Zamboanga del Norte Province, Philippines News

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Province of Zamboanga del Norte - Archived News
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Seal of Zamboanga del Norte
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
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Zamboanga Peninsula MAP.gif
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Provincial Capitol of Zamboanga del Norte
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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
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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

Contents

9 nabbed for violating wildlife protection act

By Bong Garcia

THE police have arrested nine people for violation of Republic Act 9147, otherwise known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Friday.

Arrested were Ernesto Abil, 31; Eleno Hilegan, 32; Raul Dela Torre, 32; Cerilo Jasma, 27; Jonathan Cabodillo, 33; Felix Apatan, 48; Epicasio Fabillaran, 50; Felipe Baylon, 52; and, Mario Sandal, 38, the police said.

Combined personnel of the Municipal Agriculture Office and policemen arrested the suspects around 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the village of Lopoc, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte.

The suspects were arrested after municipal agriculture officer-in-charge Erlindo Fortich saw them gathering brown seagrass which is a violation of R.A. 9147, the police said.

They were detained while charges are being readied against them, the police added.


Bomb explodes inside campus in Salug town

By Roel Pareño (philstar.com)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A blast rocked the sleepy town of Salug when an improvised bomb exploded inside a campus Thursday in Zamboanga del Norte, the police said.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), however, said no one was reported hurt or injured in the explosion that occurred inside Salug National High School at Barangay Poblacion East about 1:40 a.m.

Huesca said the powerful explosion damaged one of the classrooms in the campus.

He said the police forces led by police Inspector Darwin Asaali responded to the blast site but failed to immediately visit the area of the explosion owing to poor weather conditions.

Huesca said police forces are investigating if the explosion was related to the polls.

Zamboanga del Norte replaces a dynasty with another dynasty

By GUALBERTO LAPUT (Rappler.com)

DAPITAN CITY, Philippines - One of the country's political dynasties, the Jalosjoses of Zamboanga del Norte, was almost wiped out in the 2013 midterm elections. Of the 6 Jalosjoses who ran for different elective posts in Zamboanga del Norte, only two have made it while another family - the Uys of Dipolog City - has emerged as the province's new political dynasty.

At almost midnight on May 14 - Rosalina Jalosjos-Johnson of the United Nationalist Alliance, sister of the Jalosjos clan kingpin, Romeo G. Jalosjos - was proclaimed mayor of Dapitan defeating incumbent Mayor Agapito J. Cardino (Independent), who has been supported by Liberal Party.

Romeo G. Jalosjos' son, Representative Frederick Seth P. Jalosjos, is likely to be proclaimed by weekend as reelected congressman of the province's first district. He was challenged by lawyer Vicente B. Balisado (LP).

On May 15, Evelyn Tang-Uy was proclaimed reelected mayor of Dipolog defeating former representative Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon, sister of Romeo G. Jalosjos.

Meanwhile, Evelyn Tang-Uy's husband, Roberto Y. Uy is leading in the official tally of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) against Representative Cesar G. Jalosjos (NP), brother of Romeo G. Jalosjos.

Uy's son, Pinpin Uy, is also leading in the COMELEC tally mayor of the Municipality of Polanco against Joy Olvis (UNA), who is allied with the Jalosjoses.

Board Member Johanna Jalosjos-Parreno (NP), daughter of Rep. Cesar G. Jalosjos, lost to former governor Isagani S. Amatong (LP) for the congressional seat of the province's third district. And JJ Jalosjos (NP), son of Rep. Cesar G. Jalosjos, lost to Eddie Quimbo (LP), in the mayoral race for the Municipality of Labason.

Abnormal

Amid comments that last elections was so far the worst in Zamboanga del Norte, Romeo G. Jalosjos told Rappler that he was "shocked" with "so much abnormality" and "unbelievable results" in the conduct of the elections, particularly the results spit out by PCOS machines.

His brother, Cesar, said he could not believe that he got "zero votes" in one precinct in Gutalac Municipality and in Lubing Ugis, Barangay Galas, in Dipolog.

