Zamboanga del Norte Province, Philippines News

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Province of Zamboanga del Norte - Archived News
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Seal of Zamboanga del Norte
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
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Provincial Capitol of Zamboanga del Norte

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.

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Saint James Cathedral in Dapitan City
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City Hall of Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte
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Situbo Falls, Zamboanga del Norte

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:
  1. 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.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Statue of Christ, Pangalalan, Sindangan
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Our lady of the most Holy Rosary, Estaka
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Manukan Mini Museum Landmark

1 person killed in Stabbing Incident

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

POLANCO, Zamboanga del Norte – One person as killed in Stabbing incident occurred at Brgy Pian, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte at about 5:00 PM of June 04, 2019.

The victim was identified as Erlina Natial Lumacang, 42 years old, married and a resident of above-mentioned place. She was stabbed to death by her husband identified as Leofer Intic Lumacang of legal age, a resident of same place. Investigation disclosed both victim and suspect were harvesting swamp cabbage locally known as ”kangkong” at Layawan River located at Brgy Pian, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte.

They were together with their sister in laws identified as Felicitas Omnus Natial, 50 years old and also a resident of same place. However, upon leaving the area and on their way home on foot, Felicitas Natial heard a shout coming from the victim prompting her to turn around wherein she saw the suspect stabbed the victim.

The latter then tried to pacify the suspect but she was being threatened. She forced her to run to their neighbor for immediate assistance.

The victim was brought to Zanorte Medical Center but was pronounce dead by the attending physician due to twelve (12) stabbed wounds sustained on the different parts of her body.

The suspect was also confine at said Hospital. Accordingly after the incident, suspect allegedly committed suicide by stabbing himself that sustained three (3) stabbed wounds at his stomach.

The weapon used during the incident was still unrecovered. Polanco Municipal Police Station is now preparing pertinent documents for filing appropriate charges in court.

Drug Suspect Arrested

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

DIPOLOG CITY - Regional Drugs Enforcement Unit 9 and Dipolog City Police Station conducted joint drug buy-bust operation at Purok Kalambuan, Sta. Filomena, Dipolog City at about 4:00 AM, June 4, 2019.

The operation was resulted to the arrest of Nof Paner Patangan, 22 years old, single, Bar Entertainer and a resident of Tabuk Tulay, Brgy Estaka, Dipolog City.

Confiscated during the were two (2) pieces big size heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline granules believed to be shabu, four (4) pieces small size heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline granules believed to be shabu worth Seventy Thousand Pesos (₱70,000.00) and color blue Nokia Cellular Phone and one (1) piece black shoulder bag, one (1) piece Five Hundred Peso bill bearing serial number S893742 as buy bust money, one (1) unit.

A case for violation of R.A. 9165 is being readied for filing in court against the suspect.

Zambo del Norte’s top fugitive falls in Lemery, Iloilo

By Ruby Silubrico

ILOILO City – The most wanted person in Zamboanga del Norte was arrested March 23 in Barangay Alcantara, Lemery, Iloilo.

Lemery policemen caught murder suspect Renerio Andawal, 44, of Barangay Lingatongan, Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte in the house of a relative at around 12:20 p.m.

Andawal had been in hiding these past three years. His arrest warrant was issued by Judge Ric Bastasa of the Regional Trial Court (Branch 8), 9th Judicial Region on Sept. 5, 2016 yet.

Andawal was the No. 1 fugitive in Zamboanga del Norte, according to Police Captain Marvin Buenavista, Lemery police chief.

The Lemery police station learned of Andawal’s presence in the municipality from the police station of Manukan.

“We verified the information and went ahead with the operation to capture him after we got hold of the arrest warrant for murder,” said Buenavista.

Andawal was one of three men charged for the death of a farmer over a land dispute. He was the second to be arrested.

Andawal was taken to the Lemery police station after his arrest. He would be shipped back to Zamboanga del Norte this week, said Bautista./PN

1 person killed in Stabbing Incident

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

DIPOLOG CITY – One perdon was killed in Stabbing incident occurred at Purok 4 National Highway, Cogon, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte at about 11:30 AM, June 13, 2019.

Police Brigadier Gen. Froilan F Quidilla, PRO9 Director identified the suspects as Rico Flores y Barsasa, 54 years old and Reymart Flores y Dominguez, 24 years old, both were married and residents of Purok 5, Cogon, Dipolog City.

Base on the information gathered from a 27-year old witness, they were inside at the Sari-sari store owned by Gemma Ancong located at Purok 4 National Highway, Cogon, Dipolog City together with the victim named Dino Nonong y Gumial, 39 years old, married and a resident of Purok 5, Cogon, Dipolog City when the victim was stabbed by the suspects Rico Flores y Barsasa and Reymart Flores y Dominguez following their heated arguments.

