Sarangani Province News February 2012

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Glan to host 2012 joint RP-US naval exercise

by (GLAN Info and News Service/PIA General Santos City)


GLAN, Sarangani, Feb. 28 (PIA) — The next joint RP Navy-US Navy exercise of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) will be held here on June 28-July 9, this year.

Codenamed “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise 2012,” the two-week activity aims to strengthen the relationship of both navies and enhance their mutual co-operation, said Navy Lt. Joseph Armand Sieras, NFEM operations officer.

For its Civil Military Operations (CMO), CARAT 2012 will conduct Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), Dental Civic Action Program (DENCAP), Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) and Community Relations (COMREL) in selected barangays.

“Through these programs we hope to improve the quality of life and the general health and welfare of local residents, including government employees, and enable both navies to build a more personal relationship with them,” Sieras told Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr. in a briefing.

Assisted by local government personnel, a joint survey team, led by US Navy Captain Wally Lovely, visited several possible sites for the CMO activities, including Glan Central Elementary School and Glan School of Arts and Trades.

The team later met with Gov. Migs Dominguez and Mayor Yap for the formal acceptance rites held aboard the RPS Miguel Malvar at the Glan Wharf.

In brief remarks, Mayor Yap thanked the NFEM for choosing Glan as this year’s venue for CARAT, saying the event would help highlight the town’s growing importance, both from economic and strategic standpoints.

“People following up the developments on television will be able to see our beautiful white sand beaches, our rich vegetation, and the hospitality and gaiety of our people. That would be a big boost to our own tourism development efforts,” he said.

Dubbed "Coconut Queen of the South", this colonial town is home to the now famous Gumasa beaches. (GLAN Info and News Service/PIA General Santos City)






BFAR deploys 4 more patrol boats in Sarangani Bay

by (PNA)

FFC/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 27 (PNA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) deployed four more patrol boats over the weekend along the critical Bay to reinforce its ongoing operations against illegal fishing activities in the area.

Ambutong Pautong, assistant director of BFAR Region 12, said they assigned the new patrol boats to secure the seas off four coastal municipalities of Sarangani province against incursions from commercial fishing boats and other illegal fishing violations.

“The patrol boats will be utilized for the enforcement of various fishery laws and other activities related to the protection and conservation of the bay’s biodiversity,” he said.

The fishery official said the deployment of the patrol boats was based on a memorandum of agreement signed by BFAR with the local governments of Maasim, Glan, Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani.

Under the agreement, BFAR tapped the four local government units (LGUs) to assist its campaign against illegal fishing along the Sarangani Bay, which is a declared protected seascape.

The LGUs were tasked to operate and maintain the four patrol boats, which were made of 135 horse power speed boats.

A BFAR report said each patrol boat costs about P1.9 million.

Pautong said they turned over the patrol boats following the completion last Friday of the three-day training on familiarization and maintenance of the units for selected employees of the recipient local governments.

The training was facilitated by BFAR personnel led by its national marine fisheries head Alma Dickson.

BFAR and the provincial government of Sarangani earlier intensified its monitoring against illegal fishing activities along the Sarangani Bay due to the reported operations of some commercial fishing boats in portion of its tuna-rich waters.

In late November, around 20 tons of dead skipjack tuna were washed into the shores of Maasim town after they were dumped by small commercial fishing boats that utilize the likom method or net fishing.

The likom fishing boats reportedly overfished and were forced to dump some of their catches along the bay due to their limited capacity.

Under Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code, commercial fishing boats were barred from operating within the 15-kilometer municipal waters.

Last year, a significant portion of the critical Bacud Reef off Kiamba town was destroyed after a foreign cargo vessel ran aground in the area for about five weeks.

The vessel’s owners agreed in November to a settlement of P20 million with the local government of Sarangani after it was found liable by the Philippine Coast Guard’s Special Board of Marine Inquiry for the damages on the reef.





Four Sarangani towns get high-speed patrol boats from BFAR

02/25/2012

by (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)


FOUR SARANGANI TOWNS GET HIGH-SPEED PATROL BOATS FROM BFAR :: KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 25, 2012) - (L-R) Glan Senior Administrative Officer Patrick Yap, Kiamba Municipal Agriculturist Angeline Gulmatico, Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro, National Marine Fisheries Chief Alma Dickson, Maitum Vice Mayor Tito Balazon and Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Assistant Regional Director Ambutong Pautong pose after signing the Memorandum of Agreement during the turnover ceremony and culmination of the three-day seminar on familiarization and maintenance of patrol boat at Woodbridge Beach Resort Friday, February 24. Funded by the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, the four high-speed boats worth P1.9 million each were awarded to the coastal municipalities of Maitum, Kiamba, Maasim and Glan to enforce fishery laws and to protect the biodiversity of Sarangani waters.






Pacman’s ‘pal’ carnap king

by Alfred Dalizon


GENERAL Santos City – He is known for his association with prominent personalities led by boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao but officials have warned these very important persons to stay away from this man, tagged as behind a well-entrenched car theft syndicate in the country.

The man named Bong Akia alias “Mohammad Timpolok Aquia” is now facing charges for violation of the anti-carnapping act and the anti-fencing law after agents of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group under Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina recovered 26 stolen motor vehicles traced to the suspect.

PNP Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome described Akia’s group as a “well-entrenched car theft ring” engaged in buying stolen motor vehicles in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon and transporting them to Mindanao.

The Journal Group learned that unknown to his many friends including Pacquiao, Akia is using his ties with prominent personalities including politicians, law enforcement and local government officials and even members of the media to carry out his illicit trade.

Officials said last month, HPG agents failed to arrest Akia when he suddenly joined Rep. Pacquiao in his vehicle and stayed at his mansion.