"And here is one thing," Rep. Cesar G. Jalosjos continued, "in Barangay Sipaket, Sirawai Municipality, there were 406 voters and 256 cast their votes. My opponent got 137 votes while I got five. Now, where did the 114 votes go?"

Rep. Cesar G. Jalosjos lamented that there was at least one PCOS machine that broke down in every polling place.

The Jalosjoses have ordered its watchers in the second and third districts not to sign the certificates of canvass and statements of votes as they prepare to file election protest for "massive election fraud."

Rappler tried to get the side of the Uys, but they refused to answer our calls and text message.

The evils of dynasties

Nevertheless, Romeo G. Jalosjos said he is still pleased to having held on to Dapitan and the first district, which he said is the clan's political bailiwick.

"We had a dynasty, that I don't deny. But no law states that is wrong. Now only two in our family will go on in public service, but that is alright. If they (in the LP) has indeed manipulated the result of the elections here, no superman can prevent it. Yet, in the final analysis, it is not us but the people they are hitting," he stressed.

Somehow, the eternal debate whether or not political dynasties are evil will continue to be relative - voters replace a dynasty they don't like with a dynasty they like.

And in this part of the country, the Uys have just emerged as the new political dynasty of Zamboanga del Norte.

12-0 win in favor of LP candidates happens for third time in Dipolog

By Mary May A. Abellon (PIA9)

DIPOLOG CITY—Dipolognons have finally spoken who among the candidates running for local posts in the city to entrust the reins of the city government.

Incumbent city mayor, Evelyn Tang-Uy of the Liberal Party (LP) got fresh mandate from her constituents after garnering 36,617 votes over her rival, former Piñan town mayor Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon who got only 22,487 votes in the recently concluded midterm elections.

A 12-0 victory for LP candidates has for the third time happened in the city since the first term of Mayor Uy in 2007. The lady mayor is now on its third term.

Sitting councilor, Dr. Horacio Velasco won overwhelmingly the vice mayoral post, garnering 34,634 votes against incumbent Zamboanga del Norte Vice Governor Francis H. Olvis who got 21,518 votes only.

All ten candidates for councilor under LP also won, beating their opponents from the Alliance for Peace and Progress (APP), a local political party affiliated with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Atty. Jasmin Pinsoy, daughterof sitting councilor Marvelita Pinsoy, emerged as number one with 32, 328 votes. Topping the race for city councilor amazed the voters here as she is a neophyte in the political arena.

Other elected councilors are Dante Bagarinao receiving with 32, 299 votes, Atty. Peter Co - 31, 466 votes, Atty. Raul Barbaso - 30, 446 votes, Atty. James Verduguez - 30, 163 votes, Atty. James Cyril Ruiz - 30, 036 votes, Praxy Rubia - 29, 400 votes, Kenny Ong - 28,797 votes, Atty. Ruben Legorio - 27, 865 votes and Atty. Jonald Napigquit -27, 789 votes.

The winning candidates were proclaimed yesterday by the City Board of Canvassers led by Acting City Election Officer Melpre A. Mercadera.

Jalosjos political clan loses grip of Zamboanga

By Roel Pareño (philstar.com)

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - The political clan of former congressman Romeo Jalosjos is losing its grip of Zamboanga Peninsula as its members running in key political posts get unfavorable results in the partial and unofficial count of the Commission on Elections's (Comelec) provincial canvassing.

The Comelec regional office reported that Team Pnoy’s fielded candidate Berto Uy (Liberal Party) outgunned incumbent 3rd district Rep. Cesar Jalosjos (Nationalista Party) in the gubernatorial race in Zamboanga del Norte.

Uy, a businessman and husband of incumbent Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Tang Uy, garnered 75,829 votes or 56.86 percent of the total number 150,981 of votes cast, while Cesar Jalosjos, younger of Romeo gathered only 57,524 votes.

But Bullet, son of Romeo Jalosjos, wrested with a slim margin in the 1st district with 23,487 votes against the administration’s bet Vicente Balisado with 22,989 votes.

