grams of suspected methampetamine hydrochloride concealed in coffee packs sent in from Manila via LBC cargo forwarder.

Police said identified the sender of the package containing the shabu as Abdusahar Salbi and the consignee as Nadzmer Murajam of Jolo, Sulu.

The shipment is worth P1 million. It was detected around 8 a.m. on Jan 16, 2014

after the package underwent x-ray check.

On November 9 last year, close to 20 kilograms of shabu valued at between P60 to 70 million were intercepted at the Zamboanga City airport.

Two men bringing the shipment from Manila were arrested.

Collapse of Napo-Lapayan Bridge affects buses trips’ from Zambo Sur to Iligan and vice-versa

Napo-Lapayan Bridge connecting the towns of

Linamon and Kauswagan in the province of

Lanao del Norte. (Photos by Bishop Antonio Ablon)

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 16 (Frontline News) -–There is no direct trips of passengers buses from this city to Iligan City as well as from Dipolog City to Ozamis since the collapse of the Napo-Lapayan Bridge in the province of Lanao del Norte.

The bridge, connecting the towns of Linamon and Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, collapsed around 10:00 p.m. Monday due to rampaging flood waters brought about by heavy rains spawned by the Low Pressure Area (LPA) experienced in Mindanao at that time.

Engr. Reynerio Alcachupas, head of this province’ first engineering district, said the passengers of buses would need to ride motorized banca from Linamon and Kauswagan and vice-versa and then board again on buses to be able to reach to their destinations.

NCIP, DTI conduct handicraft training to IPs in Zambo Sibugay

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 15 (PNA) -– A total of 30 Subanen women have graduated from a three-day livelihood training jointly conducted by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay, officials said Wednesday.

NCIP Regional Director Salong Sunggod said that the participants have undergone three-day training on handicraft making that ended Monday.

NEDA holds groundbreaking for the construction of P50-M regional office edifice in Pagadian City

By Hirohito D. Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 14 (PNA) -– National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Deputy Director-General for Regional Development Office Margarita Songco led Tuesday the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a P50 million edifice to house the NEDA regional office in this city.

The three-storey edifice will be constructed at the Regional Government Center in Barangay Balintawak, this city, according to NEDA Regional Director Teresita Socorro Ramos.

The building, which will have complete facilities like training center, will be constructed by a private construction firm within 546 calendar days.

DOLE, PESO hold 4-day jobs fair in Pagadian City

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 14 (PNA) -– Thousands of jobseekers flocked to the City Commercial Center locally known as the C3 Mall as the four-day jobs fair, which forms part of the week-long “Pasalamat Festival,” opened Tuesday in this city.

The conduct of the jobs fair, which ends Friday, is spearheaded by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE provincial officer Lourdes Amores said local and overseas employment agencies offering various jobs vacancies are participating in the jobs fair.

 

Police is hoping solution of shooting and arson incident in Labangan town.

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR (Jan. 15, 2014 Frontline News) – The Police

authorities are hoping for the possible solution of the shooting and allegedly arson incident in Labangan after the suspect identified by his victim.

The joint operatives of Labangan Municipal Police Station and Provincial Public Safety Company were on manhunt operations against the fleeing identified suspect of shooting incident and a thorough investigation on the allegedly arson incident in Barangay Noboran, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

Shooting incident

Labangan Municipal Police Station Chief Senior Inspector Gilzen Niño Regis Manese said the suspect was identified by his victim as alias Victor Galgan, legal age, caretaker of the house of former Labangan Mayor Wilson “Kitty” Nandang located at the same place.

Continuous rain topples century-old tree in Aurora, Zambo Sur

By Hirohito D. Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- Continuous rain spawned by the Low Pressure Area (LPA) over Mindanao has toppled down a century-old acacia tree that partially destroyed a house and a community store in the nearby town of Aurora, this province. 

Fortunately, there was no casualty in the incident that took place around 5 a.m. Saturday near the Catholic convent along Pepito Street in downtown Aurora, this province.

