Zamboanga del Norte News June 2018

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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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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

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Statue of Christ, Pangalalan, Sindangan
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Our lady of the most Holy Rosary, Estaka
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Manukan Mini Museum Landmark

Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council supports Sirawai MADAC resolution

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

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA)-- The Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ZN-PADAC) has expressed its support to Sirawai Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC) Resolution No. 2018-001 aimed to remove the name of Sirawai Mayor Gamad A. Janihim from the list of narco-politicians earlier announced by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

In its 2018 Second Quarter Regular Meeting presided by Executive Assistant IV and PADAC Focal Person Praxides Rubia, 11 of the 22 regular members in attendance unanimously supported Sirawai MADAC Resolution No. 2018-001, based on the attached documents that the proponent presented to the council.

Rubia said that the Statement of Support of Zamboanga del Norte PADAC to Mayor Janihim’s request will be forwarded to the Regional Peace and Order Council-IX for its appropriate action.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Zamboanga del Norte in its report to the counci,l said that a total of 156.1 grams of shabu have been confiscated from the 26 operations they conducted from January to June 2018 in cooperation with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement units.

In 2017, PDEA apprehended and filed cases against 124 individuals, confiscated 253.7 grams of shabu and 85.279 grams of marijuana.

In another development, 144 folders from 16 municipalities and two cities of Zamboanga del Norte have been submitted already to PDEA Regional Office IX for evaluation under the Barangay Drug-Clearing Program.

88.5% have filed SOCEs in Dapitan, says COMELEC

(ALT/ATR/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DAPITAN CITY (PIA) ---One thousand four hundred fifty-nine candidates (1,459) or 88.5 percent of those who ran in the recently-concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in Dapitan City have filed their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

This was the announcement made by Election Assistant II Engr. Maricel A. Peralta of COMELEC-Dapitan after the deadline of the filing of SOCE officially ended, June 13, 2018.

Peralta said of the 1,649 candidates from the 50 barangays in Dapitan City who ran in the last Barangay and SK Election, 966 ran for regular barangay positions while 683 ran for SK.

Of the 966 candidates, 891 or 92% of them have filed their SOCEs, while of 683 candidates who ran for SK, 565 or 82% have filed their SOCEs.

She added the winning candidates who failed to file their SOCE cannot assume into office even if they have already taken their oath, while losing candidates who failed to file their SOCE for two or more times will be disqualified to run in future elections.

Earlier, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Election Supervisor and concurrent Dapitan City Election Registrar Atty. Jossil R. Macute said COMELEC Resolution No. 10209 promulgated on September 27, 2017 provides the Rules and Regulations governing finance and disclosure in connection with the October 23, 2017 synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

The newly-elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials will assume office on July 1, 2018.

Police foil kill plot, arrest trigger man in Dapitan City

(PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--authorities foiled the killing of a barangay official as they arrested the alleged trigger man in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, police said Wednesday.

Chief Insp. Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, identified the would-be trigger man as Junel Tome, 42, a resident of Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City.

Galvez said Tome was arrested by the personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) and Regional mobile Force Battalion-9 (RMFB-9) around 6 a.m. along Road 27, Barangay Dawo, Dapitan City.

Galvez said Tome’s arrest came after the PIB personnel received information that the suspect has been contracted to kill a barangay official in that city. She did not name the barangay official for security reasons.

She said the arresting team confiscated from the suspect’s possession a caliber .45 pistol and a grenade.

The suspect is being detained while investigation continues to determine who is behind the alleged plot, she said.

Week-long activities lined-up for Dapitan City’s 55th Charter Day

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

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte (PIA) – The City of Dapitan is celebrating is 55th Charter Day which kicked-off last week, June 15, with Senator Cynthia Villar as the guest of honor and keynote speaker.

Villar joined local officials in the ribbon cutting for the opening of the 2nd “Balanghoy” (Cassava) Festival held after the conduct of foot parade which was attended by personnel of the City Government, some representatives from national government agencies, members of non-government organizations, academe and local media, among others.

In her message, the senator stressed that with assistance to farmers in mechanization of farming, use of high yielding rice variety, and right training on farm management, “we can be rice-sufficient in three years.”

According to the Senator, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI) has developed the high producing rice variety and is now being introduced to farmers.

