6 ASG bandits killed in Basilan, Sulu operations

By Priam F. Nepomuceno

MANILA, July 29 (PNA) --- Intensified operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists have so far killed six of the brigands in Basilan and Sulu Friday.

These claims are supported by body counts as remains of the slain bandits were recovered by troops, said Western Mindanao Command (WMC) spokesperson Major Filemon Tan.

Operations conducted by Joint Task Force Basilan resulted in the killing of two ASG members under Radzmil Jannatul alias Khubayb, and a certain Guro Arah at Hill 490 in Barangay Poblacion, Tipo-Tipo at around 6:30 a.m.Friday.

Recovered from the encounter scene were two bodies and .50 caliber heavy machine gun.

In the clash, nine soldiers were wounded and airlifted to the Camp Navarro General Hospital, Zamboanga City.

In Sulu, four ASG bandits under Alden Bagadi alias Sayning, were killed following the intensified conduct of focused military operations in Barangay Langpas, Indanan at 8:50 a.m. also this Friday

Close air support were provided to the engaged troops.

This operation also recovered the remains of the four enemy dead

On the government side, two soldiers were slightly wounded and were promptly extricated by augmenting troops to Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista, in Jolo for treatment and are now in stable condition.

Pursuit operations are still ongoing as of this posting. (PNA)

RMA/PFN

Drug queen nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency here arrested former mayor of Maguing, Lanao del Sur Johaira Mabuat Abinal known as " Marimar" and " Mayora" for illegal drug trading.

The President Duterte mentioned the major drug suppliers in Mindanao and PDEA Director General Isidro Lapena had mentioned former mayor of Maguing now on President’s list of high-value target in Mindanao.

The Mindanao "drug queen" arrested last Saturday in her residence at Barangay Kauswagan along with other personalities by PDEA10 men such as Kate Abinal, Noraisa Sarip, Mark Gerald Sindac, Moamar Taher, Manot Dotoan, and Hashim Tambidan.

Operatives seized from the suspects at least 200 grams of suspected shabu with estimated market value of P400,000.00 and 2 caliber pistols and drug paraphernalia.

Marimar denied the accusation that against her, saying, she is not on President's drugs lists released to the media. (by: Becky D. de Asis)

Campaign against Illegal nabs wanted person

Judys G. Cogo

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines – Police arrested a wanted person in barangay Diwan in the municipality of Mahayag, this province on July 23 amidst the implementation of “TOKHANG” operation of the Philippine National Police.

Authority identified the suspect as Glenn Reyes Taladro, 26, married and resident in this place.

Police arrested the suspect with a warrant of arrest for violation of Section 2 Republic Act 9262 issued by Judge Jaime B. Caberte of RTC Branch 23 in Molave in this province.

The suspect is temporarily detained at Mahayag Police station.

The arresting team was led by PCI Homer Tragico Dumalag, chief of police of Mahayag.

1k drug users, pushers arrested in Tawi-Tawi

TAWI-TAWI – Since the Oplan Tokhang and double barrel  started the provincial police office of this province has arrested at least 1,293 individuals using and trading drugs amidst the implementation of the program, police said.

Police Senior Superintendent Elizalde C. Quiboyen, PNP provincial director, told reporters that his office has started conducting massive operation in the different island municipalities by arresting drug users, pushers and even drug lords by hook or by crook.

They arrested 265  pushers and 1,028 drug users since July 1, said Quiboyen. “Our policemen are always ready to arrest reported drugs personalities to comply to the implement of the government’s (mandates on drug),” he added.

Meanwhile, in the recent reports that on July 23 in coordination with PDEA9, elements of  MAIDSOTG of Bongao, MPS, RPSB, PPSC and PAIDSOTG conducted a buy bust operation at barangay Simandagit of the said municipality resulted the death of two unidentified persons.

Recovered from the suspects were one 38 revolver with three spent shell, one live bullet and one 22 cal. revolver with one spent shell and 3 live bullets.

Also recovered were one heat sealed transparent plastic sachet with white crystalline substance suspected to be  shabu with an approximate weight of 4.049 grams and one unit Kawasaki motorcycle color white with side car.

Quiboyen said, the police is now working on the identification of the two suspects.

Multi-billion projects in Sulu successful – Engr. Abdulmunir I. Hadjirul

JOLO, Sulu – At least 70 multi-billion projects of the Department of Public Works  and  Highways (DPWH) 1^st district Sulu are almost completed and implemented despite some problem encountered in the implementation due to the unstable peace and order in the province.

