Dasmariñas City all set for 6th ‘Paru-Paro’ Festival

By Gladys Pino 

November 23, 2017

DASMARIÑAS CITY, Cavite -- This city is slated to observe its annual butterfly-inspired “Paru-Paro” festival on Nov. 26 with city folks and participants donning colorful butterfly costumes and revelry motifs.

Mayor Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. is expected to lead city officials, students and multi-sectoral groups in the annual celebration of the city’s official festival, created by the virtue of City Council Resolution No. 069-s-2011 and Special Ordinance 02-s-2011 initiated by his predecessor, City Mayor Jennifer Austria Barzaga.

In an interview, City Administrator Aisa Sango said the festival reflects the city’s transformation from a former small village of Imus City and its separation as a full-fledged progressive city and Cavite’s “university center” and one of the province’s vital hubs dotted with various services, commerce, trade and industries.

Sango added that Sunday’s main highlight is the 3 p.m. grand parade participated in by city officials, sectors and the 36 groups of elementary and secondary school division contingents.

The city parade route covers Gov. Mangubat Road, General Aguinaldo Highway and traverses Daños Street to P. Posadas and converge at the city hall.

Prizes at stake for the participating parade contingents of 40 to 50 each group are: PHP75,000 cash for the champion; PHP50,000 -- 2nd place; and PHP 25,000 -- 3rd place while a consolation prize of PHP 10,000 each for non-winners. The “Best in Costume” will receive PHP 10,000 cash prize.

Sango added that this year’s celebration will not feature the usual parade of floats due to various road rehabilitation works which may stall heavy traffic.

The city administrator also said  that the city’s Pagamutan is now in full operation and the city mayor wishes to prioritize fund allocation for various public health/service programs, which is also a reason to celebrate.

She also disclosed the city’s plan to open its own public university soon. (PNA)

AFP ready to fight rebels, accept surrenderers

By Priam Nepomuceno

 November 26, 2017

MANILA -- While prepared to carry out its constitutional mandate against rebel groups threatening and harassing peaceful communities, the Armed Forces of

AFP Chief of staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero

the Philippines (AFP) said it strongly support efforts by local elected officials to convince these individuals to surrender and live peacefully with their loved ones.

This was emphasized by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, in a statement forwarded by military public affairs office chief, Col. Edgard Arevalo, late Saturday.

“The AFP supports the decision of the President to cancel talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front) and to go ‘all out’ against the NPA terrorists. The AFP also supports peace initiatives by our local elected officials including programs that seek to integrate NPAs back to mainstream society," he added.

In Proclamation 360 signed Thursday, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the scrapping of talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF following the series of atrocities committed by NPA bands against military and civilian targets in various parts of the country.

Around 64 soldiers, police officers and militiamen were killed while another 127 wounded in various attacks and ambushes conducted by the NPA on this year alone.

Aside from these, rebel attacks also accounted for 70 civilian deaths, including those of a four-month baby girl in Bukidnon last Nov. 9, along with 13 wounded and another 28 missing. (PNA)

Aguirre welcomes PDEA, BuCor deal to rid jails of illegal drugs

Christopher Lloyd Caliwan 

November 19, 2017

MANILA -- Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II welcomed the renewed partnership of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to curb illegal drug activities inside government prison facilities and penal farms.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II 

“I don’t see anything wrong with it. As a matter of fact, it is good. We all know that before President Rodrigo Duterte took office around 70 to 75 percent of illegal drugs in the country are cooked at the national penitentiary,” Aguirre said.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino and BuCor Officer-In-Charge Valfrie Tabian signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last Tuesday at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, aimed at continuing cooperation and enhancing organized and systematic implementation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly inside correctional institutions.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino

According to Aquino, the MOA is an extension of the previous agreement between the two agencies signed on March 25, 2015, except for the inclusion of additional provisions prescribing PDEA to secure its own office inside the BuCor’s jurisdiction, to effectively address trafficking and other drug-related activities.

Aside from the MOA signing, the PDEA Liaison and Coordinating Office was also inaugurated inside the NBP.

Aquino said the office will have a canine unit so that they can conduct a 24-hour PDEA visibility as well as perform regular greyhound operations in a bid to finally get rid of drug proliferation inside the NBP.

