ICAD welcomes VP Leni acceptance of anti-drug czar post

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan 

 November 6, 2019

 MANILA – Member-agencies of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) on Wednesday welcomed Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo's acceptance of her appointment as the body's co-chairperson.

PARTNERS IN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN. PDEA Director General and ICAD chairperson Aaron Aquino (left) says he welcomes Vice President Leni Robredo's (right) decision to accept her designation as ICAD co-chairperson, during an interview at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City on Wednesday (Nov. 6, 2019). Concerned government agencies have vowed to support Robredo in her duties as anti-drug czar. (File photo)

"Finally, accepted na ng ating Vice President ang designation niya as my co-chairman of ICAD. Katatapos lang ng ICAD meeting namin ngayon. Sana natanggap niya mas maaga para na kasama namin siya ngayong umaga [Finally, our Vice President accepted her designation as my co-chairman of ICAD. We just concluded our meeting. It would have been better if she accepted it earlier so she could have joined us this morning]," Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aquino said in an interview after the 14th ICAD Regular meeting held at PDEA headquarters in Quezon City.

“We have concluded the third quarter meeting of the inter-agency committee against illegal drugs (ICAD), wherein before we adjourned, I announced that VP Leni Robredo has accepted her designation as ICAD co-chairman,” said Aquino, who is also chairman of the ICAD.

Aquino said he is confident that Robredo will be of great help to the government's anti-drug campaign.

“This is a welcome development for the illegal drug campaign, personally I cannot help but feel somehow awkward to have the second-highest elected official of the country as my co-chairman in ICAD. The campaign against illegal drugs is far from over. The help of Vice President Robredo is very much appreciated especially in terms of harm and demand reduction efforts,” he added.

Aquino also instructed the ICAD secretariat to prepare a briefing on the body's accomplishments to be presented to the Vice President.

The PDEA chief said he is willing to brief Robredo on the functions and accomplishments of ICAD.

"We'll just wait for her call. Siguradong magpapa-briefing siya sa akin [We'll just wait for her call and I'm sure she wants a briefing with me]," I am also expecting a call from the VP’s office anytime for the schedule of briefing and meet and greet with the ICAD members,” Aquino said.

On Tuesday, Aquino said he is fully supportive of Robredo's appointment as he hopes that she could help in the rehabilitation and reintegration cluster of the committee.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, added that as a member of ICAD, the PNP will "extend to her utmost courtesy, cooperation and full support towards the attainment of a drug free Philippines by 2022".

"The PNP welcomes the acceptance by VP Leni Robredo of the position as Co-Chair of ICAD to oversee the campaign against illegal drugs," Banac said.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary and spokesperson, Jonathan E. Malaya, said they are ready to assist the Vice President in her new task, after all, the objective is the same -- to eliminate the drug problem in the country.

As co-chair of the ICAD, the Vice President can provide leadership and guidance to all government agencies to meet the following objectives of the body, among others, as provided in Executive Order 15 issued in 2017, namely:

-Advocacy campaign initiatives against illegal-drugs on the community level;
-Barangay anti-drug clearing operations;
-Cleansing the bureaucracy of unscrupulous personnel involved in illegal drugs;
-Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Program.

Malaya said the DILG, together with the DOH and DSWD, leads the illegal-drug demand reduction campaign "so we feel that it is in the area of illegal-drug demand reduction that the Vice President can make a significant contribution".

“Aside from those, the Vice President can also provide us with fresh ideas and alternative strategies on how to handle the anti-illegal drug campaign, thus, we look forward to working with her closely in this regard,” he said in a statement.

The DILG directs all agencies under it -- the PNP, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs), Peace and Order Councils (POCs), all local government units and other attached agencies -- to provide the necessary assistance to the Vice President as she takes on her new responsibility.

Based on recent data from July 2016 to September 2019 presented by Aquino himself, 18,712 villages in the country are still plagued by illegal drugs.

Robredo's appointment was stated in a memorandum dated October 31 and released on Tuesday.