District Engineer Abdulmunir I. Hadjirul said there are 70 projects includes the farm-to-market roads, concreting of all streets along Jolo markets and other areas,  water systems, construction of some drainage and canals, expansion of Jolo seaports, construction of seawalls in different areas, deep-wells and other projects implemented in eight municipalities.

Hadjirul said that the municipalities inside the  1^st district of Sulu are the following, Jolo, Patikul, Maimbung, Panglima-Tahil, Talipao, Indanan, Pangutaran and Parang.

He added that the eight municipalities are now benefited the multi-billion projects of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

Chief Construction Engr. Ajan  Ajijul also said this 2015  multi-billion projects are fully implemented in 2016. Because almost the budget released only in 2016, they immediately implemented the projects even the budget is not fully-released.

“We want to give good services for the people of Sulu,” said Ajijul in an interview.

The water works expansion and source development in Jolo project is the only project of the DPWH, 1^st district remaining project because they are waiting the Wwod-field constructor, said Ajijul.

The project amounted to P70 Mmillion.

Hadjirul also said that 2016 budget for 1^st district-Sulu are 56 proposed projects and it was already approved in the regions.

The projects include the additional Farm-to-Market roads in 8 municipalities, major roads, connecting roads, municipal roads, provincial roads, seaport rehabilitations, shore protections, water system, renovation and expansion of DPWH office. (by: Becky D. de Asis)

OATH-TAKING OF THE 454 NEWLY APPOINTED PO1 and 27 NON-UNIFORMED PERSONNEL (NUP)

PCINSP ROGELIO CREDO ALABATA

PIO, PRO9

POLICE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT BILLY B BELTRAN, Acting Regional Director, PRO9 administered the oath-taking of the newly appointed 454 PO1s on July 16,2016 and 27 Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP) on July 18, 2016 held at PRO9 Headquarter, ,Camp Col. Romeo Abendan, Mercedes, Zamboanga City.

The oath-taking ceremony was witnessed by the PRO9 personnel, friends and relatives of the appointees.

Out of the 454 new PO1 appointees, 100 were females and 354 males.

On the other hand, out of 27 new appointees for NUP, 18 of them were appointed as Administrative Asst I with Salary Grade 7, two Administrative Asst II with Salary Grade 8, four Administrative Aide IV with salary grade 4, one Administrative Aide V with salary Grade 5 and two  Administrative Aide VI with Salary Grade 6.

After the oath taking ceremony, the newly appointed PO1s, were turned over to the Regional Training Center 9 to undergo the Basic Public Safety and was received by PSUPT ROLANDO B CUYA JR, the Regional Training Director.

The NUP will be deployed to the different City and Municipal Police Stations based on their plantilla/positions after undergoing the two weeks orientation course at PRO9 Headquarters, Mercedes, Zamboanga City.

The Regional Director extended his congratulatory remarks to the newly appointed PO1s and NUPs. They are encouraged to give their best to perform their job and to be an efficient and disciplined Police Officers and employees of the organization.

114,833 drug suspects surrender under 'Oplan Tokhang' -- PNP

By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, July 21 (PNA) -- Almost 115,000 suspected drug pushers and dependents in the country surrendered to police authorities from July 1-20 under the campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to wipe out illegal drugs and criminality dubbed as 'Oplan Tokhang'.

Under 'Oplan Tokhang', station commanders will ask the barangay captains to submit a list of residents who are into illegal drugs, whether these pushers, dealers, users and couriers.

The police intelligence unit will then verify the report and check if these persons are indeed involved in drugs because there are instances that barangay captains themselves are behind the illegal drug trade while some list down names of their rivals.

From July 1-20, the PNP have knocked 61,806 houses of suspected drug personalities that resulted to the surrender of 114,833 illegal drug suspects and arrest of 2,789.

During the said period, PNP said 207 suspects were killed in various anti-drug operations.

With this, PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa assured the public that the PNP will continue their campaign against drugs, adding that they will use every resources possible and available to finally win the anti-drug war.

“Wala nang atrasan ito, we started strong in this war and we will finish stronger,” Dela Rosa said.

He also ordered the cops to continues to intensify the campaign to eradicate the illegal drugs as well as the crimes and expected to win this war.

The PNP Chief said President Duterte gave his assurance in supporting the police force in fulfilling their mandate which is to serve and protect the people from drugs, crime and other illegal activities.