Incumbent Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes, a partymate of Jalosjos is also losing by a wide margin with only 15,018 votes against Rep. Dodoy Labadlabad (LP) in the 2nd district of the province who took 23,849 votes or 61.38 percent of the 41,110 total number of votes cast.

Another relative of Jalosjos - Hanah Jalojosjos-Parreño – continued to tail Isagani Amatong (LP) with 28,630 votes as against her 22,710 votes.

In Zamboanga del Sur, the gubernatorial race went on uncontested after Dominador Jajoslos was dropped out of the race against incumbent Gov. Antonio Cerilles.

Dominador, a brother of Romeo ,Jalosjos was dropped by the Comelec from the race after he was found to have been convicted of a robbery that stemmed in the early 70’s case. He remained at-large.

Cerilles of the National People’s Coalition (NPC), a known political kingpin in Zamboanga del Sur, also gained almost majority of key posts with incumbent 1st district Rep. Victor Yu (NPC) garnering 103,118 votes against incumbent Pagadian City Mayor Sammy Co (LP) with only 69,109 votes.

Co is being hunted down by the police after he was ordered arrested for the case of syndicated estafa in connection with the multi-million investment scam.

Gov. Cerilles' wife, incumbent 2nd district Rep. Aurora Cerilles is also leading the counting with 46,501 votes against Cat Jalojos with only 26,898 votes.

Zamboanga Sibugay incumbent Gov. Rommel Jalosjos, meanwhile, is closely tailing with 58,910 votes against Wilter Palma's 58,949 votes.

Jalosjos' son and namesake incumbent 1st district Rep. Romeo Jalosjos Jr. is also losing the race against Ann Hofer (LP), who garnered 44,777 votes while the former only has 31,903.

Belma Cabilao, an ally of Jalosjos, took the 2nd district of Zamboanga Sibugay against Wilter Palma II after she garnered 23,512 votes against 14,254 votes chipped by the latter.

Jalosjos, himself, failed to make an entry in Zamboanga City after he was disqualified by the court in the mayoralty race, a case that stemmed from his previous conviction of rape.

Jalosjos has appealed his disqualification before the Supreme Court, but the case has not been decided upon by the magistrates.

Zambo del Norte gov, 5 others charged for vote buying

(Rappler.com)

MANILA, Philippines - Zamboanga del Norte police filed charges of violation of elections laws against Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes for alleged vote buying.

A statement sent to media by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday, May 12, said the Dipolog City police station received a report of massive vote buying inside a beach house owned by Yebes on the morning of May 8.

They arrested Maila Hinotan-Laput, Carmelita Ramirez-Perez, Cleofe Mendoza-Ogoc, and Maria Bayron for supposedly facilitating vote buying. Confiscated from their possession were 5 sample ballots and P15,000 worth of paper bills.

During the arrest, Chady Yebes, son of the governor, arrived with 3 companions and tried to prevent police from transporting Mendoza-Ogoc to the police station.

The PNP said charges of violation of Batas Pambansa 881 or the Omnibus Election Code were filed against those arrested, including Governor Yebes and his son Chady, who is facing an additional charge of obstruction of justice.

Meanwhile, Naga City police nabbed two persons last May 10 for receiving money from an unidentified group inside the farm of Jojo Villafuerte, a nephew of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, in Barangay Cararayan, Naga City.

The PNP PIO said police recovered from Marife Parcero and Dionisio San Buenaventura cash amounting to P500 and one sample ballot with shaded names of some national and local candidates.

Parcero and San Buenaventura have voluntarily given their statements as witnesses which were sworn to and subscribed by them before the Naga City Prosecutors Office, pending the filing of appropriate case.

More voters than residents; Padded figures hound Zambo town

By Ryan Rosauro

DIPOLOG CITY—An old problem potentially hounds the integrity of the modernized elections in Zamboanga del Norte on Monday.

Local candidates are still hoping that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can look into the “questionable voting population figures” of Sibuco town which are believed to have been padded.

Sibuco, which is just 40 kilometers away from Zamboanga City, gained infamy for barangays which appear to have more registered voters than residents.