The suspect, who sensed that undercover officers are tailing him, joined the boxing icon all the way to his palatial house in Sarangani where he spent the night.

The operation to get Bong Akia came in the wake of the continuing tracking operation and investigation conducted by the PNP-HPG against the so-called “Baktin Carnapping Group” in Western Visayas and Central Mindanao.






The couple's gift to Muhammad Ali was a painting created by Pinoy artist Jun Aquino

by MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE


Sarangani representative and eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao believes that someone ought to be held accountable for the mobbing of Filipino boxer Jonriel Casimero and his team after a boxing bout in Mar del Plata, Argentina on Feb. 11. According to the Philippine embassy in Buenos Aires, Casimero, his trainer Christopher Tepor, and boxing manager and promoter, Samson Gello-Aniwere, were attacked for 10 minutes by fight fans after the Filipino lifted the IBF super-flyweight title from Argentinian fighter Luis Alberto Lazarte. The Philippine flag was likewise trampled on during the incident. A previous Manila Bulletin report dated Feb. 15 noted that the Senate rose to Casimero's defense, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile calling on the Ambassador of Argentina to the Philippines to "explain why his people have the temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer who went to that country thinking that it is a civilized country, and not a country of abnormal, uncivilized people. Pacquiao, meanwhile, said in a taped "Unang Hirit" interview aired on Monday that, "Do'n sa naging laban ni Casimero sa Argentina dapat imbestigahan nang mabuti 'yon kung sino ang managot, paano nagkagulo at bakit hindi na-control ng mga pulis o nung mga bantay doon sa event na 'yon ['yung mga tao]." An icon's birthday On a lighter and celebratory note, the "UH" report noted that Pacman, together with his wife Jinkee Pacquiao, hobnobbed with big sports icons and Hollywood stars in the recently concluded 70th birthday party-cum-charity event for boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The Pacquiaos graced the lavish gala held at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb 18 [US Time], bearing their gift to the boxing icon—a painting created by Pinoy artist Jun Aquino. Aside from the Pacquiaos, among the prizefighter's other guests were Andre Agassi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Samuel Jackson, Cindy Crawford, Stevie Wonder, Bob Arum, Terrence Howard, David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins, and Lenny Kravitz. To cap off the star-studded party, Ali received a video message from US President Barack Obama telling him that he "shocked the world" and "inspired it too." Ali is suffering from Parkinson's disease; hence the proceeds of the celebration would go to the Cleveland clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which is known for battling against neurological disorders, and to the Muhammad Ali Center, a cultural and educational center in Louisville, Kentucky. Court sidetrip Apart from attending Ali's birthday celebration, a separate Manila Bulletin report, also on Feb. 15, mentioned that Pacquiao flew to the US also for his deposition—a sworn testimony taken before a trial—in connection with the grave oral defamation case he filed against the abrasively outspoken American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. In the same report, Pacquiao's deposition was said to be scheduled last Feb. 17. He was also said to have been joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter's legal adviser Franklin Gacal. The case was filed last year, stemming from Mayweather's statements in which he charged that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he would train for a fight.






5 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani

by (PNA)

DCT/LAM/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 22 (PNA) -– Five more suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the mountains of Sarangani province have surrendered in the last several days to government troops in the area.

Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas Jr., commander of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, said Wednesday that four rebels initially yielded and renewed their allegiance to the government over the weekend in Glan town in Sarangani.

He said the rebels just turned up and signified their surrender during a community gathering led by their troops in Barangay Datal Bukay in Glan.

The official identified the surrenderees as Isda Magwan alias “Kumander Isda,” Reynoso Masahon, Junard Tambasan and Arcie Yata, all residents of the municipality.

He said the rebels each yielded a 12-gauge shotgun that they reportedly used in previous operations launched by their group in the area.

“They mainly decided to surrender because of their difficult situation in the mountains,” Espuelas said in a radio interview.

On Tuesday, he said another NPA rebel identified as Edwin Dulay, 19, surrendered to their peace and development team in Alabel town.

Dulay, who is a resident of Sitio Tinungcaan of Datal Angas in Alabel, claimed to be a former member of the Squad 2, Platoon Lawin of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 71.

Espuelas said Dulay decided to abandon his unit and return to the government’s fold due to the uncertainty of their cause and the “severe hunger” they were experiencing in the mountains.

“Their (NPA rebels) situation in the mountains was getting difficult because of our relentless operations. So we expect more of them to also surrender soon,” he said.

Espuelas added that the surrenderees are set to receive food and other relief assistance from the Sarangani provincial government and will be later included to the national government’s Balik Baril program.






Pacman Favors Investigation Of Argentina Boxing Riot; Graces Muhammad Ali's Birthday

by MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE


MANILA, Philippines – Sarangani representative and eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao believes that someone ought to be held accountable for the mobbing of Filipino boxer Jonriel Casimero and his team after a boxing bout in Mar del Plata, Argentina on Feb. 11.

According to the Philippine embassy in Buenos Aires, Casimero, his trainer Christopher Tepor, and boxing manager and promoter, Samson Gello-Aniwere, were attacked for 10 minutes by fight fans after the Filipino lifted the IBF super-flyweight title from Argentinian fighter Luis Alberto Lazarte. The Philippine flag was likewise trampled on during the incident.

A previous Manila Bulletin report dated Feb. 15 noted that the Senate rose to Casimero’s defense, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile calling on the Ambassador of Argentina to the Philippines to “explain why his people have the temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer who went to that country thinking that it is a civilized country, and not a country of abnormal, uncivilized people.’’