The designation was made following demands by critics and detractors that enforcement power should be given to Robredo “through official correspondence, and not just through a verbal or electronic communication”.

In accepting the post, Robredo said she wanted drug lords pursued and cops involved in narco-trafficking jailed. (PNA)

Almost 15K barangays cleared of illegal drugs: PDEA

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan 

 November 1, 2019

MANILA -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday reported that 14,922 out of 42,045 barangays in the country are declared cleared from illegal drugs from July 2016 to September 2019 under the Duterte administration's continuing anti-illegal drugs campaign.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino. (File photo

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said these barangays have reached drug-cleared status after receiving a certification by members of the Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-Clearing Program.

The Oversight Committee, chaired by PDEA, is composed of provincial representatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH) and local government units.

Before declaring that a barangay is free from illegal drug activities, the committee must convene and validate the non-availability of drug supply in the area and the absence of drug transit activity, clandestine drug laboratory and chemical warehouse, marijuana cultivation site, drug den, drug pusher and user.

“Once cleared, we monitor newly-declared drug-free barangays to ensure that they will maintain their status. All our efforts will go to waste if we allow the resurgence of illegal drug activities in these areas,” Aquino said.

Aquino said PDEA aims to clear 18,712 drug-affected barangays by 2022.

Aquino said that these barangays represent 44.5 percent out of 42,045 barangays in the country that are still plagued by the drug menace. Out of the 18,712 drug-affected barangays, 7,817 are classified as slightly affected, 10,616 are moderately affected, while 279 barangays are seriously affected.

“PDEA intends to sustain the pace of clearing an average of 6,200 drug-affected barangays every year or 520 barangays every month, for the next three years. The mission of ridding the country’s drug problem by 2022 would be a reality,” Aquino said.

There are three basic parameters in determining barangay drug-affectation: slightly affected, moderately affected, and seriously affected. Barangays are considered slightly affected if there is a reported presence of drug user/s; moderately affected if there is a reported presence of drug pusher/s and/or user/s; and seriously affected if there is a reported presence of any of the following: clandestine drug laboratory, warehouse, marijuana plantation, drug den/tiangge, drug trafficking or smuggling activities, and drug personalities such as users, pushers, financiers, protectors, cultivators, manufacturers and others.

The National Capital Region (NCR) has the highest rate of barangay drug-affectation with 72.7 percent, followed by Region 7 (Central Visayas) at 72.4 percent; Region 5 (Bicol Region) at 68.9 percent; Region 3 (Central Luzon) at 63.6 percent; and Region 4-A (CALABARZON) at 55.7 percent. The regions least affected by illegal drugs are Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) at 7.2 percent; Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) at 17.5 percent; and Region 13 (Caraga Region) at 17.7 percent.

Integrated approach

To accelerate efforts against the proliferation of illegal drugs in drug-affected barangays, the government has adopted an integrated approach in securing the assistance of the local government units in drug-clearing operations pursuant to Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 3 Series of 2017, otherwise known as “Strengthening the Implementation of the Barangay Drug-Clearing Program”, which includes the activation of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) in the communities.

For its part, PDEA, as the lead agency against illegal drugs, adopted a three-pronged strategy in the national anti-drug campaign: Supply Reduction, Demand Reduction, and Harm Reduction.

Besides the traditional drug supply and drug demand reduction strategy of the government, PDEA integrated into the campaign a harm-reduction approach to soften the social and economic impact of the drug problem by implementing programs that reduce harms associated with illegal drugs.

To prevent or end drug dependency, PDEA is implementing harm-reduction efforts such as: “Balay Silangan”, a community-based reformation program for surrendering drug offenders; Project: “Sagip Batang Solvent”, to rescue street children, particularly those hooked on solvent-sniffing; drug test of public transport drivers nationwide, to ensure road safety; and “Drug-Free Workplace Program”, to promote a working environment free from the influence of dangerous drugs in business establishments.