"If we use that variety of rice that can produce six metric tons per hectare, then we can increase rice production by 50 percent. Or even with only 20 percent increase, we can be rice-sufficient,” she said.

Simultaneously, the weeklong Agro-Industrial Fair was also opened on the same date at the Dapitan City Aqua-Marine Park (DAMPA).

City Agriculturist Cyril Patangan said the activity showcases the different agricultural products of the city in the various booths. There will also be nightly presentations.

The week-long event highlights sports activities such as inter-agency basketball and volleyball tournament, fun run, motor boat race, badminton tournament, invitational tennis, National OFF Road Competition and marathon.

During the LGU-Night, the Most Outstanding Dapitanon 2018 will be announced.

Moreover, loyalty awards will be given to deserving employees of the local government unit, including service awards to retiring Dapitan officials and personnel.

More highlights include videoke challenge, balitaw and modern dance competitions, Gasa sa Komedya, and Tawag ng Tanghalan.

The celebration will culminate on June 22.

Dapitan became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 3811, sponsored by then Congressman Alberto Q. Ubay and signed by the late Pres. Diosdado Macapagal on June 22, 1963, which was then the first chartered city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

1 dies, 4 hurt in Dipolog highway mishap

By Bong Garcia (SunStar Philippines)

A SEPTUAGENARIAN died while four others were injured in three motorcycle smash up along the national highway in Dipolog City, the police said Friday, June 15.

The Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula reported that the incident occurred at 7:45 a.m. Thursday along the national highway in Sankol village, Dipolog City, the capital of Zamboanga del Norte.

The police identified the fatality as Lucio Crismundo, 70, of Dangi village, Polanco town.

Wounded were Timmy Misario, 17; Marlon Crismundo, 41; Ariel Descallar, 23; and Glairedeo Pahulas, 21.

The police said the three motorcycles, driven by Misario, (Marlon) Crismundo, and Descallar, were traveling in opposite directions when they collided along the national highway.

The elder Crismundo was the back rider of (Marlon) Crismundo while Pahulas of Descallar.

The police said the elder Crismundo was rushed but failed to reach the hospital alive.

The younger Crismundo, Misario, Descallar and Pahulas were hospitalized, the police said.

Villar graces Dapitan’s festival, sees rice sufficiency in 3 years

By Gualberto Laput (PNA)

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte -- Senator Cynthia Villar on Saturday said that the Philippines could be rice sufficient by 2020, but added that "it all depends on us if we will solve our problems” within that timetable.

“If we help our farmers in mechanization of farming; if we have them use high yielding rice variety; if we teach them how to manage their farms; yes, I believe we can be rice sufficient in three years,” Villar said at a press conference here.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate’s Committee on Agriculture, was guest of honor on Saturday in the opening of Dapitan's second “Balanghoy (Cassava) Festival” that will culminate with this city's 55th Charter Day celebration on June 22.

Villar explained that the country remains short of rice supply, but only by about seven percent.

"If we use that variety of rice that can produce six metric tons per hectare, then we can increase rice production by 50 percent. Or even with only 20 percent increase, we can be rice sufficient,” she said.

The senator said that the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI) has developed the high producing rice variety and is now being introduced to farmers.

“We have traditionally been using the variety of rice that produces only four metric tons per hectare,” Villar said.

She also lamented that agriculture contributes only about 10 percent of our gross domestic product as of now.

“And there's a prediction by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization that there will be food shortage in the world by 2050, or 32 years from now. That is because the world population will be nine billion by that time from the present seven billion,” Villar said.

She added that the world has to increase food production by 70 percent, “that is why we have to take care of our agriculture. You Dapitanons and the rest of the people in the province should not forget it.”

As the average age of farmers has gone down to 57, Villar asked the academe to attract the young back to agriculture.

Praising Dapitanons for giving emphasis to cassava, this city's most popular produce, Villar asked the farmer and Zamboanga del Norte residents to give importance to agriculture because two thirds of Filipinos depend on it.

She said a third of our population are farmers while the other third are in agriculture-related businesses.

“You know, agriculture is also business. We should not think of agriculture as planting alone, our schools should also teach farm management. Our farmers should learn to borrow from banks, not from 5-6 (or loan sharks),” she said.