The police reported that Aurora town has experienced incessant rain since Friday morning until Saturday evening due to the LPA which softened the soil, causing the acacia tree to topple.

NEDA to construct P50-M regional office building in Pagadian City

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will construct a P50 million building to house its regional office in this city.

The edifice will be built at the new site of Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Government Center in Barangay Balintawak, this city, according to NEDA Regional Director Teresita Socorro Ramos.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the building will be held on Tuesday, January 14, with Gov. Antonio Cerilles and Mayor Romeo Pulmones as guests.

CAAP: Pagadian City airport rehab 98% complete

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 13 (PNA) --The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced that the rehabilitation and expansion of the local airport into international standard is 98 percent complete.

“What is lacking is the tapping of electrical power line for the air-conditioned equipment in the pre-departure area,” airport officer-in-charge Oting Brah said citing the rehabilitation works completed last month.

Brah said the airport, which started operations last year, can now accommodate larger aircraft like Airbus after the southern portion of runway was expanded by 30 meters in length and 45 meters in width.

Agro-trade fair kicks off 'Pasalamat Festival' in Pagadian City

 

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 13 (PNA) -– The local government formally opened Monday the “Pasalamat Festival” through agro-trade fair and “Pinaka Contest” at the Plaza Luz’ covered court, this city.

Mayor Romeo Pulmones and Vice-Mayor Divina Grace Yu led the cutting of ribbon ceremony that formally opened the agro-trade fair attended by local and national government officials.

Agricultural products from the different barangays of this city are displayed for sale at the agro-trade fair booths.

137 entrusted of firearms to newly private soldiers

Leah Agonoy, Tabak Defense Press Corps president.

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, (Jan. 13 Fronbtline News) -– The Philippine Army’s First “Tabak” Infantry Division held an Entrustment of Firearms ceremony as the command issued service firearms to the newly-enlisted 137 soldiers.

The ceremony was held Saturday at the Tabak gymnasium at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an that houses the headquarters of the First Infantry Division in Barangay Upper Pulacan, Labangan, this province.

Pagadian City sets week-long ‘Pasalamat Festival’ in time for city fiesta

During the Pasalamat Festival 2013 (Photo by Jong Cadion)

By HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 9 (PNA) -- The city government has lined up different activities for the week-long event dubbed as “Pasalamat Festival” the highlight of which is this city’s fiesta that falls every third Sunday of January.

The festival will kick-off January 13 with a series of activities showcasing the culture and tradition of this city’s tri-peoples--the Christians, Muslims and Subanens--to enliven the spirits of Sto. Niño devotees.

The festival culminates on the third Sunday of this month, which is this city’s fiesta. 

Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu, who chairs the Pasalamat Festival 2014, said the activities will kick-off January 13 with an agro-trade fair at Plaza Luz to be spearheaded by the City Agriculture Office.

Police, military ready security plan for ‘Pasalamat Festival’ in Pagadian City

By Hirohito D. Cadion

Supt. Glenn Dulawan

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 10 (PNA) -– The police and military authorities have readied security plan to ensure the peaceful celebration of the week-long “Pasalamat Festival” that will kick-off Monday, January 13.

Supt. Glenn Dulawan, city police chief, said Friday the security plan will be implemented until January 19, which is this city’s feast day.

The highlight of the Pasalamat Festival is this city’s fiesta that falls every third Sunday of January in honor of Señor Sto. Niño, the patron saint.

Dulawan urged the cooperation of the public, especially the motorists, since part of the security measures is the conduct of mobile checkpoints.

The local police force and the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion will conduct the mobile checkpoints.

“We are just doing our job for the good and security of the public,” Dulawan said.

He said they will also intensify the implementation of the gun ban.

The city government has lined up different activities to include street dancing competition and fluvial parade for the week-long festival.

There will be also nightly variety shows to spice up the week-long festival that would feature local talents and others. (PNA)
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