WestMinCom supports Sulu provincial government’s decision to close borders

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 PAGADIAN CITY (Dec.30,2020) - Amid the threats posed by the new strain of Coronavirus, the Western Mindanao Command deployed troops to guard the borders in the southernmost part of the Philippines.

“We are maximizing our capabilities to keep the contagion offshore,” Western Mindanao Command Commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. disclosed.

With the new strain of COVID-19 reportedly detected in Sabah, the provincial government of Sulu is set to implement a temporary lockdown of the province from January 4 to 17, 2021 to prevent the entry of civilians coming from Sabah and preempt the possible spread of the virus 

“The command supports the decision of the provincial government of Sulu and we already deployed additional troops to secure the border and to disallow entry of passenger vessels from Sabah,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

“The navy vessels of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao will conduct patrol in the maritime borders of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and the Zamboanga Peninsula to prevent the entry of inflicted individuals to our area of operation,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added. (By JONG CADION with WestMinCom PIO PR)

Soldiers recover NPA member cadaver, IEDs in overran CTG lairs

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PAGADIAN CITY (Dec.30,2020) – The operating troops of Joint Task Force (JTF) Central discovered another NPA lair, recovered another NPA member cadaver and two Improvised Explosive Devices amid intensified clearing operations in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat in the early morning of December 24, 2020, Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr. disclosed.

“While conducting a follow-up operation, our troops from the 63rd Division Reconnaissance Company discovered another NPA lair and NPA member cadaver in Barangay Namat Masla, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr.

"It can be recalled that in the afternoon of December 23, operating troops of JTF Central discovered a NPA lair yielded to the recovery of two cadavers (one female and one unidentified already in an advanced state of decomposition), numerous propaganda materials, and approximately 100 makeshift huts. May this be an eye-opener to all the remaining members of the NPA. May they realize that they are nothing else but just sacrificial lambs of the group,” Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. added.

 

Meanwhile, troops of the 37th Infantry Battalion together with the 31st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team conducted clearing operations in Lumoton Range, tri-boundary of Barangays Datu Wasay and Sangay, both of Kalamansig; and Namat Masla of Palimbang, all of Sultan Kudarat. 

“Our operation resulted in the discovery of a NPA satellite lair and the recovery of two IEDs,” said Lt. Col. Allen Van Estrera, 37IB Commanding Officer.

“The EOD team facilitated the proper handling and disposal of the said IEDs,” Lt. Col. Estrera added. Troops continue to scour the area

“We will continue to conduct security operations against the weakened communist terrorist group in the area,” said Col. Eduardo Gubat, 603rd Infantry Brigade Commander.

“Examinations will be conducted on the NPA member cadaver to possibly know their identity including the two other NPA member cadavers that our operating troops recovered on December 23, 2020” said Col. Gubat.

Further, Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, JTF Central Commander also said, “With the continuous support from the communities, we will strengthen our efforts to pursue these Communist terrorists and preempt their hostile plans especially during this holiday season”.

3 Drug Suspects Yield P6.8 Million Shabu in Zamboanga Sibugay

     P6.8 Million worth of suspected shabu was seized during the anti-illegal drug buy bust operation. (Photo by PRO9 PIO)

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PAGADIAN CITY (Dec.30,2020) – A total of P6.8 Million worth of suspected shabu was seized from three big-time drug suspects during a drug buy bust operation in Barangay Lumbog, Imelda town in the neighboring province of Zamboanga Sibugay at 2:15 PM of December 27, 2020.

PRO9 Regional Director PBGEN Ronaldo Genaro E Ylagan identified the arrested suspects as Crimalde I Tarawi, 53 years old, married, businessman, of Simunul, Tawi-Tawi;  Albasir N Masihul, 26 years old, seaweeds farmer, of Barangay Sawa, Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay and Basir B Alano, 48 years old, businessman, of Barangay Tulay, Jolo, Sulu.

PBGEN Ylagan said the suspects were arrested in an anti-illegal drug operation conducted by combined police operatives of PNP Drug Enforcement Group, Imelda Municipal Police Station and 1st Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Mobile Force Company.

Seized were one sando black plastic bag containing 18 packs of suspected shabu weighing 1 kilogram with an estimated value of Php6.8 million, eco bag containing one thousand peso bill bearing serial number 2019de864449 placed on top of 20 bundles of photocopied one thousand pesos as supposed payment of two million pesos as buy-bust money and one unit Chevrolet bearing plate nos JCT 5097.

The three suspects were detained at the detention cell of Imelda Municipal Police Station. They are now facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PBGEN Ylagan commended the relentless efforts of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group and other police units for the notable accomplishment in the fight against illegal drugs in the region.

He added that the operation is in adherence to the marching orders of the Chief PNP to intensify the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operation in the region.” (By JONG CADION with press release and photos from PRO9-PIO)

NGCP continues annual Christmas outreach, relief ops to provinces affected by the recent typhoons despite pandemic

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NGCP turned over gift packs with groceries and noche buena items to around 33 barangays who are part of its host communities. (Photo by NGCP PIO)

 PAGADIAN CITY (Dec. 29. 2020) - Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, NGCP continued on with its annual gift-giving tradition to its partner communities through its Christmasaya project, alongside relief operations for areas affected by the recent typhoons.

Instead of the usual Christmas party with games, prizes, and entertainment, NGCP turned over Christmas packages to barangays from NGCP’s host communities, which were then distributed to the most indigent families in the area.