Dela Rosa also urged the public to support and help the PNP's anti-drug drive. (PNA)

BNB/CLTC

PRRD meets suspected drug lord Peter Lim, refers him to DOJ for investigation

MANILA, July 16 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte met suspected drug lord Peter Lim in Davao City Friday and urged him to submit himself to investigation by the Department of Justice to clear his name.

Lim, who denied that he is involved in drug trafficking, was one of the triad members named by the President, operating in the country in connivance with a high ranking police official and other prisoners at the New Bilibid Prison.

“I will advise you strongly na mag-submit ka to investigation,” the President told Lim during their meeting.

PRRD advised Lim to get a lawyer and go to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila and submit himself for questioning. Lim should come clean because his name cropped up in the police investigations, according to the President.

He said the NBI will review the evidence against Lim and he wants to give Lim a chance to air his side based on rule of law and due process.

Lim denied he is involved in illegal drugs. The President said during his revelations that Lim went in and out of the country on a regular basis.

According to PRRD, he has to crack down on the illegal drug trade in the country that has already corrupted even the police. Drugs are also related to other crimes like robbery, kidnapping and murder, he added.

The President reiterated his strong stance against illegal drugs, especially shabu, which he said destroys human beings beyond rehabilitation.

Lim claimed he is 500 percent clean and is in no way involved in illegal drugs, assuring the President that he will help his administration in its fight against drugs in whatever way he can. (PNA)

RMA/PND/RSM

Six of South Cotabato's 11 mayors deny involvement in illegal drugs

KORONADAL CITY, July 16 (PNA) -- Two more town mayors in South Cotabato have come out and publicly denied involvement in illegal drugs or narco-politics.

Mayors Antonio Fungan of Lake Sebu town and Mayor Dibu Tuan of T'boli, both in South Cotabato, have separately denied they were among those to be named by President Duterte to have been involved in narco-politics.

Ealier, South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance Fuentes, said that she was told that two town executives in the province were in the Duterte list of persons involved in illegal drug trade. Fuentes did not name names.

However, some mayors decided to come out and deny after messages in the social media identified the town mayors.

"I am sure I am not one of the two that Gov. Fuentes was referring to," Fungan told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida. "I have never been involved in illegal acts, especially illegal drugs."

Fungan said when the news come out that 2 of South Cotabato's 11 mayors, he decided to undergo illegal drug test and its results were negative.

While denying he was into drugs, Fungan admitted that Fuentes has the right not to name the involved local officials.

But Mayor Tuan stressed Fuentes must name the town mayors in illegal drugs as soon as possible so ridicules through the social media networks will stop.

Tuan stressed that one of his priority agenda when he was elected as mayor was criminality and illegal drugs.

Earlier, Tupi Mayor Reynaldo Tamayo, Tampakan Mayor Leonardo Escobillo, Sto. Nino Mayor Pablo Matinong and Banga Mayor Albert Palencia have spoken to DXOM-AM Radyo Bida vehemently denying involvement in illegal activities.

Only four town mayors and a city mayor have not issued statement about Fuentes' pronouncement. (PNA)

RMA/NYP/EOF

DILG to complete list of narco-politics in PHL

By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera

DAVAO CITY, July 14 (PNA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is coming out with its list of narco-politicians in the country as part of the government’s campaign of cleansing government against illegal drugs.

DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno said the list was under validation by responsible authorities and targeted for release sometime next week. He said the list would not only consist of provincial, city and municipal chief executives but also barangays official linked to illegal drugs.

“The list will not only be limited to the mayors, it will be everyone in the government (involved in narco-politics) from mayors down to barangay kagawad,” Sueno said.

Sueno told reporters the number of alleged narco-politicians was still changing as the authorities were verifying their reports.

But they are expecting the validated list to be complete on or before July 20, five days before the first State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte, he said.

The President even declared that mayors who are linked to drugs would not be given their choice of chief of police.

“Before July 20 we can have the list of names of the Local Government officials involved in drugs,” Sueno said.

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary Catalino Cuy assured the public that the list of narco-politics and police generals involved in illegal drugs provided to the President underwent thorough validation. (PNA)

RMA/LCM/FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA/LDP

AFP awards medals to soldiers wounded in Sulu clash

By Teofilo P. Garcia

CAMP NAVARRO, Zamboanga City, July 9 (PNA) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday awarded medals to the five soldiers who were wounded in the latest clash with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) brigands in the province of Sulu.

Gen. Ricardo Visaya, AFP chief-of-staff, personally pinned the medals to the wounded soldiers who were admitted at Camp Navarro General Hospital in this city.

Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, assisted Visaya in the awarding of medals to the recipient-soldiers.

Awarded the Wounded Personnel Medal (WPM) were Cpl. Ian Dexter Gavina; Cpl. Rambo Balnawi; PFC Radel Gumban; PFC Christian Naganag; and, PFC Bernie Joe Nagoy.

They were wounded in an intense fighting against 150 ASG brigands, led by ASG senior leader Radulan Sahiron and sub-leader Hadjan Sawajaan on Thursday in Patikul, Sulu.

Intelligence report showed that nine Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while 13 wounded when the troops pounded them with artillery.

Visaya visited Westmincom to get first hand information of the ongoing focus military operations against the ASG brigands in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan.

“I am here now to see how Westmincom implemented our plans (against the ASG),” Visaya said.

He said the troops were directed to ensure the safety of the hostages as they were ordered to continuously pursue the ASG brigands.

The ASG brigands are still holding captives nine foreigners and three Filipinos in the province of Sulu.

The foreigners included a Dutchman birdwatcher, a Norwegian and seven Indonesian sailors.

Visaya said the focus military operations against the ASG brigands had no time frame. (PNA)

RMA/TPGJR

President Duterte ready to concede to BBL if Federalism not possible

By Lilian C. Mellejor

DAVAO CITY, July 8 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he is ready to concede to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) if a Federal government is not possible during his term.

But the President assured the Moro people that his administration is working on a framework acceptable to both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Speaking to more than 500 Moro people from different regions in Mindanao, including MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghazali Jaafar and MNLF Chair Bong Parcasio during the First Mindanao Hariraya Eid'l Fit'r at SMX Convention Center on Friday evening, Mr. Duterte revealed that part of the plan is a reconfiguration of a territory for Nur Misuari-led MNLF.

The President, however, said the reconfiguration is not intended to separate or delineate territories. "It should not keep us apart being Mindanaoans," he stressed.

But he noted that most Christians are supporting Federalism and BBL.

"Let us build a nation that is founded on peace," he emphasized.

Duterte, however, reminded everybody that the task is not easy but assured he would be able to do it under his administration.

"It will not come overnight...not next year. It will be something in two to three years. I assure something will change before the end of my term," he said.

He said he is set to travel to Jolo to meet with Misuari and probably ask the military to allow the MNLF leader to move around Mindanao for simultaneous talks with the Moro people.

Mr. Duterte revealed that his team is working overtime on plans for the MILF and MNLF.

For the MILF, the President said he values word of honor. "A promise is a promise," he said. He, however, did not elaborate what he had promised to the MILF.

"What you give to MILF you give to MNLF. I hope there will be peace in our land," he said.

He also asked all groups including the communist movement to refrain from activities that will derail peace plans. He cited the MILF for not taking moves despite the failed BBL while Misuari is in a stand-down position.

"Give me a chance to perfect (everything)," said Duterte, urging everybody to respect each other and to talk before doing anything that will spin trouble in Mindanao. (PNA)

LAP/LCM/LDP/RSM

Cayetano: Lets us increase police salaries now

Fulfilling an electoral promise that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his running mate Senator Alan Cayetano made during the campaign season, the Senator filed a bill seeking to increase the salaries and other incentives of law enforcers in the country, particularly officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Cayetano's bill, known as the Philippine National Police Compensation Act of 2016, was filed at the beginning of the 17th Congress, along with nine other "reform measures" aimed at creating real change.

Cayetano said his bill aims to increase the minimum base pay and allowances of PNP personnel, allowing the lowest ranking police officer to receive a gross minimum pay of P50,530 per month, inclusive of benefits and allowances.

Cayetano explained that police personnel in the country do not receive adequate compensation from the government despite the risk to their lives brought by their profession. The senator also said the police force's low wages makes them vulnerable to the temptation of corruption. 

Compared to other neighboring countries, Filipino law enforcers are severely underpaid, Cayetano noted. An entry level Filipino Police Officer (PO1) only receives a basic monthly salary of P14,834, way below the monthly living wage of P27,510 for a family of five (5) set by the National Wages and Productivity Commission. 

Cayetano said a significant increase in the monthly salaries and other benefits of our policemen and women is a step towards uplifting the morale of the police force, revitalizing the police institution and attracting the best and the brightest young individuals to join the PNP.

"It is not enough that we punish and remove corrupt cops from the service. Without just compensation, crime and corruption will only seduce what is left of the government's honest, yet, impoverished police personnel," Cayetano said. 

