Zamboanga del Norte News July 2017

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Zamboanga del Norte - Archived News
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Seal of Zamboanga del Norte
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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

Authorities seize P25,000 ‘shabu’ in drug bust

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

GOVERNMENT authorities have seized P25,000 worth of suspected crystal meth or “shabu” and arrested three persons in a drug bust in Zamboanga del Norte, an official said on Wednesday, July 26.

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the arrested suspects as Kimberley Panulaya, 26, Ruchel Dinawanao, 22, and, John Gretzel Sagaral, 21.

Galvez said they were arrested by joint police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in an anti-drug operation around 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, at a pension house in the village of Biasong, Dipolog City.

She said confiscated from the suspects were four big-sized heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P25,000, prohibited drug paraphernalia and P500 marked money.

She said the suspects were detained as charges are being readied against them.

High value target nabbed in Zamboanga del Norte

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE government authorities have arrested a "Level 3 high value target" drug personality in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported on Monday, July 24.

The Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office identified the arrested suspect as Brian Nobresala, 26, alias Dodong, a resident of the village of Singatong, Katipunan town.

The police said Nobresala was arrested in a drug bust operation around 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 23, at Purok 1 in the village of Dos, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte.

The police said that Nobresala is listed as Level 3 high value target drug personality in the town of Katipunan.

Confiscated from the suspect's possession were P500 marked money, a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu," a cellular phone and a disposable lighter, the police added.

Zambo del Norte town mayor reprimanded for ignoring letter

(PTR/PNA)

MANILA, July 26 -- The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has reprimanded President Manuel A. Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte Mayor Jan Hendrik Vallecer for failing to reply to the letter of Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member Rumar Legara, whose term ended on June 30, 2016.

According to the complaint filed before the Ombudsman, on July 21, 2016, Legara submitted the claim voucher for his terminal leave benefits to the respondent's office for approval.

He made a follow-up on July 27, 2016 and was told that his papers were referred back to the Office of the Municipal Accountant.

Due to lack of advice as to the status of his request, Legara wrote Vallecer on Aug. 2, 2016 to request the release of his terminal leave benefits.

However, the letter was ignored.

In his counter-affidavit, Vallecer argued that the request for terminal leave benefits remained pending due to Legara's unsettled accountability with the municipality.

In its decision released on Wednesday, the Ombudsman ruled that "the respondent kept the complainant in the dark by failing to apprise him about the status of his claim. While respondent may have a valid reason for disapproving complainant's claim, he should have let complainant know about it by replying to his letter."

Section 5 of Republic Act No. 6713, or the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees", mandates all public officials and employees to respond to letters, telegrams or other means of communications sent by the public; and that the reply must contain the action taken on the request.

High value target nabbed in Zamboanga del Norte

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

THE government authorities have arrested a "Level 3 high value target" drug personality in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported on Monday, July 24.

The Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office identified the arrested suspect as Brian Nobresala, 26, alias Dodong, a resident of the village of Singatong, Katipunan town.

The police said Nobresala was arrested in a drug bust operation around 2:30 p.m., Sunday, July 23, at Purok 1 in the village of Dos, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte.

The police said that Nobresala is listed as Level 3 high value target drug personality in the town of Katipunan.

Confiscated from the suspect's possession were P500 marked money, a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu," a cellular phone and a disposable lighter, the police added.

Two Communist terrorists intercepted on board ambulances

By Dan Toribio

Two wounded Communist terrorists who were onboard ambulances were intercepted by authorities at a checkpoint in Leon Postigo Zamboanga del Norte last Tuesday.

Police Regional Office-9 Information Officer Chief Insp Helen Galvez identified the suspects as Joseph Delfin Aradillos, 28, a farmer from Tukuran Zamboanga del Sur and Junjun Anta, 18.

Initial investigation showed that personnel from the Leon Postigo Municipal Police Station responded to a text message from a concerned citizen alerting police about suspicious persons reportedly on board two ambulances coming from barangay Tiogan.