Victim was brought by Rescue 117 ambulance to Zanorte Medical Hospital located at Sicayab, Dipolog City but it was declared dead on arrival by Dr. Antonio Aguirre attending physician.

Suspects were voluntarily surrendered now detained at Dipolog City Police Station and recovered the 18 inches long bolo which was used on the incident.

Twin kills for Tangub, Enriquez

(Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Sydney Enriquez and Eric Tangub imposed their will and carved out twin title romps as Zamboanga bets shared MVP honors in the PPS-PEPP Alamada national age-group tennis tournament at Alamada Tennis Club in Cotabato recently.

Enriquez, 16, blanked three rivals before trouncing Angel Denopol, 6-2, 6-3, in the finals to rule her age bracket. The Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, star matched that romp in the premier 18-U division then overwhelmed Zykla Cervantes, 6-3, 6-0, in the championship to cap another strong showing in the Group 2 tournament.

Tangub also turned in a solid outing in boys’ play, crushing Gene Espinosa, 6-1, 6-3, to top the 16-U class. The Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur, ace then rolled past Reyman Saldivar, 6-1, 6-1, to add the 18-U diadem.

Three campaigners from Kabacan (Jairo Ramirez and siblings Armando and Reyman Saldivar) and one each from Lanao del Norte (Denopol) and Ozamiz (Judy Ann Padilla) shared the spotlight by ruling their respective divisions in the four-day event.

Ramirez clobbered Yusuf Maldo, 4-2, 4-2, in the 10-unisex finals; Armando Saldivar foiled Maldo, 6-1, 6-4, for the 12-U crown; Reyman Saldivar took the 14-U title with 6-1, 6-3 romp over Espinosa; Denopol downed Rose Messiona, 6-2, 6-2, for the girls’ 12-U diadem; and Padilla repulsed Denopol for the 14-U crown.

Enriquez later teamed up with Padilla to blast Zykla Cervantes and Shiela Balinas, 8-1, for the 18-U doubles title with Reyman Saldivar and Kristofer Espinosa taking the boys’ plum with an 8-5 escape over Erick Tangub and Ace Bejarin.

Denopol and Messiona bagged the 14-U diadem with an 8-3 rout of Ayezza Dino and Seth Ramirez with Reyman Saldivar and Faisal Magarang edging Kristofer Espinosa and Brent del Socorro, 8-6, for the boys’ trophy. Johnel Maldo and Ramirez pocketed the 10-unisex title with an 8-2 victory over Erick Bation and Jaffe Tibungcog.

SSS serves show cause orders to 10 establishments in Dipolog

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM (SSS) had issued show cause orders to erring employers here who violated the Social Security Act of 1997 (Republic Act 8282), as amended by Social Security Act of 2018 (RA 11199).

The SSS conducted the Run Against Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign operation to 10 establishments who violated the social legislation laws such as their failure to remit social security contributions for their employees, under-declared salaries, and lack of SSS registration.

Atty. Renato Jacinto Cuisia, acting Vice-President for Operations Legal Services Divisions I & II said the show cause orders were served to establishments, which persisted in ignoring the notices of violation from the SSS.

“They were sent demand letters to settle their obligations but ignored them until the operation,” he said.

The SSS has a condonation program on penalties against employers found to have violated the social legislation laws, covering March to September this year, he said.

This is the second RACE campaign held in the Zamboanga Peninsula region after the initial operation in Pagadian City last year. It was conducted simultaneously in other parts of the country.

3 people injured in Road Crash Accident

(Zamboanga del Norte Police Report)

LILOY, Zamboanga del Norte – Three people were injured in Road crash accident transpired along the National Highway of Brgy San Miguel, Liloy Zamboanga del Norte at about 2:40 PM of June 10, 2019.

The accident was involving White Mitsubishi Fuso canter cargo truck 2004 with plate no. GTY894 driven by Dante Apurado Jr, 20 years old, with passengers identified as Warry Lamosaw Castillo, 27, and Niel Claraval Ruvieto, 31, both residents of Brgy Patawag, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte.

Investigation conducted disclosed that while said truck was travelling from Labason going to Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte and upon reaching the place of incident, the front brakes malfunctioned that resulted the driver to lost control of his driven truck and suddenly overshot to the low-lying areas beside the road, causing injuries to all riders.

The Victims were brought to Liloy Integrated District Hospital for medical treatment while the said vehicle is now n custody of Liloy MPS for proper disposition.

