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Philippine News

Village head in Sarangani survives attack

by Aquiles Z. Zonio

Inquirer Mindanao


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – The head of the village of Talos in Malungon, Sarangani province, was wounded in an attack by a lone gunman Tuesday evening, police said Wednesday. Joey Espinosa, 39, was on his way home from the village center around 10 p.m. when attacked, according to Chief Inspector Alvin Martin, Malungon police chief. “He sustained two bullet wounds and was immediately rushed to a hospital in General Santos,” Martin said. He said police investigators were still trying to find out what type of weapon the gunman used as well as the assailant’s identity and motive.

Co-op secures exclusive power supply deal with Sarangani Energy

by The Philippine Star


POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato, Philippines – Intermittent brownouts hit parts of Mindanao at random daily because many of the hydro-electric power plants that supply 80 percent of Mindanao’s electricity have started to bog down due to heavy silting and old age. Privatization is also expected to take its toll as electricity rates become more expensive as new owners try to recover huge investments in rehabilitating these plants.

“The power cooperative began looking for new sources of electricity after the entire island of Mindanao experienced half-day power outages in the summer of 2010 due to the El Niño phenomenon which depleted the hydroelectric power sources that supply more than half of Mindanao’s electrical capacity. Customers of Socoteco 2 experienced daily power outages averaging nine hours a day from March to April 2010,” Socoteco 2 general manager Rodolfo G. Ocat said.

Residents of Tupi and Polomolok towns in South Cotabato noted these conditions as they expressed support for the power supply agreement that Socoteco 2 secured from the Alcantara Group’s Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC) which requires the power company to supply 70 percent of the erlectricity from its first 100-megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant in Alabel, Sarangani exclusively to Socoteco 2’s one-million residential and business customers.

Ocat noted that in a letter dated Aug. 10, 2011, the state-owned National Power Corp. informed Socoteco 2’s management that due to the uncertainty of the power situation in Mindanao, it could not commit to provide SOCOTECO 2 with the agreed upon allocation of power supply.

He disclosed that from Socoteco 2’s current requirement of 100,000 kilowatts, Napocor could now only allocate an average of 72,900 kilowatts per hour to the power cooperative. Socoteco 2 anticipates that the Napocor will further reduce power allocation due to continued privatization of Napocor assets and rising demand in Mindanao, thus ensuring daily brownouts to occur in ther region by 2014.

Earlier, residents of the municipalities of Alabel, Malapatan, and Glan in Sarangani province also threw their support for the power sales agreement with SEC.

Bonifacio Alegre, a resident of Alabel, said Socoteco 2 ensured their town would not go through the daily brownouts predicted in 2014 for the rest of Mindanao because of its initiative to negotiate a power sales agreement with power producers.

Rex Machan, president of the barangay secretary’s association of Polomolok, turned over to SOCOTECO 2 a report from a Mindanao energy forum conducted by the Golden State College of General Santos and the UP Los Banos College of Economics and Management Alumni Foundation, calling for the establishment of stable power generation sources for Mindanao.