Pacquiao, meanwhile, said in a taped “Unang Hirit” interview aired on Monday that, “Do’n sa naging laban ni Casimero sa Argentina dapat imbestigahan nang mabuti ‘yon kung sino ang managot, paano nagkagulo at bakit hindi na-control ng mga pulis o nung mga bantay doon sa event na ‘yon [‘yung mga tao].”

An icon’s birthday

On a lighter and celebratory note, the “UH” report noted that Pacman, together with his wife Jinkee Pacquiao, hobnobbed with big sports icons and Hollywood stars in the recently concluded 70th birthday party-cum-charity event for boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

The Pacquiaos graced the lavish gala held at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb 18 [US Time], bearing their gift to the boxing icon—a painting created by Pinoy artist Jun Aquino.

Aside from the Pacquiaos, among the prizefighter’s other guests were Andre Agassi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Samuel Jackson, Cindy Crawford, Stevie Wonder, Bob Arum, Terrence Howard, David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins, and Lenny Kravitz.

To cap off the star-studded party, Ali received a video message from US President Barack Obama telling him that he “shocked the world” and “inspired it too.”

Ali is suffering from Parkinson’s disease; hence the proceeds of the celebration would go to the Cleveland clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which is known for battling against neurological disorders, and to the Muhammad Ali Center, a cultural and educational center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Court sidetrip

Apart from attending Ali’s birthday celebration, a separate Manila Bulletin report, also on Feb. 15, mentioned that Pacquiao flew to the US also for his deposition—a sworn testimony taken before a trial—in connection with the grave oral defamation case he filed against the abrasively outspoken American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In the same report, Pacquiao’s deposition was said to be scheduled last Feb. 17. He was also said to have been joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal.

The case was filed last year, stemming from Mayweather’s statements in which he charged that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he would train for a fight.






GenSan hosts 7th BIMP-EAGA friendship games in December

by Bong S. Sarmiento


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/19 Feb) — The “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” will host the 7th friendship games among member-countries of the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) on December 8 to 12. EAGA comprises Brunei, East Indonesia, East Malaysia and the Philippines’ Mindanao and Palawan. Joaquin Loyzaga, executive director of the Philippine Sports Commission, said that aside from General Santos City, Sarangani province is also a partner in the staging of the friendship games. The world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, is currently the representative of Sarangani in the House of Representative. Pacquiao and Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez had earlier expressed support for the hosting of the 7th BIMP-EAGA friendship games. “Among the games to be played are lawn tennis, athletics (track and field), badminton, sepak takraw, swimming and table tennis”, Loyzaga said in a statement. He added that each country will have separate teams for boys and girls except for sepak takraw which will be exclusive for boys. The event is open to all athletes from EAGA countries 21 years old and under. At a high-level recent meeting, a roadshow covering the four participating countries was proposed by the General Santos City Tourism Office to help promote culture, tourism, sports and trade, and improve linkages and ties between the delegates and their respective countries along with the event itself. Loyzaga said they are hoping to bring more sports programs outside Manila, especially in Mindanao. Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, said the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games is an opportunity not just for sports development but also for tourism promotion and improvement of ties among the focus areas of EAGA. “We are advancing our BIMP-EAGA initiatives in this particular area of cooperation to promote the sub-region as a melting pot of sports talents and world class athletes while showcasing our culture” said Antonino, who is also the Philippine signing minister to EAGA. BIMP-EAGA is an economic cooperation formally created in 1994, covering the entire Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya; Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines. The ASEAN sub-grouping is a mechanism primarily intended to spur development in the lagging sub-economies of the member countries by boosting intra-EAGA trade, tourism and investments. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)






Pacquiao To Meet Lin In New York

by NICK GIONGCO


MANILA, Philippines — Plans are afoot for Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Taiwanese-American Jeremy Lin to meet up on Wednesday in New York, a day before the Filipino’s scheduled press conference there and the New York Knicks guard’s match with the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.

Pacquiao is now in the US to fulfill a myriad of commitments from having his deposition taken in relation with the defamation suit against Floyd Mayweather Jr., an endorsement gig with Nike, and holding press conferences in Los Angeles (Beverly Hills Hotel, Feb. 21) and New York (Chelsea Piers, Feb. 23) to promote his June 9 fight with Tim Bradley in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, is moving heaven and earth for the meeting to take place in the light of the meteoric rise of the 23-year-old Lin, who has taken the NBA by storm by virtue of monster numbers in the Knicks’ last seven games.

Arum, a native son of Brooklyn, New York, is at the forefront of leading Pacquiao to greater heights even though Pacquiao’s ring exploits have actually made him an immortal sports hero.

Rubbing elbows with NBA stars has become a practice for Pacquiao, who has met with the likes of Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce and Hollywood stars through the years in the US and the Philippines.

Pacquiao is a hoops junkie and owns a team, the MP Gensan Warriors, which he regularly trains with during his free time.

Lin, like Pacquiao, was passed over when he was trying to make a name for himself in the US.

Lin was released by two NBA teams before finding a home in the Big Apple, while US promoters hardly took a second look at an obscure Asian puncher when he went to the US in 2001.

But after a smashing debut underneath an Oscar De La Hoya-headliner in June, 2001, the US fight scene went gaga over Pacquiao.

Meanwhile, Top Rank said tickets to the Pacquiao-Bradley world welterweight title match at the MGM Grand will become available to the public starting Feb. 24.

The premium ringside seat costs $1,200, while others are priced at $900, $600, $400, and $200.

Meanwhile, the leadership in the House of Representatives is still impressed with Pacquiao despite official records revealing that the Sarangani lawmaker has only attended 38 of the total number of 59 plenary sessions held last year.