Hacking Incident in Dipolog City

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

On June 12, 2018 at about 1:20 AM, Hacking incident occurred at Purok Bonifacio, Punta, Dipolog City.

The victim identified as Denmark Rica Mahinay, 23 years old, single a resident of Purok Bonifacio, Punta, Dipolog City

The suspect was identified as John Breck Chiong Lumanta, 32 years old, single, a resident of Purok Bonifacio, Punta, Dipolog City.

Subject person was the suspect on a hacking incident that transpired at said place at around 1:20 AM of the same date.

Investigation conducted disclosed that the suspect together with friends were inside the house of having a drinking spree, the victim when suddenly arrived and believed to be under the influenced of intoxicating liquor, creating trouble and was cautioned by the suspect.

The victim went their house and got a kitchen knife, went back to the house of Roland Chiong, and continues to create trouble. There and then suspect hacked the victim hitting on different parts of his body and was brought by the responding Rescue 117 personnel to Zanorte Medical Center, Dipolog City for medical attention.

Suspect was arrested by the responding PNP personnel and now under the custody of Dipolog CPS for filing appropriate charges in court. Investigator is PO2 Salaveria – 09105398502.

Policeman ambushed in Gutalac

By Remus Ong

A policeman survived an ambush by still unidentified suspects along a mountainous road in Barangay New Dapitan, Gutalac, Zamboanga del Norte last Monday.

A Police Regional Office-9 report identified the policeman as PO2 Rey Torrefranca Saladaga, 38-years-old, and assigned at the Gutalac Municipal Police Station.

The incident reportedly happened while Saladaga was riding his motorcycle on his way to work at around 6:30 a.m.

Upon approaching a flat portion of the mountainous road, he was reportedly fired at by two unidentified persons.

Saladaga managed to pull over and fired back at his attackers using his issued firearm.

The suspects fled towards the cliff where they escaped.

Saladaga motored to the police station to report the incident.

The victim’s companions proceeded to the area and recovered four empty shells of a 9mm handgun believed to have come from the firearm used by the perpetrators.

Gutalac Municipal Police Station personnel are conducting pursuit operations for the identification and possible apprehension of the suspects.

Dipolog City marks 120th Independence Day

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

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, June 13 (PIA) - - The local government here joined the rest of the country in celebrating yesterday, June 12, the 120th Independence Day with a commemorative program at the City Boulevard.

With hands on their chest, Dipolognons sang in unity the National Anthem “Lupang Hinirang” with local officials, representatives from national government agencies, school heads, non-government organizations while uniformed personnel made their salute to the hoisting of the Philippine National Flag.

Like every observance of Independence Day, the famous song “Bayan Ko” was also sang, together with the “Zamboanga del Norte Hymn” and “Dipolog City March.”

In his welcome message, Mayor Darel Dexter Uy emphasized that freedom is a gift the Filipinos have inherited from those who have laid down their lives in the past.

“We may not witness their courage in the battlefield, but we are gathered here today to be reminded of their heroism,” he said.

Likewise, Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Severo, commanding officer of the 10th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army (PA), who is the keynote speaker of the event, said “democracy had once been a dream, but with the sacrifice of our heroes, we were liberated.”

Having fought in the Marawi City siege, he mentioned radical ideology as the main culprit of the battle.

“Lives were lost, many were wounded but we have stood our ground,” he said.

He concluded that “the sacrifices of our heroes will be the shining beacon for us here today to continue pursuing peace in Mindanao.”

Dapitanons celebrate Independence Day with beach clean-up

By Gualberto Laput (PNA)

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte -- This city celebrated the country's 120th Independence Day with a clean-up drive at the Sta. Cruz beach, where more than a century ago, National Hero Jose Rizal arrived to begin his exile.

The place where Rizal landed in Sta. Cruz beach here is now popularly known as the “Punto de Disembarko”.

After the flag-raising ceremony and a short program at 7 a.m. Tuesday, hundreds of local residents, officials and employees of local and national government offices, the academe, as well as non-government organizations trooped to this city's 4-km. beach to collect garbage.

“This is the first time that we celebrate Independence Day with the cleaning up of our beach, as (Dapitan) Mayor (Rosalina) Jalosjos wanted us to shift from traditional activities to community service,” City Administrator Wilberth Magallanes told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Magallanes called the beach clean-up the template for all incoming activities that commemorate important events, saying civic action is preferable to "traditional parades and lengthy programs."

