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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:
  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.

‘Eco-tourism highway’ eyed in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat

by (PNA)

FFC/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) -- In a bid to enhance their environmental protection and conservation initiatives, the local governments of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat are jointly pushing for the development of an “eco-tourism highway” within the critical watershed of a major river traversing the area.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said they have launched a joint study to look into the viability of developing portions of the Allah River’s watershed within the two provinces into ecological and cultural tourism sites.

He said they have tapped the Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLADA), an environmental body comprising 11 local governments in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces traversed by the Allah River, to spearhead the project.

“We’re looking at developing the existing resorts in the area into eco and cultural tourism havens and later tap them to lead the implementation of protection and conservation initiatives within the watershed areas,” Pingoy said.

The governor earlier joined a tour of several resorts within the proposed “eco-tourism highway,” which was considered to cover the municipalities of Lake Sebu, T’boli, Surallah and Sto. Nino in South Cotabato and Esperanza, Bagumbayan and Isulan in Sultan Kudarat.

Pingoy said the resorts they’ve visited have high potentials of becoming top eco-tourism destinations if properly developed.

“But based on initial estimates, we will need around P40 million to pursue this (eco-tourism highway),” he said.

The governor said they are planning to seek possible financial grants from local and international development institutions for the project’s funding and implementation.

He said they initially sought assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), which recently approved a grant of P6.3 million to AVLADA through the Local Government Support Program-Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED).

The project mainly aims to develop eco-tourism as a major economic driver and eventually stimulate economic growth through the generation of eco-tourism related business and job opportunities, an AVLADA briefer said.

AVLADA, which is a recipient of the Galing Pook Awards in 2009, was established as an offshoot of a major flashflood that hit Allah River on September 6, 1995, which left 53 people dead and devastated millions worth of infrastructure, agricultural crops and properties.

Allah River, considered as one of the biggest river systems in southern and central Mindanao, traverses the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces and drains towards Liguasan Marsh, the Rio Grande de Mindanao and eventually the Moro Gulf.

Based on AVLADA’s records, at least 67 barangays traversed by the Allah River and twin tributary Banga River were exposed to various risks due to flooding problems.

AVLADA’s programs and strategies include capability and institution building, information and education campaign, remote sensing – GIS Mapping, community mapping for barangay development, riparian zone re-vegetation, rainforestation and upstream resource management and sub-watershed adoption and forestland co-management.






Massacre trial hears cop, with limitations

by Angela Lopez de Leon


Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 yesterday allowed Senior Supt. Pedro Austria Jr. to testify but asked prosecution to refrain from asking about the evidence at the massacre site in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

Reyes, in her ruling, pointed out that the evidence "post facto" is the subject matter of a "petition for certiorari" filed by the counsel of Andal Ampatuan Sr. and Andal Ampatuan Jr. before the Court of Appeals.

Austria was then commander of CIDG-Region 12.

Prima Quinsayas, a member of the prosecution panel, on direct examination asked Austria about his part in the investigation.

Austria replied that on Nov. 23, 2009, he received a call from Chief Supt. Josefino Cataluña, Police Regional Office 12 director, to report to the Regional Director’s Headquarters in General Santos City and coordinate with Chief Supt. Felicisimo Khu.

Austria said Khu ordered him to proceed to Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat, where a convoy led them to the ambush site.

He told the court that he assigned Senior Inspectors Francis Sonza, Teody Condeza and Serafin Acupan as head of team Alpha, Bravo and Charlie that will assist in the investigation.

Austria noted that on Dec. 5, 2009, Khu ordered him to execute a search warrant on the warehouse owned by the Ampatuan clan.

The hearing ended early due to lack of prosecution witnesses. –

One dead in flashflood in Mindanao

by philstar.com


COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) - Flashflood triggered by continual rain left one dead and displaced nearly 30,000 people in the southern Philippines, local officials said today.

In the township of Glan in Sarangani province, five members of a family were swept away by flood water yesterday afternoon, killing Ening Padayag, 37.

Senior police officer Danilo Abataya of the police station in Glan said the victim's husband and three kids survived the tragedy.

"They were crossing a dry creek going home when the water suddenly rose and swept them away," Abayata said.

In the township of Lambayong in the province of Sultan Kudarat, assistant regional director for social welfare and development Gemma Rivera said around 2,000 families or 10,000 people from low lying villages had been affected by flooding since Sunday.

Disaster officials said 14,063 residents or about 2,879 families in 13 villages in the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte were affected by flooding.

Local government moves to contain black bug infestation

by Louie O. Pacardo


TACURONG CITY, SULTAN KUDARAT -- The municipal agriculture office of Kabacan, North Cotabato, is working at saving three rice villages from rice black bug (scotinophara coarctata) infestation.

Dominador M. Bisnar, Jr., municipal seed inspector, told media that the local government is monitoring barangays Osias, Upper Paatan and Kayaga in Kabacan that suffered from the infestation.

Mr. Bisnar said the affected areas -- with 10,000 hectares of rice fields -- are within the seed production area of the municipality.

An ocular inspection had been conducted last week by the municipal agriculture office to assess the extent of infestation. Result of the assessment with recommendations for containment measures is expected this week.

A black bug attack causes the rice plant’s leaves to turn reddish brown, grains become half-empty resulting in crop loss.

Current productions indicate up to 30% output reduction if the black bugs infestation is not contained.

Palay farm productivity in the area ranges from three to four tons per hectare per cropping.

Kabacan is known as North Cotabato’s rice production center.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture’s regional office also warned farmers of a new rice bug locally called as tiangaw (leptocoriza oryzae) that attacks plants by eating the grain.