“That’s a good record considering his absences were for his fights, which projected the country positively,” said House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. (With a report from Rio Rose Ribaya)






Pacquiao ponders retirement

by goldstardailynews.com


AFTER bidding goodbye to his prized fighting cocks, Manila casino and entertainment joint in General Santos City several weeks ago, world boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao is now considering giving up his boxing gloves for good in favor of his faith and "Biblecentered" life. Pacquiao disclosed that he is seriously leaning on retiring from boxing after his scheduled June 9 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fi ght against American brawler Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada. "Hindi maganda na nagseshare ako ng salita ng Panginoon tapos nananakit ako ng kapwa (It's not right that I share God's word and at the same time hurt other people)," he told reporters after gracing the oath-taking of newly-promoted personnel of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion in Maasim town in Sarangani.

The neophyte Sarangani lawmaker, who already made a good fortune from his boxing exploits since his ring debut 16 years ago, said he wants to concentrate more on sharing his faith and at the same time on helping his poor constituents. "I've gained more than enough blessings these past years so I think it's time for me to return the favor," he said in Filipino. In September last year, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank was reported in the media as saying that the former supposedly plans to retire from boxing by the end of 2013 after running for governor of Sarangani province.

Pacquiao's mother Dionisia had asked him several times to quit boxing and just focus on his businesses and budding political career but to no avail. On the other hand, Pacquiao said he would only retire from boxing once his famed trainer Freddie Roach sees him slowing down or his vaunted punching power waning out. After his cont roversial unanimous win over Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez last November, Pacquiao was initially reported to have started attending Bible studies through the help of a Protestant pastor. Mayor Reynaldo Constantino of Malungon, Sarangani, a close ally of Pacquiao, earlier said the latter has so far become a "changed man" as a result of his new found passion for studying the Bible.

Pacquiao, who made the headlines in the past for his alleged affairs with other women as well as his gambling and drinking habits, has reportedly sold a casino that he operates in a Manila hotel and disposed of his fighting cocks. He also shut down recently his J-Mix restaurant and bar, where he used to treat his friends for drinks and billiard games. Earlier this month, Pacquiao accepted an offer from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to become the Church's "Bible ambassador." With his impending retirement, the ring icon's highly anticipated showdown with undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and fourth face-off with Marquez now appears in limbo.

The Pacquiao camp earlier tried to sign up Mayweather Jr. for a May 5 brawl but the initial talks eventually went nowhere reportedly due to differences on the sharing percentages of the mega-fight's anticipated earnings. Mayweather Jr. decided instead to go with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto while Pacquiao settled on Bradley for their May and June fights, respectively. Two years ago, the two future boxing hall of famers were supposed to be primed up for a fight but it was later scrapped after both camps failed to agree on their pre-fight drug testing method. PNA






Pacquiao To Ruffle Mayweather's Feathers

by NICK GIONGCO


MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao gets the chance to ruffle Floyd Mayweather’s feathers on Friday (Saturday in Manila) in Las Vegas when he takes his deposition in connection with the defamation case he filed against the outspoken American boxer.

A deposition is a sworn testimony that is taken before a trial and Pacquiao will be joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal.

The case was filed last year, owing to Mayweather’s statements charging that Pacquiao had used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he trained for a fight.

Also part of the lawsuit were Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) president and owner Oscar De La Hoya and GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and the case was dropped against them after a public apology was issued.

Lending a hand to Pacquiao’s case against Mayweather are lawyers David Marosso and Daniel Petrocelli.

“The case against Mayweather is very strong,” Petrocelli told the Bulletin.

There is bad blood between Pacquiao and Mayweather and their animosity towards each other reached fever-pitch a couple of weeks ago when efforts to stage a fight between them fell apart for the third time, owing to a disagreement on revenue-sharing.

Mayweather has signed to face Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao has agreed to fight Tim Bradley on June 9 also at the MGM Grand.

It is uncertain whether another round of talks would be done assuming they win their coming fights.

Pacquiao, 33, leaves for the US Thursday night and is expected to fly back to Manila immediately after the deposition.

Meanwhile, Filipino boxing idol and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny’” Pacquiao celebrated Valentine’s Day with wife Jinkee and family members by holding a Bible study session at his exclusive resort in Barangay Tuka, Sarangani Province.

Pacquiao spent a two-day vacation in his newly developed white beach resort in Barangay Tuka in Kiamba town where he was joined by relatives, friends, and some movie personalities, including Dennis Padilla, Long Mejia, Paulo Contes, Benjie Paras, Onyok Velasco and Blakdyak.

Pastors Sam Martinez and Boy Buan presided over the Bible study and sharing activities for two days where Pacquiao and Jinkee even led the singing of Christian gospel songs.

The Filipino boxing idol has been undergoing reformation for the past months and become active in holding Bible study sessions. As a gesture that he is deemed serious in his reformation process, Pacquiao even sold his shares in casino and nightclub businesses in Manila and disposed of all his fighting cocks on his breeding farm in Malungon, Sarangani Province,

“I’m satisfied and happy now with my new lifestyle where I can spend enough time for my family without my usual activities hanging out with friends in bars and casinos,” Pacquaio said.

Manny gave Jinkee roses last Tuesday,Valentines Day, shortly before the Bible study began, which delved on the biblical verses of God’s love to humanity.

After the Bible study, Pacquiao sponsored parlor games participated in by his family members, employees, and guests, including local officials and media with total prizes of more than P1 million.