Aquino added that BuCor personnel are also expected to lend assistance in the day-to-day operations of PDEA office inside the NBP.

Aquino noted that despite rigorous security measures in place, illegal drug trade remains prevalent in the NBP, highlighting the necessity to "establish (PDEA's) own liaison and coordinating office based inside NBP premises to address rapidly the immediate concern of possible entry of drug contraband."

The MOA ensures intelligence-sharing and joint investigation efforts in the conduct of anti-drug operations within jail premises under the jurisdiction of the BuCor.

“Under the said agreement, PDEA is also authorized to conduct greyhound operations inside BuCor correctional facilities pursuant to the standard operating procedures,” Aquino said.

Aside from NBP, the prison facilities under BuCor’s supervision include the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, Leyte Regional Prison in Leyte, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City, and Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte.

Prior to the agreement, PDEA and BuCor also created a joint manual of operations last year to provide a synchronized conduct of search and seizure of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals and drug paraphernalia in all BuCor prisons and penal farms. (PNA)

Ex-Tawi-Tawi vice guv pleads guilty to SALN violation

By Perfecto Raymundo, Jr.

November 16, 2017

MANILA -- Former Tawi-Tawi Vice Governor Ruby Sahali Tan on Thursday pleaded guilty before the Sandiganbayan to six counts of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”.

Tan voluntarily pleaded guilty during her re-arraignment with the assistance of her counsel, and after she was fully apprised of the consequences of her plea.

With this development, Tan is deemed to have admitted all the material facts alleged in the information filed against her by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The anti-graft court ordered Tan to pay a fine of PHP5,000 for each count, or a total of PHP30,000, and subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.

She was indicted after the Ombudsman found that she failed to file her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) under oath from 2007 to 2011, while her 2008 to 2012 SALNs were not filed on time.

Under Section 8 of RA 6713, “public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.”

It also requires every government official and employee to file the SALN within 30 days after assumption of office, or on or before April 30 of every year thereafter, and within 30 days after separation from the service. (PNA).

129 dead as magnitude 7.3 quake hits Iran-Iraq border

November 13, 2017, 12:59 pm

TEHRAN -- A huge earthquake measuring 7.3 magnitude struck near the Iran-Iraq border area on Sunday, killing 129 and injuring over thousands, according to Iran's official media Monday.

The quake's epicenter was located approximately 32 km south of the city of Halabja in a remote mountainous region of eastern Iraq, some 200 km north-east of Baghdad and 400 km west of Tehran, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake hit the area at 9:18 p.m. local time (0018 GMT), when many people would have been at home, the US Geological Survey said.

At least 14 provinces in Iran had been affected by the earthquake.

The worst-hit towns in Iran were Ghasre Shirin in Kermanshah and Azgaleh, about 40 km northwest, Iran's state-run news agency IRNA said.

It added that 30 Red Cross teams had been sent to the quake zone, parts of which had experienced power cuts.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a phone call with the Interior Ministry emphasized the need for maximum effort from officials.

The governor's office said helicopters and sniffer dogs could only start working at first light. It was expected there would be more casualties found under the rubble.

Iranian social media was abuzz Sunday night with posts of people evacuating their homes, particularly in Kermanshah and Ghasre Shirin.

Officials announced that schools in Kermanshah and Ilam provinces would be closed Monday because of the tremor.

In Iraq, officials said the quake had killed six people in Sulaimaniyah province and injured more than 150.

The earthquake was felt in many Iraqi provinces in the north and central regions, including the Iraqi capital Baghdad, witnesses said.

Most casualties occurred in the town of Darbandikhan, some 35 km southeast of the city of Sulaimaniyah.

People were killed and injured by the damage of the houses, in addition to a landslide in a mountain adjacent to the Darbandikhan Dam, local report said.

The casualties in Darbandikhan could rise as some houses have collapsed and it is not clear yet whether there were people buried under the debris, Nasih Mala Hassan, mayor of Darbandikhan, was quoted as saying.

The Iraqi Minister of Water Resources warned the people down the Darbandikhan Dam to be in highest alert as the condition of the dam is not clear.

In Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, dozens of people were taken to hospitals.