Reelectionist Dipolog City mayor Evelyn Tang-Uy said they want the poll body to “take remedial measures and prevent these from soiling the results” of Monday’s balloting.

“We want to win in a contest that is fair and square. If we lose, that’s fine as long as the results are credible,” Uy said. Uy’s husband is running for governor of Zamboanga del Norte.

“Maybe, having a special poll schedule for Sibuco can be a viable measure. But we leave it to the Comelec to decide on what appropriate measures to take,” she added.

For Monday’s polls, Sibuco has 30,985 registered voters across its 28 barangays. For the purpose of casting their ballots, the town’s voting population is organized into 43 clustered precincts.

Based on the Comelec’s 2010 Project of Precincts (PoP) for Sibuco, 10 of its 28 barangays have voting populations that were way beyond the headcount of individual villagers as determined by the Census of Population and Housing done that year. An example is Barangay Basak which had 260 voters in 2010 even as its total population was only 150.

In 14 more barangays, the proportion of voting population to the general population is unusually high, ranging from 70 percent to 94 percent.

For the entire Sibuco town, voting population in 2010 was 25,065 out of the 31,982 total population, or 78.4 percent.

These figures are way above the regional and national averages, noted Uy. “These should be validated.”

“In the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, the country’s voting aged population accounted for 60 percent of the total population,” a report of the National Statistics Office (NSO) said.

For the 2010 general elections, the country has 50.7 million registered voters which accounts for only 55 percent of the 92.3 million total population. In the same period, Zamboanga del Norte’s 589,956 registered voters account for 62 percent of its total population of 955,668.

Throughout the Zamboanga Peninsula region, voting population in 2010 accounted for 55 percent of total population.

In 2013, Sibuco’s voting population rose by 5,920, reaching 30,985. This represents around 24 percent jump within three years, or an 8-percent average annual growth. The increase was experienced throughout all the barangays.

The growth rate goes higher if the padded voter figures in 2010, which is used as base, is adjusted to realistic levels.

Such rate of increase does not rhyme with the average rate at which Sibuco’s general population is growing. If reckoned from 1990, the town’s population grew at 1.86 percent annually for the last 10 years. The highest population growth rate registered between 2007 and 2010, at 4.67 percent.

Assuming the growth in voting population between 2010 and 2013 is true, most of these people may have been migrants who are already voting aged when they settled in Sibuco, Uy supposed.

“But what draws these drove of people to the town?” she asked.

Despite being a 1st Class municipality, business hardly thrives in Sibuco. Although only 40 kilometers away from Zamboanga City, the lack of roads forces traders to take a circuitous 300-km land route or travel by boat.

Uy believes that in a tightly fought race, which they expect for the congressional seat in the province’s third legislative district and the governorship, Sibuco’s apparently padded voter figures will be significant.

The town’s registered voters account for about five percent of the province’s voting population, and some 13 percent in the third district.

“It is sad that we learned of this anomaly only in the tail-end of the campaign,” Uy related.

Zambo Norte police nab 2 political supporters for vote-buying

(MindaNews)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanews/11 May) – Two persons were placed behind bars in Sergio town in Zamboanga del Norte after the police charged them for violation alleged vote-buying.

Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, chief of the Police Regional Office-9, said the respondents were caught as they engaged in vote buying.

Huesca identified the suspects as Jeruhan Mandao, 29, and Teresito Tumaroy, 49. They were arrested one after the other in Barangay Dampalan.

Huesca said Mandao was arrested at around 8:25 a.m. Friday and Tumaroy around 10 a.m. of the same day.

Mandao was caught red-handed giving to people he would meet along the street a folded campaign flyer of a candidate for councilor with a P50 bill inside, Huesca said.

Confiscated from Mandao were campaign flyers and P6,200 worth of P50 bills, he said.

In the case of Tumaroy, he was also caught red-handed giving campaign flyers of a candidate for councilor, stapled with P20.

Seized from his possession were campaign flyers and P4,000 worth of P20 bills, he said.

Both were detained and charged for violation of the Omnibus Election Code before the provincial prosecutor’s office, he added.