Zamboanga del Norte councilor shot dead

By Roel Pareño, Ramil Bajo (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines — A reelected town councilor in Zamboanga del Norte was killed in a gun attack yesterday.

Cicero Guerrea, 59, a resident of Barangay Lagag, Sindangan, was driving his jeepney to bring students to the Sindangan National High School when he was shot in Barangay Piao before 6 a.m. yesterday, Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said.

Guerrea was pronounced dead on arrival at the Sindangan District Hospital.

In Sultan Kudarat, Col. Jeofel Siason, Tacurong City police chief, said businessman Ericson Aranico, 32, was shot dead by unidentified men who entered his internet café at around 10:20 a.m. also yesterday.

Noruden Dingding, an electrician at the Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative and a resident of Buluan, Maguindanao, was shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen also in Tacurong City.

Bystanders tried to bring the victim to a hospital for treatment, but the gunmen followed and finished him by firing more shots.

Dapitan City holds 2nd Bangus Festival

By Leah Agonoy (PNA)

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte -- The second Bangus Festival highlighted the opening Monday of the 56th Charter Day celebration of this city.

The Bangus Festival is the six days’ series of activities that will culminate June 22 in time for this city’s 56th Charter Day anniversary.

City Agriculturist Cyril Patangan said Tuesday the festival showcased some 1,000 kilos of Bangus for deboning, cooking and boodle fight by the Dapitanons.

Patangan said the festival aims to underscore the role of fisherfolk engaged in Bangus production.

Hundreds of Dapitanons and tourists participated in a boodle fight featuring grilled Bangus.

City Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong said Tuesday that the town's Bangus products --mainly boneless and bottled sardines -- have contributed enormously to the local economy. The annual festival, she added, has also become a tourist attraction.

Local residents Geopeter and Jechelle Laput said the local Bangus industry has helped them send their kids to school.

"Bangus deboning has been our livelihood for the past eight years,"Jechelle said.

Patangan said the city has some 1,150 hectares of fishpond and fish cages, harvesting around 200 tons of Bangus monthly.

He said the Bangus produce are delivered in the Visayas areas as well as in Iligan City and Bukidnon in Mindanao.

Police arrest Zamboanga village chieftain for shooting teenager

By AL JACINTO (TMT)

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Police arrested a village chieftain who shot and wounded a 16-year-old student in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Norte, officials said Monday.

Officials said the victim, Melquisedec Moncida, was seeking help from the village hall after a group of men attacked him at a disco party in the village of New Sicayab in Polanco town late Sunday.

Monsida told police investigators that when he arrived at the village hall, Marianito Paalisbo, chieftain of New Sicayab, suddenly pulled out his gun and hit him behind his head even though he told him he was only seeking help.

Teacher, pupil seriously hurt in Zamboanga grenade blast

By ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

CAMP HAMAC, Dipolog City: An old buried rifle grenade discovered by Grade 7 student Clark Simbajon, 15, while he was collecting junk in Barangay Ganase in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, accidentally exploded last Friday, seriously injuring Grade 6 pupil Michael Baunillo, 12, and his teacher Desiderio Acain, 54.

Provincial Police Director Col. Michael Macapagal said the grenade was found in the abandoned house of retired Army soldier Ferdinand Fabian.

Police said the rusty grenade was brought home by Simbajon, whose younger brother Jemar, 12, later brought it to school.

Jemar and his classmates Rhanie Erro,12, and Rocky Arnaiz, 12, toyed with the rifle grenade in front of their school building where tutor Acain was standing when it exploded.

Teacher and student were seriously injured and given a 50-50 chance to survive.

CHED clarifies issues on college admission policy

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy (ALT/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte (PIA) - - The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-9 clarified that high school graduates from the previous curriculum and those who have completed the Alternative Learning System can be accepted as first year students under the new higher education curricula.

However, the agency emphasized this is “subject to admission policies and requirements of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).”

CHED previously issued Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 10 series of 2017 entitled “Policy on Students Affected by the Implementation of the K to 12 Program and the New General Education Curriculum” and the same CMO No. 10 series of 2018 entitled “Policy on Alternative Learning System Completers and Passers of the A&E Test in Relation to the Implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program,” which supports Department of Education’s Order No. 27 (DO 27) issued on June 8, 2018 in relation to the ALS.

The said policy documents emphasize that beginning AY 2018-2019 and for subsequent academic years, “passers of previous A&E Tests HS level, and the November 2017, March 2018 and upcoming 2019 A&E Tests HS level, who are all High School Graduates of the old basic education curriculum for ALS…,” can now be accepted as first year students under the new higher education curricula, “subject to admission policies and requirements of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).”