Some were treated from injuries and others fainted or shocked, said the online newsite.

Many of the injured in Erbil were students who live in dormitories, local health department was quoted as saying.

Saad Maan, spokesman of the Iraqi Interior Ministry, told reporters that cracks appeared in some buildings in central Baghdad, while an old house was seriously damaged.

In Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, five people were wounded in the city of Khanaqin, some 165 km northeast of Baghdad, due to the collapse of their houses and shops, Head of the City Hall Samir Mohammed Noor told Xinhua.

Faris al-Azzawi, head of Diyala's provincial health department, told Xinhua that some 140 people fainted due to the earthquake and were sent to hospital, but no casualties were reported so far from the collapse of some houses and buildings.

Turkey's Health Ministry offered aid for northern Iraq, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Other aid agencies said they were on standby to help.

"Our humanitarian team in Iraq is monitoring today's earthquake and is on standby to respond," The International Rescue Committee (IRC) tweeted.

The quake struck along a 1,500 km fault line between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a belt extending through western Iran and into northeastern Iraq.

This area sees frequent seismic activity. In 2013, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.

Since then, Iran has experienced at least two major quake disasters, one in 2005 that killed more than 600 and another in 2012 that left some 300 dead.

More recently, a 5.7-magnitude earthquake near Iran's border with Turkmenistan in May killed two people, injured hundreds and caused widespread damage. (Xinhua)

PH thanks Trump for offering to mediate South China Sea row

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora 

November 12, 2017, 6:36 pm

MANILA -- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday said the Philippines appreciates the offer of United States President Donald Trump to fill in a mediator role in the existing dispute between China and littoral countries in the South China Sea.

U.S. President  Donald Trump

"We thank him for it. It’s a very kind, generous offer because he is a good mediator," Cayetano said in an ambush interview at the Marriott Hotel. "He is the master of the art of the deal."

While Manila appreciates Trump's "honest" offer, Cayetano said claimant countries in the contested waters must first give their take on the proposal.

"Of course, the claimant countries have to answer as a group or individually, and not one country can just give an instant reply because mediation involves all of the claimants and non-claimants," he pointed out.

DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano 

He reaffirmed that the parties involved are "making giant steps forward" in talking about the code of conduct, a stronger document compared to the non-binding 2002 Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Cayetano also noted that claimants are making progress on talks about preserving marine life, allowing fishermen to continue livelihood in the area, having less navy and most coast guards and more cooperation among others.

"In any conflict around the world, you want peace and stability. So we welcome that offer, let's see how everyone's response. In cases like this, the response has to come from everyone," he said.

During the interview, he said the American president seems to "want" to have a better world in general. "He's going far and beyond the American first and just being there for America. He wants it to be a world of peace and stability and we thank him for that."

Trump during his visit to Vietnam was quoted as saying: "If I can help mediate or arbitrate, please let me know.”

“I‘m a very good mediator and arbitrator,” Trump was quoted as saying. (PNA)

ASEAN hosting seen to boost business, security confidence

By Leslie Gatpolintan

November 10, 2017

MANILA -- The Philippines expects a renewed boost in business confidence that will benefit more Filipinos, as it hosts the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits this week.

This optimism was expressed by Atty. Michel Kristian Ablan, Asst. Secretary for Policy and Legislative Affairs of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), which has been active in promoting ASEAN awareness to a broader audience during the country’s chairmanship this year.

“With the 31st ASEAN Summit, we all feel that because it runs smoothly, this will boost business confidence in the country, as well as boost confidence in the security area in the region,” Ablan said in an interview Friday.

Ablan noted that this is the third time the PCOO organized a large gathering following the 30th ASEAN Summit last April, and the celebration of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN last September and November.

“We are confident that this will surely reaffirm our commitment towards our global partners, and bring in projects and establish agreements that would benefit people from all walks of life,” he said in a briefing.

Ablan also cited various efforts of the PCOO team to inform the public of “what ASEAN is and its benefits to the ordinary Filipino.”

These include initiating multi-sectoral forums and dialogues, and hosting a multimedia campaign for the 31st ASEAN Summit “One ASEAN, a Global Player” highlighting the regional bloc's readiness to play a greater role in world affairs.