“We are gaining ground in freeing every barangay in the country. PDEA will carry on with its aggressive supply reduction operations, and holistic approaches to prevent people from wanting and taking illegal drugs, while offering interventions, thus saving the lives of drug users and surrendering drug pushers,” the PDEA chief said. (PNA)

Army’s 2ID denies 'ambush-slay' of 5 soldiers in Quezon

By Saul Pa-a  

November 10, 2019

 CAMP GEN. CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal -- The Philippine Army’s 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID) on Sunday condemned the New People’s Army's (NPA) act of propagating fake news and dismissed as false claim its statement that five were "killed" in an ambush last Friday in General Nakar, Quezon.

ALSE CLAIM. Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., commander of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry "Jungle Fighter" Division (2ID), is shown speaking to newsmen in a file photo taken at the 2ID Headquarters, Camp Gen. Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal. On Sunday (Nov. 10, 2019), he branded as fake news a claim by an alleged New People's Army spokesperson that five soldiers were killed in an encounter between the rebels and government troops in General Nakar, Quezon. (File photo by Saul E. Pa-a)

Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., 2ID commander, said the NPA’s action is a reflection of its desperate attempt to gain relevance in the community as well as to cover up the terrorists’ imminent downfall.

“Any self-respecting spokesman would know that sowing lies and deceit among the people is unacceptable and such despicable act of the NPA’s spokesperson is aggravated by their attempt to use mainstream media,” Burgos said.

He referred to a statement of Eliza dela Guerra, an alleged NPA spokesperson, pertaining to the terrorists’ ambush on some 50 soldiers and police officers in General Nakar’s Barangay Lumutan at around 12:40 p.m.

The General Nakar police station, through its chief of police, has denied the incident and said it was “not aware of that supposed incident”.

Burgos, however, confirmed that government troops launched an armed engagement against the NPA terrorists during their Focused Military Operations on Friday afternoon in Sitio Labno, Barangay Lumutan.

He added that there was no casualty recorded on the government side while the enemies were suspected to have incurred losses based on the discovery of bloodstains on the rebel’s escape routes.

“We hope that the media will not tolerate and glorify acts that bastardize the noble profession of journalism by giving attention to baseless claims such as this report,” Burgos said.

He also called on NPA terrorists to respect the members of the media “by not weaponizing them through psychological operations fully knowing that information given to them should at all times be factual, truthful and verifiable.”

He added that the communist group's propaganda to destabilize the government and recruit the youth and Indigenous Peoples (IP) has been used by the NPA as its main tool for party and army building efforts to support its now deteriorating insurgency movement in the country.

The NPA, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

PRRD’s 4th SONA sets direction for next 3 years: NegOcc guv

By Nanette Guadalquiver  

July 23, 2019

BACOLOD CITY -- Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday said the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte has set the direction for governance in the final three years of his administration.

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the opening of the 18th Congress at Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday. (Photo by Avito C. Dalan)

Lacson noted that the President emphasized his relentless pursuit against illegal drugs and corruption in his speech that lasted for about an hour and 30 minutes.

He quoted Duterte as saying that, “No amount of euphemism can trivialize betrayal of public trust.” 

The President also said that “corruption continues and emasculates the courage we need to sustain our moral recovery initiatives,” calling it “both a national embarrassment and a national shame”.

The governor also welcomed Duterte’s directive to prioritize the streamlining of government processes by instructing local government units to ensure that all clearances and permits are issued within three days.

Lacson added that Duterte’s assurance of his focus on social adequacy through preparedness and security was shown in his act of urging the Congress to approve the creation of Department of Water Resources and Department of Disaster Resilience and Fire Protection.

He further said that the drop in poverty incidence is a good indicator that the administration is on the right path in the fight against prevalent poverty.  

In his speech, Duterted cited the decrease in poverty incidence from 27.6 percent in the first half of 2015 to 21 percent in the first half of 2018, but said that “the most important number, though, is the six million Filipinos we need to pull out from poverty.”