He expressed hope that with community service, the people -- particularly government workers -- would reinvigorate their love and sense of duty to the city.

After all, he said, this was what Rizal taught Dapitanons while in exile -- “service, duty and sense of dedication.”

Earlier, George Aseniero, grandson of Jose Aseniero -- one of Rizal’s students here -- told PNA that his grandfather had profound respect for his “maestro”, who instilled in his students the importance of civic duties.

“It was because of Rizal that my grandfather got a deep sense of dedication and service to our country. He had immense sense of duty that he did not see it as a career, or something to aspire for. He sees service to country as something that all of us must do,” Aseniero said.

Jose Aseniero eventually served the government under the Americans, rising from the ranks until he was elected as governor of Zamboanga in 1929.

In her speech, Jalosjos asked Dapitanons to examine themselves if they are really free after 120 years of independence. She lamented that until now, “we are still at war.”

“We are battling for freedom from each other's viciousness,” the mayor said, referring to the kind of politics that polarizes people. Jalosjos said taming political viciousness “does not need bloody battles.”

“What we need is respect for each other and courage to accept change,” she added.

1 Dead in Shooting in Siocon

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

On June 10, 2018 at about 1:33 PM, Shooting incident transpired at Sitio Dungguan, Brgy. Makiang, Siocon, Zamboanga Del Norte.

The victim identified as Dominador Gañolon Maquilang Jr. alias “Tadok”, 39 years old and a resident of Brgy. Makiang, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte was shot by suspect identified as Nur-Hussein Osana Banguih, of legal age, Brgy S-arabi, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

Initial investigation conducted disclosed that the victim and suspect were at the resident of the victim soddenly without any reason suspect shot the victim and fled the scene after the incident.

Victim was rushed to Siocon District Hospital for immediate medical attention but attending physician Dr. Abdel-Razid B. Tahir declared the victim dead on arrival.

Recovered from the crime scene were four (4) spent cartridges of believed to be a caliber .45, one (1) live ammunition of caliber .45 and one (1) piece slug. The same seen in plain view inside the room of the victim was a piece of believed to be used/burned strip of aluminum tin foils, cut/ rolled aluminum strip tin foils, disposable lighter and two (2) cut empty transparent plastic sachets with residue of believed to be “Shabu”.

Possible motive is involvement in illegal drug transaction based on the drug paraphernalia recovered.

PNP personnel of Siocon MPS conducted follow up investigation for possible arrest of the suspect. Investigator is PO2 Siegfried Mirasol Dela Cruz with CP Nr. 0917-7665-763.

Stabbing Incident in Dipolog City

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

On June 10, 2018 at about 8:25 AM, a stabbing incident transpired at Purok Dela Paz, Sicayab, Dipolog City.

The victim Rodenio Dela Cruz Gumate Jr, 37 years old, married, he was stabbed by Gerodes Floresa Grafaldia, 28 years old, single, both residents of Purok Dela Paz, Sicayab, Dipolog City.

Investigation conducted disclosed that the victim and suspect were having drinking session heated argument that resulted the suspect stabbed the victim hitting the abdomen and back portion of the body and was brought to Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center located at Sicayab, Dipolog City for medical treatment.

The Suspect fled the scene after the incident. PNP personnel of Dipolog CPS conducted follow up investigation for possible arrest of the suspect. Investigator is PO1 Nelvin B Mangan-09266972128.

Bandit killed in Zamboanga Norte

(Desk Man, Mindanao Examiner)

PAGADIAN CITY – Army soldiers killed a bandit in a firefight that broke out Sunday in Zamboanga del Norte’s Sirawai town in southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said troops from the 42nd Infantry Battalion engaged in a gun battle with the lawless group and killing one of them in Panabutan village. The slain gunman had been identified as Haton Hassan, a member of the Jumalon Tungkalan group operating in the province.

Troops recovered one .45 caliber pistol from the dead bandit that the military said was notorious.

“Reports of the civilian populace were very vital in tracking down the enemy location leading to the successful encounters of our unit,” said Colonel Francisco Ariel Felicidario III, commander of the 102nd Infantry Brigade.