Pacman considering giving up boxing in favor of the Bible

by Allen V. Estabillo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/13 February) – After bidding goodbye to his prized fighting cocks, Manila casino and entertainment joint here several weeks ago, world boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is now considering giving up his boxing gloves for good in favor of his faith and “Bible-centered” life. Pacquiao disclosed over the weekend that he is seriously leaning on retiring from boxing after his scheduled June 9 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight against American brawler Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Hindi maganda na nagse-share ako ng salita ng Panginoon tapos nananakit ako ng kapwa (It’s not right that I share God’s word and at the same time hurt other people),” he told reporters after gracing the oath-taking of newly-promoted personnel of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion in Maasim town in Sarangani. The neophyte Sarangani lawmaker, who already made a good fortune from his boxing exploits since his ring debut 16 years ago, said he wants to concentrate more on sharing his faith and at the same time on helping his poor constituents. “I’ve gained more than enough blessings these past years so I think it’s time for me to return the favor,” he said in Filipino. In September last year, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank was reported in the media as saying that the former supposedly plans to retire from boxing by the end of 2013 after running for governor of Sarangani province. Pacquiao’s mother Dionisia had asked him several times to quit from boxing and just focus on his businesses and budding political career to no avail. On the other hand, Pacquiao said he would only retire from boxing once his famed trainer Freddie Roach sees him slowing down or his vaunted punching power waning out. After his controversial unanimous win over Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez last November, Pacquiao was initially reported to have started attending Bible studies through the help of a Protestant pastor. Mayor Reynaldo Constantino of Malungon, Sarangani, a close ally of Pacquiao, earlier said the latter has so far become a “changed man” as a result of his newfound passion for studying the Bible. Pacquiao, who made the headlines in the past for his alleged affairs with other women as well as his gambling and drinking habits, has reportedly sold a casino that he operates in a Manila hotel and disposed of his fighting cocks. He also shut down recently his J-Mix restaurant and bar, where he used to treat his friends for drinks and billiard games. Earlier this month, Pacquiao accepted an offer from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to become the Church’s “Bible ambassador.” With his impending retirement, the ring icon’s highly-anticipated showdown with undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and fourth face-off with Marquez now appears in limbo. The Pacquiao camp earlier tried to sign up Mayweather Jr. for a May 5 brawl but the initial talks eventually went nowhere reportedly due to differences on the sharing percentages of the mega-fight’s anticipated earnings. Mayweather Jr. decided instead to go with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto while Pacquiao settled on Bradley for their May and June fights, respectively. Two years ago, the two future boxing hall of famers were supposed to be primed up for a fight but it was later scrapped after both camps couldn’t settle on the pre-fight drug testing method. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)






Sarangani is paradise for thrill-seekers

by CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMA News


At the southern tip of the Philippines is the province of Sarangani, whose name comes from "sarang-ani," meaning "this is our territory" in Malay.

The province is in Mindanao's Socsksargen Region, which includes South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.

Home to the indigenous communities of B'laan, Tagakaolo, T'boli, Manobo, Ubo, and Kalagan, Sarangani is rich with Filipino culture.

The province is also the hometown of world champion boxer and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee.

Already popular for its powdery white sand beaches, Sarangani takes things up a notch with its array of activities for thrill-seekers. From white water tubing to zip lining, this is definitely a place for the adventurous.

Although it is quite a distance from Manila, the trip is more than worth it, as Weekend Warriors Jigs Maniega and Angelo Salcedo found out last month.

Sarangani in two days

The cousins headed to Sarangani for an unforgettable two days, enjoying the usual vacation activities like swimming and eating. But they also had to complete some unusual tasks, as all Weekend Warriors must. It was all worth it, as they discovered. It was all part of the Sarangani experience.

The adventure began with white water tubing down the 1.6-kilometer Pangi River in Maitum. White water tubing is like rafting, except you sit on an inflated rubber tire instead of a raft. The ride lasts for 25 minutes, and every second is filled with screams of delight. There is the danger of falling off, but there are always guides on an attached tube behind you.

For another kind of adrenaline rush, visit the IML Eco Park, an all adventure resort where you can pretend to fly on a 580-meter zip line, or test your shooting skills at a world-class firing range.

If riding the rapids doesn't appeal to you, visit the Maitum Municipal Hall instead to see the replicas of Maitum anthropomorphic jars, which date back to the Metal Age. In 1991, the secondary burial jars were found by a team led by National Museum Archaeology Curator Eusebio Dizon. The actual jars are on display at the National Museum, but they were discovered in Piñol Cave, which is not far from the Maitum Municipal Hall.

If you have enough time, you can visit the cave itself and see the bat sanctuary, where you can find hundreds of thousands of giant golden crowned flying fox bats. You could also head to the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary in Old Poblacion, where you can see green turtles, hawksbill turtles and the Olive Ridley. Over 3,000 hatchlings have been released into the ocean from the sanctuary since it was established in 2003 by Danilo C. Dequiña.

Oldest town

For some history, visit Glan, the oldest town in Socsksargen. Glan was Agricultural Colony No. 9, headed by Cebuano Don Tranquilino Ruiz, who was appointed superintendent by Governor General Francis Burton Harrison in 1914. Don Ruiz's house still stands, and it is filled with antique furniture, paintings, bottles, jars and other memorabilia including a komoda which was made by a Japanese carpenter in 1921.

You can also learn how to produce copra, one of the province's main industries. Watch as they remove the coconut's skin, then halve the nut in order to extract the liquid, which will be made into oil. The rest of the nut is burnt and turned into coal. It sounds simple enough, but as Jigs and Angelo discovered, it takes a lot of strength.

"Kasi process 'yun eh. 'Pag kopra kailangan tatanggalin namin 'yung balat nung buko na natuyo na tapos bibiyakin. Tatanggalin 'yung laman, paghihiwalayin, susunugin 'yung pinaka-niyog, 'yung bao ng niyog. Sa una sobrang struggle. Pagbalat pa lang kailangan talaga ng strength. Nung una pa lang hindi ko na matanggal...nahirapan talaga ako," says Jigs.

Even Angelo, who had previous experience, found it difficult. "Natataranta nga ako kasi hindi na ako sanay. Ang tagal na. Five years na akong hindi nakakapag-kopra," he shares.