To ensure college readiness of students under the new higher education curricula, the admitting HEIs may require bridging programs for the general education component.

In addition, HEIs are reminded that ALS A&E Tests HS level passers should present their Certification based on the Certificate of Rating with at least 60% passing score issued by the Department of Education.

The certification should be authenticated with signature of the Schools Division Superintendent and the seal of the Schools Division Office.

You may view CMO No. 10 series of 2017 https://bit.ly/2Ioy995 and CMO No. 10 series of 2018 https://bit.ly/2QQ7ZQa for reference.

Zambo dengue cases up 142%

By ANTONIO P. RIMANDO

DIPOLOG CITY: Dengue cases in Zamboanga Peninsula rose from 1,145 in 2018 to 2,767 from January to April this year, a 142-percent increase, a Department of Health (DoH)-Region 9 official said.

John Go, health education officer of the DoH Regional Research Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said during a media forum at Mibang Hotel here that the highest rise in dengue cases was in Zamboanga Sibugay — from 82 in 2018 to 426 cases during the first four months of 2019.

Dipolog City, whose Corazon Aquino Memorial Provincial Hospital in Barangay Sicayab covers most parts of Zamboanga del Norte, recorded 209 dengue patients, mostly children aged 1-11. Because of the sharp increase in dengue cases in Zamboanga Peninsula, Go appealed to local residents to always follow the 4S in helping combat the disease.

The 4S, he said, entails, “Search[ing] and destroy[ing] mosquito breeding places; tak[ing] Self-protection measures by using mosquito repellent or wearing long pants, long sleeved shirts or protective clothing; Seek[ing] early consultation; and Support[ing] fogging/spraying of places where mosquitoes usually breed.

2 fishermen reported missing in Zamboanga found in Bohol

By Leo Udtohan [Correspondent, Inquirer Visayas, Eden Estopace (Editor)]

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The two fishermen who drifted for days in the Visayan Sea would be flown home to Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday night.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Bohol Station said Jaime Sollatorio, 69, and Ian Reyes, 32, who were reported missing, were given complimentary tickets so they could fly from Bohol to their hometown.

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — The two fishermen who drifted for days in the Visayan Sea would be flown home to Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday night.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Bohol Station said Jaime Sollatorio, 69, and Ian Reyes, 32, who were reported missing, were given complimentary tickets so they could fly from Bohol to their hometown.

6 Held in Zambo Norte for Violation on Sec. 261 of Omnibus Election Code

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

Six individuals were held for Violation on Sec. 261 of Omnibus Election Code at Purok 2, Barangay Singclot,. Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur at about 12:00 PM of May 12, 2019.

Police Brigadier Gen. Emmanuel Luis D Licup, PRO9 Director identified the following six (6) persons as:

Ricardo Capacio y Himaya, 51 years old, married, resident of Purok 2, Singclot,
Florentino Aviar y Guadalquiver,45, years old, married, resident of Purok 1, Población, Guipos,
Roger Bugwat y Castola, 51 years old, married, resident of Purok 2, Singclot, Guipos,
Teodoro Sario y Pacuin, 67 years old, married, a resident of Purok 2, Singclot, Guipos,
Manuel Divinagracia y Banilad, 44 years old, married, resident of Purok 2, Barangay Singclot,Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur,
Mario Delostrico y Talledo, 44 years old, married and a resident Purok 1, Singclot, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur.

Accordingly, prior to the incident, the Zamboanga del Sur - Provincial Mobile Force Company was conducting mobile patrol along the vicinity of Guipos and upon report of a concerned citizen for alleged vote buying/selling the team responded and upon reaching at Purok 2, Barangay Singclot, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur, they saw a few people gathered at the house of one Ricardo Carpio.

The team personally saw one person give a brown envelop to the other persons and upon received they put the brown envelop inside their pocket. When they (respondent) saw the Police Officers, accordingly, they scattered and run into different direction.

Then and there, the police officer called them to return and requested to show what are inside in their pocket.

Subsequently, the police officers recovered from their possession were the following items such as; nine (9) pieces of sample ballot and cash worth seventeen thousand five hundred four pesos (Php 17, 504).

After the incident, the alleged suspects of vote buying/selling were now turned over from the Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) to Guipos Municipal Police Station as well as the pieces of evidences.

PNP personnel of Guipos Municipal Police Station are now still conducting thorough investigation and file appropriate charges against the six (6) respondents.