“I am in total agreement with the President that there is much to be done in ensuring our responsiveness to the people’s needs,” Lacson said.

The governor added: “In the end, I guess we are all one with the President in his dream of a better Philippines, better than the one we grew up with.”

On Tuesday, Lacson, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, and other city and municipal mayors in Negros Occidental will attend the post-SONA gathering with the President at The Manila Hotel.

The meeting, themed “Patuloy na Pag-unlad, Malasakit at Pagkakaisa, at Katatagan: A Post SONA Meeting of the President with the Local Chief Executives on the Prospect of Constitutional Reform,” will provide an avenue for national and local governments to “discuss collective accomplishments for the mid-year, and steer direction for the remainder of the year.”(PNA)

Zamboanga del Sur leaders vow “no walls, no barriers” kind of leadership

PAGADIAN CITY – The new leaders of Zamboanga del Sur delivered simple yet weighty words during their speeches at the oath-taking ceremony on Friday, few days before assuming their respective offices.

Speaking before hundreds of local officials, families and supporters, Governor Victor Yu shared the unbelief of his colleagues regarding his team’s victory throughout the province. He said that it was the people of Zamboanga del Sur who decided for their fate.

“Dili katuo ang uban nganong nakadaug atong team…It’s the people who decide. Ang mga tawo mas nalipay nga midaug ta,” Yu said.

He vowed that his administration will not instill fear but will give love and care to the people.
“Our new administration will be open to all, no walls, no barriers…” the governor said.He encouraged the mayors to maximize their movements to help the people and considered the next three years as an opportunity to make a legacy.

He also pledged his support to the police, military and government agencies in all their efforts for the province. Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu, 1st District Representative and now first lady of the province, emphasized in her speech that they will use their positions to perform their responsibility as public servants.

“Ang atong posisyon dili gahom. Ang atong posisyon responsibilidad,” the congresswoman said.Congw. Yu expressed her advocacies for the women, youth and tourism saying specified budgets will be allocated in these sectors.

She also assured his constituents that she won’t meddle with the work of his husband-governor. Meanwhile, Vice Governor Roy Ariosa stressed the value of service in his address. 

Citing the Biblical statement “to whom much is given, much is expected,” the vice governor believes that the people’s clamor for change has positioned them to where they are now and that they need to take by heart the mandate that was given to them.

On the other hand, Congressman Leonardo Babasa challenged the mayors to be visible with their constituents. He also inspired his co-public servants to surround themselves with people with good track record and utilize their potentials for the benefit of their service.

With all these words and promises from the newly-elected officials, the province of Zamboanga del Sur is now ready to take off in its brand new leadership, forging new achievements and victories for the common good of the entire Zambosurians. - ZAMBO SUR MEDIA BUREAU.

Lanao Norte residents yield 28 unlicensed guns

Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

  June 26, 2019

UNLICENSED GUNS. Mayor Rafael Rizalda of Maigo, Lanao del Norte leads the turnover of loose firearms to the military Tuesday (June 25, 2019). (Photo courtesy of Army's 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Residents of the Lanao del Norte town of Maigo surrendered a total of 28 loose firearms with hundreds of ammunition, military officials said Wednesday.

Capt. Clint Antipala, Army’s 1st Infantry Division acting information officer, said the firearms were surrendered to the Army's 5th Mechanized Battalion in a ceremony held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Mindanao State University in Maigo, Lanao del Norte.

Antipala said the surrendered firearms consisted of an AK-47 rifle, one Bushmaster, one .30-caliber M1 Garand rifle, two .30-caliber carbine rifles, one M4 rifle, one M16 A1 “Baby Armalite” rifle, two .22-caliber rifles; three 40 millimeter-grenade launchers; nine 12-gauge shotguns and seven handguns.

Outgoing Mayor Rafael Rizalda of Maigo, who facilitated the surrender of the firearms, thanked the Army for their efforts in sustaining peace and development in the municipality during his stint as the town executive.