Combined AFP and PNP elements immediately decided to set up a spot checkpoint in barangay Poblacion and intercepted the two ambulances of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) carrying Aradillos and Anta.

During investigation police and military elements found out that Aradillos and Anta were among the group of communist terrorists who clashed with government forces in Sitio Biwa, Titik Leon B. Postigo and Barangay Tinaplan, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte last Sunday.

The two suspects were taken to the Zamboanga del Norte hospital under police custody.

Troops intercept wounded NPA rebels

By Bong Garcia

COMBINED police and military operatives have intercepted two wounded suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) aboard two ambulances in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported on Wednesday, July 19.

The Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office identified them as Joseph Aradillos, 28, of Tukuran, Zamboanga Del Sur, and Jun-Jun Anta, 18, whose address was not immediately known.

The police said the two were intercepted around 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, at a checkpoint in the village of Tiogan, Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte, while being transported to the hospital by the ambulance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The police said they were believed to be among the NPA rebels who figured in clashes against the government troops on Sunday, July 16, at Sitio Biwa in the village of Titik, Leon Postigo and Tinaplan, Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte.

Five persons, including two soldiers, were killed while 16 were wounded and one rebel was captured in the two separate clashes.

The troops from the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion and 20th Special Forces Company were conducting security patrol when they clashed with a group of NPA rebels belonging to the Section Committee FLX “Bravo.”

The troops were detailed to secure a government road construction project linking the town of Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte to the municipality of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur.

The police said that a team of policemen have escorted the two ambulances going to Zamboanga Del Norte Provincial Hospital for the medication of the two suspected NPA rebels. (SunStar Philippines)

70 barangays in Zambo Norte now drug free

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

DIPOLOG CITY, July 20 (PIA) - Following the intensive campaign against the drug menace in the country, a total of 70 barangays in the province have now been declared drug-cleared and drug-free by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) together with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The official declaration was made after records showed that the barangays were cleared and free from drug users and pushers upon the recommendation of the Regional Oversight Committee of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) composed of the Department of Health (DOH)-9, Police Regional Office (PRO)-9, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9, and PDEA-9.

There are a total of 691 barangays in the province. Of that number, 60 were identified drug-cleared barangays while 10 barangays were declared drug-free.

Dipolog City has six drug-free and five drug-cleared barangays. The municipalities of Godod, Gutalac, Jose Dalman, Piñan, La Libertad, Labason, Leon Postigo, Liloy, Manukan, Salug, Siayan, Rizal, Sibuco, Sibutad, Sindangan, Siocon, Tampilisan, Baliguian and Kalawit towns has two drug-cleared barangays each.

Meanwhile, Katipunan town has one drug-cleared barangays; Mutia town has three drug cleared and one drug-free barangays; Polanco town has four drug-cleared barangays; Pres. Manuel B. Roxas town has eight drug-cleared and one drug-free barangays; Sergio Osmeña town has one drug-cleared and one drug-free barangay; and Sirawai town has one drug-cleared and one drug free barangay.

PDEA-9 Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio, chairperson of the Regional Oversight Committee of the BDCP said drug-free barangays are those without drug users, pushers and drug dens even before the war on drugs of the government. While, drug-cleared barangays are those areas neutralised by law enforcers with the help of the local government unit and other concerned agencies.

He further explained that all the barangays have undergone assessment after they passed the necessary requirements to be identified as drug-cleared and drug-free.

Moreover, Aspacio stressed that even if a barangay has already been tagged as drug-cleared or drug-free, monitoring of the area will carry on.

“Nasimulan na natin ang pagbabago, and together we will continue this. Let’s do it for the next generation, for our children. And I know that in this war, kasama namin kayo,” he said.

On the other hand, PRO-9 Regional Director Billy Beltran lauded the support of the provincial government in the war against drugs. He said Zamboanga del Norte is among the provinces in the region with the most number of surrenderees based from their records.