Road Crash Accident

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

DAPITAN CITY - On May 15, 2019 at about 3:30 PM, a road crash accident transpired at Brgy Potungan, Dapitan City involving two (2) motorcycles described as follows:

MC1- Violet Smash Suzuki MC, bearing Temp Plate no. 0901397857 driven by Julius Tubat Mutya, 20, single and a resident of Brgy Sangkol, Dipolog City with back rider Jimmy Abal Mutya, 51, male, also a resident of same place; while
MC2- Black Skygo MC, bearing Plate no. JA 38727 driven by Vergil Castillo Acevedo, 45 yo, male, a resident of Purok 3, Brgy Potungan, Dapitan City.

Investigation conducted disclosed that at about 3:30 PM of same date, MC1 was travelling behind MC2 traversing the National Highway going to Dipolog City. Upon reaching at the place of incident, MC1 U-turned to the right lane and suddenly crossed the national highway but it was collided with MC2 which was travelling from behind.

The driver of MC2 was thrown from his driven motorcycle inflicting serious injuries on the different parts of his body that resulted to his instantaneous death while the driver of MC1 and his back rider also sustained slight injuries on the different parts of their body were brought to Jose Rizal Memorial hospital for medication.

Motorcycles involved were temporarily impounded at Dapitan City Police Station for proper disposition.

Muslim scholar shot dead in Zamboanga

By AL JACINTO (TMT)

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Motorcycle-riding gunmen shot dead a Muslim scholar late on Thurdays in Zamboanga del Norte.

Police said Ustadz Abdurahman Abubakar was traveling on a motorcycle with his wife and a child when the gunmen who were tailing them fired shots at him in Barangay Malambuhangin in Siocon town.

Abubakar, 37, died instantly from several gunshot wound.

The assailants escaped after the attack leaving the woman and her child unscathed. Police Maj. Helen Galvez, regional police spokesman, said the police were investigating the motive of the murder.

Abubakar’s family did not give any statement in the killing.

Top 5 Most Wanted Person Held in Zambo Norte

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

LEON POSTIGO, Zamboanga del Norte - A 44-year old construction worker tagged as the Top 5 Most Wanted Person, Municipal Level, was arrested by combined operatives of Leon Postigo Municipal Police Station and CIDG at Barangay Midatag, Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte at about 11:00 AM of May 8, 2019.

Police Brigadier Gen. Emmanuel Luis D Licup, PRO9 Director identified the arrested Rolando Andus Tagano, 44 years old, male, married, construction worker, Elementary Grad and a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Leon B Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte.

He was charged for Attempted Murder docketed under Criminal Case Number S-5650 issued by Honorable Judge Reymar L. Lacaya of RTC 9th Judicial Region, Branch 11, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, dated August 31, 2017, with bail recommended amounting to One Hundred Twenty Thousand Pesos (P120,000.00).

Subject wanted person is now temporarily detained at Leon B. Postigo MPS for proper disposition.

P3-B road projects in Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte start construction

By Betheena Unite

Three road projects in Mindanao under a P3-billion fund are now under way, the Department of Public Works and Highways said Thursday.

The road projects are under the “Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project” aimed to enhance economic development and peace and order situation in the island provinces of Mindanao, Public Works, and Highway Secretary Mark Villar said.

Under the projects, a total of 67.9 kilometers of road with 11 bridges, drainage, and slope protection components will be implemented in Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte.

One of the projects is the 23.73-kilometer PR-06, Alicia-Malangas Road, which will be constructed for P1.32 billion. Its construction will include eight bridges and slope protection along with flood prone areas and mountainous sections, among others.

A 29.10-kilometer road — PR-09, Lutiman-Guicam-Olutanga Road — is also underway. A total of P989.16 million was allocated for the road, which covers the construction of the concrete road with slope protection, improvement of drainage, installation of road signage, and application of pavement markings.

Further, in Zamboanga del Norte, the construction of 15.07-kilometer PR-07, Tampilisan-Sandayong Road had already started. It will cost P623.26 million, covering road concreting, with three bridge component.

“If weather permits, we will be able to complete and open these vital road networks in Mindanao by 2021,” Villar said.

The secretary added that the construction of the road projects is funded by the Asian Development Bank.

ALS mobile teachers undergo training to enhance services for OSYs

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy (ALT/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte with reports from Shekinah Benitez, ACCA)

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, May 24 (PIA) - - - More than a hundred Alternative Learning System (ALS) implementers underwent a six days training dubbed “Power for Youth: A Training of ALS Implementers on the Delivery of Life Skills Modules” at a local hotel here.

The training, held from May 19-24, was organized by the SUGPAT Program of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s Center for Culture and the Arts (ACCA), in partnership with UNICEF Philippines, ING, and Department of Education (DepEd).

