Zamboanga Sibugay News

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

---

Zamboanga Sibugay Photo Gallery

Zamboanga Sibugay Realty

Philippine News

---

Zamboanga Sibugay - Archived News

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs. Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion. But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened . Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions. Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE? Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace? WHY?? There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance: The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

---

All set for CMK’s Fashion Pandemonium

• Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/9429-all-set-for-cmks-fashion-pandemonium.html
• Tuesday, 10 April 2012 11:47

By R.G. A A. Go

All is set for the CMK’s Fashion Pandemonium fashion competition, where the creativity and craftsmanship of the designers coming from the region, will be put to test on April 13 at Astoria Regency in Pasonanca.

CMK Creations Head, Kelvin Fortin, said that the occasion is in line with CMK’s Creations 2nd Year Anniversary.

"The fashion competition will test the creativity and craftsmanship of the designers in the region," Fortin said.

The event will be for the benefit the Department of Social Welfare to include the Orphanage and the Home for the Elderly.

The event will be participated by designers coming from Zamboanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Norte, which is composed of cities of Dapitan and Dipolog.

For Zamboanga City, two amateur designers will join the competition and known Zamboangueño designers Altum Tiabot and Joy Verar.

For the competition, the designers will have to create the following garments according to the given themes.

The themes for the competition are as follows: Theme 1 Enchanted Forest Gown, Theme 2 Pink Planet Cocktails, Theme 3 Country Corsets, Theme 4 Rock Chic Lingerie, and Modern Filipiniana.

The five judges for the show are Antonio L. Chua, Edwin F. Uy, David A. Ocampo, and Chery S. Veric all are celebrity fashion designers and Jeffrey B. Somera Jr., Celebrity Fashion Stylist.

The criteria for judging are creativity 30%, personal display 5%, trendy 10%, use of color 5%, wearability 15%, workmanship 25%, and impact 10%.

There will be one winner for each themes and the winners will each receive P10,000 cash and a trophy. During the show, Zamboangueño talents will also perform to include Philippine Idol Top 8 Armarie Cruz, Armando Cruz Jr., Khaezel Galvez, Victoria Anne Guingona and Cheska Mas of KM6 band. The performers will sing live together with the KM6 band.

Aside from the singing, the Jambangan Dancers will also be dancing during the mentioned show.

The show was organized by CMK Creations together with the following sponsors Grand Astoria Hotel, Yes Hair cutter, Panasonic, Picar Development Inc., Yanna’s Kikay Corner, Universal Canning Inc., and many more.

For those interested please call 991-0820 for more information. Tickets are priced at P1,200 with free dinner, P500 with free mocktail drinks, and P300.

PNOC EC confirms coal reserves in Lower Butong area in Zambo Sibugay

• Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/46071-PNOC-EC-confirms-coal-reserves-in-Lower-Butong-area-in-Zambo-Sibugay.html
• Monday, April 9. 2012

By (PNA)

RMA/ASF/ssc

MANILA — PNOC Exploration Corp., holder of coal operating contract 41 in Zamboanga Sibugay, has completed drilling 12 in-fill holes in the Lower Butong area last month. In a statement, PNOC EC said the results of the drilling confirmed the presence of coal, which can be produced commercially. After verification of the coal reserves by an independent third party, PNOC EC said it would start developing this area for production. When completed, this would be the fourth mine that will be operated by the company under COC 41. PNOC EC currently operates two highly productive coal mines with another one under development for production late this year. This is the country’s largest underground coal mine and it was able to achieve two million man-hours worked without lost-time accidents in its operations in March, according to Raymundo B. Savella, vice president for Petroleum and Coal Operations of PNOC EC. “Safety is an industry benchmark in energy exploration the world over, and we are very proud to have achieved two million-plus man-hours of operation without any accidents,” Mel Lopez, Chairman and chief executive officer of PNOC EC said. “Considering the hazardous and underground nature of coal mining, this makes this milestone doubly significant,” Lopez added. With the positive results in the drilling in Lower Butong, coupled with the company’s current direction to optimize production and aggressive exploration efforts in the nearby areas, PNOC EC said the required coal requirement for the proposed 100-MW power plant had been assured. This should contribute to addressing Mindanao’s current and longer-term power needs, according to Lopez.

Philippine troops fail to rescue kidnapped town mayor'

• Source: http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2012/04/philippine-troops-fail-to-rescue.html
• SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2012

By (Mindanao Examiner)

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front over the weekend traded barbs for "breaking the peace" in parts of Mindanao during the Holy Week. While a government peace adviser chided the MILF for two ridos (clan wars), the MILF accused government troops of threatening the peace in Moro villages in Zamboanga Sibugay. Both sides engaged in a word war even as their negotiators are to meet again for another round of formal exploratory talks this month in Kuala Lumpur, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said. On Friday, senior military adviser to the government panel Brig. Gen. Leo Ferrer urged the MILF to stop ridos among its own members and help foster peace in Mindanao, following two clashes on Maundy Thursday. Ferrer, in a news release posted on the OPAPP website, said the MILF should discipline its troops and put an end to such internal armed conflicts. "The government wants a peace agreement with the MILF, but we also want to see them prove that they can work with us in keeping the peace," Ferrer said following two ridos in Maguindanao and North Cotabato Thursday morning. According to the OPAPP news release, the incidents occurred at Damalibi village in Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao and in Balabac village in Pikit town in North Cotabato. Some 100 families fled their homes and were led to safety by the Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (IB) and the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Light Armor Division. Reports from the government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) said the first encounter was between the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) led by Commander Rutin and the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) 118th Base Command, led by Commander Otok. The BIFF is a breakaway group of the MILF led by rogue commander Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato. The BIAF is the official armed wing of the MILF. According to the OPAPP, the clash allegedly stemmed from a land dispute where Otok's nephew, a farmer, was killed by Rutin's group. Thursday's attack was allegedly Otok's retaliation. Ferrer said the government CCCH has informed its MILF counterpart about the incident. He said the government CCCH has requested the MILF-CCCH to direct the 118th BC to cease the fighting and leave the area once the BIFF elements have withdrawn. Ferrer added Army troops were also requested to establish checkpoints along the highway to deter encroachment of reinforcing troops from both sides. On the other hand, the second incident broke out two hours after the first encounter, between the group of Mando Mandalait, and a certain Commander Lugom of the MILF-BIAF's 108th BC, with reinforcements from one Ibrahim Tan-ao under Kagui Samir of the MILF National Guard Front Command. "Reasons of the clashes are personal grudge and politics, which are among the many causes of rido as well," the OPAPP said. The OPAPP cited an MILF "source" who said the MILF tried to resolve the row but "personal grudge and political connections" got in the way. The government CCCH is working with the local government unit, the MILF CCCH, the Cotabato Local Monitoring Team and the Army's 6th ID to stop the fighting and restore peace in the affected area. Meanwhile, Ferrer said the MILF should maintain peace on the ground as a show of sincerity to the peace process. "We urge the MILF to work with the government in bringing peace in Mindanao. We would like to believe that the MILF is as sincere as the government when it comes to the peace negotiations. We would like to see that sincerity reflected on the ground as well, by knowing that the MILF can control their troops from going into armed clashes again in the future," he said. Army stormed Moro village For its part, the MILF on Saturday said composite troops of the Army's 18th Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police's Regional Mobile Group (RMG) stormed a Moro community in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay since Friday afternoon. The MILF said "almost a company size" of military and police forces were deployed in Tenan, "heightening alarm and fears" among surprised Moro civilians residing the area. It noted the village is densely populated by MILF members affiliated with its civil–political committees and the 113th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF). "Village chieftain and MILF contacts immediately reported the deployment of troops in full battle gear to government and MILF authorities to allay apprehension but clarification were not afforded," the MILF said on its website Saturday afternoon. The MILF said its CCCH conveyed the situation to its counterpart in the government but said "clarifications are still being sought." “What is very clear with us is that no coordination was made by the government on this unusual movement and deployment of government forces,” the MILF CCCH said. The MILF said Tenan is populated by several thousands of Moro civilians and MILF members, who earn a living through fishing and farming. It said its CCCH said it will file a protest on this case that constitutes violations of the ceasefire accord. “If only to avoid misunderstanding and provocations, the government should have coordinated these movement and deployment,” it said. “This act is deplorable and surely diminishes the confidence of the Moro people to the peace talks and ceasefire accord between the government and MILF,” the MILF CCCH added. According to the MILF, the government troops reached Tenan aboard military vehicles, backed up by at least two armored cars. The troops allegedly moved around the village, while others stayed near riverbanks and a bridge. Citing reports reaching it, the MILF said civilians were unable to sleep as they were fearful of what may happen. It added others recalled their "horrendous" experiences during Martial Law such as arbitrary arrests and displacement from native places. “Why (storm) a civilian community if the government is really sincere with the negotiation and the ceasefire?” the MILF said. On Saturday morning, the MILF said government troops swooped into farm lands of the Moros, causing the farmers to stay home. It said Moro fishermen also skipped their daily routine for fear of being harmed. "At almost noontime, the government forces beefed up their presence and continue to scour the Moro village," it said.