“We are telling all that we will never again allow na merong magtutulak ng droga sa ating komunidad for our family and loved ones. We will reclaim all of our communities from the clutches of illegal drugs,” Beltran said.

Zamboanga del Norte is the first province in the region declared to have drug-cleared and drug-free barangays. Four of its barangays, among the first to comply the requirements, will be featured in the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) set on July 24.

Rebel killed, 6 wounded in Zamboanga del Norte

By Nonoy E. Lacson

Zamboanga City — A communist insurgent was killed, while six of his comrades were wounded after they engaged elements of Joint Task Force ZamPeLan in Zamboanga del Norte, Sunday.

In his report to the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom). Col. Jacinto Bareng, commander of the 102nd Brigade, said his men were conducting security patrol in Sitio Biwa, Titik, Leon B Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte at 5 a.m. when they encountered the members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Bareng added that a group of soldiers, who were conducting a peace and development activity near the area, provided fire support to the task force.

A driver, whose vehicle was commandeered by the insurgents, told the government troops that he saw the Communists carrying a dead comrade, while six others were wounded.

No soldier was hurt in the encounter.

After scouring the area, soldiers were able to recover three rounds of CTG caliber-40mm ammunition, 15 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), medical paraphernalia, and subversive documents.

Meanwhile, another member of the communist group surrendered to the troops of the Joint Task Force Zampelan yesterday afternoon.

According to Joint Task Force ZamPeLan Commander Brig. Gen. Joselito Bautista, Allen Andoloy Condez, who is also known as Momar and a member of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee, yielded to Lt. Col. Virgilio Hamos, Jr., Commanding Officer of the 53rd Infantry Battalion, in Camp Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur at 1 p.m. yesterday.

“Condez was immediately subjected to custodial debriefing in order to extract actionable information that will lead us to the other CTs and their encampments,” Bautista said.

Condez, 23, and a resident of Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte, is listed under the periodic status report of the military as an active member of the communists group.

“I congratulate our soldiers under Joint Task Force Zampelan for their persistent effort to neutralize the communist terrorists within their area of operations,” said Lt. Gen. Carlito G Galvez Jr., WesMinCom chief.

“This accomplishment only proves that everyone in the WestMinCom team is working doubly hard to sustain the gains and defeat the enemy, despite the present challenges the command is facing in Marawi and in other areas,” he said.

2 killed in Sindangan encounter

By Liza Jocson

Two members of the Philippine Army were killed while eight others were injured during an encounter between government troops and suspected communist members in Barangay Tinaplan, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte last Sunday.

The two were killed during pursuit operations by the military on the escaping suspects after an earlier encounter at Sitio Bawa, Bucana, Sindangan Sunday dawn.

The first encounter happened within the vicinity of the Edmario S. Revelo Construction site when 40 fully armed Communist terrorists based in Leon Postigo harassed army and militiamen in the area.

The firefight lasted for ten minutes with no casualties. The suspects escaped while government troops conducted pursuit operations.

At around 1:45 that afternoon, members of the 44th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army encountered an undetermined number of armed men within the vicinity of Barangay Tinaplan, in Sindangan which led to another firefight that resulted to 2 fatalities and several casualties.

5 killed, 16 others wounded in Zamboanga del Norte clashes

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

FIVE people, including two soldiers, were killed while 16 others were wounded and one rebel was captured in two separate clashes in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the military said Monday, July 17.

The military said in a statement that a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while six others wounded in the first clash that occurred around 4:50 a.m. Sunday at Sitio Biwa in the village of Titik, Leon Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte.

The joint troops of the Army’s 44th Infantry Battalion and 20th Special Forces Company were conducting security patrol when they clashed with a group of NPA rebels belonging to the Section Committee FLX “Bravo.”

The troops were detailed to secure a government road construction project linking the town of Leon Postigao, Zamboanga del Norte to the municipality of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur.