“This has been my long dream that there will really be a good transition from the school to the workplace and I'm happy that Ateneo de Zamboanga, through SUGPAT, including UNICEF and ING, were able to get the idea of what DepEd wants because DepEd cannot do it alone,” DepEd-9 Regional Director Isabelita Borres said

According to the data gathered by DepEd Central Office, Zamboanga del Norte has the highest number of ALS learners in Zamboanga Peninsula.

The main objective of SUGPAT is to enhance the delivery of ALS in the region.

Leynie Boy G. Bellino, ALS Focal Person of Zamboanga del Norte and Education Program Specialist said, “through this program of SUGPAT, with the help of ING and UNICEF, we could make a better place for all the people of Zamboanga del Norte, especially the out-of-school youth.”

The training hopes to enable the ALS implementers on the articulation of competencies into success indicators, science and art of questioning, and cooperative learning and assessment strategies.

Moreover, it also aims to cocreate the contextualized activity-based worksheets based on Muslim Education Program, Indigenous Peoples Education Program, and General Education Program, using the alignment of competencies and learning intents from Life Skills Modules and ALS Curriculum.

The SUGPAT Program is a social innovation and flagship program of ACCA. From an arts for development project in 2015, it has transformed into a social innovation program addressing adolescent programming through innovative strategies covering areas on policy, research, and barangay and youth leadership.

Man Held in Sindangan COMELEC Checkpoint

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

SINDANGAN, Zamboanga del Norte - Police elements of Sindangan Municipal Police Station led by Police Major Domingo Suarez Murillo II together with the RFMB9 901st personnel conducted COMELEC checkpoint at Barangay Ramon Magsaysay, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte at about 4:00 AM of May 15, 2019.

The operation was led to the interception of Danilo Gantalao Olag, 31 years old, male, single, a resident of Brgy. Mangilay, Siayan, Zamboanga Del Norte, who committed a violation in relation to COMELEC Resolution no. 10446, sec 261 of the Omnibus Election Code Art XXII, Sec 32 of RA no. 7166, recovered from his possession are the following items:

a. one (1) sling bag colored black; b. one (1) unit of colored black Uzi .9mm para with serial no. X902070989 c. two (2) magazines with twenty-two (22) live ammos.

The suspect was brought to Sindangan District Hospital for physical/medical examination and later brought to Sindangan Municipal Police Station for filing appropriate charges in court.

PRO-9 deploys new policemen to line units

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr. (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) has deployed 503 new policemen to its different units to boost security and anti-criminality operations across the region.

Police Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup, PRO-9 director, said Tuesday the new policemen have been deployed as follows: Regional Mobile Force Battalion-9 (RMFB-9), 190 cops; Zamboanga City Mobile Force Company, 78; Zamboanga Del Norte Provincial Mobile Force Company, 61; Zamboanga Del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company, 79; and Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Mobile Force Company, 93.

Licup led the send-off ceremony Monday of the 503 new policemen at the Camp Col. Romeo Abendan that houses the PRO-9 headquarters in Barangay Mercedes, this city.

Licup said the deployment of newly graduated cops will beef up the existing deployment at the Public Safety Forces Company for police visibility and internal security operations in the region.

Licup said the 503 new policemen have completed the six-month Public Safety Basic Recruit Course (PSBRC), and six months of Field Training Program (FTP) that honed their efficiency and competence as law enforcement officers. They have also had undergone a rigid 60-day Basic Internal Security Operation Course (BISOC) training conducted by the Regional Special Training Units-9 and Philippine National Police-Special Action Force, he added.

In addition, Licup said the new police personnel have also completed the Air to Ground Operations Seminar (AGOS) training initiated by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) based in Edwin Andrew Airbase here which trained them as combat air patrollers.

Nuisance candidate ploy in Zambo Norte flops

By ATTY. DODO DULAY

SPECULATION was rife prior to this year’s midterm elections that Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Roberto Uy might lose his bid for reelection.

The reason? Some smart political strategists allegedly linked to his political rivals fielded a candidate with the same name and even the same nickname as the governor. The ploy made political observers take a closer look at the battle for the gubernatorial post of the province. It appeared many wanted to find out if this ancient technique of confusing and misleading voters in a local election would still work today.

By most indications, the answer is a resounding “No.” The Zamboanga del Norte elections showed that voters will go out of their way to express their true will despite a determined bid on the part of some political tricksters to thwart them. As we write this column, the real “Roberto Uy” — the incumbent governor — is leading his closest rival, congressman Bullet Jalosjos, by some 6,000 votes, with most of the votes already counted.

Here’s the interesting thing: the other “Roberto Uy” — the incumbent’s namesake who was later disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) which declared him a “nuisance candidate still managed to garner a sizable vote. As of the latest count, the nuisance candidate had a little over 20,000 votes to his name.