Govt, MILF trade barbs over Holy Week peace 'violations'

• Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/254158/news/nation/govt-milf-trade-barbs-over-holy-week-peace-violations
• April 7, 2012 4:35pm

By LBG, GMA News

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front over the weekend traded barbs for "breaking the peace" in parts of Mindanao during the Holy Week.

While a government peace adviser chided the MILF for two ridos (clan wars), the MILF accused government troops of threatening the peace in Moro villages in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Both sides engaged in a word war even as their negotiators are to meet again for another round of formal exploratory talks this month in Kuala Lumpur, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said.

On Friday, senior military adviser to the government panel Brig. Gen. Leo Ferrer urged the MILF to stop ridos among its own members and help foster peace in Mindanao, following two clashes on Maundy Thursday.

Ferrer, in a news release posted on the OPAPP website, said the MILF should discipline its troops and put an end to such internal armed conflicts.

"The government wants a peace agreement with the MILF, but we also want to see them prove that they can work with us in keeping the peace," Ferrer said following two ridos in Maguindanao and North Cotabato Thursday morning.

According to the OPAPP news release, the incidents occurred at Damalibi village in Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao and in Balabac village in Pikit town in North Cotabato.

Some 100 families fled their homes and were led to safety by the Army's 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (IB) and the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Light Armor Division.

Reports from the government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) said the first encounter was between the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) led by Commander Rutin and the MILF's Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) 118th Base Command, led by Commander Otok.

The BIFF is a breakaway group of the MILF led by rogue commander Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato. The BIAF is the official armed wing of the MILF.

According to the OPAPP, the clash allegedly stemmed from a land dispute where Otok's nephew, a farmer, was killed by Rutin's group. Thursday's attack was allegedly Otok's retaliation.

Ferrer said the government CCCH has informed its MILF counterpart about the incident.

He said the government CCCH has requested the MILF-CCCH to direct the 118th BC to cease the fighting and leave the area once the BIFF elements have withdrawn.

Ferrer added Army troops were also requested to establish checkpoints along the highway to deter encroachment of reinforcing troops from both sides.

On the other hand, the second incident broke out two hours after the first encounter, between the group of Mando Mandalait, and a certain Commander Lugom of the MILF-BIAF's 108th BC, with reinforcements from one Ibrahim Tan-ao under Kagui Samir of the MILF National Guard Front Command.

"Reasons of the clashes are personal grudge and politics, which are among the many causes of rido as well," the OPAPP said.

The OPAPP cited an MILF "source" who said the MILF tried to resolve the row but "personal grudge and political connections" got in the way.

The government CCCH is working with the local government unit, the MILF CCCH, the Cotabato Local Monitoring Team and the Army's 6th ID to stop the fighting and restore peace in the affected area.

Meanwhile, Ferrer said the MILF should maintain peace on the ground as a show of sincerity to the peace process.

"We urge the MILF to work with the government in bringing peace in Mindanao. We would like to believe that the MILF is as sincere as the government when it comes to the peace negotiations. We would like to see that sincerity reflected on the ground as well, by knowing that the MILF can control their troops from going into armed clashes again in the future," he said.

Army stormed Moro village

For its part, the MILF on Saturday said composite troops of the Army's 18th Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police's Regional Mobile Group (RMG) stormed a Moro community in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay since Friday afternoon.

The MILF said "almost a company size" of military and police forces were deployed in Tenan, "heightening alarm and fears" among surprised Moro civilians residing the area.

It noted the village is densely populated by MILF members affiliated with its civil–political committees and the 113th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).

"Village chieftain and MILF contacts immediately reported the deployment of troops in full battle gear to government and MILF authorities to allay apprehension but clarification were not afforded," the MILF said on its website Saturday afternoon.

The MILF said its CCCH conveyed the situation to its counterpart in the government but said "clarifications are still being sought."

“What is very clear with us is that no coordination was made by the government on this unusual movement and deployment of government forces,” the MILF CCCH said.

The MILF said Tenan is populated by several thousands of Moro civilians and MILF members, who earn a living through fishing and farming.

It said its CCCH said it will file a protest on this case that constitutes violations of the ceasefire accord.

“If only to avoid misunderstanding and provocations, the government should have coordinated these movement and deployment,” it said.

“This act is deplorable and surely diminishes the confidence of the Moro people to the peace talks and ceasefire accord between the government and MILF,” the MILF CCCH added.

According to the MILF, the government troops reached Tenan aboard military vehicles, backed up by at least two armored cars.

The troops allegedly moved around the village, while others stayed near riverbanks and a bridge.

Citing reports reaching it, the MILF said civilians were unable to sleep as they were fearful of what may happen.