The firefight lasted about 20 minutes that resulted to the death of an NPA rebel and the wounding of six others. No troops were either killed or wounded.

The troops recovered 15 improvised bombs, three rounds of caliber .40 millimeter ammunition, medical supplies and other personal belongings that NPA rebels abandoned as they fled to different directions.

The second clash happened around 1:25 p.m. Sunday at Sitio Lubi, Tinaplan village, Sindangan town, Zamboanga del Norte, as the troops pursued the fleeing NPA rebels.

Two of the 40 NPA rebels, who figured in the second clash, were killed while one was captured.

Two soldiers were killed while 10 were wounded. The injured soldiers were rushed to the hospital in Dipolog City for treatment.

Troops are tracking down the NPA rebels, who fled towards the hinterland.

Colonel Jacinto Bareng, Army’s 102nd Infantry Brigade commander, condemned the acts of the NPA rebels that caused the disruption of the implementation of vital infrastructure projects in Zamboanga del Norte.

Bareng said they will continue to ensure the protection of the workers implementing the project, the completion of which will provide easy access to the residents in the hinterlands.

Duterte appoints ex-barangay official Marjorie Jalosjos to DILG

By JOSEPH TRISTAN ROXAS (ALG, GMA News)

Former Zamboanga Peninsula Liga ng mga Barangay regional president Marjorie Jalosjos has been named as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In a press statement on Wednesday, DILG officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy sworn in Jalosjos who will become the agency's point person for Special Concerns. Cuy said Jalosjos will also head the DILG's human resources department and the Killed and Wounded in Action One-Stop Assistance Program.

The DILG chief said President Rodrigo Duterte signed the appointment papers of Jalosjos last June 27.

Cuy said Jalosjos’ experience in the grassroots level will help her fulfill her duties at the DILG.

“I believe that her youthful passion and enthusiasm in serving the people will be her compass to properly implement and carryout the programs of the department under her wing,” Cuy said.

Jalosjos served as chairwoman of Barangay Patawag in Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte.

She also served as ex-officio board member and provincial president of the Liga ng mga Barangay.

Jalosjos is the daughter-in-law of former Zamboanga del Norte representative Romeo Jalosjos.

Gun Safety and Responsible Ownership Seminar held in Dipolog

By Alfonso T. Ruda (ALT/ATR/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte/with report from CIO-Dipolog)

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA) --- The New Brotherhood Integrated Gun Club (NBIGC), in coordination with the City Government of Dipolog and Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO) recently conducted a Gun Safety and Responsible Ownership Seminar at Dipolog Sports Complex, Olingan, this city.

NBIGC, which has been existing for almost 10 years is accredited by the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct seminars among gun-owners and who want to own and possess firearms.

The half-day seminar, participated in by members of Special CAFGU Active Auxiliary (SCAA), as well as the city and barangay officials aimed to teach SCAA members and other participants to be responsible gun owners and to prevent any untoward incident involving firearms.

ZNPPO Provincial Advisory Council Chairman, Engr. Roland Soliva, who was the resource speaker on the said seminar stressed the need to register and get a license to own and possess firearms as a legal requirement mandated under Republic Act 10591.

Under RA 10591, anyone caught carrying licensed firearms outside residence without authorization from the PNP, will be penalized with prision correccional and a fine of P10,000.00.

For those carrying unlicensed long-powered firearms, the penalty is reclusion temporal, but for those carrying high-powered firearms like M-60 caliber machine gun, the penalty is reclusion perpetua.

Dipolog City Mayor Darel Dexter T. Uy urged the participants to properly use firearms in their possession and hoped that through the seminar, gun owners will be guided accordingly.

More students faint at Zanorte school

By Liza Jocson

Twelve more students of a Zamboanga del Norte school mysteriously fell unconscious while a mass was being held at a Catholic church inside the school premises.

The incident, which mirrored a similar situation just last week involving 20 students, prompted school officials to declare a suspension of classes in all levels to conduct a thorough investigation on the matter.