Brig. Gen. Ezra James Enriquez, Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, who has operational jurisdiction over Lanao del Norte, said the campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms aims to ensure that “the people would feel more secure and safe in their daily activities.”

Enriquez urged the people to cooperate and report to proper authorities the proliferation of firearms in their communities.

Lt. Col. Rolando Orengo, commander of the 55th Mechanized Battalion, said the concerted effort and intensified collaboration among the troops, local communities, local chief executives and other stakeholders resulted to the surrender of the loose firearms in Maigo town.

Maj. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force Zampelan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao provinces) commander, lauded the troops, the local government unit and stakeholders of Maigo, Lanao del Norte.

"I urge everyone to continue our efforts in pursuing lasting peace not just for Mindanao but for the whole country. Let us conquer the challenges ahead of us and step up the momentum in sustaining our gains for our common aspiration,” Ancan said. (PNA)

DOJ orders NBI to probe Jacky Co drug case

By Benjamin Pulta  

June 1, 2019

MANILA -- Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will conduct an independent investigation on Jacky Co, the alleged mastermind of how PHP1.8-billion worth of shabu hidden inside imported tea bags found its way into the country.

"The NBI will gather facts first and then identify whom to charge later. This investigation is distinct from the PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency) investigation," Guevarra confirmed Friday.

The justice chief said prosecutors may also seek a travel ban against Co and his co-accused named in the charges filed by the PDEA as soon as the investigation proceeds.

"The moment a formal preliminary investigation begins, we may consider applying for a precautionary hold departure order with the proper court," Guevarra said.

He noted that according to the consul general of China, a certain Xu Zhi Jian, also known as Jacky Co, has a pending case in China.

However, he is not on the Interpol watch list and this has been certified by the Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Manila.

Guevarra clarified that while there is no record that one Xu Zhi Jian departed from Manila on April 3, immigration records showed that a certain Xu Zhi Jian left on March 20.

"As there was no existing hold departure order against the said person, nor any Interpol alert during that time, the BI (Bureau of Immigration) allowed the said person to depart," Guevarra said.

The PDEA on Friday filed charges against Xu Zhi Jian and 16 others allegedly involved in importing illegal drugs valued at PHP1.8 billion.
Those charged were officers and directors of Wealth Lotus Empire Corp. and Fortuneyield Cargo Services. (PNA)

New PRO-9 chief orders cops to provide better service

By R. G. Antonet Go 

 May 29, 2019

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The new chief of the Police Regional Office in Zamboanga Peninsula (PRO-9) has called on local police units to remain committed in protecting and serving the community.

Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla issued the order as he assumed Wednesday as the new PRO-9 director, replacing Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Luis Licup who served for eight months in his post.

Police Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla addresses the officers and personnel as he assumes Wednesday as the new Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) director. (Photo courtesy of PRO-9 Public Information Office)  

“There will be no new marching orders. We will stick with the basics, the very instruction given by our leaders in order to lead our men in the right direction and be of better service to the community. Let us do more action than mere words,” Quidilla said.

Quidilla told the officers and men of PRO-9 to "be always on alert and ready to be of service to everyone to keep the community safe and conducive for business, education, and travel".

“As police officer, the community deserves no less than the best from us,” Quidilla said.

He also thanked Licup for "laying the groundworks in advancing the mission and vision of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in making PRO-9 a better place to live, work, and do business".

“As I accept the flag and colors of PRO-9, the symbol of authority, I will be one with all of you in the continuance of the good service my predecessor has laid and we will continue the good legacy for the benefit of the people of Region 9,” he said.

Prior to his assignment here, Quidilla has served as the deputy regional director for administration of PRO-4B or MIMAROPA. He belongs to the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) “Tagapagtangol Class of 1987.”

Meanwhile, Licup thanked the men and women of PRO-9 for the support they have extended during his stint as regional director.

“Our accomplishments would not have been possible if not for everyone doing their part and performing to the best of their abilities and responsibilities. The most notable and most recent of these achievements is that we were successful in carrying out our security operations during the recently concluded national and local elections. I am also proud to say that during my stint, we have no cases of kidnapping in the region and we held our own in the campaign against illegal drugs,” Licup said.