It added others recalled their "horrendous" experiences during Martial Law such as arbitrary arrests and displacement from native places.

“Why (storm) a civilian community if the government is really sincere with the negotiation and the ceasefire?” the MILF said.

On Saturday morning, the MILF said government troops swooped into farm lands of the Moros, causing the farmers to stay home.

It said Moro fishermen also skipped their daily routine for fear of being harmed.

"At almost noontime, the government forces beefed up their presence and continue to scour the Moro village," it said.

Sayyaf attacks government militias in Basilan province

• Source: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20120404232224
• Thursday, April 05, 2012 11:22:24 AM

By (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 5, 2012) – Three government militias were killed and 7 others wounded in Thursday attack by Abu Sayyaf militants in the restive southern Philippine province of Basilan, officials said.

Officials said one of the attackers was also killed in the fire fight that erupted in Tumahubong village in Sumisip town where the militant group tied by authorities to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya is actively operating.

“Three were killed and seven more are wounded in the Abu Sayyaf attack. There is an operation going on against this terrorist group,” Colonel Ricardo Visaya, commander of military forces in the province, told the Mindanao Examiner.

Visaya said the militias were deployed in the town to guard the workers of the Tumahubong Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Development Cooperative. He said the wounded were rushed to the army base in Basilan where doctors provided them first aid and then airlifted to Zamboanga City for further medication.

Visaya has tagged Puruji Indama as behind the attack. “We still don’t know the motive of the attack,” he said.

Police did not give any statement about the attack and the provincial commander Alexis Lineses ignored queries from journalists.

The Abu Sayyaf has previously attacked workers of the cooperative for its failure to pay extortion money to the militants blamed for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings in Basilan, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Indama's group is believed to be holding a kidnapped Australian adventurer Warren Rodwell, who was seized in December last year at the seaside town of Ipil in Zamboanga del Sur province.

(Update) Manhunt operations vs. Zambo Norte town mayor abductors continue

• Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/45899-Update-Manhunt-operations-vs.-Zambo-Norte-town-mayor-abductors-continue.html
• Wednesday, April 4. 2012

By (PNA)

dct/RSV/FMS/utb

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Search and rescue operations have been going on for Salug town mayor Jeffrey Tan Lim, 37, who was abducted Monday night by 10 unidentified armed men at the bus terminal of Salug municipality, Zamboanga del Norte. Lim and his wife were taking supper in an eatery at the bus terminal compound at around 7 p.m. Monday when a yellow van suddenly arrived. A passenger wearing camouflage green pants and T-shirt with “PULIS” marking alighted from the vehicle and said he was looking for the mayor to purportedly serve a warrant of arrest. Then, another four also disembarked from the van and forcibly took the mayor into the vehicle and drove away from the marketplace. Witnesses said the getaway vehicle headed toward Barangay Caracol, a coastal village going north. Police Senior Superintendent Jose Malayo said policemen pursuing the abductors found the getaway vehicle already burned and abandoned at Barangay Caracol where the perpetrators escaped aboard two white pump boats. No one has yet claimed ownership of the yellow van. Malayo who is spokesman for Task Force Zambas said police and military personnel belonging to the Municipal Police Station, Regional Police Safety Battalion (RPSB)-1st Mobile Group, Police Public Safety Company (PPSC) and 10th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) are presently conducting manhunt operations. This task force is mandated to coordinate anti crime activities in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Basilan provinces. Mayor Lim was the second victim of kidnapping in the province five months after the abduction of businessman Franc Oliver Lim at his poultry farm in Gulayon, Dipolog City on October 27, 2011. The poultry magnate was released last February 22 in Pagadian City. The town chief’s abduction happened a few hours after the turnover of command of the Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office (ZNPPO) from P/SSupt. Ulpiano Collado Lopez, who just retired from the service, to P/SSupt. Ramon Martinez Ochotorena. The authorities are hesitant in naming the group responsible for the abduction. At the same time, Malayo said that investigators are checking on the bodyguards of the abducted mayor but declined to give additional details on this probe. Investigators are still checking on the possible motive for the abduction. In a related development, Supt Malayo said the three foreigners kidnapped in the region are still alive although their exact whereabouts are still unknown. The kidnapped foreigners are Warren Rodwell, an Australian kidnapped in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay province on December 5 and Eword Horn and Lorenzo Vincegueere, European birdwatchers kidnapped in Tawi Tawi last February 1. Horn, 52, a Dutch national, and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, of Switzerland, were documenting bird species in Panglima Sugala municipality in Tawi Tawi when armed men took them by force. Aside from saying that the reports they received indicate that the three foreign kidnap victims are still alive, Malayo declined to comment on details because of operations being conducted for their rescue.

Corn farmers, women’s group join “exposure trip” to strengthen corn production

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1401333433507
• Tuesday 3rd of April 2012

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Apr. 3, (PIA) -- At least 40 corn farmers who are members of a multi-purpose cooperative and women members of women’s association participated in the “exposure trip” held recently at the corn farm of Mr. Leonardo Talania in Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte where the latter shared and explained best practices in corn production .

Department of Agriculture (DA) in a press statement said the “exposure trip was aimed at encouraging the participants to strengthen their corn production.

The participants were from Makilas, Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay, an area where DA established 3.6 million village-type corn postharvest processing center.

DA in the press statement said, the exposure trip beneficiaries were corn-farmer- members of the Makilas Cooperative and Caparan Women’s association, who are also beneficiaries of the DA’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) under its Community Fund for Agricultural Project (CFAD), where each group received a grant of P 225,000 for their corn project

“The exposure trip was initiated through the DA’s Corn banner program and its research division in partnership with PLGU- Sibugay province and MLGU Ipil,” the press statement reads.

The press statement said lectures were conducted during the trip. “On the issue of financing scheme, the group was also informed that the First Valley Bank is giving individual loans to farmers,” this to help them finance corn production.

“DA Regional Executive Director Eduardo B. Holoyohoy encouraged the farmers to plant more corn and utilize the newly established post harvest facility in their place which ready market for their produce,” the press statement shared.

The Makilas Coop members were grateful for the experience and committed to maximize their resources in corn faming.

Ipil Municipal Agriculturist Edgar Apao for his part address the participants by saying “we will support you with the fertilizer discount; we will increase the four sacks per farmer to six sacks/farmer and we will also allocate budget for trainings like Farmers’ Field Schools (FFS).”

Representative from the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, Rene Rosales who was also present during the exposure trip said “ we will give you our 101% service.”

For his part, Felizardo Salomes, Corn program coordinator promised the participants of an all-out support of the department. “We put things in place that we may start right and end up successful,” he assured. (JPA/ytavellaneda/DA9/PIA-9 ZBST)

Zambo City police chief sacked over killings

• Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/3326-zambo-city-police-chief-sacked-over-killings
• 04/02/2012 7:00 PM | Updated 04/02/2012 7:53 PM

By DAVID Y. SANTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Amid a clamor for his resignation over the unabated shooting incidents in Zamboanga City for the past months and the killing of a university president last weekend, local police acting chief Sr Supt Edwin de Ocampo was relieved from his post on Monday, April 2.