“A stronger and more united ASEAN, the region is now committed more than ever to engage the world and seize opportunities that our future holds for us. We are confident that the succeeding meetings this week will cement the achievements of the Philippines’ Chairmanship for the years to come,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ablan also assured the public that appropriate measures are ready to ensure the safety and security of all the state leaders, the delegates and the media participating in the summit.

He said 60,000 security personnel were deployed in the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila and Clark in Pampanga. (PNA)

Mayor Inday OKs P5-M aid for Marawi

November 7,2017 

DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has announced that the city government was giving P5 million as assistance to the Local Government of Marawi for the rehabilitation of the city, which suffered from the 5-month siege laid by the Islamic State-inspired militants.

 Davao city mayor Sara Duterte 

Mayor Inday said that the PHP5 million assistance will be drawn from the city's disaster fund.

“I have asked the city council on Monday to allocate PHP5 million from the disaster funds to be given to Marawi City,” she said. “Last Saturday, I talked to the Mayor of Marawi (Majul Usman Gandamra) and he said that they already declared the city under state of calamity.”

The City Council had immediately approved the PHP5 million fund assistance request from Mayor Inday during its regular session, also on Monday.

As of Tuesday, Davao City has a total disaster fund of PHP91 million, earmarked as disposable within the last two months of 2017.

Mayor Inday said that initially, she had planned to give Marawi more.

“I initially planned to give P10 million, but we still have two months left. 

My priority is still Davao City. Maybe mid next year or the same period, we will look at how they used the PHP5 million and we can give them more,” she said.

Mayor Inday also encouraged other local governments to extend help to Marawi City.

“I encourage other local governments to also help Marawi, even a small amount will be a big help to them,” she said.

“It is within our duty as elected officials to help other cities who are in need of our help,” she added. CIO

PRO9 Regional Director 2nd Command Visit in Zamboanga Del Norte

Approved for Release: 

PCINSP Helen L. Galvaz                               

 The Police Regional Office 9 Regional Director PCSUPT BILLY B BELTRAN and party visited for the second time around the municipalities  of Sirawai, Siocon and Sibuco, all of Zamboanga Del Norte on November 3 and 4, 2017.

         

The Regional Director was accompanied by his staff, including PSSUPT RAUL TACACA, Provincial Director of Zamboanga del Norte PPO; PSSUPT REDENTOR L RETUSTO, Battalion Commander, RPSB9; PSUPT MADZGANI M MUKARAM, Chief, Regional Police Community Relations Division and PSUPT FERJEN T TORRED, Officer in-Charge, Regional Intelligence Division.

         

The first municipality visited by the Regional Director was Sirawai on November 3, 2017 wherein he inspects the operational capability of the police forces stationed in the area. 

The PNP troops demonstrated their operational readiness and capability in case an incident of Kidnapping occurred through Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) which was performed by Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Public Safety Company (ZNPPSC).

 The visit in Sirawai was highlighted by a gift giving of school supplies to one hundred (100) kindergarten and elementary pupils of Piña Elementary School, a remote Muslim indigent community in the municipality who seldom experienced government service. The visit culminated with the traditional boodle fight with the PNP, AFP and Sirawai local officials headed by Mayor Gamar Janihim.

         

Thereafter, the Regional Director and party proceeded to Siocon municipality for a Command Conference with the Chiefs of Police of 3rd District of Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office (ZNPPO) in the afternoon of same day. 

Then a fellowship night with the Regional Director was held at ABS Hotel, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte sponsored by Siocon MPS thru their generous Mayor Julius Lobrigas where local government officials and community elders were present to include the representative from the MNLF, MILF and Indigenous People.

         

On November 4, 2017, the Regional Director and party arrived at Sibuco municipality for the showdown inspection of firearms and equipment of police personnel of Sibuco MPS. T

The Regional Director wanted to see for himself the state of readiness of the troops and boosted their morale to maintain the peace and security of their area of responsibility. 

He also distributed school supplies to the Muslim indigent students and met personally with the bereaved family of the late Eduardo N Serino who died recently while in police custody to extend his apology in behalf of PRO9 and promised that justice will be served.