Licup, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Hinirang Class of 1987, was reassigned to the PNP national headquarters as the acting deputy director of Directorate for Personnel and Records Management. (PNA)

2 Arrested, 680K Shabu Seized in Zamboanga City Drugs Ops

 Click the link below to read the relatd article….

https://frontlinemindanaobalita.blogspot.com/2019/05/2-arrested-680k-shabu-seized-in.html

Camp Col Romeo Abendan, Zamboanga City – Drugs Enforcement Unit of Zamboanga City Police Station 6 led by Police Captain Ahmed Czar A. Anuary have arrested two (2) drug personalities during the drug buy-bust operation carried out at Fronting Rojo, Barangay Kasanyangan, Zamboanga City at about 3:17 PM of May 16, 2019.

Police Brigadier Gen. Emmanuel Luis D Licup, PRO9 Director identified the arrested drug suspects as Liza Aliuddin Y Innong, 30 years old, single, ex- Abroad, high school level and Almasir Aliuddin Y Innong, 27 years old, single, Fish Vendor, both residents of SM Drive, Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City.

Confiscated from suspects possession during buy bust operation were the following; one (1) heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substances of suspected “Shabu” (Buy bust item), One (1) heat sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substances of suspected “Shabu” (Possession items) with an estimated market value of Six Hundred Eighty Thousand Pesos (Php 680,000), One (1) buddle money topped with genuine one (1) thousand pesos marked money.

Seized illegal drugs will be turned over to 9th PNP Crime Lab Office for quantitative and qualitative examination as well as the subject for drug test. The arrested drug suspects are now being detained at Zamboanga City Police Station 6 detention cell.

Meanwhile, Police Brigadier Gen. Emmanuel Luis D Licup, PRO9 Director lauded the police elements of Zamboanga City Police Station 6 (Tetuan) under Police Major Mark Anthony L Karanain for a job well done. (By JONG CADION with PRO9 PIO Press release and photos)

First lady governor of Maguindanao proclaimed

By Noel Punzalan

May 17, 2019

 

MAGUINDANAO LADY GOVERNOR. Election officials raised the hands of Maguindanao Governor-elect Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu (4th from left) on Thursday (May 16) at Shariff Kabunsuan Complex in Cotabato City together with the province’s Congressman-elect Datu Ronne Sinsuat (3rd from left), Vice Governor-elect Datu Lester Sinsuat, and several elected board members of the province. Sangki-Mangudadatu is the first-ever lady governor of the 46-year-old province. (Photo courtesy of Ella Dayawan – Bandera Radio Cotabato)

COTABATO CITY -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has proclaimed outgoing Mayor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Datu Abdullah Sangki town as the governor-elect of Maguindanao province on Thursday afternoon.

Sangki-Mangudadatu made history as the first-ever lady governor of the 46-year-old province after winning over his closest rival, Freddie Mangudadatu, by more than 54,000 votes in the province’s 36 municipalities during the May 13 mid-term polls.

“From now on, the welfare of the people of Maguindanao always come first before anything else,” she said when interviewed by reporters here following her proclamation.

The lady governor-elect is the wife of Governor-elect Suharto Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat province, who is the cousin of Freddie Mangudadatu, the outgoing mayor of Mangudadatu town in Maguindanao.

The Comelec’s Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC), which held the 4 p.m. proclamation at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the seat of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao here, said Sangki-Mangudadatu garnered a total of 256,338 votes to clinch the gubernatorial post as against Freddie’s 201,565 votes.

Also proclaimed were Datu Lester Sinsuat as vice governor-elect of Maguindanao and Datu Ronnie Sinsuat as Congressman-elect of the province’s first district.

Hours earlier on the same day, the PBOC correspondingly proclaimed outgoing Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu as the Congressman-elect of the province’s second district together with his son, King Jazer, as board member for the same provincial district. (PNA)