Sarangani Capitol flooded with donations for Sendong victims

by Beverly Paoyon


ALABEL, Sarangani, Dec. 22 (PIA) -- Dump trucks full of donated goods have been continuously arriving in the Capitol gym from drop off points across Sarangani province and General Santos City. More donors rushed their relief goods to the gym Wednesday evening (December 21), filling the entrance with hundreds of sacks of used clothing and boxes of food. “Thank you Socsargen for all the donations,” said Governor Migs Dominguez. “Two trucks have left full of food and clothes. I’ve requested for more trucks from Fast Cargo. Keep it coming.” As of Thursday morning (December 22), donations were still pouring in. At least three more ten-wheeler trucks are needed to load the cargo for Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, said Ben Solarte, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO). Solarte said the public’s response to Governor Migs Dominguez’ call for donations was “overwhelming,” that PDRRMO volunteers were being dwarfed by the stockpile of donated relief goods for Sendong victims. The pouring in of donations from cash, rice, canned goods to other basic needs for the relief operation started on Monday after the governor convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to respond to the calamity wrought by Typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao. As of mid-day Wednesday (December 21), total donations reached to 251 sacks of rice, 150 gallons and 35 cases of mineral water, 166 cases sardines, 207 boxes infant milk, and a box of medicines. Other donations include used clothing, footwear, bags, kitchen ware, tooth paste, toothbrush, etc. The Fast Cargo transport corporation, which dispatched two cargo wing vans for the first trip, had also volunteered to transport the remaining goods. Solarte said the goods are delivered to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office in Region 10 while other supplies will be delivered to Xavier University. On Tuesday (December 20), Solarte said Sarangani had also sent its medical team to assist in the conduct of the medical mission in Region 10. The Sarangani Quick Response Team (QRT) and medical team headed by Dr. Roel Cagape were in barangay Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City for a medical mission and feeding program for children. The Sarangani QRT and medical team have been serving Cagayan de Oro barangays beginning Wednesday (December 22). (PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)

Technical personnel participate in software training on Rapid Emergency Damage Assessment

by PIA Press Release


ALABEL, Sarangani, December 21 (PIA) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) conducted a Rapid Emergency Damage Assessment System (REDAS) software training for some 74 technical personnel of the local government units of South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces, its municipalities and the cities of General Santos and Koronadal. The output of the four-day software training held recently at Alabel, Sarangani, according to Office of Civil Defense director Lita Enok, enabled the participants comprising of engineers and planning officers of the aforementioned local government units to develop programs of geo-hazard maps of their areas. PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum said the REDAS software can simulate earthquake hazards such as ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides and tsunami. Solidum disclosed that although REDAS was originally conceived for use in earthquake hazard and risk assessment, other multi-hazard maps including hydro meteorological hazards such as floods, storm surge and rain-induced landslides are already incorporated into the software and can likewise be displayed by users. "Aside from the hazard maps, we have also developed a risk database (schools, bridges, barangay halls, hospitals, etc.) and are also included in the software package," Solidum said. REDAS was developed by PHIVOLCS as a tool for emergency preparedness and more importantly for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into the local development planning process. (OTSUDARIAPIA 12).

Donations pour in Sarangani for CDO, Iligan flood victims

by Serafin N. Ramos Jr.


ALABEL, Sarangani, Dec 20 (PIA) -- Donations are pouring in at the Capitol gym drop off point from simple folk to office workers, bringing in boxes of water, canned goods and bags of used clothing and rice. An auto mechanic offered P20 cash while a donor from General Santos City gave P3,000. Alsons employees raised P80,000. The stockpile of rice, bottled water, used clothing and food keeps growing by the hour since Governor Migs Dominguez issued the call for a relief operation on Monday (December 19). On Tuesday afternoon (December 20) a truck with 50 sacks of rice from the municipal government of Maitum arrived. As the rice was being unloaded, people are walking in with what they have – sardines, noodles, tooth paste, tooth brush. Madaris azatids have collected 17 sacks of used clothing already and still collecting until the drop off center closes Thursday. All public schools have become drop off points too for more donations. The relief goods will be delivered to the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan three days before Christmas Day. The Sarangani Information Office has called off its Christmas fete for the press in deference to the tragedy. In nearby General Santos City, Paula Astoriaga packed used clothing from her foster sons Cocoy and Jun as she responded to the public service announcement over a local radio station here that the provincial government of Sarangani and the Red Cross in General Santos City are accepting donations for the flood victims. On Monday (December 19), Governor Dominguez convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) to respond to the calamity in Northern Mindanao. “This calamity requires action not only from the national government but from other LGUs (local government units) as well,” Dominguez told the council. “We have called on different organizations, media networks to establish collections centers.” A medical team from Sarangani has left for Cagayan de Oro to work in an evacuation center. A non-government organization has pledged to deliver at least 25 caskets. The governor said the call for action received commitments from the municipalities that already pledged at least 180 sacks of rice. “The private sector and different tuna canneries (in General Santos City) are putting their stocks together,” Dominguez said. The PDRRMC has approved a resolution to donate P500,000-worth of rice, sardines, mats and blankets. These include 200 sacks of rice, 100 boxes of sardines, 230 boxes of bottled water and 300 pieces blankets. This is not the first time that Sarangani was responding to a calamity in other places. “We’ve been doing this. We’ve been sending relief assistance to Bicol. We have also responded by sending a Quick Response Team to save lives in Leyte. We’ve also been assisting LGUs like Cotabato City during the flood so it’s not new to us,” Dominguez said. (PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)