De Ocampo was named officer-in-charge of the ZCPO in January 2009. He has been heavily criticized for failing to stop the series of shooting incidents in the city, particularly since December last year.

Replacing De Ocampo is Chief Supt Mario Yanga, Police Regional Office-9 assistant director. It will be his 5th time to be designated in the post.

“It will be a huge personal sacrifice to accept this assignment, considering I am holding a number of other posts in the regional office,” Yanga told reporters.

Yanga will also lead Task Force Eustaquio, a special body composed of various police units created to resolve the killing of Arturo Estaquio III, president and chief executive officer of Universidad de Zamboanga (UZ), the biggest private university in Western Mindanao.

The local government has been placed under intense public pressure to replace De Ocampo.

But despite calls for the official's ouster, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat preferred to wait for a formal order from Camp Crame to replace De Ocampo.

Reward money

The order came on March 29 and gave Lobregat 10 days to choose from a list of 5 officials recommended by the Philippine National Police leadership. But even before a decision could be made on his replacement, De Ocampo was relieved following Eustaquio's killing.

During the change of command ceremonies at the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO), Lobregat however insisted that De Ocampo was not being sacked, saying he had merely reached the end of his term.

Lobregat announced that a P100,000 reward money has been set aside for any information that could lead to the arrest of Eustaquio's killers.

At least 2 gunmen attacked Eustaquio a few meters outside his home in Barangay Sta. Maria on Sunday afternoon. Until his death, Eustaquio preferred to stay as a low-profile businessman. He was driving his motorcycle when he was gunned down.

Aside from a private hospital, Eustaquio's family also owns UZ which has at least 8,000 students as of March 2012. The university's main campus is in Zamboanga City and has branched out to other parts of the region such as in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and soon in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

Yanga said police operatives have been dispatched throughout the region to hunt for the killers, who were initially described by eyewitnesses. The city government is also reportedly allocating an undetermined amount to support the police manhunt.

Elbert Atilano, UZ professor and sports director, told Rappler that Eustaquio was aware of the threats to his life but “often downplayed them."

Authorities earlier warned him about supposed threats by lawless groups to kidnap him. Eustaquio also reportedly received threats thorough text messages.

“He received a text message last March 21 while in Cagayan de Oro City which stated the threat to liquidate him,” Atilano said. “Knowing his personality, he simply dismissed the threat and did not report this to the police.”

Reports said investigators are looking into a number of possible motives behind Eustaquio's murder, including the businessman's transactions for the expansion of his university.

Atilano said it was “business as usual” in UZ a day after the killing of their president but employees and students were in deep mourning.

The Estaquio family opened the university's amphitheater for a few hours on Monday to hold a public viewing of the businessman's remains. He was buried before lunch following Islamic tradition. - Rappler.com

DILG holds general orientation in Zamboanga Peninsula

• Source: http://positivenewsmedia.com/blog/2012/04/dilg-holds-general-orientation-in-zamboanga-peninsula/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dilg-holds-general-orientation-in-zamboanga-peninsula
• Apr 1, 2012

By (PNA)

RMA/FMS/mec

ZAMBOANGA CITY, April 1 PNA) -– The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IX has conducted a 12-day Pre-Center Component I, General Orientation for Local Government Operations Officers (LGOOs) II and III in the Zamboanga Peninsula at the DILG Regional Office in Pagadian city. Regional director Paisal Abutazil said orientation was a pre-requisite to the Component II Enhancement Training of the 47th Batch of LGOOs to be held in Polomolok, South Cotabato on April 10 to June 5, 2012. Abutazil said the training aimed to provide the LGOOs with the skills, capacities and technical know how on the ins and outs of being a DILG field officer, as well as their duties and responsibilities. The orientation/training was participated in by six technical personnel from the regional and field offices composed of LGOO IIs Junil Cabahug, from Zamboanga Sibugay; Sherwin Caseñas, of Zamboanga del Norte; Philip Cuevas and Dihsie Ramos-Lauron from the Regional Office; and Marites Anota and Chandiramani Obut from Dipolog City. Resource Speakers and Focal Persons took turns in orienting and familiarizing the trainees on various topics such as the History, Evolution and DILG Strategic Doctrines, Decentralization Policies and Principles, Local Government Unit Powers, Local Legislation, Finance, Code of Conducts and Ethical Standards and DILG Flagship Programs Projects and Activities. In between the lectures an examination was administered by the lecturers in order to gauged the level of comprehension of the trainees on the lectures and subject presented. Abutazil said that the trainees should take the general orientation phase seriously because this would equip them for the actual center training where they would be joined by trainees from other regions in Mindanao. “We want to prepare the trainees not only mentally, but also condition them physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. In doing so, they will be able to face the challenges in the training center and more so in the actual job on the ground, confidently and head on,” Abutazil said. For the Component II, Region IX trainees will be joined by other trainees from Regions 11 and 12. After the center training, trainees will be exposed to the job of a DILG Field officer through Field Emersion Phase for three months.

PARCCOM - Zamboanga Sibugay to hold election

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R09&article=1351332915808
• Wednesday 28th of March 2012

By Claro A. Lanipa

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Mar. 28 (PIA) -- The Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) of Zamboanga Sibugay will hold an election of its members on April 12, 2012, nomination of its chairperson will be appointed by the president of the Philippines.

Section 44 of RA 6657, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988", as amended by RA 7905, created the PARCCOM to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) at the provincial level. It further mandates the PARCCOM to provide information about Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) guidelines on CARP and the progress of its implementation.

The PARCCOM is composed of thirteen (13) members as follows: Chairperson, Ex-Officio members - the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO), Provincial Agriculture Officer (PAO)/Provincial Agriculturist (PA), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) representative, and its elected members from the Private Sector Representatives (PSRs) namely: the Farmers' Organization, Agricultural Cooperatives, Non-Government Organizations, Landowners (Principal Crop), Landowners' (Other Crop/s), Farmers/Farmworkers' (Principal Crop), Farmers/Farmworkers' (Other Crop/s), and Cultural Community representative.

In order to materialize the said nomination and election, the Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Zamboanga Sibugay is working hard in its preparation, highlighted by a series of activities such as: Community Assemblies/Meetings which was held on March 19-23, 2012, nomination and filing of Certificate of Candidacy from March 28-April 1, 2012, orientation of all qualified candidates / nominated representative to be held on April 12, 2012 in the morning, election of PARCCOM members on April 12, 2012 in the afternoon, and the oath taking of new PARCCOM members on May 10, 2012.

Under the PARC Executive Committee, Administrative Order No. 01-97 entitled "New Implementing Guidelines Strengthening the Formation, Organization and Operation of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM)", applicants/nominees for the chairperson shall be interviewed and rated by an Evaluation Committee in the province and prioritized accordingly.