Triathlon centennial championship set May 18-19 in Dipolog

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - The city government here will hold the Triathlon Centennial Championship come May 18 and 19.

Triathlon is a kind of sport contest involving swimming, marathon and cycling. The event will start at the Dipolog City Boulevard to Dipolog City Sports Complex passing through the streets of barangays Miputak, Sta. Filomena, Brgy. Galas and Olingan.

This event, which is being organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) of Manila and Sugbu Triathlon Association (STA) of Cebu in coordination with the Local Government of Dipolog, is part of the city’s 100th year celebration since its creation as a municipality in July 1, 1913.

This is also the first time the city will hold such a sport event.

Some athletes joining the competition come from other countries.

The competition is categorized according to age bracket. For Trikids category, six to eight years old will join the swim-100 meters, bike-2.5 kilometers and run-1 kilometer; nine to ten years old will join the swim-200 meters, bike-5 kilometers and run-1 kilometer; eleven to twelve years old for swim-300 meters, bike- 7.5 kilometers and run-2 kilometers.

In the Super Mini Sprint category, 13 to 15 years old for swim- 400 meters and bike- 10 kilometers; 16 to 19 years old for swim- 1.5 kilometers, bike- 40 kilometers and run- 10 kilometers; and those aged 20 to 50 years old shall be the same as the challenges of 16 to 19 years old.

The Mixed Relay category with swim- 1.5 kilometers, bike- 40 kilometers, and run- 10 kilometers is open only for female participants.

Winners shall receive plaque and cash while those who will reach the finish line shall receive medals and t-shirts.

There will be a registration fee of P1,200.00 for individual events while P1,500.00 for the mixed relay.(PIA9)

Zambo Norte gov tags vote-buying raid as 'frame up'

(PNA), PDS/TEOFILO P. GARCIA, JR./UTB

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 9 (PNA) -– Zamboanga del Norte Governor Rolando Yebes on Thursday called as "clear frame up" the Wednesday raid conducted by police on his beach house in Sitio Gampis, Barangay Sicayab, Dipolog City where four people were arrested for allegedly facilitating vote-buying.

Arrested were Maila Laput, 34; Carmelita Perez, 48; Cleofe Ogoc, 37; and, Maria Pedrita Bayron, 23; Dipolog City police chief Supt. Joven Parcon said.

Confiscated from the suspects’ were five sample ballots of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidates in the province stapled with different denominations of paper bills amounting to P3,000 each, Parcon said.

The raid was carried out by the combined forces from Dipolog City Police Station and the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) headed by Supt. Reynaldo Maclang.

Gov. Yebes admitted he owns the beach house but vehemently denied the vote-buying accusations.

Yebes, who is in his last term of office as governor, is running for congressman in the second district of Zamboanga del Norte under the UNA ticket.

Yebes stressed that Maclang and his men have confiscated sample ballots and P3,000, and not five sample ballots stapled with P3,000 each.

He said his supporters numbering to around 150 were gathered at the beach house undertaking preparations for Monday’s elections when the Maclang-led policemen raided the place.

“How can the amount of P3,000 be used for vote buying to about 150 supporters gathered at the beach house preparing things for the forthcoming elections? Those people were not stupid enough to sell their votes at P20 each,” Yebes emphasized.

“The raid was a clear frame up,” he added accusing Maclang is a henchman of UNA’s political opponents.

The governor said they will file robbery case against Maclang and his men who allegedly took a television set and other personal belongings from the beach house.

Yebes said they will also filed case for violation of Republic Act 9262 otherwise known as anti-violence against women and their children act of 2004 against the Maclang-led raiding police team.

Parcon said charges of violation of the Omnibus Election Code have been filed against the suspects, who were released after paying P12,000 bail each.

DTI, PCA hold coco coir stakeholders’ conference in Dipolog City

(PNA), LAP/TEOFILO P. GARCIA, JR./SSC

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 8 (PNA) -– The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in coordination with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) are conducting a stakeholders’ conference to validate the Zamboanga Peninsula 2013 coco coir industry action plan.