Pacquiao celebrates star-studded birthday

by abs-cbnNEWS.com


MANILA, Philippines – Boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao celebrated his 33rd birthday with over a thousand guests in his hometown of General Santos City over the weekend.

Aside from his wife Jinkee, mother Dionesia and his four kids, a number of celebrities were also spotted in Pacquiao's birthday party. Among them were Cesar Montano, Sunshine Cruz, Giselle Sanchez, Bayani Agbayani and Benjie Paras.

The Pacman also had a lineup of guest entertainers to liven up the festivities including Gino Padilla, Bugoy Drilon and Jose Mari Chan.

Jinkee also took the opportunity to reaffirm her love for her husband.

Pacquiao, for his part, said he is thankful for the many blessings he has received.

"Happy ako dahil marami akong kaibigan at tumibay ang relationship ko kay God," he said. -- ANC

MILF protests arrest of political officer, son in Sarangani

by LBG, GMA News


The Moro Islamic Liberation Front has protested the warrantless arrest of its political officer and his son in Sarangani province last December 14.

MILF Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) head Said Sheik signed the complaint, said an article on the MILF website Sunday.

While the article did not identify the MILF member, it described him as an "MILF town official" and a political officer.

It also identified the arrested MILF official's son as Muhar Udda, a member of the 105th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).

The MILF CCCH asked its government counterpart to act immediately on this complaint and work on its request for the release of Udda without further delay.

The complaint, addressed to government CCCH's chairperson Brig. Gen. Ariel Bernardo, said the MILF official and Muhar Udda were arrested without an arrest warrant in Barangay Lagundi, Kiamba, Sarangani province.

According to the MILF, Muhar Udda was allegedly tagged as the owner of an M-14 rifle found in their house.

In the letter, Sheik said composite troops of the 73rd Infantry Battalion and Philippine National Police – Region 12 raided the house of the MILF town political official, "in blatant violation of the spirit of the current peace negotiation and the ceasefire between state forces and MILF fighters."

Sheik added Muhar Udda is loyal to MILF chairman Al Haj Murad.

"The letter further stressed that both the raid and the arrest were blatant violations of the existing ceasefire accord between the Government of the Philippines and MILF, pursuant to Section 3, Article 1 of the Implementing Operational Guidelines Government of the Republic of the Philippines-MILF Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities (AGCH), and the Implementing Guidelines of the Security Aspect of the GRP-MILF Agreement on Peace of 2001, particularly paragraphs 3.2.2," the MILF said.

Also, it said these violations committed by the government forces seriously undermine the sincerity of the government in the peace process and negotiation with the MILF.

Presently, Udda is detained at the PNP Headquarters at Camp Lyra in General Santos City. — LBG, GMA News

DILG to award Sarangani with “Seal of Good Housekeeping”