Tiangaw, local agriculture officials said, could damage up to 70% of the output if uncontrolled.

Agricultural scientists recommend the following to control rice black bug infestation:

• planting of rice using direct seeding method;

• avoiding planting of fancy rice varieties as it is most favored by the pests;

• practicing intermittent irrigation; and

• mass collection of bugs by farmers in exchange for an incentive.

The local agriculture office is asking the farmers from the affected villages to help monitor the infestation and immediately report changes in the rice plants’ health.

Police: Grenade found at rice mill in Mindanao

by mypinoyshows.com


KIDAPAWAN CITY — Authorities recovered a fragmentation grenade inside a rice mill in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, police reports said.

The explosive, an M26 hand fragmentation grenade, was discovered inside a rice mill owned by Beverly Digal of Purok Kabugwason, Barangay Kalawag-Uno in Tacurong City.

Senior Inspector Jojet Ferrer, intelligence officer of the Tacurong City police, said the grenade was found at the back of a Nissan pickup truck (LCW 553) owned by a certain Rodrigo Rubin.

The vehicle was parked near Digal’s rice mill.

Elements of the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team rendered safe the explosive.

Police are investigating the motive and the people behind the incident. — Malu Manar /LBG, GMA News

1 dead, 2 hurt as truck rollovers in Maguindanao

by John Unson


MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – A driver was killed while his two helpers were badly injured when a wayward 10-wheeler truck plunged into a 40-foot ravine along an accident prone stretch of the Cotabato-Davao Highway in Sultan Kudarat town here Monday afternoon.

Investigators of the Sultan Kudarat municipal police said the driver losts control while maneuvering a downhill curve when one of the vehicle’s front tires exploded causing it to wiggle towards the right side of the highway.

Investigators are still looking into the possibility that the truck, owned by a Chinese trader based in Cotabato City, could have been overloaded and that it was the brakes that malfunctioned while gaining momentum while on it descent towards the bridge.

The truck first rammed and totally wrecked a parked motorcycle before it fell from the highway around 4 p.m.

There have been more than a dozen accidents in the same stretch of the highway in the past three years, according to the local police.

The two truck helpers that survived the crash were rush by responding policemen and barangay officials to a hospital in Cotabato City.

The driver of the ill-fate truck was killed on the spot, his body mangled beyond recognition since the left side of its crew cab hit the concrete railing of the bridge first before it plunged 40 feet down.

Police e-blotter in Region 12

by Ali G. Macabalang


TACURONG CITY, Philippines – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 launched last week the region-wide rollout of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) computerized crime incident reporting system or the e-blotter. Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele, Region 12 police director, said Friday they started deploying the e-blotter software in various police stations and offices as part of the full implementation of the new system in the region. Region 12 (SouthCentral Mindanao) covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. “The installation and testing (of the e-blotter software) in our field police stations are presently ongoing and we’re expecting the full use of this system… before the end of the month,“ Mantele said. Mantele and other top police officials in the region initially launched the e-blotter system in simple rites at the PRO 12 headquarters in General Santos City last Wednesday.

Maternal mortality still an issue: UN

by Kim Arveen M. Patria


THE UNITED Nations (UN) urged more local government initiatives to reduce the country’s maternal mortality ratio, citing as an example a birth clinic project in a Mindanao. On Friday, the UN identified a maternal health program in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat as one of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) champion projects for providing pregnant women with regular medical checkups and assistance in treatment and child delivery.

Other projects noted were an organic fertilizer program in Llanera, Nueva Ecija and a mung bean promotion project in San Mateo, Isabela.

In an interview on the sidelines of the event, UN resident coordinator Jacqueline Badcock said the country is "struggling" in achieving the MDG of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by three-fourths in 2015 from its 1990 level.

The UN Development Program (UNDP) said in its latest MDG Progress Report in 2010 that while maternal mortality ratio has been on the decline since 1993, "the rate of change is relatively low."

"This might be attributed to the fact that a significant proportion of births were still delivered at home and attended to, not by skilled health professionals but, by the so-called hilots, especially in areas where health facilities with services of skilled health professionals are inaccessible," the UNDP said in its report.

Ms. Badcock said local initiatives similar to the Sultan Kudarat maternal health clinics may be the "biggest factor in reducing maternal mortality."

"If more municipalities would support women to give birth safely, I think we could do a lot to bring down the maternal mortality rate," she said.

Asked about the possible contribution of the reproductive health bill pending in Congress, Ms. Badcock said: "The important part about the legislation is the extra support it will give to mothers giving birth. That’s the main issue for the UN. We want mothers to give birth in safe environments."

Ms. Badcock, however, was upbeat about the country’s progress in achieving other MDGs.

"[There has been] quite a lot of good work on child mortality rates coming down. There have been progress on the gender markers, some movement on poverty... and there’s a lot of effort going into education," Ms. Badcock told BusinessWorld.

The MDGs are areas for development for which the international community has set 2015 as a deadline. These include poverty and hunger, universal primary education, gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, environmental sustainability and global partnerships for development.

Sophie De Caen, executive director of the MDG Achievement Fund Secretariat said: "The Philippines is advancing well on child mortality and access to sanitation and water but there is still a lot of work to be done on the education front and on poverty reduction."

Ms. De Caen added that she hopes the MDG Achievement Fund programs will help address some of the problems, "particularly those that are resulting in increased employment."

"[I] really think the MDG [Achievement Fund] is here to be an incentive and to give the seed funding for these various joint programs and then for those to be replicated either by the government or with the help of the other donors that are here," Ms. De Caen said, adding that the aid is set to close in 2013.