Major General Roseller Murillo, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said the army is ready to thwart any attempt by lawless elements to sow fear and terror among the civilian communities.

“Our soldiers stand ready to respond and address any attempt by the armed threat groups threatening the safety and well-being of the people. We will continue engaging with our civilian stakeholders and put our acts together paving the way for a resilient and sustainably developed communities in our area of responsibility,” he said.

Siayan: 2018 Saulog Agri-Tourism and Industrial Trade Fair’s Best

By Alfonso T. Ruda (ALT/ATR/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte/with report from Mischelle B. Montederamos-PIC)

DIPOLOG CITY, June 8 (PIA) --- For the third time, Siayan municipality has emerged as this year’s best in Agri-Tourism and Industrial Trade Fair Competition.

Siayan bested 21 other municipalities and the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan to win the first prize. The booths of the different municipalities and two cities were established at Dipolog City Boulevard, being the main venue of the Saulog celebration from June 1-6, 2018.

For its feat, Siayan received P30,000.00 cash prize. Polanco got second place with a prize of P25,000.00 and La Libertad was third with a prize of P20,000.00 cash. All non-winning municipalities also received P10,000.00 as consolation prize.

Zamboanga del Norte Office of the Provincial Agriculturist Officer-in-Charge Ms. Celsa Gayapa announced the result of the competition during the Awarding Ceremony on June 6, the culmination of 2018 Saulog Festival in line with the observance of the 66th Founding Anniversary of the province.

The criteria for judging was 30% for Booth content; Creativity/Originality/Art Appearance – 30%; Product Presentation 20%, Economy (Usage of Indigenous Materials 10% and Over-all Impact 10%.

During the week-long Agri-Tourism and Industrial Trade Fair, each booth displayed different agricultural products, handicrafts, processed foods and beautiful sceneries of their municipalities.

Malacañang issued Proclamation No. 497 declaring June 6 as a special non-working holiday in Zamboanga del Norte in commemoration of its 66th Founding Anniversary.

DAR gives P5-M tools to 2 Zambo Norte farmer cooperatives

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has provided PHP5 million worth of farm tools to two Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Arturo Soria, Zamboanga del Norte provincial agrarian reform officer, said Wednesday the beneficiaries of the farm tools are the Cabong, Tampilisan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Catamco) and the Camul Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Carbemco).

Soria said the two ARBOs are into rubber farming and production in Barangay Galingon in Tampilisan municipality, a fourth-class town in Zamboanga del Norte.

He said the distribution of farm tools supports the continuous development of the province’s rubber industry.

The farm tools that were turned over to the farmers’ cooperatives consisted of eight chain saws; 10 augers; eight grass cutters; 45,000 latex cups; 45,000 spouts; 45,000 cup holders; 21 units weighing scales; 60 knapsack-type sprayers; 450 pruning shears; 450 sharpening hones; 450 manual hand diggers; 150 wheel barrows; 600 shovels; 585 digging bars; and 1,000 coagulating vats.

Soria said the farm tools were purchased and distributed to the two ARBOs through DAR’s Project Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (DAR-Project Converge), aimed at improving rubber farm production in the agrarian reform communities.

“This initiative (farm tools distribution) would enable the farmers in Tampilisan to have sufficient production and increase in income,” Soria said.

He said they have advised the recipients of the project to come up with guidelines on the use of the farm equipment “so it will be fully utilized.”

Laborer electrocuted in elementary school

By Dan Toribio

A construction worker was electrocuted while working at a construction site at the Tugbungan Elementary School last Monday.

The fatality was identified as Reneboy Turno y Romaguira, 20 years old, single and a resident of Lipakan, Salug, Zamboanga del Norte.

Turno was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Police said that Turno and his co-workers were preparing to install plain sheets on the roof of the building when the incident occurred.

While a plain sheet was being handed over to Turno, the object accidentally touched a grounded area which led to the electrocution.

Turno was a stay-in worker at the construction site.

His body was brought to a funeral parlor for post mortem examination.

No. 9 Most Wanted Person Arrested in Dipolog City

(Zamboanga Del Norte Police Report)

Intelligence and warrant personnel of Dipolog City Police Station conducted manhunt operation at Sitio Bayang, Galas, Dipolog City At about 11:30 AM of June 05, 2018.