by www.mb.com.ph


ALABEL, Sarangani, Dec 16 (PIA)-- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conferred to Sarangani Province a “Seal of Good Housekeeping Award” with Php10 million cash incentive. Taking pride of the award, Governor Migs Dominguez said it is in recognition of the province’s “exemplary performance in governance, transparency, and accountability.” Carmen Hijara, DILG technical staff said that in the fund guidelines the cash incentive can only be spent purposely for any infrastructure project that would help facilitate the country’s commitment to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). She said the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award is spelled out under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-83 "to aggressively scale up interventions to elevate the practice of governance that values transparency, accountability, participation and performance into an institutionalized status.” Hijara pointed out the awarding initiative of the department is aimed at boosting local government units or LGUs’ efforts to excel in good governance involving four areas: good planning, sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and giving value to performance monitoring. This way, LGUs will be motivated to observe and uphold good governance at all cost, she told PIA General Santos City. Earlier, Sarangani Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit made mention of the award during a project assessment and planning workshop for Gender and Development (GAD) citing the milestone, which she described not only a big help in terms of funding but also a proof that the provincial government officials of Sarangani have been dispensing the kind of governance that people really wanted to see from their officials. As vital requirement under the Seal award, Gov. Dominguez on Tuesday (December 13) submitted a document shortlisting some 2012 project profiles that are responsive to MDGs attainment. Among those were “the P3.465-million improvement/rehabilitation or construction of 13 day-care centers across the province in pursuit of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) being the foundation of its “Education Revolution!” campaign to include other UNICEF-supported projects such as the Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP).” When asked why Sarangani, Hijara said the provincial government was able to meet the vital requirement under the Seal which is specifically “the full disclosure of budget and finances, assets” among others. The awarding schedule, according to her, is yet to be announced soon. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)





13 dead, 34 hurt in Sarangani, Negros mishaps

by www.mb.com.ph


ALABEL, Sarangani (PIA) – The province of Sarangani has earned the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award in recognition of its exemplary performance in governance, transparency, and accountability.

The award also entitles Sarangani to avail of the Performance Challenge Fund in the amount of P10 million as financial incentive to support the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Marife Tenorio of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said the province will avail of the incentive in the form of project grant, but stressed that objectives of the projects should be aligned with the MDGs.

Sarangani activates Inter-Agency Council against Human Trafficking

by CT Apelacio


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec 14 (PIA)-- The Sarangani Provincial Gender and Development Council (PGADC) thru the Provincial Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (PIACaT) is strengthening its campaign against human rights violation and trafficking as the year gets to its end. The activation of PIACaT in the province has been established “with council resolution through a Provincial Ordinance No. 2008-06-09.” PIACaT is being lodged with the PGADC being the one that has a mandatory fund of 5 percent of the total amount of the General Fund of the province. For the next year, PGADC has a projected allocation of more or less P29 million. Fiscal Vicente Felipe Velasco, provincial prosecutor and PIACaT chairperson said the council is bent on implementing RA 9208 otherwise known as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 together with other partner government agencies. “The Sarangani PIACaT takes off its campaign on human rights protection and abuses to avert the escalating activities on human trafficking,” he told media at a press conference Monday. According to him, human trafficking may be in the form of sex and domestic slavery, child abuse, illegal recruitment and proliferation of prohibited drugs. Velasco asked the participation of all stakeholders to include the media to help the council dispense its mandate as he acknowledged the problem of trafficking in women and children to be “alarming.” Meanwhile, Police Senior Inspector Delia Cadorna, also Women and Children’s Concerns Desk Officer of Sarangani Police Provincial Office said there are at least “105 recorded victims of trafficking from the seven municipalities” of Sarangani since 2005. “The victims cut across all ages and genders whose recruiters offer better lives and work abroad but only to find themselves victims,” she said. She also lamented that police find it difficult to even bring the case to courtroom since “there is difficulty in getting witnesses and victims are afraid to risk their lives to come out and expose their perpetrators.” Sarangani Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit, committee chair on family, women and children and co-chair of PGADC, said the provincial government is doing its best from providing funds for programs to expanding opportunities for the people in the hope they do away with illegal activities. She said the province has also sought the participation and support of various multi-sectoral stakeholders to the anti-human trafficking campaign to forge a more cohesive and collective efforts. PIACaT is composed of key national government agencies such as the Prosecutor’s Office, the Dept.of Social Welfare and Development, Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCFRW), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and their provincial and municipal counterparts; the private sectors, NGOs, and religious organizations. Sister Susan Bolanio, executive director of the Oblates of Notre Dame Hesed Foundation and member of PIACaT representing the religious group also urged the media to be actively involved in the campaign. Asked if being a human trafficker or drug courier a result of sheer poverty, Sister Susan simply cited that it is value that really dictates the action of a certain person. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

Task Force created to oversee implementation of Lake Sebu-Maitum Ecology Road Devt Project

by ilonggo news, lake sebu, pia 12, press release


The creation of Task Force Lake Sebu-Maitum Ecology Road Development Project will showcase the institutionalization of the convergence of services and efforts to ensure the smooth implementation of the project while protecting and conserving the environment.