That number of votes is significant. That would be the total number of voters of a small municipality. In a close fight, that number could decide who wins and who loses. That number also indicates the power of confusion. It’s clear that the sole purpose of fielding a namesake is to take away votes from the legitimate candidate by misleading voters.

This brings us back to the nagging question which surfaced during the campaign period — did not the Comelec, right from the start, realize that the namesake was a nuisance candidate? In its belated resolution, the Comelec said the other “Roberto Uy” had no visible means to fund his campaign.

According to locals, the guy was a scavenger recruited by some group and placed in the payroll of a municipal government. The Comelec also said the incumbent governor’s namesake had no previous experience or didn’t have the ability to perform the duties and functions of the office for which he intended to run.

The malicious intent of the scheme became even more obvious as there were tarpaulins and leaflets bearing the name of the incumbent but with the ballot number of the nuisance candidate, clearly aimed at confusing the voters even more. Undoubtedly, the fielding of a nuisance candidate was a well-planned ploy at deception.

Observers and voters who detected the scheme could only shake their heads in disbelief. They asked, did the Comelec, wittingly or unwittingly, allow itself to be an accomplice in the ploy? Why was it not quick to detect the scheme? Why did it allow the nuisance candidate’s name to be included in the ballot?

To this day, these questions remain in the minds of baffled observers. Their doubts are only compounded by the apparent foot-dragging on the part of the Comelec to proclaim the gubernatorial candidate who has already garnered the most number of votes. As of press time, Governor Uy is reportedly still begging the Comelec to proclaim him as the victor in the gubernatorial polls.

Governor Uy can take care of himself. What concerns us is the plight of the 20,000-plus voters who voted for the nuisance candidate “Uy” in the ballot. What happens to these votes now?

If memory serves me right, once official ballots are printed, the votes of the disqualified bets like nuisance candidate Uy will be considered as stray votes. In effect, the Comelec practically disenfranchised the 20,000-plus voters who intended to vote for the legitimate contender but whose votes were counted under the nuisance candidate’s.

So, isn’t the Comelec making voters pay the price for its inaction? Does this not amount to thwarting the will of the electorate?

These questions from the public may portray Comelec unfairly. But the poll body has to admit voting issues like these are valid and inevitable. The number of votes cast in favor of a nuisance candidate is staggering — 20,000-plus. It is unlikely that 20,000-plus voters in that province would have deliberately opted to vote for someone whom the Comelec adjudged as having neither the ability nor intention to perform the duties of the office for which he was a candidate.

Perhaps it is time that the Comelec reexamine its procedures and processes in screening legitimate candidates. The public is not asking the Comelec to disqualify scavengers like the nuisance “Uy” from running for public office.

Rather, what the public wants is for the Comelec to adopt a process and to act promptly in order to prevent nuisance candidates from getting their names printed on the ballot in the first place, such as when a scavenger like the nuisance “Uy” runs for public office for the sole purpose of sowing confusion among voters and misleading them.

It’s a good thing the nuisance candidate ploy flopped. The legitimate candidate in Zamboanga del Norte emerged victorious.

Nevertheless, the fact that some 20,000-plus voters’ votes went to waste should prick the sensibilities of the concerned officials in Comelec, which failed to act quickly enough to stop the nuisance candidate ploy.

Poll winners in Zambo Norte proclaimed

By Gualberto Laput (PNA)

DIPOLOG, Zamboanga del Norte – Governor Roberto Y. Uy (PDP-Laban) has retained the governorship in a hotly- and closely-contested election against challenger Rep. Seth Frederick P. Jalosjos of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago-Alliance of Political Parties (HNP-APP).

Uy was proclaimed governor by the provincial board of canvassers at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) session hall in this city over the weekend.

Uy garnered 219,412 votes, just 2,895 ahead of Jalosjos.

In this province’s first district, Romeo Jalosjos Jr. (HNP-APP) won against Uy’s son, Roberto Jr. (PDP-Laban), while in the second district, Rep. Glona Labadlabad (PDP-Laban) retained her position against challenger Flora Villarosa (HNP-APP), the outgoing mayor of Siayan town.

In the third district, challenger Norbedieri Edding (HNP-APP) lost to incumbent Rep. Isagani Amatong.

Gen. (ret.) Alexander Yano, former Armed Forces chief of staff, lost to former congressman Rosendo Labadlabad, husband of the second district congresswoman, in Sindangan, the largest town of this province.