A Police Regional Office-9 report said that the incident happened at the Collegio de San Francisco in Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte last Monday.

According to the report, around 12 students coming from different sections of the High School Department complained of dizziness and fell unconscious while a mass was being held at a Roman Catholic church inside the campus.

Initial investigation showed that students suffered breathing difficulty due to hyper ventilation.

The students were taken to the rural health unit and the Dapitan City Hospital for medication.

The incident prompted the School Administrator to suspend classes on all levels to conduct a thorough investigation inside the school campus.

This is the second time that students have been reported to faint while a holy mass was going on inside the school campus.

Last week, around 20 students suffered a similar fate inside the same school.

33 complete farm biz school training

(TPGJR/PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 12 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Wednesday announced that 33 farmers have graduated from a six-month Farm Business School (FBS) in Zamboanga del Norte.

The Food and Agriculature Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) funded the FBS, implemented by DAR in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the local government unit (LGU).

The 33 farmers who graduated on Tuesday are from the Panacio, Antonio, Situbo and Tuburan Agrarian Reform Community (PANCITU ARC) in Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte.

Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Mohammad Adju said the six-month training, which started in October last year, is aimed to enhanced the entrepreneurial and marketing skills of farmer-beneficiaries to run profitable agribusiness ventures.

Eng’r. Alfonso Tan, agrarian reform program officer, said the objective of the FBS is to teach the graduates different farming methods, create market linkages and increase their capability in farm business management to boost income.

PDEA arrests three in drug buy-bust

By Dan Toribio

Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested three persons in separate buy-bust operations recently in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

At 10 p.m. on July 4, PDEA and police operatives conducted a buy-bust operation in Purok Mauswagon, Poblacion, Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay that led to the arrest of Ira Flores Cuabo, 35.

Confiscated from her possession were a sachet of shabu, a plastic straw also containing shabu, drug paraphernalia and P300 marked money.

That same night, PDEA agents also conducted a buy-bust operation in barangay Sinunuc, Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte that resulted to the arrest of Sherwin Baguio Baculong, 31, married of Singatong, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte.

PDEA agents recovered from the suspect’s possession two sachets of shabu, identification cards and a motorcycle.

At 7:30 a.m. last Thursday, PDEA9, PDEA10 and police intelligence units conducted a buy-bust operation in Purok Bliss, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur that led to the arrest of Jose Roel Sacedon Archua, Jr., 28, single.

PDEA Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio said that the suspect is a member of the Kubal Drug Group operating in Misamis Occidental and some parts of Zamboanga Peninsula.

PDEA agents confiscated from his possession four sachets of shabu with market value of P37,000, P2,000 marked money and personal belongings.

Zanorte inmate dies inside jail cell

(LAJ)

An inmate died of Cardio Pulmonary Arrest inside his detention cell at the Zamboanga del Norte jail last Thursday.

The inmate was identified as Eugene Hinalas Esoler, 35 years old, single and a resident of Purok Mangga, Quezon Street, Molave, Zamboanga del Sur.

The detainee was charged for violation of RA 9165, the 2002 Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of the Philippines.

The jail inmate was reportedly rushed to the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center after reportedly coughing out blood.

The attending physician later said that the inmate died from Cardio Pulmonary Arrest due to Cardiogenic Shock with gastro intenstinal bleeding.

The inmate’s body was turned over by jail officers to his immediate family.

20 students collapse while attending mass

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

HEALTH authorities are conducting an in-depth probe to determine the cause that downed about 20 students while gathered in a Church in Zamboanga del Norte, the police said Saturday, July 8.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. Friday at the Colegio de San Francisco Javier in the village of East Poblacion, Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte.

The Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office reported the students were attending a mass when one of them complained of “headache and difficulty in breathing” and eventually the student collapsed.

Another student also “experienced the same feeling” and collapsed.

The police said that about 20 students have collapsed one after the other. They were rushed to the hospitals for medication.