DTI Zamboanga Peninsula Director Nazrullah Manzur said the stakeholders’ conference will be held Thursday, May 9, in Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte province.

“Validation is necessary to ensure that the strategies, programs, projects, and activities outlined for 2013 are being carried out according to the plan. We also want to know if our earlier interventions have made positive impact to the industry,” Manzur said.

He recalled that a stakeholders consultative conference for the coco-coir industry was held in November 2011 in Pagadian City following the value chain action planning workshops conducted in the same year for the six regional champion products, to include coconut.

The results of the consultation formed the basis for the subsequent prioritization of government intervention to the industry in terms of financing, organizational development, marketing, productivity improvement, and provision of an enabling environment, Manzur said.

He said the DTI, in convergence with partner agencies mandated to develop the industry such as the PCA, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as well as the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA).

He said that coco-coir along with coco-peat production presents a lot of potentials in the international and domestic markets.

Coco coir when woven into so-called coco nets or geo-textiles are proven effective and ecologically sound material for soil erosion control especially along steep slopes and embankments.

It is also used extensively as a component in the production of mattresses.

A by-product in coco-coir production, the coir dust or coco peat meanwhile, has gained much attention from gardeners as a soil conditioner and medium for growing crops.

“Research and development continues for other industrial applications of coco coir, thus we expect even greater demand for the said commodity in the coming years,” Manzur said.

PRO9 deploys troops to ZamPen, Basilan

By Eugene A. Lasprilla

The Police Regional Office 9 (PRO9) officially sent off yesterday troops to the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte (ZDN), Zamboanga del Sur (ZDS) and Zamboanga Sibugay (ZS) and the cities of Zamboanga and Isabela City, Basilan, all of Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen), for the upcoming May 13, 2013 midterm election.

PRO9 regional director Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño Jr. told Zamboanga Today that the additional personnel will be sent to the 3 provinces and 2 cities in the performance of their election duties.

Vaño said that the policemen play an important role which is to provide security in polling precincts for the entire Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

Vaño added that approximately we have more than 7,000 personnel deployed in all 6,490 polling precincts purposely to province security to over one million registered voters for the upcoming election.

He added that administrative personnel were pulled out from their respective offices and utilized them as augmentation to the provinces and cities.

Meanwhile, the PRO9 director disclosed that the PNP in the region is already 100 percent prepared to whatever problems arises before, during and after the election.

The PRO9 chief said that the police security and Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) has initially met and proper coordination and communication has already set-up.

Vaño stressed that they are prepared to address the possible problem if the BEIs refrains from reporting to their respective poling precincts “but here in the Region 9, we have not encountered similar situation”.

Col. Alobba installed new 101st brigade commander

By Alfonso T. Ruda (PIA9)

DIPOLOG CITY - A new commanding officer has recently been installed at the Philippine Army’s (PA) 101st Infantry Brigade based at Barangay Del Pilar, Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Col. Apolinario Alobba, former chief of staff of the First Infantry Tabak Division at Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, was installed last May 3 as the new commanding officer of the brigade in a simple change of command ceremony presided by Brig. Gen. Daniel Lucero, First Infantry Tabak Division commander.

Alobba replaced Col. Amadeo Azul, who also assumed as assistant division commander of the First Infantry Tabak Division. He served the brigade for barely six months only starting Oct. 26, 2012 to May 3, 2013.

During his stint as brigade commander, Col. Azul was instrumental in weakening the West Mindanao Command of the New People’s Army (NPA), involved in promoting peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in support of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, able to avert kidnapping and sea piracy in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP), and provided coordinative support to help secure the pre-electoral process along with the PNP and COMELEC.

Azul was also instrumental in the peace covenant signing among local candidates for the May 13, 2013 elections and in the conduct of an interfaith prayer rally with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), PNP, COMELEC, Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) and various religious groups in Zamboanga del Norte.

In his farewell message, Col Azul thanked the men and women of the brigade for the cooperation and support they had extended to him. He urged them to extend a similar support to the new brigade commander, as he assured them of “his good character as a person and as a leader.”