The fund, provided by the Spanish government in 2006, provides over $23 million to four MDG programs in the country: youth, migration and employment; access to water; food security and nutrition for children; and climate change adaptation.

Meanwhile, President Benigno S. C. Aquino III said the government is exerting more effort on poverty reduction, education and maternal health, citing as an example the increase in the budget for the Conditional Cash Transfer program.

"This means that more Filipino children will attend school, that more children and expecting mothers will receive regular medical checkups, and ultimately, that more families will receive cash grants to help them with their everyday expenses," Mr. Aquino said in a speech read by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr.

The Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda and the Universal Health Care program, both under the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, are also expected to contribute to MDG achievement.

NIA turns over irrigation project in Sultan Kudarat

by goldstardailynews.com


TACURONG City--Rice production in Sultan Kudarat is expected to increase after the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) turned over to the irrigators association in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat the Alip-Lumaga communal irrigation system that covers a service area of 608 hectares in the Poblacion. Sultan Kudarat Irrigation Management Office Manager Ali Satol said during the turn over rites Monday that the Alip- Lumaga Communal Irrigation System (CIS) is the third project in Columbio that the NIA has turned over to irrigators association. The other two were the Dalol CIS and Maligaya CIS. Satol said three more projects are in the pipeline for this year in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat's leading rice producing town.

Satol lauded Columbio Mayor Datu Amir Musali for the assistance extended to NIA and the irrigators association. NIA-12 Regional Manager Modesto Tolentino said the success of the project was due to a tripartite conference involving the local government units, the NIA and the irrigators association. He also lauded the assistance extended by the Department of Agriculture regional office 12. Tolentino challenged the irrigators association and other project beneficiaries to "own it" so that they can help in the maintenance and operation of the irrigation system. "This is clearly a concrete example of how government works for the benefits of the agricultural sector in the countryside," Tolentino said. PNA

Canadian firm, Columbio town to put up coffee plant

by MANUEL T. CAYON / REPORTER


DAVAO CITY­—A Canadian firm is set to develop the country’s coffee business with a P1-billion investment plan to establish one of the major coffee complexes in Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat.

The coffee complex would be funded by the Canadian firm Rocky Mountain Arabica Coffee Corp. (RMACC), which entered into an agreement for a still- undisclosed amount for the establishment of the complex with the municipal government and the Columbio Municipal Employees Cooperative, according to the Department of Agriculture-Regional Agricultural and Fisheries Information Division (DA-Rafid).

 The coffee complex would be the biggest project in the municipality this year, said Columbio Mayor Amirh M. Musali.

Musali, RMACC President Pierre Yves Cote and Cecilio C. Mejia, president of the employees cooperative, signed the tripartite joint agreement on the coffee-production project on January 30.

RMACC was developing complexes and coffee-production areas in Baguio and Cagayan de Oro, and was reported to be investing P1 billion to develop the industry in the country.

DA Regional Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said the Davao region was the No. 1 coffee producer in the country last year, producing 28,502.96 metric tons, with Sultan  Kudarat the largest producer among the other Cotabato provinces.

“We need to bring Sultan Kudarat, particularly the municipality of Columbio, to reach the global market. If we have our brand name known in the Philippines and in the world, then we have a good chance of making it,” she said.

Datukan turned over assorted fruit and vegetable seedlings, including farm machinery and facilities, to the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion, intended for its units that maintain barangay defense systems in the localities.

Total donation was valued at P1.695 million. 

“This amount was granted to the Philippine Army under the AgriPinoy High-Value Crops Development Program,” she said.

Projects could be availed of through project proposal,” Datukan said. 

The donation consisted of 12 kilograms of vegetable seeds from the DA research outreach stations (ROS); 15,000 pieces of assorted fruits from the DA Balindog ROS; and 10,000 cacao seedlings from the Amas-CEMIARC ROS.

The donated equipment included one small farm equipment, 11 sets of farm implements, 22 pieces of plastic water drums, 2,000 meter of pipes, 22 sprayers, one nursery rehabilitation, and four draft animals.

Army First Lt. Maria Leviste said the beneficiaries of these farm equipment and seedlings were members of the barangay defense system in Columbio.

NIA officials turn over irrigation project in Sultan Kudarat

by (PNA)

FFC/NYP/EOF


TACURONG CITY, Feb. 8 (PNA) - Rice production in Sultan Kudarat is expected to increase after the the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) turned over to the irrigators association in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat the Alip-Lumaga communal irrigation system that covers a service area of 608 hectares in the Poblacion.

Sultan Kudarat Irrigation Management Office Manager Ali Satol said during the turn over rites Monday that the Alip-Lumaga Communal Irrigation System (CIS) is the third project in Columbio that the NIA has turned over to irrigators association. The other two were the Dalol CIS and Maligaya CIS.

Satol said three more projects are in the pipeline for this year in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat's leading rice producing town.

Satol lauded Columbio Mayor Datu Amir Musali for the assistance extended to NIA and the irrigators association.

NIA-12 Regional Manager Modesto Tolentino said the success of the project was due to a tripartite conference involving the local government units, the NIA and the irrigators association.

He also lauded the assistance extended by the Department of Agriculture regional office 12.

Tolentino challenged the irrigators association and other project beneficiaries to "own it" so that they will help in the maintenance and operation of the irrigation system.

"This is clearly a concrete example of how government works for the benefits of the agricultural sector in the countryside," Tolentino said.

Village peacekeepers in Sultan Kudarat get P1.7 M assistance from DA

by Dani Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- Around 1,869 members of the barangay defense system in Columbio Sultan Kudarat recently received livelihood assistance from the Department of Agriculture -12 (DA-12) amounting to almost P1.7 million.