The project is one of the Kilos Abante Infrastructure projects of Region XII for 2011 to 2016 which if completed, would directly link the existing Cotabato-Surallah-Koronadal-General Santos Arterial Road in South Cotabato province and the Sarangani-Sultan Kudarat Coastal Road in Sarangani province.

The road is expected to provide shorter link between the coastal towns of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat to the regional center in Koronadal City via Lake Sebu and Surallah towns in South Cotabato.

Importantly, the road will facilitate the movement of people, goods and services between rural communities in the upland areas of South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces.

Likewise, the tourist destinations in the areas of Lake Sebu, Maitum and adjacent tourist places will also become more accessible.

In Regional Development Council Resolution Number 125, series of 2011, the abovementioned project was adopted and the task force was created.

The Task Force is chaired by South Cotabato governor Arthur Pingoy, Jr. and co-chaired by Sarangani governor Miguel Rene Dominguez.

The members comprise of InfraCom chairman Alfredo Bronx Hebrona, Jr. and the regional directors of DPWH, DENR, NEDA, NCIP, EMB and DOT. Also included are the mayors of Lake Sebu and Maitum; Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) for Allah Valley Protected Landscape, district engineers of both South Cotabato and Sarangani and three (3) private sector representatives from RDC XII.

RDC XII supports increase of allowable local travel expenses of government employees

by PIA Press Release


ALABEL, Sarangani, December 10, (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council, SoCCSKSarGen region or region XII threw its support to the resolution of RDC VII or Visayas region requesting President Aquino for the adjustment of the local travel expenses of government employees. In its 36th regular meeting on December 7, in this municipality, the RDC XII members approved the recommendation of the regional social development committee to support the RDC VII resolution number 33, series of 2011 signed in September, 2011 requesting the President through the Travel Rates Committee to increase the local travel expenses from P800 to P1,900. The P800 rate, according to the resolution is inadequate considering the price increases and the decline of the peso purchasing power since 2004 and in anticipation of upward adjustments in the next five (5) years. The Administrative Code of 1987, particularly Section 72, provides for the per diems of government officials and employees on official travel. Pursuant to the said provision, several executive orders have been issued prescribing the rules and regulations and the rates of allowance for official travel of government personnel. On the other hand, Section 17 of Executive Order 248 issued in 1995 provided for the automatic rate adjustment should the prevailing rates become inadequate five (5) years after the issuance of the executive order. In 2004, Executive Order 298 was issued providing for a new rate of allowable travel expenses for official travel effective 2004 and since then, no other issuances have been released, the resolution stated. (OTSUDARIA/PIA 12)

RDC XII approves draft executive order on clearance re-imposition of island to island transshipment of motor vehicles

by PIA Press Release


ALABEL, Sarangani, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council, region XII, extended its support to a Malacanang drafted executive order for the re-imposition of clearance requirement for the transfer of motor vehicles from one island to another through ferry or other similar transshipment services. After complying with the recommendations of conducting consultations with concerned agencies and local government units and secure the LGUs endorsement, the draft executive order finally earned the approval of the RDC XII members during its 36th regular meeting held yesterday at the Montana Resort, Alabel, Sarangani. Police Senior Superintendent Jaime Macarilay of the PNP- Highway Patrol Group, region XII quoting then Chief PNP director-general Raul Bacalzo said the discontinuance of the PNP transshipment clearance on May 11, 2004 through a directive of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has resulted in the proliferation of car theft incidents. This has enabled the syndicates to use the situation to freely transport the stolen goods to other parts of the country, the HPG head added. The draft executive order states that Section 11 of Republic Act 8539 or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972, provides for the imposition of PNP clearance for shipment of motor vehicles, engines, engine blocks, chassis or body from one island to another through ferry services. The proposed executive order directs the Philippine National Police to continue enforcing the requirement for owners and operators of inter-island or any water transportation with launches, boats, vessels or ships to submit a report to the PNP within seven (7) days on all motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, engine blocks, chassis or bodies transported by their vessels. (OTSUDARIA/PIA 12)