Tuna fishing

Make sure to visit Sarangani Bay, the largest producer of fish in Southern Mindanao. Sarangani is famous for its export-quality tuna, and as the Weekend Warriors learned, it takes a lot to prepare the fish perfectly. Their mission: to get five fish from a boat, weigh the fish, and then clean them. In the end, they managed to weigh and clean 110 kilos of tuna.

As a reward, they were brought to Gumasa Beach, where the sand is powdery white and the water is crystal clear. "Ang ganda kasi. 'Yung sand nila super fine na white talaga. Ang presko nung tubig, saka ang clear, ang ganda," says Jigs.

Angelo observes that the beach is pristine, because they're very strict about their no littering policy.

"Kahit anong dumi wala kaming nakita. The best, ang ganda," says Angelo.

For a P1,500-diving fee, you can marvel at the countless colorful and unique fish at Lemlunay Resort, a well-known diving spot in Sarangani.

"Nakaka-amaze sa ilalim, ang ganda! Ang daming isda, nakaka-amaze na na-preserve nila 'yung mga ganung isdaan," says Angelo.

You'll definitely work up an appetite after diving, and there's no better dish than fresh kinilaw to make your hunger pangs disappear. This dish of raw fish marinated in spiced vinegar is the Filipino version of ceviche, a Latin American preparation method which uses citrus juice.

With all the things to do and sights to see, a couple of days will surely feel like too short a time, and it won't be easy to leave a beautiful place like Sarangani.

"Hindi siya the usual na probinsiya na pupuntahan kasi parang sa tao parang silent killer na parang wala lang, walang ganito sa Sarangani. 'Yun pala kapag na-explore mo 'yung buong lugar, ang dami mong pwedeng gawin, ang dami mong puwedeng matutunan, ang dami mong puwedeng maranasan. Ang ganda," says Jigs. — KG, GMA News

BFAR notes Alsons Aquaculture breakthrough into China

by BusinessMirror.com.ph


HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is batting for value adding by aquaculture companies, saying the time has come for local milkfish and other fish species to find markets overseas. BFAR Director Asis G. Perez said aquaculture companies can produce fillets and special byproducts for the Asian, European and American markets and noted that processed products enjoy better prices.

In a briefing last week, Perez said the strides made by aquaculture has increased its share of the food-fish supply for the domestic market, which is now comprised of 94 million people.

“While we buy fish whole, other markets prefer processed products like fillets of milkfish,” he said.

Perez also noted the entry of Alsons Aquaculture Corp. (AAC) in the China market, shipping out an initial nine tons of milkfish to Xiamen, an industrial and commercial hub that has grown tremendously in the last two decades.

With the initial shipment, Gabriel H. Alcantara, AAC assistant vice president for the processed food division, said the company became the first Philippine company to test the potential of bangus in the lucrative China market.

Perez said the AAC was also instrumental in providing the milkfish fingerlings for Taal Lake and Pangasinan fishpen operators after these areas were hit by fish kills last year.

The BFAR chief said the market for aquaculture products like milkfish will grow since more and more people are now opting for seafood rather than meat.

“Livestock and poultry will have a problem once the share of fish in the diet increases for health reasons,” he said.

Alcantara said his company has cut a deal with retail stores in Xiamen to market the milkfish products under the Sarangani Bay brand.

By breaking into the huge China market, AAC hopes to further entrench itself as the country’s largest exporter of processed and packaged milkfish, Alcantara added.

“The export milkfish products were hatched and raised in Alsons’ own aquaculture farm in Alabel, Sarangani and processed on-site at AAC’s state-of-the-art facility,” he said.

Alcantara said the initial volume was shipped from Gen. Santos City in late December 2011 and arrived in Xiamen early this month.






Ex-Sarangani governor faces graft charges

by Macon Ramos-Araneta


THE Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against former Gov. Miguel Escobar of Sarangani province and several others over the grant of a financial assistance worth P450,000 in 2002.

In an Information lodged before the Sandiganbayan, charged with violation of Section 3(e) of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were Escobar, provincial board member Juanito Purisima, Executive Assistant to the Vice Governor Amelia Carmela Zoleta, Accountant IV Suzette Clerigo, and management analyst Alexis dela Cruz, all of the provincial government of Sarangani.

Private respondent Velsie Banzon, treasurer of Malapatan Fishermens Group in Poblacion Malapatan, was also included in the charge sheet.

The Information, approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, stated that the respondents caused the disbursement of the amount P450,000 through a Development Bank of the Philippines check dated May 29, 2002 to Banzon as payee.

It added that they made it appear that financial assistance was requested and given to the fishermen’s group, and that evidence pointed to Escobar as the one who approved the fictitious request and even certified in the disbursement voucher that the cash advance was necessary, lawful and incurred under his direct supervision.

The Information further alleged that Clerigo certified the completeness and propriety of the supporting documents despite non-compliance with Commission on Audit Circular 96-003 providing for the documentary requirements in disbursements for financial assistance.