Last week, the DA 12 Regional Executive Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan handed assorted fruit and vegetable seedlings, seeds, farm machineries and facilities -- amounting to P1,695,000 -- to the 27th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army.

“This was granted to the Philippine Army under the AgriPinoy High Value Crops Development Program. Projects can be availed here through project proposal,” Datukan said.

Included in the livelihood package were 25 kg of vegetable seeds, 15,000 seedlings of assorted fruits, 10,000 seedlings of cacao, 1 unit of farm equipment, 11 sets of farm tools, 22 plastic drums, 2,000 meters of pipes, 22 sprayers, 1 nursery and 4 draft animals.

Lt. Maria Jessica Leviste, civil military officer of the 27th IB , said the beneficiaries of the livelihood assistance include around 3,000 members of the barangay defense system in Columbio.

These , she said are residents of 11 barangays, most of these situated along the town’s boundaries with Matanao and Magsaysay towns in Davao del Sur and Tampakan town in South Cotabato that have been identifies as New People’s Army-influenced villages.

In an earlier interview, Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo said these villagers have organized themselves into barangay defense systems following the efforts to the Philippine Army in line with their peace and development outreach projects in the area. These barangay defense systems, Lt. Col. Bravo said, have helped the military in maintaining peace and order in their respective barangays.

Lt. Leviste explained that after conducting several community organizing activities in the area, they have decided to extend their help to the members of the barangay defense system by providing them with alternative livelihood that where they could also gain income for their families.

Thus, around the third quarter of last year, the 27th IB, in collaboration with the local government unit led by Mayor Amirh Musali, and the Municipal Agriculture Office submitted a proposal to DA for the livelihood to the local peacekeepers, which Director Jayag-Datukan immediately approved.

The hand-over ceremony was held in time with the inauguration of Columbio town’s public market and transport terminal and the signing of a memorandum of agreement between a local cooperative, LGU, and Rocky Mountain Arabica Coffee Corporation (RMACC) for the development of coffee industry in the municipality. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)

Philhealth Fun Run “an overwhelming success”

by (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato Feb. 6 (PIA) -- “It was an overwhelming success,” says Dr. Miriam Cynthia Pamonag, Philhealth 12’s field operations chief, referring to the Philhealth Fun Run - The Mindanao Run for Hope held here yesterday morning.

Some 3,667 runners had registered for the 3K, 5K, 10, and 17K runs in Koronadal City. Hundreds more were allowed to join the fun run despite failure to register.

Philhealth 12 only aimed to gather 2,000 registered runners for the activity.

Among the runners are children, students, marathon runners, athletes, employees of government and private offices, and local government officials of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Local officials were led by South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy Jr. and Koronadal Mayor Peter Miguel who both took the three-kilometer run along with other councilors from Koronadal and Isulan town.

Also present were Mayors Efren Piñol of Magpet, North Cotabato; Romulo Solivio of Surallah, South Cotabato; and Diosdado Pallasigue of Isulan, SK.

The biggest contingent came from the 1002nd Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Malungon, Sarangani.

“Beyond the number of participants we are more elated by the fact the people enjoyed the activity,” Dr. Pamonag said.

“They are happy because they know that they ran not only to have fun but also to save lives of children suffering from cancer,” she added.

Part of the proceeds of the fun run will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Center and Blood Diseases Unit of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

SPMC, located in Davao City, is the largest tertiary hospital in Mindanao and the only hospital facility in the island that can deliver multidisciplinary care for children with cancer.

The Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth situated in Tupi, South Cotabato will also receive donations from the proceeds of the fun run.

RRCY is being managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development -12 (DSWD). It is a residential facility for children and youth in need of interventions such as children in conflict with law and those who are victims of abuse, drugs, and those in similar situations.

Philhealth 12’s Regional Vice President Ramon Aristoza Jr., said, besides raising funds for SPMC’s cancer and blood diseases unit, the activity was also geared to promote running as an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

“We believe that in this effort, we need to involve the private sector under the concept of corporate social responsibility,” he said.

For the fun run in Koronadal Philhealth was assisted by several sponsors including ABS-CBN, Dole Philippines, All Card Plastics Philippines, Nature’s Spring, Rite Med, Smart Communication, KCCFI - a cooperative based in Zamboanga City, Ace Centerpoint, St. Elizabeth Hospital of Gensan and many others.

Philhealth also got support from professional basketball star Kenneth “Captain Marbel” Duremdes” who stood as Philhealth 12’s poster model for the activity.

Philhealth Fun Run – The Mindanao Run for Hope was simultaneously conducted in six cities: Koronadal, Butuan, Cagayan de oro, Marawi, Zamboanga, and Davao.

SSS Tacurong Sultan Kudarat Branch and Office Hotline

by zambotimes.com/


The SSS Tacurong City Sultant Kudarat branch are currently sharing the overall details together with thier address and contact numbers handed below.

The Social Security Services Philippines may leads in your very own assistance associated for your needs and benefits such as to produce an online inquiry for contribution, benefits,loan application, downloadable forms inquiries, benefits, remittance, SSS ID application, member participations, exactly how continue paying your SSS contribution,loans, static data, SSS ID application, forms inquireis, online account registration and in the near future.