126 bags of illegally-extracted gold ores seized in Sarangani

by (PNA)

LAP/LAM/AVE/RSS


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec. 7 (PNA) - Authorities have seized some 126 sacks of illegally-extracted gold ores that were reportedly sourced from the mineral-rich mountains of Sarangani Province.

1st Lt. Ferdinand Ragos, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion’s (IB) Charlie Company, said Wednesday the gold ores were intercepted on Tuesday at their checkpoint in Barangay Tambilil, Kiamba town in Sarangani.

“It was loaded in an Isuzu Elf truck with closed aluminum container…[They failed] to show any permit to the inspecting troops,” Ragos said in a report to Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas, 73rd IB commanding officer.

The truck containing the illegal gold ores was apprehended at around 1:15 am, and was allegedly owned by local businessman Bong Acquia, according to the report obtained by the Philippines News Agency.

Acquia could not be immediately reached for comment.

The gold ores came from Sitio Kaffugan in Barangay New La Union, Maitum town, and were bound to a ball mill plant in Sitio Bliss, Barangay Tambilil in Kiamba town, Ragos said.

Those who transported the mineral ores were identified as Jose Rene Farrales, Rofredo Bontong and Daerbz Generalao, the report said.

Ragos said he already informed the local police of Kiamba and the community environment and natural resources officer about the incident.

Early this year, the Sarangani provincial government ordered the closure of the illegal mining site in Sitio Kaffugan for lack of permits.

A joint police and military detachment were ordered established in the mining site to prevent further activities.

But it has been pulled out for still unknown reasons.

In a follow-up operation, Ragos led a 16-man military foot patrol to Sitio Kaffugan, jumping off from their detachment at around 4 a.m on Tuesday.

They arrived in the mining site at around 10:30 am.

Two persons were apprehended, namely Carmelo Flang, 27, and Felixberto Loyao, 21, both residents of Sitio Banate in Barangay New La Union, Ragos said.

“They were caught in the act packing mineral ores,” the military official said, adding they turned them over to Maitum police station for detention and further investigation.

6 fishing vessels sink off Sarangani

by report from Noel Alamar, dzMM


MANILA, Philippines – Six fishing vessels sank off the shore of Sarangani province due to strong winds and waves, a coast guard official said Tuesday.

General Santos City Coast Guard Commander Melver Anibersaryo said 5 of the fishing vessels sank off the coast of Barangay Tali-ap, Maasim town. One of the vessels was FBCA Wilfredo.

The other vessel sank in the waters of Sitio Dumon, Barangay Pangyan, Glan.

Fishing vessel operator Edwin Pagador and 3 others were rescued from the FBCA Peter.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the other missing fishermen, whose names have not been released.

13 killed in Sarangani road accident

by ANDREO CALONZO, GMA News


World boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao on Monday was officially elevated to the rank of lieutenant colonel of the reserve force of the Philippine Army.

Army chief Major General Emmanuel Bautista donned the rank insignia on Pacquiao in a ceremony on Monday morning at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

In his acceptance speech, Pacquiao defended his being promoted to the rank despite his lack of a college degree.

“Obviously, I am not trained for military operations, but it should be emphasized that reservists, are by their truest nature, civilian professionals first and military personnel second… Congressman Pacquiao is fairly entitled with the rank of lieutenant colonel,” he said.

He also vowed “to win [his] few more fights and bring honor to our country” after receiving his higher rank.

For his part, Major Harold Cabunoc, Army spokesperson, also maintained the legitimacy of Pacquiao’s commissionship to lieutenant colonel.