This resulted in the arrest of Aime Paez Castillo, 24 years old single, Filipino, a resident of Sitio Bayang, Galas, Dipolog City by virtue warrant of arrest issued by Hon. Cherry Joy – C. Concha - Ageas, presiding judge of RTC branch 10, Dipolog City dated January 11, 2018 charged for Qualified Theft, docketed under criminal case number 2210.


Arrested accused is No. 9 Most Wanted Person City level with recommended bail bond in the amount of Twenty four thousand pesos (P24, 000.00). Subject arrested accused was released from Dipolog CPS custody after posted bail bond in the amount of 24,000 pesos for her temporary liberty signed by Hon. Cherry Joy – C. Concha - Ageas.

Zaneco to sue NGCP for persistent severe voltage fluctuations

By Gualberto Laput (PNA)

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte -- The Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative (Zaneco) will bring to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) what it describes as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) continued “disregard and indifference” to complaints on the persistent severe fluctuations of voltage.

Zaneco General Manager Adelmo Laput said on Monday he has ordered the local power utility's Institutional Services Division (ISD) to gather complaints and evidence of appliances damaged by severe fluctuations. He said these will be attached to the complaint against the power transmission company.

“Even our radio transmitter and some air-conditioning units were damaged, and all our letters asking for explanation and what (NGCP) has been doing to mitigate the power supply situation landed on deaf ears,” Laput complained.

Laput said he already sent three letters to NGCP OIC-President Anthony Almeda, but the latter has never responded.

In his letter dated April 12, 2018, Laput said recurring voltage fluctuations has been observed last year and again since April this year.

In an attached document, Zaneco showed detailed recurrence of voltage fluctuations that dropped to as low as 119 volts.

Laput said this is a violation of the Philippine Grid Code, under whose provision says: “The fluctuation at any Connection Point with a fluctuating demand shall not exceed one percent (1 percent) of the nominal voltage for every step change, which may occur repetitively. Any large voltage fluctuation other than a step change may be allowed up to a level of three percent (3 percent) provided that this does not constitute a risk to the Grid or to the System of any User.”

The Department of Energy (DOE) and ERC also sent letters to NGCP ordering it to respond to Zaneco's complaints. The two agencies also received no reply from NGCP.

In August last year, 1-CARE partylist Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta, sponsored a resolution directing NGCP to immediately resolve the frequent voltage fluctuations in this province.

NGCP Communications Officer for Mindanao Elizabeth Ladaga admitted in a recent radio interview here that there is indeed voltage fluctuation in areas served by Zaneco and other neighboring electric cooperatives.

Asked what the resolution to the problem is, Ladaga replied: “When we utilize our new sub-station in Municipality of Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, that should be energized by newly installed 138 kilovolt (kv) line.”

A top NGCP engineer in Mindanao said they hope to utilize the 138-KV line and the new sub-station this month to address the problem.

Until then, NGCP will have to rely on the old, unreliable 69-KV line and the sub-station in municipality of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur that has been in use for decades now.

Girl raped by stepfather

By Dan Toribio (with Remus Ong)

A 14-year-old’s year of suffering in the hands of her own stepfather finally ended last Friday when the girl’s own mother found out that her daughter was being sexually abused right in their own home.

A Police Regional Office-9 report said that the incident happened in Sitio Bliss, Barangay Poblacion, Siocon,Zamboanga del Norte.

The victim, a 14-year-old Grade 7 student, admitted to her mother that she was being sexually molested by her stepfather since she was in Grade 6.

Last Thursday, the mother saw her partner give a thumbs up sign to the girl when both entered the house together.

Perceiving that something was wrong, the mother tried to investigate further and pretended to fall asleep while monitoring the movements of her partner last Friday night.

Later, she saw her partner sneaking out of her daughter’s room.

The daughter later confessed that her stepfather had been molesting her for the past year.

Acting on the report, Siocon Municipal Police Station personnel went to the victim’s house and arrested the suspect.

2 Zambo Norte cops disarmed by NPA rebels

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY--Two policemen were disarmed and their vehicle taken by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in the town of Godod, Zamboanga del Norte, an official disclosed Thursday.

Chief Supt. Edwin De Ocampo, deputy regional director for administration, identified the two policemen as SPO1 Oscias Gomez and PO1 Rey Lismis, all of Godod Municipal Police Station.