Cayetano also filed other "campaign promise bills" during the first day of the 17th Congress, including an updated Freedom of Information (FOI) bill and a Mindanao Peace and Development Bill.#

Note: also attached is a copy of the bill filed by Sen. Alan in word format, to be numbered by the Senate.

Oplan Double Barrel’ leads to the surrender of 38 drug personalities in Zambo Sur; 4 arrested

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, July 2 (PNA) – Thirty-eight drug personalities have voluntarily surrendered to government authorities in the nearby towns of Dimataling and Lapuyan while four others were arrested in separate anti-drug operations in this province.

Senior Supt. Michael Nicolas, provincial police director, told the Philippines News Agency (PNA) that 19 of the 38 drug personalities who surrendered Friday afternoon were from Dimataling town while the other 19 from Lapuyan municipality.

Drug personalities refer to individuals who are either involved in the trade of prohibited drugs or purely drug users.

Nicolas said the surrender of drug personalities was made possible through massive and aggressive campaign dubbed as “Oplan Double Barrel,” launched by the police in coordination with the local government units to include the barangay officials.

Nicolas said the campaign is in line with the declaration of war by President Rodrigo Duterte against the proliferation of drugs in the country.

Under the campaign, Nicolas said the surrenderees will have to undergo certain procedures and their willingness to stop the illegal activities as well as to support the war against prohibited drugs.

He said they will relentlessly pursue those drug personalities who would continue their illicit activities.

Meanwhile, he identified those arrested in the anti-drugs campaign as Mark Angelou Ferrer, 21; Ricardo Same, 38; Faisal Cabugatan Khong alias Fai, 34; and, Hilda Ampak, 43.

He said Ferrer and Same were arrested in a buy-bust operation Friday afternoon in Purok 4, Barangay Upper Tiparak, Tambulig town.

He said Khong and Ampak were arrested in a separate buy-bust operation on the same day in Purok Sunshine, Barangay Santiago, this city.

The arresting team confiscated from the suspects’ possession prohibited drugs and paraphernalia.

Nicolas said the suspects were detained while appropriate charges are set to be filed against them. (PNA)
ZST/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION

New Basilan guv to address security, investments, energy challenges

by Rene V. Carbayas

Outgoing congressman and incoming governor Jim Hataman-Salliman receives the key of responsibility from outgoing governor and incoming congresswoman Jum Akbar. 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, June 30 (PIA) – Newly installed Basilan governor Jim Hataman-Salliman has revealed to address security, investment, and energy issues and challenges at his inauguration, Thursday.

Speaking in Filipino, Gov Jim said that some of the issues that the provincial government needs to confront are the issue of illegal drugs, which draw applause from spectators.

“This is not just because of the call of our new President of the Philippines, but that we already have done something and we just need to intensify the campaign versus illegal drugs,” he said.

Thus, he asked those who are engaging in the trade to surrender, while the government is still exercising diplomacy, but warned those stubborn traders that the full force of the law will be enforced against them through the police.

He also cited as one of the immediate concern to address is the problem of cocolisap.

“We had a meeting recently with secretary of the Presidential Assistant for Food and Security. There, it was revealed that more than two million coconut trees were already affected by the infestation,” he said.

The governor revealed that the income from the coconut industry reach over two billion every year and that this will be lost if all our coconuts will be destroyed. He said that he will look into what has been done already and intensify those effective measures. He banks on the support of the legislative body to solve the problem.

“If there’s a need for us to declare again a state of emergency in the province, we will do it,” he declared.

He expressed concern over the state of business and investments in the province. He cited the issue of extortions proliferating around that affected the business community. Added to this was the perennial problem of terrorism and peace and security issue involving lawless Abu Sayyafs.

He stressed the need for the government to identify and analyze the underlying factors that hindered the attainment of genuine peace in Basilan. And address them not only through military force, but through alternative means.

Recalling the golden years of industries in Basilan, like the presence of multi-national companies like Menzi, Sime Darby, and BF Goodrich, among others that has brought better life for workers, Gov. Jim lamented the state of the Cooperatives in Basilan today that struggles to cope with the daily needs of its workers.

The new governor recognized the need to address the peace situation in order to accelerate the economic potentials of the province, especially with the good roads at hand.

He also planned to hold a Power Summit soon to address the energy problem of the island.

 He urged the public and all stakeholders in Basilan to help his administration attain the vision of development for the people through good governance.