In his acceptance speech, Col. Alobba vowed to continue various programs and projects initiated by his predecessor, committing to provide a peaceful community to the people residing in his area of responsibility.

Dipolog City police chief arrests blocktimer inside announcer’s booth for “libelous comments”

(National Union of Journalists of the Philippines)

Rodolfo Tanquis, a 50 year-old blocktime commentator of DxFL FM 88.9 in Dipolog City, was arrested inside the announcer’s booth by Dipolog City Police Director Supt Reynaldo Maclang Friday morning, May 3, 2013.

Mitchel Bala, a colleague of Tanquis in the said radio station, narrated that “Tanquis was on board that time when he was forced by two of Maclang’s men to proceed to the police station because they are filing a libel case against our colleague.”

Tanquis hosts a daily radio program, Isyu Karon (Current Issues), from 6 am to 7 am. Tanquis’ listeners was left with nothing but dead air when Tanquis was arrested at about 6:30 am.

“We were scared,” Bala, who holds the program Headline Balita at 8 am, said.

“We didn’t know what to do. Maclang and his men trooped to the station, locked the booth, said his piece on air,”Bala said, “and his men barred the technician from entering the booth,” he added.

Maclang got mad when Tanquis blamed Maclang about the number of unresolved killings in Dipolog City.

“Our colleague questioned Maclang on the number of unresolved killings. In turn, Maclang took offense, slammed hi cal .45 pistol (on the table) and informed Tanquis that he is filing a libel case,” Bala said.

“We are scared because he arrested our colleague even when he has yet to file a libel case,” Bala said.

Police Chief Supt Juanito Vano, Jr., Western Mindanao Police Director, said Maclang did not arrest Tanquis.

“Maclang went to the (radio) station to explain his side over accusations that he is behind the 19 killings in Dipolog. There was some kind of Q and A and after the radio program Maclang invited Tanquis to the police station in Dipolog City to file charges against Tanquis regarding his accusations,” Vano said.

Vano said Maclang “would just like to clear his name.” As of 9:37 pm Friday, May 3, Bala said Tanquis is still detained at the police station.

For reference:

Julie Alipala NUJP National Director 0917 543 5719

JB R. Deveza Coordinator NUJP MIndanao Media Safety Office 0999 536 9592

PRO-9 places troops on full alert to ensure peaceful and orderly elections

(PNA), LAM/TPG/PJN

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 4 (PNA) -- The Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) has placed its forces on full alert status in preparation for the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections in May 13 here in the region.

PRO-9 spokesman Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca disclosed that all personnel as well as officers are no longer allowed to go on official leave of absence until the mid-term election is over.

Huesca said the cancellation of official leave of absence is to ensure there will be sufficient number to personnel on standby and ready to respond to any eventualities within the area of jurisdiction of PRO-9.

The jurisdiction of PRO-9 include the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur and this city.

Although administratively they are under PRO-9, the police forces in Isabela City are under the operation and control of the Basilan police command, which is under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police command.

Some 1.9 million voters in the entire region are to cast their votes on May 13 to elect leaders in their respective places--provinces, cities and municipalities.

Meanwhile, Huesca disclosed that are closely monitoring at least eight potential private armed groups in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur.

He disclosed that they are also verifying reports that some candidates provide support to the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in exchange for a permit to campaign in NPA-infested areas.

Jalosjos truck overturns in Zambo highway, 4 hurt

(Mindanao Examiner)

PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / May 2, 2013) – Four people were injured after a truck overturned along the highway in Josefina town in Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippines, police said.

Police said the truck, owned by former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo G. Jalosjos, was heading to Dipolog City from Pagadian when it overturned near the village of Mansanas.

It said the truck was being driven by the 23-year old Albert Hanio, 23, who lost control of the wheel.

The injured driver and his passengers were rushed to hospital in Molave town in Zamboanga del Sur. Police did not identify the passengers, but said they only suffered minor injuries.