De Ocampo said they were disarmed around 9 a.m. Wednesday in Sitio Rebe, Barangay Mauswagon, Godod, Zamboanga del Norte.

De Ocampo said the two policemen were aboard a police vehicle traveling from the town of Salug to Godod municipality when 15 heavily armed men, including a woman, believed to be NPA rebels, waylaid them.

He said the NPA rebels fled aboard the Mahindra vehicle and carted away three M-16 Armalite rifles of the policemen.

Nancy Piañar and her companion, Bayani Galleposo, reported to the Godod police station around 10:30 a.m. that they saw the Mahindra vehicle with bullet holes on its windshield.

Domingo Tuyac, a militiaman, also appeared at the police station around 11:35 a.m. and turned over improvised tire fin and rounded steel bar recovered a few meters from where the two policemen were disarmed.

‘Destructive’ pebbles extraction unabated in Zambo Norte town

By Gualberto Laput (PNA)

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte--Amid the unabated destruction of the famed pebbles resources in this province, a Church-based environmental group arrived here on Tuesday in a nationwide caravan called “Salakyag (Sama-samang lakad, sakay at lakad) para sa sangnilikha” to push for heightened environmental protection.

Yolly Esguerra, the caravan lead convenor, told the Philippine News Agency that the march started in Zamboanga City and aims to end in Manila where they will seek a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

Esguerra said the caravan hopes to gather at least a million signatures that will be presented together with their demands to Pres. Duterte and Environment Sec. Roy Cimatu on June 5, which is also the “World Environment Day.”

“We call on the government to initiate measures to protect the most vulnerable groups from the impacts of natural disasters and man-made induced destruction,” Esguerra said, “( and) for lawmakers to pass the Green Bills, Alternative Mineral Management Bill, National Land Use Act, Forest Resources Bill…and for the justice system and security sectors to implement the laws and hold the big corporations accountable of their environmental crimes.”

The caravan was met by volunteers from this province, mainly Church-based groups, some of whom joined the caravan to their next stop in Iligan City.

Diomedes Capala, president of St. Isidore de Labrador Parish Pastoral Council in the nearby Gutalac town, told Philippine News Agency he joined the caravan because he wanted high government officials to know about the “massive extraction” of pebbles in Gutalac’s Barangay Tipan continued unabated.

“Our barangay’s beach is now lost, the waves are now reaching the foot of the mountain, many houses were destroyed or have to be relocated, and yet our local government officials are not doing anything to stop the pebbles extraction,” Capala said.

He blamed former Gutalac town Councilor Justin Quimbo and his father, Eddie, the mayor of neighboring Municipality of Labason, of protecting the “massive” and “destructive” extraction of pebbles.

Capala said that barges, big bancas, trucks and even the payloader owned by the Municipal Government of Gutalac were used in the extraction and hauling of pebbles.

“Tons of pebbles are sent to Labason for drying at the bodega of Nelson Quimbo (brother of Mayor Eddie Quimbo), and then transported to Dipolog, to the financer (buyer Godofredo) Pedoy Uy,” Capala said.

Uy is the elder brother of Governor Roberto Y. Uy while Eddie and Nelson Quimbo are brothers of Pedoy Uy’s wife.

Capala added that pebbles extraction dates back to the time of then governor and 3rd district Rep. Isagani Amatong in late 1990s, and continued during the administration of then governor Rolando Yebes and former 3rd district Congressman Cesar Jalosjos.

“But it was better before because it was not massive and destructive, and Tipan residents earned by picking pebbles and our barangay and municipality and the province earned from taxes,” Capala stressed.

But since 2013, Capala said everything changed with the entry of the Uys and Quimbos: “heavy equipment is used, depriving residents of income and they don’t pay taxes.”

Christopher Babararan, Technical Services Division chief of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, told Philippine News Agency that the law grants handpicking as a form of extraction of pebbles to give the residents livelihood.

“But we never allow the use of heavy equipment,” said Babaran, who however did not explain why massive extraction of pebbles continue to happen.

The Philippine News Agency tried on Wednesday but failed to reach the mayor of Labason for comment. A message was even sent to the mayor through the social media but there was no reply as of posting time.

Gov. Uy, whose vacation leave lapsed two weeks ago, has not yet reported to his office.