DSWD-12 eyes more livelihood aid for 4Ps beneficiaries

by zambotimes.com/


GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region plans to create more livelihood opportunities this year for beneficiaries of the national government’s conditional cash transfer program in the area to eventually make them “self-sufficient.” Bai Zorahayda Taha, DSWD Region 12 director, said they are currently drawing up some viable livelihood projects that would offer stable income opportunities for around 148,000 “poorest of the poor” households in the region that have so far benefited from the initiative, which is also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. She said the move mainly aims to make the 4Ps beneficiaries in the region become productive and self-reliant once they complete the program’s three-year cycle. Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Taha said they saw the need to integrate the livelihood component into the program following a survey last year that showed nearly 70 percent of their beneficiaries in the first two phases as still on the “survival” mode despite availing of the cash grants. In their 2011 annual report, the official noted that out of the 17,189 households covered by their social welfare indicator or SWI survey last year, 12,508 or 68.48 percent of them remained on the first or survival level. “Those households will be the focus of the case management to be conducted by the (program’s) municipal links where possible interventions could be drawn to help improve their well-being,” the official said. A total of 4,658 households or 29.66 percent reached the second level or subsistence stage while only four beneficiaries or 0.02 percent managed to become self-sufficient or reached the third level, she said. Taha said the survey covered the first two sets of beneficiaries that were enlisted in the municipalities of Senator Ninoy Aquino in Sultan Kudarat; Maasim and Malapatan in Sarangani; and, Lake Sebu and T’boli in South Cotabato. She said the areas covered by the survey were considered as the pilot areas in the region for the government’s three-pronged anti-poverty convergence strategy, which also includes the Kalahi-CIDSS and the SEA-K programs. Kalahi-CIDSS stands for Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services and SEA-K for livelihood program Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran. Taha said they will conduct another round of the SWI survey this year to monitor the changes in the socio-economic status of the 4Ps household-beneficiaries. “The overall impact of the three core programs of the department shall be determined, whether the cash grants as well as other interventions of both the program and its staff augmented the well-being of the beneficiaries,” she added. 4Ps is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to “poorest of the poor” households to improve their health, nutrition and education, particularly of children aged 0-14 years. The program provides beneficiaries cash grants of P500 a month for health and nutrition expenses and P300 a month per child for educational expenses. A household with three qualified children could get P1,400 monthly. (PNA) DCT/FFC/AVE

Gov't Aid Benefits R-12, Marawi

by ALI G. MACABALANG


COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The national government has released a total of P1.075 billion in cash grants in 2011 to 145,421 beneficiaries of its continuing conditional cash transfer program in Region 12, and 10,719 others in Marawi City, a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) official disclosed recently.

DSWD Region-12 Director Zorahayda Taha said the funds were released directly to some 148,660 “poorest of the poor” households in the area covered by her office last year under the anti-poverty initiative Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

In Region-12, she said, the program has served 145,421 households in 32 municipalities and five cities as prescribed by the national government’s anti-poverty convergence strategy.

Region-12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Cotabato, Kidapawan, and Tacurong.

Taha said her office also served last year some 10,719 household-beneficiaries in Marawi City, a component of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Taha said they will pursue the program’s expansion in the said areas this year based on an earlier commitment made by President Aquino, targeting to enlist 96,695 more households in 15 identified expansion areas.

Earlier, Taha said the DSWD has delisted 11,367 households from the beneficiary database of 4Ps in Region-12 due to registry errors, fraud, and other eligibility problems.

She said the delisting “is a continuing process” of “verifying” complaints regarding questions on the status or qualification of 4Ps beneficiaries in the country.

Taha said their verifications found a number of unqualified beneficiaries such as teachers, barangay (village) officials, and other government workers, among others, had been “erroneously” listed up in previous processing.

In another development, there should be a government-sanctioned multi-sector body that will monitor the operations of the Agus and Pulangi hydroelectric plants and similar entities in Mindanao, and safeguard them from undue tinkering.

This was the gist of a consensus reached lately by electric co-operatives in Mindanao in calling on President Aquino to form a participative committee to check on the plight of the two major hydropower plants amid talks that they would be sold to private corporations.

“Our position is not to sell Agus and Pulangi,” stressed Sergio Dagooc, president of the Mindanao Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc. (Amreco).

Dagooc said the proposed multi-sector committee should validate the claim of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) that the hydropower plants are generating power below their capacity.

Amreco has proposed the creation of the Mindanao Power Corporation to operate Agus and Pulangi.

The Agus complex has seven facilities in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, while the Pulangi facility is in Bukidnon.

According to a published report, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson Lualhati Antonino had personally checked the power-generation status of both Agus and Pulangi plants, and found out that it could generate more power.

Antonino said the two hydropower plants could generate up to 230 megawatts for Mindanao.

Mindanao’s power supply relies largely on hydroelectric power, according to the NGCP’s 2010 Transmission Development Plan.

At least 53 percent or 902 megawatts of the total 1,697-megawatt power needs of Mindanao are from hydro resources, it said.

Shabu, assorted firearms seized

by goldstardailynews.com


ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat-A joint police operatives here seized at least forty (40) grams of shabu and assorted firearms and ammunitions along the National Highway at Barangay Kenram, Sultan Kudarat on January 21. The joint police operation of Tacurong City Police and the Police Sultan Kudarat led to the arrest of P01 Morsheed Abbas Manibpel, assigned with Marista at Cotabato City and one alias Pamanay while on board at a multi-cab driven by Manibpel with plate number KEN 417. Tacurong City police led by SP04 Miguel Biadoma deployed along the highway at Barangay San Pablo observe suspicious action of the people ridding the multi cab much more when it tried to escape but the police coordinated with Isulan PNP under Senior Inspector Eugenio Mallilin, where they were able to trap the suspects in a checkpoint of the said barangay.

Biadoma had further revealed that shabu were taken tied on the legs of Manibpel while one (1) M-16 Armalite Rifle with 2 long magazine, 3 short magazines, two (2) caliber .45 pistols with mags and ammos, ATM cards from BDO, cash money amounting to 6,610 pesos, "bluebook" and cellphones were found inside the multi cab. Thorough investigation of the case was conducted, while the suspects were presently detained at Isulan PNP Headquarters where charges against them were readied for fi ling in court.