An in-depth investigation is ongoing since the Rural Health Unit of Rizal town cannot determine the cause of dizziness that downed the students.

Prov’l Anti-Drug Abuse Council renders update on anti-drug campaign

By Alfonso T. Ruda (ALT/ATR/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA)--- The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) met recently to get updates from its members particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on the implementation of the anti-illegal drugs campaign in the province presided by Vice-Governor Atty. Senen O. Angeles.

In her report, PDEA head Agent Ailine Jo Artus said they have arrested 22 persons involved in illegal drugs and confiscated 39.035 grams of illegal drugs from January to June 2017.

The latest operation of PDEA in coordination with PNP and other law enforcement agencies resulted to the arrest of 2 active PNP personnel from the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO), a fireman from Dipolog City Fire Station, and three others.

Aside from anti-illegal drugs campaign, PDEA is also involved in information dissemination such as conducting lectures at the 402nd Infantry Brigade at Barangay Usokan, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte and Barangay Drug Clearing Orientation Seminar in the municipalities of Godod, Sirawai, Siocon, Sibuco, Liloy, Tampilisan, Manukan, Piñan and the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan.

Meanwhile, PSupt. Charisse Yabo of ZNPPO reported that of the 691 barangays in Zamboanga del Norte, 168 are moderately affected and 523 still to be cleared.

The arrest of SPO2 Gilbert James and SPO2 Ramil Maguinsay and FO3 Ramil Mosqueda in a recent drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Anti-Drug Enforcement Team of Dipolog City Police Office means only one thing. This only proved that the PNP is serious in its campaign against illegal drugs and no one is exempted, even members of the police force who are expected to maintain law and order. It is also one way to cleanse the PNP from undesirable elements who will only tarnish the image of the institution.

During the said meeting, PADAC also approved the resolution of PDEA seeking to establish the Provincial Oversight Committee which will oversee the barangay drug clearing operations in the province.

Drug dealer slain in shootout in Zamboanga

Bong Garcia

AUTHORITIES have killed a suspected drug dealer in a shootout in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, a top police official said Monday, July 4.

Senior Superintendent Edwin Wagan, Zamboanga del Norte police director, identified the slain drug dealer as Genesis Jabonila, 21, alias Bunso, a resident of Sta. Filomena village, Dipolog City.

Wagan said the shootout took place around 9:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sunset Boulevard in the village of Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

He said that before the shootout, Jabonila agreed to sell a heat-sealed plastic sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride locally known as “shabu” to an undercover agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and a confidential informant.

The suspect, upon sensing the presence of authorities, changed the venue of transaction from a gasoline station to a restaurant at Sunset Boulevard, he added.

He said the suspect suddenly ran towards the cottage of Jalapadan Beach during their transaction at the Sunset Boulevard upon sensing the persons he was dealing with are government agents.

Wagan added that Jabonilla drew a handgun and opened fire but missed his target prompting the undercover PDEA agent to return fire hitting the suspect.

He said the PDEA agent and policemen recovered from the crime scene a caliber .45 pistol with a magazine of ammunition, undetermined volume of alleged shabu, and cash believed to be proceeds of the suspect in the trade of prohibited drugs.

Jabonilla was rushed but expired before reaching the hospital, according to Wagan.

Businessman killed, woman injured in gun attack

By Dan Toribio

A businessman was killed while a woman was injured in a gun attack in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte last Saturday.

The fatality was identified as Wendel Sarania Eso, married, 43 while the female victim was identified as Linda Paynaga Queso, 46, married.

Prior to the attack, Eso figured in a heated argument with a certain Lumar Maratas Laorque.

While the two were arguing, the suspect, Salve Sarania Luba aka Tan-Tan, arrived and shot Eso.

Although wounded, Eso managed to run away and shout for help.

The gunman however gave chase and continued firing on the victim.

Meanwhile, Queso, who was inside their home that time, was about to sleep when she was hit by a stray bullet in the body.