Jalosjos proclaimed mayor in Dapitan City

By Gualberto Laput (PNA)

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte -- After six gruelling days of delayed counting and canvassing, incumbent Dapitan City Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos was proclaimed at 12:20 p.m. Saturday as the winner in the mayoralty race. Jalosjos got 26,407 votes against her challenger, former mayor Evelyn Uy of nearby Dipolog City, who got 20,642 votes.

Dapitan, a third-class city has 50 barangays with 57,434 registered voters.

Jalosjos’ running mate, Jimmy Israel Patrick Chan, and nine council aspirants were also proclaimed winners.

Only one of candidates for councilor from Uy’s camp, Jezebel Balisado, entered the 10-seat Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The race has now shifted to the gubernatorial seat, where Zamboanga del Norte first district Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, the nephew of Mayor Jalosjos, is in a tight race against incumbent Gov. Roberto Uy, Evelyn’s husband.

As of 11:10 a.m. Saturday, Gov. Uy received 212,106 votes against Rep. Jalosjos, who got 208,363 votes. There are more than 50 precincts still to be canvassed throughout this province.

Dapitan City candidates decry massive malfunction of VCMs

By Gualberto Laput (PNA)

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte – Tension and qualms on why so many units of vote counting machines (VCM) malfunctioned have gripped this city as the canvassing of votes dragged on to its fifth day on Friday.

Supporters of former Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy, who ran for mayor against incumbent Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos, have gathered at the government center where the canvassing is being held since Wednesday, and demanded for the counting to continue since no winners were proclaimed yet.

“When counting of votes started, we observed that the malfunctioning of VCMs happened in District 1 – this is the district that is being strangled by [the Jalosjoses],” Uy said in the vernacular in a statement on Thursday.

This province has three districts. The first district, where this city is located, is the known bailiwick of the Jalosjos clan.

The second district, where Dipolog City is located, is the stronghold of the Uys. The third district is under incumbent Rep. Isagani Amatong, an ally of the Uys.

Jalosjos, however, said it is absurd to insinuate that her camp is behind the malfunctioning of VCMs and delay in the canvassing.

“We have the same number of watchers, we have the same number of lawyers attending to the counting and canvassing, why did they not complain to the Comelec (Commission on Elections)? Does it mean that Belen Uy and supporters don’t trust their lawyers and watchers?” she said in an interview Thursday.

Jalosjos also questioned the “massive” malfunction of VCMs, particularly in this city where she said “almost half of the VCMs have glitches”.

Of the 82 VCMs allotted for this city, 38 malfunctioned because of failed Secure Digital (SD) Cards.

On Wednesday, Comelec personnel here, accompanied by lawyers from both camps, went to Zamboanga City to get replacements but were only able to get 14 SD cards.

The remaining 24 SD cards are expected to be brought here Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, vote-buying and selling allegedly occurred in Mindanao, particularly in Dapitan City.

A retired policeman, who requested anonymity, said his cousin, a fishpond caretaker, received PHP30,000 for her vote on election day.

“She took the amount, which is supposed to be for six voters – for her, for her four children who are working in other places and her husband who cannot vote because he is bedridden,” the policeman said.

‘Kidnapper’ nabbed in Zamboanga del Norte

By BONG GARCIA (SunStar Philippines)

AN ALLEGED member of a kidnap-for-ransom-group (KFRG) member was arrested in a law enforcement operation in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a top police official said Wednesday, May 8.

Arrested was Asbi Samdani, 39, a member of the Barahama Alih group, according to Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director Emmanuel Licup.

Both the police and military authorities have tagged the Barahama Alih group as involved in kidnappings, robbery holdups, contract killings, and other atrocities.

Police Brigadier General Licup said Samdani was arrested around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday in Sukan village, Labason town.

Licup said Samdani has standing warrant of arrest for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 with no bail bond recommended issued on June 6, 2019 by the court of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said a grenade was recovered from the possession of Samdani when he was arrested by a joint team of policemen and soldiers.

Zambo Norte bet, pal nabbed for gun ban violation

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr. (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A candidate for vice mayor and his companion were arrested early Monday for alleged election gun ban violation in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a police official said.

Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified them as Sergio Bihag, 57, and Jetro Ybañez.

Bihag is a retired police major and candidate for vice mayor in the municipality of Salug, Zamboanga del Norte.

Galvez said Bihag and Ybañez were arrested at a checkpoint around 2:45 a.m. Monday in Barangay Pucay, Salug town.

Confiscated from the possession of the two were a .38-caliber revolver with ammunition, and one Thompson sub-machine gun with ammunition, police said.

Bihag and his companion were being detained and cases for election gun ban violation is set to be filed against them, police said.

Zamboanga del Norte Archived News

The older news reports are kept here.

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