4Ps cash grants in Region 12 reach P1.075-B in 2011

by abs-cbnNEWS.com


GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The national government has released a total of P1.075 billion in cash grants last year to beneficiaries of its continuing conditional cash transfer program in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen region and portions of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Bai Zorahayda Taha, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 12 director, said Wednesday the funds were released directly to 148,660 “poorest of the poor” households in the area that were covered by the government’s flagship anti-poverty initiative Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. In Region 12, she said the program has so far served 145,421 households in 32 municipalities and two cities as part of the national government’s anti-poverty convergence strategy. Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Cotabato, Kidapawan and Tacurong. It also covers 10,719 households in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, which is part of the ARMM, Taha noted. Taha said they will continue with the program’s expansion in the area this year based on an earlier commitment made by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. “We’re currently targeting to enlist 96,695 more household-beneficiaries in 15 identified expansion areas,” she cited in their 2011 annual report. Taha said the enlistment of new beneficiaries is presently ongoing in Tacurong City and and Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat; Koronadal City, Tupi, Tantangan, Tampakan, Surallah, Polomolok and Norala in South Cotabato; and, Kidapawan City, Kabacan, M’lang, Libungan, Makilala and Midsayap in North Cotabato. Additional beneficiaries were also being enrolled in Alabel town in Sarangani and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat, she said. From last year year’s target of 2.34 million households, the national government has set the expansion of 4Ps to 3.04 million households this year as part the fifth phase of its implementation. The national government earlier increased the program’s budget from P21.19 billion this year to P39.5 billion next year to cope with its planned expansion. 4Ps is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to “poorest of the poor” households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14 years. The program provides beneficiaries cash grants of P500 a month for health and nutrition expenses and P300 a month per child for educational expenses. A household with three qualified children could get P1,400 monthly. In his visit to the Philippines late last year, World Bank Group president Robert Zoellick backed proposals to expand the government’s food subsidy program for the lowest-income households, saying the country’s economic growth should also benefit the poor. He described the 4Ps as a “prudent safety net” for poor families, especially in tough economic times. The World Bank has supported the nationwide rollout of the 4Ps since its launching in 2008 as a primary poverty reduction initiative of the national government. (PNA) FFC/AVE




Pinay maid accused of killing her ward in Saudi

by abs-cbnNEWS.com

SAUDI ARABIA – A Filipina maid who has been working for the same family in Riyadh for almost two decades now has been accused of killing her 17-year-old ward.

The 17-year-old victim was declared dead on arrival at the hospital on December 31, 2011. The suspect was identified as their Filipina maid, Warda Mandang.

Mandang had been working for the same family since 1993, but she was only able to visit her hometown in Sultan Kudarat only once.

Advocacy group “Patnubay” was able to talk to the suspect’s uncle, who also works as a driver for the family. He said his niece had been looking after her ward since the victim was only in grade school.

But Mandang’s cousin in Riyadh believes that the suspect was not in her right mind.

“Makahingi kami ng tulong sa mahal na presidente na malaman talaga kung anuman talagang naging problema. Pero sa akin talaga ang ano, nasisiraan na talaga ng ulo yun," said “Tumbai”, Mandang’s cousin.

Five months ago, the suspect had told Tumbai that she wanted to come home but was not allowed to by her employer.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has yet to receive the official report from authorities.

“Sa ngayon po ay minamanmanan namin ang kaso niya at we have been in contact with lawyers, Saudi lawyers, who could represent her in her case,” said Consul Roussel Reyes, head of the Assistant to Nationals Section.

The suspect is currently detained at the Al-Nissa Central Jail in Riyadh. -- Report from Roland Blanco, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau

Gunmen strafe house of land program beneficiary

by Malu Cadeliña Manar


KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Unidentified gunmen strafed the house of an agrarian reform beneficiary in a village in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, wounding a 38-year-old woman at around 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Wounded was Mary Jean Hiso, wife of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) beneficiary Allan Hiso, who is a land guard in one of the areas of the 909-hectare palm oil plantation, located in Barangay EJC Montilla, Tacurong City.

Tacurong City police director, Superintendent Gualberto Tuzon, said the victim was hit in the different parts of her body and was rushed at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Tuzon and his men recovered from the crime scene more than 10 empty shells of automatic rifles.

The Hisos were asleep when the incident happened. Their house is located about 50 meters away from the detachment of the Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion.

Of the two houses that stood within the 270-hectare palm plantation, one of the areas occupied by at least 300 Carp beneficiaries, only Hiso's house was attacked, reports said.

The house owned by the Besonias was spared. The Besonias, however, panicked when they heard the gunshots, according to one of the members of the family identified as Genevieve.

Immediately after the attack, Tuzon and his men scoured the area and confiscated from the security guards their issued firearms for inspection.

They also invited the guards assigned at the area for investigation. Tuzon said they wanted to know if the empty shells they recovered from Hiso's house matched the bullets of the confiscated firearms of the plantation guards.

At least 10 security guards of the plantation were invited for questioning, Tuzon said.

He added the incident at the plantation was the second this January. The first bloody incident was last January 10 when a group of Carp beneficiaries, led by a certain Eleazar Gallardo, reportedly attacked the plantation that led to the killing of two guards and the wounding of two others.

Land disputes as to the ownership of the plantation was one of the motives in the bloody incident, Tuzon said.

The 909-hectare plantation, owned by the Montilla family of Tacurong City, was already distributed among hundreds of plantation workers through compulsory acquisition under the Carp years ago.