The Philippine tuna industry crisis: Another look (3)

by Edwin G. Espejo


Last of three parts GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/06 Feb) — With the Philippine seas south of Mindanao already over fished, local tuna producers have looked beyond the country’s fishing grounds for their operations. In the 1990s, local tuna producers began opening up fishing operations in Indonesia and in Papua New Guinea. By the turn of the millennium, several Filipino companies had already put up canning plants in these countries known for their rich tuna fishing grounds. As local tuna production began to decline, pressures from Filipino companies operating fishing grounds in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea for raw materials increased. For a while, it sustained the six canning plants in the city which still operated 24/7. But since 2008, canning plants had been cutting production hours by a third, from three production shifts to just two and sometimes just once a day. The decline in Philippine tuna catch had little impact on Filipino exporters of canned tuna who were able to set up plants in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. As early as two decades ago, industry players had seen a steady decline of domestic catch due to over fishing and over saturation of commercial fishing operations in Philippine seas. At least four Filipino-owned corporations now have tuna canning plants in these two countries. But while production declined, increased international prices of canned and processed tuna as well as fresh chilled yellowfin tuna exports are keeping the Philippine tuna industry afloat. Over the last five years, the annual export earnings of Philippine tuna are still within the range of US$280 million despite reduced production. Days of aplenty Marfenio Tan, former president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industry (SFFAI), continues to reminisce the days when they had to bury tons of tuna catches on the beaches because there were simply abundant supplies and demand could not cope, if not non-existent. Landings of mature yellowfin tuna have steadily been declining over the last five years. Six years ago, before fuel costs skyrocketed worldwide, the average price of a box of skipjack was P600 (US$14 per 33-kilo box). On Thursday, it was US$48. “Way back in the late 1960s, bariles (yellowfin tuna) was sold at fifteen centavos (Php) and still there were no takers. Skipjacks were sold at five centavos a bundle,” Tan said. On Thursday, the sashimi grade yellowfin tuna fetched P290 a kilo (US$6.70). Back then these tunas were caught just a little over one hundred meters away from the shore. Today, the closest you can have them in volume is a good six hours from the coastal towns of Kiamba and Maasim in Sarangani. On a bad day, three weeks in the open seas off Sarangani Bay will net a zero catch. Today, the average vessel days of handline tuna fishermen is ten days. The aggregate medium sized purse seine fishing operations take about 30 fishing days. Glory days over Despite the pall of gloom in the horizon, producers and fishermen are not counting out the Philippine tuna industry although Tan says it definitely had already seen its better days. Many who relied solely on tuna fishing went bankrupt when the 1997 Asian financial crisis hit the region, mostly fishing companies who obtained loans, some of them in dollar denomination, to expand or to invest first time in the industry. But for some, the 1997 financial crisis was also time for windfall profits as exporters enjoyed the bonanza of the decline in the Philippine peso foreign exchange market. Tan said of the 10 or so families who pioneered the industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s, only three are left. During the stretch when the industry became the single top dollar earner commodity for Mindanao, several companies had also emerged, especially in the late 1980s and early 1990s. But the industry is going full circle again following the 2008 global collapse of several financial institutions and renewed oil price crisis. Five years ago, former General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr urged key players to look beyond the tuna industry and invest in other businesses. He proved prophetic as the two-year Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission ban on tuna fishing gave them a rude wake-up call. Tan, now retired president of San Andres Fishing Industries, became big enough which allowed him to diversify his business interests long before the double whammy of crises hit the industry in the last two decades. He said the crisis has affected his production but his other business interests outside the fishing industry insulated and prevented him from going the way of his other contemporaries. He, along with the Riveras of the RD Fishing Group, is still one of the city’s biggest tuna producers as well as among the biggest businessmen in town. But he still yearns for what once were the glory days of the tuna industry. (Edwin Espejo writes for the asiancorrespondent.com)






Phl mango production posts 7% growth

by J. Antonio Rimando


GLAN, Sarangani,, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala announced here recently that the Philippines posted a seven percent growth in mango production in 2011 which he attributed largely to continuous flower induction in Southern Tagalog-A (Calabarzon) ,Southern Tagalog-B (Mimaropa), Central Luzon, Bicol, Ilocos and other parts of Mindanao and the Visayas.

Alcala addressed the recently concluded National Mango Congress, which focused on the theme “Posturing the Philippine Mango Strongly in the World Market,” held at the Isla Jarden del Mar Resort in this capital town.

Last year, Alcala said, the country was able to export a total of 20,115 tons of fresh mango worth at least $15.2 million, even as it further exported 36,000 tons of dried mangoes and 9,328 tons of processed mangoes.

“This enabled the country to earn a total of over $50 million from combined exports of fresh, dried and processed mangoes during the 12-month period, Alcala said, adding that despite these figures, “we still noted a shortage in supply.”

Consequently, the agriculture chief urged the nation’s mango growers and producers to plant more even as he challenged them to surpass last year’s produce.

The Department of Agriculture has strengthened its partnership with the mango industry sector especially in improving handling and transporting system.

Alcala noted the significance of last year’s congress theme which, he said, is timed relevantly with the strong demand abroad for Philippine mangoes.

At the same time, Alcala pledged to continue the DA’s continuous all-out support for the growth and development of the Philippine mango industry.

He assured the congress participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that the DA would continue to intensify its assistance and sustenance for deserving programs, particularly in the establishment and rehabilitation of nurseries and, household and village processing assistance and crop improvement especially for climate change adaptability.

Alcala identified the major mango production regions in the Southern Philippines as Western Mindanao or Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Central Mindanao which covers South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City.






Housing project opens doors to occupants

by BEVERLY C. PAOYON


ALABEL, Sarangani - -The fist -ever Public -Private Partnership (PPP) initiated housing project in Sarangani finally opened its doors to the first batch of occupants on January 24 in time for the awarding of certificates of occupancy to 11 beneficiaries. Called as "The Capitol Residences", it is the housing project of the provincial government, in joint venture with Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and Sarangani Land and Development Corporation, which translates the commitment of provincial leaders to provide better shelter through medium grade but affordable housing facility for its employees. The local government unit (LGU) -led housing project was implemented pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) 7279 otherwise known as Urban Development and Housing Act in conjunction with Section 17 of RA 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991.