PAG-IBIG’s innovative system launched introduced in Dipolog

By Mary May A. Abellon (PIA9)

DIPOLOG CITY - The PAG-IBIG Fund has successfully introduced its “innovative system” in the recent Fund Coordinators Club (FCC) meeting held here with employers and employees from the local government units (LGUs) and private sectors throughout the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

“It is the mission of PAG-IBIG FUND to uplift the quality of life of members through savings. For this reason, this financial institution has been thinking of innovative ways to improve its system in order to serve the public with competence and efficiency,” said Ms. Cora Mamauag, Member Service Officer IV of PAG-IBIG Fund-Zamboanga del Norte branch.

PAG-IBIG fund introduced the “Identification Card System,” encouraging all members and those willing to become members to register under this new system for them to be issued an ID which could be used in all transactions with the agency.

“But this transaction card is not yet in full implementation as we are still in the process of online registration,” Mamauag explained.

Savings loan and housing loan were also discussed featuring all new attributes with interest rates being lowered.

In the savings loan, members can get multi-purpose loan like salary loan through Land Bank Class Card, making all transactions easier for members. In housing loan, members can get a maximum loan of P6 million from P 3 million.

It can be recalled that last April 8, the city government of Dipolog through Mayor Evelyn T. Uy signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on housing loan with the PAG-IBIG Fund represented by Fermin A. Sta. Teresa Jr., Vice-President for Mindanao, for the city to develop a housing subdivision project for its employees whether permanent, casual or job order.

The city serves as the pilot LGU being the first and only local government throughout the province to avail itself of such privilege from the Fund. Other LGUs, however, are also encouraged to follow suit.

Hudyaka,‘mother of all local festivals’ in Zamboanga Norte

By Antonio P. Rimando (Correspondent)

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte—When Gov. Rolando Yebes took over the reigns of the capitol in 2004, he noted not only the rich tourism potentials of Zamboanga del Norte and its twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, but also the various local festivals which, if further improved and advanced, could help bolster the growth and progress of the province.

After all, in 2003, Zamboanga del Norte was listed by the National Statistics Coordinating Board as one of the “poorest” in the country.

Yebes, a retired Bureau of Customs collector who won the 2010 prestigious “Gawad Kalinga Presidential Award” under the agriculture “Hi-land” program, created the Provincial Tourism Office and installed youthful lawyer Ivan Patrick Ang as its chief. He also involved the local private-tourism sector led by lawyer Alberto Concha Jr.

Yebes mandated the two offices to promote and popularize crowd-pleasing festivals to attract foreign and domestic visitors.

Ang and Concha soon conceptualized the “Hudyaka ZaNorte Festival” (HZF) to celebrate for several days the founding anniversary of Zamboanga del Norte which, incidentally, will mark its 62nd year on May 2.

Concha said “Hudyaka,” a Cebuano-Visayan term for merry-making, is mainly designed to showcase Zamboanga del Norte’s beauty and bounty, people’s culture and their agricultural, tourism industrial and other products and resources with the support of the Department of Tourism and Department of Trade and Industry.

Hudyaka, was soon dubbed as the mother of all local festivities. It is participated in by Zamboanga del Norte’s 25 towns and twin cities which converge for two weeks to exhibit their individual richness and potentials.

The feast, Concha said, requires local government units (LGUs) to participate in various major activities including putting up of agro-industrial and tourism booths, costume float parade, selection of Miss Zamboanga del Norte, inter-LGU literacy and musical derby, and street dancing competition even as it features exciting outdoor games, including motor cross, off-road racing, shoofests, scuba tour, golf tournament and various sports events.

According to Concha, Hudyaka, considered the first of its kind in Western Mindanao (also known as Zamboanga peninsula), has tremendously increased foreign and domestic tourist arrivals and consequently caused unprecedented rise of hotels and inns, airline services, tour and travel operations, restaurants, salons, souvenir shops, amusement parks, sidewalk vending of native delicacies and other relevant services.

He noted that the annual staging of Hudyaka, together with the intensive promotion of other tourism activities, has turned into an unprecedented driving force in helping alleviate poverty among many Zamboanga del Norteans including members of indigenous peoples known as Subanens.

Zamboanga del Norte Archived News

The older news reports are kept here.

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