Both victims were brought to the hospital where Eso was declared dead due to multiple bullet wounds.

Police are still conducting pursuit operations against Luba who escaped after the incident.

Cop shot by drug suspects

By Dan Toribio

A policeman was shot and wounded by a notorious drug suspect in barangay Lanawan, Salug, Zamboanga del Norte on Saturday (June 24) night.

The victim was identified as PO2 Jeromeryan Mejorada Tabasa.

Tabasa was allegedly shot by Omar Diolagla Quillo, a member of the notorious Philip Malon Drug Group.

Investigation disclosed that Tabasa was conducting surveillance of Quillo when the subject, together with two of his cohorts, appeared from behind and shot the policeman.

Tabasa managed to return fire which resulted to a brief shootout.

The suspects then escaped, heading towards barangay Mucas, Salug in the same province.

Police conducted pursuit operations against the suspects who remain at large as of press time.

All set for Dapitan's 2017 Kinabayo Festival

(RSS/PNA)

KORONADAL CITY, July 1 -- All is set for the staging of the 2017 Kinabayo Festival later this month in Dapitan City, the “Shrine City of the Philippines,” an official said on Saturday.

Apple Marie Agolong, Dapitan City tourism officer, said they are expecting 20,000 to 25,000 visitors to the annual festival, one of the many festivals celebrated by the city.

“The Kinabayo Festival is held annually in honor of our patron saint, Saint James the Greater, who is also the patron saint of the entire Spain,” said Agolong in an interview.

“We invite tourists to come as there are many changes that happened in Dapitan City over the years,” she said.

Dapitan, a part of Zamboanga del Norte, is famous for the renowned Dakak Beach Resort, a secluded spot with world-class amenities for a comfortable stay. Apart from Dakak, the city also hosts the Rizal Shrine and Park, a 16-hectare property where national hero Jose Rizal was exiled from 1892 to 1896.

Dapitan also houses Gloria de Dapitan, the only Disney-themed family and recreational park in Mindanao.

Kinabayo Festival is celebrated on July 25, but festivities will take place for 10 days starting on July 16, Agolong said.

With the guidance from Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos, we are working to make the annual Kinabayo Festival better and exciting for our constituents and visitors, Agolong, a former city councilor, said.

Street dancing, motocross with live band, national bowling tournament, music festival, hip hop competition and tattoo congress, among others, have been lined up for this year’s festival, Agolong said.

Usually, a day before the festival’s highlight, thousands of residents would gather at the city’s plaza to show their devotion to their patron saint.

With leaves waved wildly in the air, they would chant the name of the patron saint as the figurine leaves the Church and paraded around town, a hair-raising experience for first-time visitors.

A briefer said that Kinabayo is an exotic and colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-Moorish wars, particularly the Battle of Covadonga.

In that battle, the Spanish forces took their last stand against the Saracens. They were able to reverse the tide of the war with the miraculous apparition of Saint James.

Apart from the Kinabayo Festival, Dapitan also celebrates Handuraw, Sea and River festivals every year, Agolong said.

Dapitan is the gateway to Mindanao via the Philippine Nautical Highway.

Ambulance driver killed in Zamboanga Norte town accident

By Bong Garcia

ONE person died while two others were injured in an accident along a highway in Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Saturday.

The Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office said the collision between an ambulance and a container van occurred around 9 p.m. Thursday at Sitio Batotil Til, Barangay Biayon, Sergio Osmeña.

The fatality was identified as Elgen Dumpa, 49, an ambulance driver of the Sergio Osmeña Municipal Hospital.

Wounded were Dennis Calisagan, 39, the container van driver, and Ryan Casiong, 26, Dumpa’s companion.

Investigation showed that the van loaded with sacks of rice was traveling from Molave, Zamboanga del Sur to Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte when it collided head-on with the ambulance.

The ambulance was traveling from Dipolog City to Sergio Osmeña at the time of the incident.

The police said Dumpa failed to reach the hospital alive.

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