HDMF Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe said there have been a lot of negotiations ongoing nationwide for the PPP housing program for the LGUs but she pointed out Sarangani's project was yet the first ceremonial turn-over she witnessed. "Una ko po itong (The Capitol Residences) napuntahan na tunay naman na nakatayo na ang mga bahay, tapos na ang Land development, at may takeout na na labing-isang bahay," Berberabe disclosed. Berberabe said it was the first mandate of Vice President Jejomar Binay to Pag-IBIG, being the chairman of Pag-IBIG housing program, to conceptualize housing programs for LGUs which the latter supported with a campaign last year, but Berberabe said Sarangani implemented its own much ahead. For his part, Governor Migs Dominguez said it was the "first time that the local government unit engages the first private public partnership project especially in housing in the whole of Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines."

"A step towards providing innovations in utilizing partnership with the private sector to meet (our) developmental objectives finally today of abiding quality housing especially to our local government and national government employees," Dominguez said. The governor emphasized also that he wanted to leave the housing project as his legacy where all the beneficiaries "build families, will build noble communities." Dominguez, likewise, anticipated that The Capitol Residences could be a "template where other local government units or agencies of the government can follow as a progressive, innovative way of developing."

This, according to Dominguez, will also signal the start of investment development that would "provide formal, decent and the best housing project in Sarangani and also become a little imperative for the city residents to look at where you can experience fresh air, where you can see Mt. Matutum and get the fresh breeze coming from Sarangani Bay." Dominguez , however , stressed that in this project it is not only the houses that will be made as the model of development but as well as the families that will grow there. Atty. Wendel Avisado, secretary general of Housing and Development of the Office of the Vice President, noted this initiative of the provincial government as effective in encouraging employees in return to be more productive civil servants. "Ang pagkakaroon ng kasiguruhan sa usaping pabahay ay mahalaga sa bawat pamilya," Avisado said. He also pointed out "isa sa mga pangunahing karapatan ng bawat tao sa mundo ay magkaroon ng sariling lupa at bahay para sa kanyang pamilya.

Also during the ceremonial turnover was the signing of memorandum of understanding between Sarangani and its partners where part of the covenants agreed was the recoupment of the P6 million the provincial government spent in purchasing the 6-hectare housing area that would in turn earn the provincial government P33,334 per unit based on the one peso computation from the proceeds of the loan per takeout. From the total 180 housing units to mortgage with HDMF, 11 beneficiaries constituted the first batch in which HDMF ceremonially turned over to the provincial government its monetary cash equivalent of P4.7 million as its share. Per lot measures 210 square meters Land area and 39.24 sq. meters floor area each unit, the advantage beneficiaries get compared to commercial housing units in cities which would range to an average of only 90 to 120 square meters.






GenSan, SouthCot, Sarangani brownouts not to end soon

by Allen V. Estabillo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 2 Feb) – The continuing hour-long daily rotating brownouts here and in nearby South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces will not likely end soon as Mindanao’s power situation reportedly remained under “red alert” status. Joy Celeste Alora, information officer of South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II), said they received an advisory from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) that the power load cuts it imposed early last month to local power cooperatives in Mindanao will remain in effect due to the unstable power supplies coming from the hydroelectric plants of the National Power Corporation (NPC). Based on the NGCP’s power situation outlook for Thursday, the combined capacity of Mindanao’s power generation plants is pegged at 1,216 megawatts (mw) or 51mw short of the area’s estimated peak demand of 1,267mw. The NPC’s hydropower plants in Bukidnon and the two Lanao provinces supply more than half of the island’s power requirements. “The one-hour rotating brownouts will continue to affect two of our main power feeders from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The curtailments will normally happen during the peak hours, especially in the evening,” Alora said. Socoteco II serves this city, the seven municipalities of nearby Sarangani Province and two municipalities in the first congressional district of South Cotabato. The cooperative’s franchise area has a current peak demand of 102mw that grows at an average of 4 percent annually. But Rodolfo Ocat, Socoteco II general manager, projected that the increase in the area’s total power demand would double this year due to the opening within the first half of the year of a major shopping mall complex as well as several hotels and commercial establishments. Beginning January, Ocat said NPC cut down the area’s power allocation by 28 to 30mw, reducing their average daily base power load at around 70mw. Socoteco II forged an agreement in May last year with the Aboitiz-owned Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) for an augmentation of 18mw, leaving the current power deficit in the area at 14mw. Alora said the area’s power situation will only improve if the status of NPC’s hydropower plants would stabilize within the next few months. “The situation might ease a bit when the summer season comes in since we expect then some improvements in the generation capacity of the hydropower plants,” she said. Alora said the Socoteco II management is presently working on another deal with TMI for another augmentation of 5mw within the first half of the year. In June last year, Socoteco II signed a power sales agreement with the Alcantara-led Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) for a base load supply of 70mw for 25 years starting in early 2014. The agreement, which is currently pending approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission, will take effect in time for the projected commercial streaming of the initial 100mw of the 200mw coal-fired power plant of SEC in Maasim town in Sarangani. The US$ 450-million coal power plant is being built by SEC’s mother firm Conal Holding Corporation, which is backed by the Alcantara Group and Thailand’s Electricity Generating Public Company Limited. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)






NPA rebel killed in Sarangani clash

by Mindanao Examiner



KIDAPAWAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 30, 2012) – Government troops clashed with communist rebels on Monday and killing one insurgent in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said the fighting erupted in the village called Tamban in Malungon town in Sarangani province. Soldiers also recovered an M16 automatic rifle and an M203 grenade launcher from the slain New People’s Army rebel.

Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas, Sr., of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, said villagers tipped off the military on the presence of about 20 gunmen who were collecting food and harassing the locals.

He said the fighting lasted over 30 minutes and troops and policemen were sent to pursue those who were able to escape.

The army battalion is under the command of the 10th Infantry Division.

The NPA is fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

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