The Committee shall be assisted by the PARCCOM Secretariat in the screening and evaluation of nominees for chairperson. Each shall be recommended by the PARO and endorsed by the DAR Regional Director concerned to the PARC ExCom. The PARC ExCom Screening Committee shall evaluate each applicant/nominee based on the personal data sheet and other information submitted to and processed by the PARC Secretariat.

The PARC ExCom through its Chairman shall then endorse three (3) duly ranked applicant/nominees to Malacañang for appointment. Though the President normally appoints the highest ranking/priority nominee, in some instances, he may choose to appoint another from the nominees endorsed by the PARC ExCom.

As for the nomination and election of the members, the same administrative order provides that there shall be one nominee from each accredited organization of the following sectors namely: Farmers' Organizations, Agricultural/Agrarian Reform Cooperatives, NGOs and Indigenous Cultural Communities in the province, if any. The nominees of the accredited organizations shall elect from among themselves their respective representative, to the PARCCOM. For purposes of nomination, a nominee who is nominated by two or more sectors shall be required by the PARO to choose in which sector he/she shall be nominated.

Moreover, it also says that there shall be two (2) representatives each of Landowners and Farmer and Farmworker beneficiaries, one of whom shall be a Landowner or Farmer/Farmworker representing the principal crop of the province where each group (i.e., Landowners, Farmer and Farmworker Beneficiaries) shall elect from among themselves two (2) representatives.

Once in the office, the appointed chairperson of PARCCOM shall serve for a term of three (3) years at the pleasure of the President of the Philippines who may reappoint the incumbent for another term of three (3) years, while the elected members/PSRs shall serve for a term of three (3) years and maybe re-elected for another term of three (3) years.

The DARPO of Zamboanga Sibugay launched a province-wide information campaign, to reach as wider as possible the potential nominees/sectors for the Chairperson and for the elected members. DARPO Sibugay encouraged all involved sectors to take active part in the said event and don’t hesitate to approach the DAR provincial office for inquiries. Publication in the newspapers, public announcements on the radio programs and posting at the municipal agrarian reform offices of the general criteria/qualifications and documentary requirements for the aspirants and the schedule of activities of the said event were also made to inform the public of the important information regarding the PARCCOM nomination and election. (JPA/DAR-ZamboSibugay/PIA9/CAL)

DILG IX conducts general orientation to LGOOs

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1351332745467
• Tuesday 27th of March 2012

By (JPA/Lia Sahi,DILG/PIA9)

PAGADIAN CITY, Mar 27 (PIA) –- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IX conducted a 12-day Pre-Center Component I, General Orientation for Local Government Operations Officers (LGOOs) II and III on March 12-24, 2012 at the DILG Regional Office, this city.

The orientation is a pre-requisite to the Component II Enhancement Training of the 47th Batch of LGOOs to be held in Polomolok, South Cotabato on April 10 to June 5, 2012. The training aims to capacitate the LGOOs with the skills, capacities and technical know how on the ins and outs of being a DILG field officer, as well as their duties and responsibilities.

The orientation/training was participated by six (6) technical personnel from the regional and field offices they are as follows; LGOO IIs Junil Cabahug, from Zamboanga Sibugay, Sherwin Caseñas, of Zamboanga del Norte, Philip Cuevas and Dihsie Ramos-Lauron from the Regional Office, and Marites Anota and Chandiramani Obut from Dipolog City.

Resource Speakers and Focal Persons took turns in orienting and familiarizing the trainees on various topics such as the History, Evolution and DILG Strategic Doctrines, Decentralization Policies and Principles, Local Government Unit Powers, Local Legislation, Finance, Code of Conducts and Ethical Standards and DILG Flagship Programs Projects and Activities.

In between the lectures an examination was administered by the lecturers in order to gauged the level of comprehension of the trainees on the lectures and subject presented.

Regional Director Paisal Abutazil emphasized that the trainees should take the general orientation phase seriously because this will equip them for the actual center training where they will be joined by trainees from other regions in Mindanao.

“We want to prepare the trainees not only mentally, but also condition them physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. In doing so, they will be able to face the challenges in the training center and more so in the actual job on the ground, confidently and head on,” Abutazil said.

For the Component II, Region IX trainees will be joined by other trainees from Regions 11 and 12. After the center training, trainees will be exposed to the job of a DILG Field officer through Field Emersion Phase for a period of three (3) months.

7 drug pushers nabbed in buy-bust ops in Zambo Sibugay

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/03/26/7-drug-pushers-nabbed-in-buy-bust-ops-in-zambo-sibugay/
• Monday| March 26, 2012

By Mindanews

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay (MindaNews/26 March) – Seven alleged drug pushers were arrested in two separate buy-bust operations on March 22 and 23 as part of the “all-out war” against drug pushers in the province. Pedrito Suano, provincial director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), said four persons, including Bonfiacio Abao aka Dondon, the alleged Number 3 drug pusher in Malangas, were arrested at around 9 p.m. on March 22 in Purok 8, Barangay Ladicha in Malangas. Suano, who led the operations, said Abao’s arrest will have a significant impact in the campaign against perceived untouchable drug pushers in the municipality and the entire province. “The arrest of (Abao) will send the message to all those who believe that they are untouchable drug pushers here in Sibugay. We are already launching all-out-war against these drug pushers who deliberately destroy the future of our youth and our communities”, said Agent Suano, PDEA-Sibugay Provincial Head Suano said an agent from the PDEA posed as a buyer of shabu and contacted Abao for one heat-sealed plastic sachet containing shabu worth P500. The operation led to the arrest of the 33-year old Abao, from whom three small plastic sachets believed t be containing shabu. Also arrested were Lloyd Elisan a.k.a. ‘Nonoy’, 27, of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Diplahan town, from whom one sachet of shabu was seized; Jorlie Alimani a.k.a. ‘Jojo’, 36; and Clio Ledama a.k.a. ‘Lio’, 22, also of Diplahan. The next day, March 23, another buy-bust operation was conducted at around 4:30 p.m. in the vicinity of the Imelda Integrated Bus Terminal, in Imelda town. PDEA agents arrested Luzviminda Salinas a.ka. ‘Luz’, 38, and the Isnani brothers Daud, 28, and Gamal, 30, all of them residents of Talusan town. Confiscated from Salinas and the Isnani brothers were three plastic sachets of shabu, one from each suspect. Suano said the buy-bust operations gave them enough information that the suspects are linked with a drug syndicate operating in the island municipalities of Mabuhay, Talusan and Olutanga and Payao in the mainland. (Paulnazer T. Lontua/MindaNews)

Programs for Zam Pen's dev't tackled in RDC-9's 139th meeting

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1431332569865
• Sunday 25th of March 2012

By (JPA/FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

DIPOLOG CITY, March 24 (PIA) -- Region 9’s development council has recently met to talk about issues concerning various programs for the development of Zamboanga Peninsula.