 He also handed grocery items and livelihood assistance to the Serino family. The activity culminated with the traditional boodle fight which was participated in by the school children.

Dry run for ASEAN night convoy set Nov. 8 : MMDA

By Aerol John Pateña

Gymnasium MANILA -- The Metropolitan Manila Development (MMDA) advised motorists to avoid Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other roads in Metro Manila as a night time convoy dry run will be conducted on Nov. 8, 2017 in preparation for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

A modified stop-and-go scheme will be implemented along the convoy route from the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport at Clark in Pampanga to the roads in the southern part of Metro Manila from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Heavy traffic is expected along the ASEAN routes, according to MMDA Task Force for ASEAN head Emmanuel Miro.

“It will be the sixth and final convoy dry run. This time, the convoy practice will simulate night-time scenario,” Miro said in a statement.

The affected routes for the ASEAN are: Clark Complex in Pampanga; along SCTEX from Clark to NLEX; along NLEX from SCTEX to Balintawak; along Edsa from Balintawak to Magallanes; along Diokno from Entertainment City to Buendia; along Ayala Avenue from Edsa to Makati Avenue; along Makati Avenue from Ayala to Pasay Road; along Pasay Road from Edsa to Amorsolo; along Lawton from 5th Avenue to 30th Avenue; and along McKinley Road from Edsa to 15th Avenue.

EDSA will be cleared at certain periods to give way for vehicles carrying the foreign leaders and delegates while orange barriers will be installed from Balintawak to Magallanes to delineate two inner lanes for the convoy run.

Motorists are expected to experience traffic congestion in the southbound area of Cubao.

“We will clear the affected routes so we advise motorists plying Edsa to use the C5 Road and the Mabuhay lanes,” according to Miro.

Trucks should likewise avoid the routes because they will be temporarily stopped to give way to the convoy.

According to Miro, the last dry run is necessary to ensure seamless coordination of traffic management plans for the travel of delegates going to their hotels and venue in Pasay City and to test the new vehicles and equipment that will be used during the actual summit.

Several convoy dry runs have been conducted as part of the preparations aimed to test various scenarios, light conditions, and intervals on routes during daytime.

For his part, MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Jojo Garcia said the agency is considering whether to suspend the number coding scheme on November 13 to 15 which were proclaimed special nonworking holidays in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga.

“We have yet to assess the circumstances whether to implement the number coding scheme during the summit,” according to Garcia.

The MMDA official said the three-day suspension of work for private, government offices and classes would help them in managing traffic during the summit.

The Metro Manila mayors also suspended classes at all levels in Metro Manila for private and public schools on Nov. 16 and 17. (PNA)

General assemble of Kilusang Pagbabago in Siocon Zamboanga del Norte

from left Norhida Wahid Hajal, Coordinator KP Sibuco Zambo Norte.

The General Assemble of   Kilusang Pagbabago held at gym in Siocon Zamboanga del Norte last October 18, 20 17

The purpose of the assemble for distributing appointment to the Kilusang Pagbabago Coordinator in the municipality of Sirawai, Siocon, Sibuco, Baliguian Zamboanga del Norte.

Kilusang Pagbabago participant 

The Kilusang Pagbabago promote the advocacy of President Rodrigo Roa  Duterte on Federalism  and educating the masses how to get  aid from the government.

John Sebastian “Jun” Amores the Region IX coordinator  Kilusang Pagbabago said, through federal form of government we totally hold the lasting peace in our country especially in Mindanao.

Mun. Mayor of Sirawai HAdji Gamar A. Janihim.

The General Assemble very successful because the four Municipality very supportive to the advocacy of President Duterte on Federalism.

 Julius S. Lobrigas mayor of Siocon supports the Kilusang Pagbabago because the organization purely follows  the mandate of President Duterte for educating the people about Federalism and helping the community for development.

Hadji Gamar A. Janihim mayor of Municiaplity  Sirawai said, during the interview, that he is so much bless for the Kilusang Pagbabago because his municipality received project from the national government.

Norhida Wahid Hajal, Kilusang Pagbabago municipal coordinator of Sibuco Zamboanga del Norte want to help people in her municipality regarding their Live hood Program.

Norhida added the municipality of Sibuco need assistance from the national government for improvement of the place.