“His commissionship was based on the provisions of Section 44 of Republic Act 7077 which provides that ‘elected officials and presidential appointees may be commissioned into the Reserve Force subject to the existing AFP rules and regulations’,” he said in a separate statement.

Pacquiao in the military

Last September, President Benigno Aquino III, through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., approved Pacquiao’s commissionship to lieutenant colonel based on recommendation from Army officials.

Pacquiao was first enlisted in the Army reserve force with the rank of sergeant on April 1, 2006 on the recommendation of Brig. Gen. Alexander Yano, who used to be a brigade commander in Sarangani. Yano served as Armed Forces chief before retiring in 2009.

Six months after his enlistment, Pacquiao was promoted to the next rank of technical sergeant and on Oct. 7, 2007, and then he was promoted to master sergeant. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant on May 4, 2009.

Military officials had reservations on promoting him to the officers’ rank as this requires a college degree.

However, Pacquiao’s honorary doctorate degree on humanities conferred by the Southwestern University in Cebu on Feb. 18, 2009, served the purpose, and also his election as Sarangani congressman in May last year. - VVP, GMA News

13 killed in Sarangani road accident

by LBG, GMA News


At least 13 people were reported killed in a road accident involving a van and a truck in Sarangani province Thursday.

Six of the 13 were killed instantly after the L300-type van driven by Eulogio Rivera hit the truck, radio dzBB reported early Friday.

Police have taken Rivera into custody as they investigate the cause of the accident.

A separate report on Radyo Mo Nationwide (RMN) said the fatalities included pastors of a religious group and members of their families.

The RMN report identified some of the fatalities as Pastor Gilbert Constantino, his wife Alice and child Nikke; Pastor Rodolfo Acejo and his wife; Pastor Ricky Magallanes and wife Gigi; Pastor Real Ilugsong and wife Annie; Pastor Arnod Cabredo and wife Liza; and one Gen Martinez and child Arvie.

Four people were also injured in the accident, the RMN report said.

An initial investigation showed the victims were riding the van that collided with a trailer truck in Panamin village in Malungon town in Sarangani.

The RMN report said the pastors belonged to Victory Chapel in General Santos City.

The victims were reportedly on their way to a Christmas party when the driver of their van failed to see the early warning devices of the truck.

‘Hot’ lumber seized in Sarangani

by (PNA)

FFC/AVE/RSS


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Dec. 1 (PNA) – Government forces have seized a truck load of alleged illegally-cut hardwood that was reportedly sourced from the critical forests of Kiamba town in Sarangani province.

1Lt. Ferdinand Ragos, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion’s Charlie Company, said Thursday an estimated 7,500 to 8,000 board feet of lumber, with a market value of P160,000, were apprehended by their unit at a checkpoint in Barangay Tambilil.

He said the illegally-cut lumber was loaded in a 10-wheeler truck, which is now impounded at the Charlie Company camp.

Ragos said that they seized the lumber after flagging down the truck at their checkpoint.

“They were able to present a transport permit but it appears to be recycled,” Ragos said.

He said the transport permit was issued on November 10 and valid only until November 16, records showed.

The military official said they also became suspicious when the permit showed that the lumbers were composed of Falcata and Mahogany species.

Falcata is not known to thrive here and also we’ve found there are Lawaan and other unknown hardwood species loaded in the truck, he added.

The source of the seized lumber in Sitio Kaawil, Barangay Tambilil is about 10 kilometers from the Charlie Company headquarters.

“The roar of chainsaws could even be heard sometimes in our camp,” Ragos said.

In a follow-up operation in the forest, soldiers recovered 41 pieces of hard wood species measuring 2,000 board feet, he said.

These are now strewn along the highway also fronting the Charlie Company’s headquarters.

The alleged illegal loggers were identified as Jack Osama and Susing Sulang, both residents of this town, Ragos said.

Amelia Wahid, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer, has set a hearing on Friday for the seized lumbers to determine the culpability of the suspects.

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