The Montillas, however, questioned the distribution and filed charges against the beneficiaries for occupying the land, which they believed was illegal.





2 dead, 3 hurt in Sultan Kudarat land dispute

by abs-cbnNEWS.com


MANILA, Philippines – A land dispute in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat has left 2 people dead and 3 others injured.

Two security guards have already been killed because of the tension over the ownership of the 900-hectare African Palm Oil plantation in Tacurong City.

Authorities said that 2 more guards were injured last January 3.

The latest outbreak of violence occurred on Tuesday when a woman was wounded in a shooting incident.

The plantation was awarded by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Sultan Kudarat to 300 beneficiaries of the Mindanao Pioneers Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-purpose Cooperative in 2011.

However, the Montilla family of Tacurong City protested the decision and filed a case against the DAR for forced entry.

The Sultan Kudarat provincial police have deployed a peace action group to the disputed land to prevent any untoward incident.

Sultan Kudarat Governor Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu has also expressed alarm over the dispute and urged Tacurong City Mayor Lina Montilla to resolve the issue.

The mayor is reportedly related to the Montillas who are involved in the dispute. -- Report from Anne Santos, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN

Brigade chief

by Ali Macabalang


January 17, 2012, 3:06pm MANILA, Philippines — With an apparently lackluster in the 24th Round of Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last December 9 to 11, a senior Mindanao leader said Tuesday the peace process between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels has now entered a “make or break” phase.

Jesus Dureza, a former government panel peace negotiator, noted the two parties’ Joint Statement released after the latest negotiations, saying though it sounded “positive,” it was couched in “general terms with motherhood statements.” (Edd Usman)

Brigade chief

TACURONG CITY, Sultan Kudarat – The Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, locally known for its relentless efforts in helping unify people and groups in minor conflicts, underwent a leadership turnover in simple yet well-attended ceremonies here Sunday.

“After steering the Brigade’s successful Internal Security Operation (ISO) campaign, outgoing Brigade head Colonel Dece M. Yabo, turned over the baton of command to Colonel Edmundo R. Pangilinan, the former Commander of Task Force North Cotabato” at Sunday’s rites, Brigade Executive Officer Lt. Col. Noel Solas said.

18 guns seized inside Tacurong oil palm plantation

by Malu Cadelina-Manar


KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/11 January) – Police and Army operatives in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province recovered 18 high-powered firearms in a raid on a 900-hectare oil palm plantation in Tacurong City past 10 a.m. Monday, a police official said. Senior Supt. Danilo Peralta, provincial police director of Sultan Kudarat, said of the items they confiscated, 12 were 12-gauge shotguns, 3were M1 carbines, a 9mm pistol and 2 caliber .38 revolvers. Peralta said they raided the plantation a week after two groups of security guards manning the place exchanged gunfire that lasted for more than an hour. Two guards, one from each group, were killed and two others were wounded. The raiding team composed of operatives from the provincial and Tacurong police offices, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, were armed with at least four search warrants issued last Monday by Judge Jordan Reyes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 19 in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat. Arrested during the raid were Eleazar Gallardo, former chairman of the Mindanao Pioneer Plantation Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (MinPARBenCo), and Rey Aranas of the Exodus Security Agency, where the guns were seized. Allegedly confiscated from Gallardo were two carbine rifles, one Armscor shotgun, one 12-gauge shotgun, and ammunition for these firearms. The raiding team also reportedly recovered seven shotguns, one bandolier and ammunitions for shotguns at the premises of a certain Anthony Montilla at Barrio-Dos, Barangay EJC Montilla in Tacurong, which is part of the plantation. Montilla owns the Queen Bee Security Agency, according to reports from Tacurong police. Peralta said charges of violation of Presidential Decree 1866 or illegal possession of firearms are being readied against Gallardo and Aranas while investigations are still ongoing. “We have yet to know which among these firearms were used during the armed fighting that killed two people and injured two others. Land dispute is believed to be the primary motive in the encounter,” said Peralta. The plantation has been awarded to at least 300 beneficiaries, mostly former plantation workers, through compulsory acquisition under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, according to Sultan Kudarat provincial agrarian reform officer Aaron Arumpac. The acquisition, however, was questioned by the Montillas in Tacurong City. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)

Arms cache seized in palm oil plantation

by Malu Cadelina Manar


KIDAPAWAN CITY -- Authorities in Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat recovered 18 high-powered firearms when they raided a 900-hectare palm oil plantation in Tacurong City around 10 a.m. Tuesday, a police official said.

Senior Superintendent Danilo Peralta, provincial police director of Sultan Kudarat, said among the firearms they confiscated were 12 12-gauge shotguns; three M1 carbines; one 9mm pistol; and two caliber 38 revolvers.

Ready for Sinulog 2012? Check here for updates.

Peralta said they raided the plantation a week after two groups of security guards manning the place exchanged fires that lasted for more than an hour.

Two guards, each belonging to the warring groups, were killed during last week's armed fighting while two others were wounded.

The raiding teams -- composed of the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Tacurong City Police, and 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army -- were armed with at least four search warrants issued last Monday by Judge Jordan Reyes of the Regional Trial Court branch 19 in Isulan town, also in Sultan Kudarat province.

Authorities also arrested Eleazar Gallardo, former chair of the Mindanao Pioneer Plantation Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (Minparbenco), and Rey Aranas of the Exodus Security Agency, where they recovered the items inside their premises.

Authorities confiscated from Gallardo two Carbine rifles; one Armscor shotgun; one 12-gauge shotgun; and several ammunitions for Carbines and shotguns.

Taken from the premises of a certain Anthony Montilla at Barrio-Dos, Barangay EJC Montilla in Tacurong City, also part of the 900-hectare plantation, were seven Armscor 12-gauge shotguns; one bandolier; and several ammunitions for shotguns.