Around 50 members of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 were here yesterday for their 139th meeting tackling issues and concerns involving the implementation of infrastructure, agriculture, education and health programs in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Regional directors and representatives of the different national line agencies, provincial governments of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay, city governments of Dipolog, Pagadian and Zamboanga, Ipil municipality of Zamboanga Sibugay and private sector representatives came and attended said conference.

In a related development, RDC-9 has favorably endorsed the recommendation to increase the travel allowance of government officials and employees from the current P800 per day to P1,900 per day to cope with the rising costs of meals and hotel accommodation.

In yesterday’s meeting, RDC-IX chair Mayor Evelyn T. Uy also awarded plaques of recognition to Ms. Velia Santos Ebol, 71, a volunteer affiliated with the Zamboanga Peninsula Women’s Solidarity Foundation, Inc., and the Youth Solidarity for Peace (YSP)-Zamboanga City.

Ebol was one of the three national awardees of the 2011 Search for Outstanding Volunteers-Individual Category while the YSP was one of the winners in a nationwide search for the 10 Accomplished Youth Organizations for 2011.

“The best resource of the government is human capital and let us consider the dignity of government employees by giving some comfort during official travels,” said a private sector representative.

The meeting ended with some updates of the National Greening Program by Director Arleigh Adorable of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-IX. Adorable said DENR-IX was able to surpass its 2011 target having covered more than 1,400 hectares planted with forest, fruit and rubber trees around the region.

Jalosjos to invade Cerilles domain

• Source: http://www.goldstardailynews.com/zamboanga-peninsula-%7C%7C-ix/8825-jalosjos-to-invade-cerilles-domain.html
• Friday, 23 March 2012

By FRANK E. DOSDOS, JR.

In what appears to be an intimidating show of force, the mighty Jalosjos political machinery declared last Sunday, March 18, that it is going to enter the Zamboanga del Sur political Landscape in 2013. The Zamboanga del Norte Congressman and political kingpin Romeo Jalosjos made the announcement in his message during the induction of new members of the Liberal Party-Alliance of Parties for Progress (LP-APP) in Zamboanga del Sur at Mardel Hotel in the booming capital city of Pagadian.

Cong. Jalosjos was with Zamboanga-Sibugay Governor Rommel Jalosjos, Zamboanga Sibugay Congressman Romeo Jalosjos Jr., Mayor Dominador Jalosjos of Dapitan City and Region 9 ABC President Marjorie Jalosjos. Jalosjos said that they have come to Zamboanga del Sur due to the clamor of the people for their intervention to help change the political climate in the province now under the grip of Governor Antonio Cerilles and District 2 Congresswoman Aurora Cerilles. It was said that the couple had been taking turns as congressman and governor of the province for decades while the people and the Land remain impoverished and under-developed.

The LP-APP in Zamboanga del Sur was led by Vice Governor Roseller Ariosa, Atty. Tresindo Poloyapoy, Romeo Vera Cruz, and the only LP Mayors Wilson Nandang of Labangan and Enrique Cabahug, Jr. of Aurora. Cabahug was reportedly punished for staying with the Liberal Party thereby delaying his infrastructure projects through suits fi led by Councilors allied with Cerilles. Nandang, for steadfastly holding on to his membership with the Liberal Party, reportedly suffered two preventive suspensions based on allegedly trumped up charges. Nandang was then reinstated by the Malacanang. Jalosjos said the Cerilleses were already frightened asking several times during the past weeks if it were true that they would come into the province. He said that there used to be only one Zamboanga in the peninsula before the province was divided.

He added that when the people of Zamboanga del Sur came asking for their help they immediately responded so the peninsula must grow and develop together. It was learned that Zamboanga del Norte, especially the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, have been growing phenomenally with the latter becoming an international tourist destination. "Zamboanga City has also been sending overtures for us to come and if they insist, we are willing to serve," Congressman Jalosjos said.

He also announced that they will be supporting candidates in the second district of Misamis Occidental in 2013. Last 2010, his daughter Lana was elected Mayor of Baliangao, Misamis Occidental through a small margin over his rival former Vice Mayor Angnie Yap. Observers say that there is logic in the expansionist moves of the Jalosjos political clan for geographically the Zamboanga provinces and Mi sami s Oc c idental appear to be a part of the Zamboanga peninsula. At press time, Governor Antonio Cer i l les has not been contacted for comment.

Palace hopes for release of other kidnap victims in Mindanao

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/03/22/palace-hopes-release-other-kidnap-victims-mindanao-212637
• Thursday, March 22, 2012

By . (SDR/Sunnex)

MALACANANG is hoping Thursday that the other kidnapped victims, including an Australian and two Europeans, will be released soon through the facilitation of the local officials in southern Philippines.

In his regular press briefing, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo informed Malacañang regarding the release of Roselyn Kiram Wednesday afternoon in Maligay village, Patikul, Sulu.

Armed men seized Kiram, a health worker, on Monday in Liang village, also in Patikul.

"We would like to inform you that as per my discussion with Secretary Jesse Robredo, the health worker...was released yesterday through the mediation of the local government officials and also the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government)," Lacierda said.

"So we are hoping also that the others who are still in captive will be also released with the same effort, amount of mediation involved. We hope to see that they will be released soon," he added.

The suspected Abu Sayyaf members were allegedly holding Australian Warren Richard Rodwell, who was abducted in early December in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; and Swiss national Lorenzo Vinciguerra, and Dutchman Ewold Horn, who were kidnapped by armed men while on a birdwatching expedition in Tawi-Tawi province early February.

Philippine terrorists escape Basilan with Australian captive - Zamboanga Today Online

• Source: http://cebusandman.typepad.com/philippines_travel_news/2012/03/philippine-terrorists-escape-basilan-with-australian-captive-zamboanga-today-online-2.html
• March 19, 2012 at 11:22 AM

By Mindanao Examiner

An Australian man kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippines was spirited out of Basilan province where security forces have been battling the terrorist group tied to al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiya, officials said Saturday.Officials said Warren Rodwell, 52, has been moved by his captors to Zamboanga Peninsula on the restive region of Mindanao, where the former Australian army soldier was kidnapped in December.“We have reports that Rodwell was taken by his kidnappers to Zamboanga Peninsula because of the intense military operation against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan,” Colonel Ricardo Visaya, the provincial army commander, told the Mindanao Examiner.He did not give details about the escape, but said the operation against the terrorists will continue in Basilan. “We will not stop until these terrorists are neutralized,” he said.Another security official has confirmed the report and said Rodwell was taken to Zamboanga Sibugay or Zamboanga del Sur.Visaya said they have captured an Abu Sayyaf base in the town of Sumisip following a fierce firefight on Thursday that killed one army soldier and wounded three more.The bomb-making base is being used as by terrorist leaders Puruji Indama and Khair Mundos whose group is said to be holding Rodwell, who married a Filipina, Miraflor Gutang, 27, lasy year in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay province where the prolific traveller was kidnapped.Both Indama and Mundos, blamed by authorities for the spate of terrorism and kidnappings for ransoms, escaped the military offensive.The Abu Sayyaf demanded $2 million ransoms for Rodwell's safe release, but his wife said they cannot afford to pay and appealed to the terrorists to free the foreigner.