A total of 7,100 Christmas packages were distributed to around 33 barangays from NGCP’s host communities nationwide. The Christmas packages contain rice, noche buena items, coffee, and canned goods.

“Christmas is all about sharing. Times may have changed under the new normal, but this will not stop NGCP from giving back to its host communities. We hope this will give the most indigent families more reasons to celebrate the holidays,” said NGCP.

Besides the Christmas gift-giving, NGCP also continues with its relief assistance to provinces in the Bicol Region, Southern Tagalog, Cagayan, Isabela, Agusan del Sur, and Surigao del Sur affected by the recent typhoons Rolly, Ulysses, and Vicky.

Grocery items amounting to over PhP37 million and t-shirts were turned over to the provincial governments for distribution to communities heavily affected by the weather disturbances.

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy, Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr. (By JONG CADION with NGCP PIO PR)

Despite the pandemic, the annual Christmasaya gift-giving continued with the help of partner-barangays nationwide. 

Relief operations in typhoon-stricken parts of the country due to Typhoons Rolly, Ulysses, and Vicky also continue despite the holiday season.

Essential items such as rice, canned goods, and t-shirts are part of NGCP’s relief assistance for typhoon-affected communities.

PNP Chief Sinas led the ground breaking of new DIPO-Western Mindanao hub in Pagadian City

 PNP Chief PGEN Debold M. Sinas with Pagadian City Mayor Samuel S. Co during the cutting of ribbon of the newly renovated Headquarter of Area Police Command for Zamboanga Peninsula located in Barangay Balintawak, this City. (Photo by HJDC)

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 PAGADIAN CITY (Dec. 20, 2020) – The new headquarters of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations - Western Mindanao (DIPO-WM) will soon rise at President Corazon Aquino Regional Center located at Barangay Balintawak in Pagadian City following the ground breaking ceremony led by newly appointed PNP Chief PGEN Debold M. Sinas who arrived here Saturday morning.

The ground breaking ceremony was hosted by Pagadian City Mayor Samuel S. Co together with the members of 13^th City Council headed by the City Vice Mayor Maffy Obaob and some City Government Officials.

It was recalled that former PNP Chief PGen Archie Gamboa express his gratitude to City Government of Pagadian for donating the site of the new headquarters of DIPO-WM.

(Photo shows from left) Pagadian City Vice Maay Obaob, Mayor Samuel S. Co, former PNP Chief PGen Archie Gamboa and pther PNP Official (Photo grabbed from PNP website)

 In a simple signing ceremony at the Office of the Chief PNP in Camp Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City, the former PNP Chief PGen Gamboa together with Pagadian City Mayor Samuel S. Co formalized the Deed of Donation last June 22, 2020.

“The PNP’s Master Development Plan enlists the help of our LGU’s in donating parcels of land that will serve as new hubs of our DIPOs across the country. Pagadian City is our pioneering partner and we are most thankful for their support,” PGEN Sinas said during the ground breaking.

Based on the City Council Resolution No. 2020-0418, the new DIPO site will be established at the President Corazon C. Aquino Regional Government Center in Brgy. Balintawak, Pagadian City.

Sinas thanked Mayor Co and members of the City Council for their commitment and overwhelming support to the PNP. In fact, Pagadian LGU unanimously approved on February 26, 2020 the said resolution for donating 29,356 sq.m of land area as exclusive site for DIPO-WM Headquarters.

PGEN Sinas disclosed that under his leadership DIPO-WM was recently rename as Area Police Command headed by 3-Star Police General with his Deputy as 2-Star General and 1 Star General, this command is similar to WestMinCom.

There are five Area Police Command in the country, two in Luzon, one in Visayas and two in Mindanao located in Davao and here in Pagadian City, Sinas added.

Sinas was assigned in this city more than four years and also more than eleven years at the Police Regional Office 9 in Zamboanga City before his assignment in Camp Crane, Quezon City.

PNP Chief PGEN Debold M. Sinas during the interview by the members of Pagadian City Media

Meanwhile, City Mayor Co also expressed his thanks to the leadership of PNP for choosing Pagadian as the Headquarter of Area Police Command in Western Mindanao.

Recently President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Memorandum Circular (MC) 79 on June 25, lifting the moratorium on the transfer of regional government offices from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur following the EO No. 429 issued in 1990 signed by former President Corazon Aquino as the new administrative region in Zamboanga Peninsula, Mayor Co disclosed

The regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Tourism (DOT), will remain in Zamboanga City but should establish a presence in Pagadian City, according to MC 79.

“The transfer of these agencies, to be supervised by the NEDA RDC (Regional Development Council) IX, in coordination with the City Government of Pagadian City, must be completed within two years from the effectivity of this Circular,” the order read.

                              Pagadian City Mayor Samuel S. Co 

Co added that PRRD thru his Department Secretaries was given timeline to all Regional Directors to transfer their Regional Offices starting next year 2021.

The City Government is now preparing land area of at least 50-Hectares ready to accommodate the Regional Offices, Co said.    

PMGen Edwin C Roque, Director, Directorate for Logistics said the proposed budget for the construction of the building for DIPO will be costing around Php104,452,200.00 under the Convergence Infrastructure Plan of Police Regional Office 9 and the Department of Public Works and Highways to be constructed in the first quarter next year 2021. (BY JONG D. CADION)