Montilla owns the Queen Bee Security Agency, according to reports from Tacurong City police.

Peralta said charges of violation of Presidential Decree 1866 or illegal possession of firearms are being readied against Gallardo and Aranas while investigations are still ongoing.

“We have yet to know which among these firearms were used during the armed fighting that killed two people and injured two others. Land dispute is believed to be the primary motive in the encounter,” Peralta said.

The 900-hectare plantation is already given to at least 300 beneficiaries, mostly former plantation workers, through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program under the compulsory acquisition, according to Sultan Kudarat provincial agrarian reform officer Aaron Arumpac.

The acquisition, however, was questioned by the Montillas in Tacurong City.

Sultan Kudarat emerges as country’s top coffee producer

by mindanao.com


ISULAN, SULTAN KUDARAT—Few Filipino consumers are aware that the Mindanao region produces more than 70 percent of the country’s annual coffee output of approximately 98,000 metric tons. Sultan Kudarat Province alone produced more than 19,000 metric tons (MT) last year, according to data compiled by the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The island’s main coffee production areas are in Central Mindanao, Davao City and Compostela Valley, as well as in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Coffee is an important global commodity and the Philippines is a coffee-drinking nation, with local demand growing about three percent annually. The industry has the potential for increasing livelihood opportunities for Mindanao’s farmers, including smallhold growers in conflict-affected areas. To boost the competitiveness of Mindanao’s coffee industry and to strengthen alliances between producers, processors and institutional buyers, Sultan Kudarat hosted the 1st Region 12 Coffee Congress last November, at the Provincial Capitol in Isulan. The event was a collaborative effort of the SK Coffee Industry Development Council, Sen. Ninoy Aquino Coffee Industry Development Council, provincial government of Sultan Kudarat, and Region 12 offices of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and Technical Education Skills Development Authority, with support from USAID’s GEM Program. USAID provides support to selected producer associations and other business support organizations in holding seminars, trade fairs, and other events that serve to strengthen Mindanao’s agricultural competitiveness and raise awareness of investment opportunities in the region. According to industry analysts, Robusta remains the dominant coffee variety in the Philippine market, accounting for 75 percent of total output. There is, however, an increasingly strong demand for Arabica, which serves as the base of specialty coffees for higher-end buyers, as well as a growing appreciation of other varieties such as Liberica and Excelsa. The country’s coffee output, however, has declined in recent years, due to outdated production practices, diversification into other crops, as well as a lack of post-harvest production and processing facilities, among other factors. Since 2006, the Philippines has had to import at least 20,000 metric tons of coffee beans annually, mainly from Vietnam and Indonesia Among the initiatives proposed at the congress in Isulan were the establishment of additional coffee clonal gardens and nurseries to produce planting materials of good quality, and the intensified promotion of good coffee-growing practices to improve productivity. These and other recommendations made at the congress are being consolidated by the coffee councils and will be submitted to the Department of Agriculture for implementation.

PNP-12 remains on high alert

by CT Apelacio


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan 9 (PIA) -- The police in Region 12 remains on high alert following the series of bomb threats in the region that started even before the New Year. Authorities here have successfully detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) at 2:00P.M. Sunday (Jan 8) after a civilian reported to the police a package left unattended in Naranjita Street, this city. Police said the discovered IED is made of 81mm mortar. Police are continuously investigating the incident checking if it has any similarity with the IED found Wednesday (Jan 4) in Tantangan, South Cotabato. Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (DIPO) in Western Mindanao appealed to the public to be keen and watchful of their surroundings for any suspicious-looking individuals in their neighborhood. In Sarangani, a number of people panicked on Thursday (Jan 5) after a report reached them that two IEDs were to be brought to one of the towns of the province. The IEDs were believed to be coming from Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat. To avoid any untoward incident, the police have immediately tightened security in the province especially in Alabel town by increasing police visibility and deploying additional police to man the highway checkpoints and other parameters within the area. Governor Migs Dominguez has ordered the provincial police to be vigilant and secure all possible entry and exit points in the province that may be served as gateway by the terrorists. He also urged the police to observe a “proactive measure” all the time and to keep monitoring the movement of possible criminal group that may be involved in terrorists’ activities. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)





Troops on full alert vs NPA movements in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat

by (PNA)

RMA/scs/AVE/AC


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) - Government troops in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces have intensified their security operations due to threats of renewed attacks by communist rebels on mining companies based in those areas.

Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, commander of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion, said Monday they received intelligence reports that local New People’s Army (NPA) units were plotting to launch attacks on facilities of mining companies, specifically those owned by Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) based in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

“They’ve been making some movements in the area, taking advantage of the ongoing suspension of military operations or SOMO,” he said.

Bravo said they initially deployed additional troops in Tampakan and in Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat to secure several villages that host some facilities of SMI.

On New Year’s Day in 2008, NPA guerrillas stormed the base camp of SMI in the mountain village of Tablu in Tampakan and burned some P12 million worth of the company equipment and facilities.

In January the following year, NPA rebels raided the Tampakan police station downtown, which resulted in the wounding of three policemen and a civilian.

Since then, the NPA rebels have warned future offensives against SMI if it would not pull out its venture also straddling the towns of Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, Kiblawan in Davao del Sur and Malungon in Sarangani.

SMI is controlled by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer, with Australian firm Indophil Resources NL as the junior equity partner.

Despite the threats, Bravo said they have not yet recorded any NPA-led harassment or attack in the area so far.

“Our intensified operations may have limited their movements. We’ll sustain our heightened alert status to ensure that no untoward incident will happen in the area,” he added.


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