Police activate task force to solve abduction case

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2012/03/15/police-activate-task-force-solve-abduction-case-211380
• Thursday, March 15, 2012

By Bong Garcia

THE Zamboanga Peninsula Police Office (ZPPO) has activated a task force to solve the recent abduction of a village official's son in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Zamboanga Sibugay Police Director Ruben Cariaga heads the Task Force Auditor, named after the family name of the victim, Meljohn Auditor.

ZPPO Director Napoleon Estilles said Thursday they already have an idea where the victim was taken by the armed abductors.

But Estilles did not give details as efforts continue to recover the hostage.

Auditor, 20, was with some fishermen attending their fish trap two kilometers off shore Barangay Magdaup, Ipil town, the capital of Zamboanga Sibugay province, when he was seized by six unidentified gunmen last Sunday.

Auditor is the son of Barangay Magdaup councilman Gabriel Auditor, whose family is into fish trading.

Estilles said the pump boat used by the suspects was already recovered.

He said the motive of abduction could be turf dispute involving the establishment of fishpen but they have not yet ruled out the involvement of kidnap-for-ransom-group.

Fish pen owner son seized

• Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/19147-fish-pen-owner-son-seized
• Wednesday, March 14, 2012

By Al Jacinto

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Unidentified gunmen seized the son of a fish pen owner who is also a village official in Zamboanga Sibugay, military and police reports said on Tuesday.

It said the assailants, armed with automatic rifles and pistols, abducted Meljhan Auditor, 20, who was only visiting the fish pen over the weekend.

No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, but Muslim rebels and criminal gangs with links to the militant group Abu Sayyaf are actively operating in the province, just 100 kilometers east of Zamboanga City.

The motive of the abduction is still unknown, but the military said it could be the handiwork of small criminal group extorting money from fish pen operators.

The military put up additional checkpoints in the town and doubled its patrol to help the local police track down the perpetrators.

It was the second abduction in the town since December last year when militants seized Warren Rodwell, a 52-year old Australian national married to a Filipina in Ipil.

Rodwell was taken from his seaside home by gunmen disguised as policemen and dragged him to a waiting boat and brought to nearby Basilan province, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf.

Son of fish pen owner seized in Zamboanga Sibugay

• Source: http://mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20120312230440
• Tuesday, March 13, 2012 11:04:40 AM

By (Mindanao Examiner)

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 13, 2012) – Unidentified gunmen seized the son of a fish pen owner who is also a village official in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga Sibugay, military and police reports said on Tuesday.

It said the assailants, armed with automatic rifles and pistols, abducted Meljhan Auditor, 20, who was only visiting the fish pen over the weekend.

No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, but Muslim rebels and criminal gangs with links to the militant group Abu Sayyaf is actively operating in the province, just 100 kilometers east of Zamboanga City.

The motive of the abduction is still unknown, but the military said it could be the handiwork of small criminal group extorting money from fish pen operators.

The military put up additional checkpoints in the town and doubled its patrol to help the local police track down the perpetrators.

It was the second abduction in the town since December last year when militants seized Warren Rodwell, a 52-year old Australian national married to a Filipina in Ipil.

Rodwell was taken from his seaside home by gunmen disguised as policemen and dragged him to a waiting boat and brought to nearby Basilan province, a known stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf.

Zamboanga Sibugay gets more ‘PAMANA’ projects

• Source: http://mindanaoexaminer.blogspot.com/2012/03/zamboanga-sibugay-gets-more-pamana.html
• SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012

By Ely Dumaboc

ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 10, 2012) – Zamboanga Sibugay province in the southern Philippines has become the latest recipient of government’s PAMANA stimulus fund that will benefits tens of thousands of families in different towns.

PAMANA is the acronym for “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program of President Benigno Aquino III.

Through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) headed by Secretary Teresita Deles, the government handed additional P30 million PAMANA funds for the municipalities of Olutanga, Talusan, Titay and Tungawan. The funds will cover various projects such as road rehabilitation, water supply system and seaweed production among others.

The province recently celebrated its 11th Araw ng Sibugay which was attended by OPAPP Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, Congressman Romeo Jalosjos Jr., Tungawan Mayor Randy Climaco, Payao Mayor Joeper Mendoza and Titay Mayor Maria Esperanza Corazon Rillera. And also PAMANA-Mindanao area manager Vic Borgonia and other local government officials led by Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Rommel Jalosjos who led the festivities.

“Ang Zamboanga Sibugay ay patuloy na makakatangap ng tulong sa PAMANA. Inaasahan naming magiging modelo ito for peace and development. Nagpapasalamat kami dahil ang maliit na pondo para sa mga maraming proyekto ay napupunan at nadadagdagan ng inyong local government. (Zamboanga Sibugay will continue to receive assistance from PAMANA. We expect it to be a model community for peace and development. We are thankful that the local government provides counterpart funds which further add to the limited funds for various projects.),” Montalbo said.

He praised the strong commitment to peace and development by the provincial and municipal governments.

Apart from the P30 million provided by the national government, the Zamboanga Sibugay provincial government committed to give an additional P7 million to demonstrate its support for the projects and enhance the peace condition in the area.

Last year, Zamboanga Sibugay received financial aid for road rehabilitation projects in three of its municipalities, namely Tungawan, Payao and Mabuhay. It was the first financial intervention from the current national administration to the province.

“Through PAMANA, we were able to implement road rehabilitation in 12 barangays. We aim to continue building a concrete pathway to peace and development,” Jalosjos said, adding “peace is a legacy which both PAMANA and my administration wish to give to Zamboanga Sibugay. Dili tayo pinabayaan ng national government, lahat nakaka-benefit sa mga proyekto ng PAMANA. The key to progress and development is peace and order (The national government didn’t forget us. We all benefit from the projects they deliver).”

PAMANA is the national government’s program and framework for peace and development for conflict-affected areas such as Zamboanga Sibugay. It aims to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities through projects that boost peace and development.

DAR holds web-based legal case monitoring system seminar in Zam Pen

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R09&article=1351331256294
• Friday 9th of March 2012

By Adolfo Lopez, Jr.

IPIL,A Zamboanga Sibugay Mar 9 (PIA) – To ensure faster resolution and close monitoring of agrarian-related cases, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office, recently conducted an orientation seminar on web-based Legal Case Monitoring System (LCMS) among Provincial Agrarian Reform Officers (PARO), DAR legal officers and DAR Adjudication Board (DARAB) staff of Region IX at Dakak Park and Beach Resort, Taguilon, Dapitan City.

Participants from Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur attended the seminar headed by PAROs Rizzel Villanueva, Virgilio Alcomendras, and Engr. Raymundo Bernardo of the respective provinces. Legal Assistance Division from the said provinces were in full force with the presence of the division chiefs Atty. Alan Tolorio, Atty. Avito Zamora and Atty. Judith Patriarca, bringing along with them their paralegal officers and LCMS focal persons.

Also present were officers from DARAB spearheaded by Regional Agrarian Reform Adjudicator (RARAD) Atty. Jesric Enriquez and Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudicator Atty. Jessica Tilos – Agagon. DAR IX Regional Office also showed its support to the seminar as Regional Director Julita Ragandang graced the event along with Engr. Agnes Y. Maata, Assistant Regional Director for Operations Atty. Tettywangsa T. Husin Regional Office Legal Division Chief and other DAR IX regional employees.

Facilitated by the Management Information Service (MIS) of DAR Central Office, the participants were oriented on how to use the web-based LCMS and were also asked for suggestions for the improvement of the system.

Under LCMS, all agrarian-related cases whether filed at the DAR Adjudication Board (DARAB) or at the Legal Division in all DAR offices nationwide would be entered into this web-based system for easy monitoring and tracking on the development of these cases. The LCMS will enable DAR officers to track the progress of legal cases pending with the DAR. The said system was pilot-tested in selected regions and provinces and will be fully operational within this year.

DAR Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Anthony Parungao also graced the said event and expressed his optimism for the actual and successful operation of the monitoring system which would be a great help to the department in the speedy resolution of cases affecting land acquisition and distribution and other related cases.

USec. Parungao also said that the web-based LCMS is just one of the various reforms and strategies initiated by the DAR Central Office to pick up the pace of land acquisition and distribution in the country. He also mentioned about the web-based DAR Legal Information System (LIS) which was launched last November 2011. This will enable field personnel, agrarian reform advocates and researchers to access information related to agrarian reform (laws, issuances, court decisions, etc.) through the Internet. Templates for Agrarian Law Implementation (ALI) and cancellation cases were also prepared for DAR lawyers and legal officers to speed up and improve the quality of decisions which were made available by just visiting the DAR website.(JPA/DAR9/ATL/PIA(/CAL)

740 kilos of blasted fish seized in market

• Source: http://www.panaynewsphilippines.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63:740-kilos-of-blasted-fish-seized-in-market&catid=14:cebu&Itemid=18
• Wednesday, March 7 2012

By panaynewsphilippines.com

CEBU City — The Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission (CCBDC), along with personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 7 (BFAR-7), confiscated 740 kilos of dynamited fish at Phase 2 of the Pasil Fish Market recently. CCBDC project director Ranulfo Sebusa said the seized assorted fish were from Ypil, Zamboanga Sibugay. Sebusa said its consignee, Marcelina Surigao, was told to come to their office on Friday for further investigation and documentation. He said they still have a grace period of one month to file a case against Surigao or she will be asked to pay the fine, considering she is a first time offender. Sebusa said the illegally caught fish, with an estimated value of P74,000, were confiscated after a week of surveillance. The seized fish included “mamsa” (jack fish), “kitong” (spade fish) and “solid sa lawod” (rainbow runner). Sebusa said dynamite fishing is prohibited under Section 12 of Republic Act 4003, or the Fisheries Act of the Philippines. Fish caught through cyanide and fine-mesh nets, among others, are also considered illegal catch. The CCBDC project director said the confiscated “hot fish” were distributed to at least seven charitable institutions in the city. Sebusa said the confiscation was the first for the CCBDC this year, although they conducted regular market operations for the last two months. He said the City Council’s disapproval of their proposed P9.3-million budget for this year did not hinder them from exercising their duties, proof of which was the recent operation. Last year, the CCBDC in coordination with BFAR, confiscated a total of 4,730 kilos of illegally caught fish with an estimated value of P537,000. The CCBDC also filed cases in court against five persons who were apprehended for allegedly violating the Fisheries Code of the Philippines. “We won’t stop because that is our mandate; as long as we are here, we will continue to operate and protect our marine resources,” Sebusa said. (PNA)

Zamboanga women group ventures into bottled sardines production

• Source: http://balita.ph/2012/03/06/zamboanga-women-group-ventures-into-bottled-sardines-production/
• March 6, 2012 1:12 am

By (PNA) DCT/LAM/TPG/jsd

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 5 -– A women association in Barangay Sta. Maria in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte has ventured into the production of bottled sardines through the assistance given them by the TVI Resource Development, Inc. (TVIRD). The TVIRD is the Philippine affiliate of TVI Pacific Inc., a publicly-listed Canadian mining company, which is into copper and zinc mining in Sitio Canatuan, Barangay Tabayo, Siocon. TVIRD Director for Public Affairs Ron Jabal said the group, known as the Sta. Maria Women Association (SMWA), has started production of bottled sardines last week just as the closed season for commercial fishing was lifted. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has lifted closed season for commercial fishing last Thursday, March 1. The closed season that was implemented starting last December was aimed to pave way for the fishes, especially "tamban," which is the primary raw material for sardines production, to spawn or reproduce. The sardines production project of the SMWA is aimed to jump start an alternative livelihood projects for the women of Siocon municipality. Joel Alasco, manager of the TVIRD Community Relations and Development Office (CREDO), said the sardines-making project is under TVIRD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program and funded by the Social Development Management Plan (SDMP). The production of the bottled sardines was the offshoot of a training program attended by 12 officers and members of SMWA at the Dipolog School of Fisheries in Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte province. The TVIRD has provided P100,000 for the training and cooking materials and for the improvement of the area where the sardines are being prepared by the SMWA. The SMWA's small sardine factory is located in Sitio Busicong in Barangay Sta Maria, Siocon municipality. The factory was established in Sitio Busicong due to its proximity to the sea where “tamban-tuloy” — the fish used for the sardines — are abundant and where there is ample supply of water — which is another project sponsored by TVIRD. So far, Jabal said the bottled sardines produced by the SMWA are being bought by the Exploration Department of TVIRD and Eng. Jun Antipolo who wants to have a monthly supply of the sardines to be delivered in Ipil, the capital town of Zamboanga Sibugay province. Jabal said the SMWA, which is aggressively looking for other buyers to make the project more sustainable, processes a minimum of 158 bottles per batch of production and each bottle costs P55. The bottled sardines that are being produced by the association are labeled “mananam”, a vernacular word which means delicious. SMWA president Manuela Canonayon said the sardines production project help augment “our income and prepare us for the future.” Canonayon and her 11 members vowed to manage well the project and to make it sustainable. “We are fortunate that TVIRD gave us the chance to learn the technology and gave us the capital to start the production. For this, we are very grateful to TVIRD,” Canonayon added. She said they are already planning to recruit and train more members to increase the association's bottled sardines production.

Zamboanga_Sibugay_Archived_News

The older news reports are kept here