4ID troops encounter NPAs in Bukidnon
At about 6:40AM of 26 August 2010, operating elements under 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army encountered about 15 local terrorists (NPA Rebels) at Sitio Gamot, Brgy Sta Filomena, Quezon, Bukidnon. The troops were on combat patrol towards said area when the firefight broke out that lasted for about 35 minutes until the terrorists withdrew in the direction of Brgy San Roque/ Kawayan of the same municipality.
Brgy Sta Filomena is considered as the guerilla base of the local terrorist operating in the area. It is from this community that they get their much-needed logistical and financial support through extortion from sugar cane and corn growers.
Unfortunately, one of our troopers made an ultimate sacrifice for the country while undetermined casualties on the terrorists’ side were monitored. As of now, troops are undergoing pursuit operations. Name of our fallen soldier is withheld pending notification of his next of kin.
“This incident will hasten our plan to activate a Patrol Base in the barangay to pre-empt further illegal activities of the terrorists. In this manner we will be able to constrict their movements,” declared Col Romeo Gapuz, Commanding Officer of 403rd Infantry Brigade based in Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City.
“We ascertain NPA members that even without military action, the atrocities they are conducting are indirectly hurting the rebels themselves and their families. It is our wish for the NPA rebels to heed the government’s call for peace. We believe that no one should get hurt regardless of whose groups they belong to, for we are all Filipinos,” MGen Victor A Felix AFP, Commander of 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division said.
“As I mourn for the loss of one of my sons, rest assured that his ultimate sacrifice will only make our resolve stronger to achieve lasting peace in the area,” added MGen Felix.
As of this writing, the body of our fallen hero is in Malaybalay City for the funeral arrangements where all expenses will be shouldered by the Philippine Army while processing of other benefits due him are being fast-tracked. Likewise, full military honors befitting a hero will be accorded to him. (LTC Triumph Dominic G Bagaipo (OS), 4th CMO Bn, 4ID, PA/PIA-Caraga)
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LGU Tandag adjudged 2010 Regional KABALIKAT awardee by TESDA
By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR - The Local Government Unit (LGU) of this city proclaimed this year as Regional KABALIKAT awardee, under the leadership of Mayor Alexander Pimentel.
According to City Administrator Aldy Novo, Mayor Pimentel personally received the award on Wednesday (August 25) during the celebration of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) founding anniversary at TESDA Central Office.
Tandag was chosen as 2010 Regional KABALIKAT awardee due to its support and contributions to TESDA Program implementation thru Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the areas of scholarship, training or employment assistance, technical assistance, relevance, impact of performance, achievement , reliability and effectiveness and consistency of performance which are among of its criteria.
According to IO de Guzman, in 1998, Mayor Ayec offered the Technology, Livelihood and Productivity Center, an LGU-owned building including the facilities to TESDA for its Provincial Office for free.
The building offered was also used in utilizing for the conduct of various community-based skills training that includes food processing, cosmetology, garments, building wiring, consumer electronics and computer literacy course that made around 500 graduates per year.
Meanwhile, Mayor Ayec always uttered in his speech most of the occasions he attended “My dreams are the people’s dreams” that lead him to drive his commitment to the people as a leader towards a progressive and united community. After accomplishing several infrastructures which are visible in the locality of Tandag from his two terms, Mayor Ayec aimed to prioritize the Human Development programs on his last term.
Automatically, Tandag will represent Caraga Region for the National level, this was confirmed by Information Officer (IO) Ms. Nancy de Guzman. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Cebuano News: Pagpang haras sa NPA sa Surigao Sur hugtanong gikundina sa pulis
Camp Rafael C Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City - Hugtanong gikundina sa kapulisan ug dili mahitabong ibutang na lang sa kalimot ang gihimong pagpang haras sa mga rebelde sa Surigao del Sur nga mikalas sa kinabuhi ni PINSP CHRISTOPHER POSAS MAZO niadtong Agosto 21, 2010 sa hapon. Kahinumduman nga si PINSP MAZO uban sa iyang pipila ka mga sakop sa Lianga Police Station ug ginsakpan sa Philippine Army ug PPMG nag escort sa taga DENR human sila gihangyo nga muuban aron pagsusi sa dinakpan nga mga kahoy sa bukirang bahin sa Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Walay konsensya nga gipaulanan ug mga bala sa tag as nga kalibre sa armas ang gropo sa gobyerno dihang pauli na unta sila gikan sa erya sakay sa mga sakyanan. Si Mazo nakabsan gilayon sa iyang hinulamang kinabuhi human kini natiyempohang naigo sa ulo, samtang nasamdan ang pipila ka personahe sa DENR apan nakalingkawas ra kini gikan sa tino nga kamatayon.
Ang gihimo sa NPA klarong dili makatarunganon sa rason nga dili giyera ang tumong ug katoyoan sa kapulisan ug mga sakop sa Armadong Kusog sa nasud tungod kay ang ilang gihimo mao lamang ang pag escort sa mga personahe sa taga DENR. Dili gyud unta angayang himoon sa NPA ang pag haras gumikan kay daghan mga sibilyan ang kuyog sa gropo. Ang gihimong pagpamusil sa NPA nagpadayag lamang sa ilang kriminal nga binuhatan. Ang ilang niloob ug walay puangod nga binuhatan solod sa dugay nang panahun meresulta sa pagka-ilo ug pagka-balo sa ubay-ubay. Asa naman ang ilang gipasiatab nga hustisya sa katilingban. Wala! Kini nagpasabot lamang nga dakong bakak ang daw tam-is nilang mga pasalig ngadto sa katawhan ilabi na ngadto sa mga kabus nga mga kaigsoonang Pilipino.
Nasayran nga kontrolado sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) ang CBFM kon Community Based Forest Management sa SAMMILLA (San Agustin, San Miguel, Marihatag, Lianga) area. Walay laing makahimo sa pagpamutol og troso sa lugar kundili sila ra mismo nga gropo. Una niini, ilang gipasiatab nga dili nila hilabtan ang taga DENR kung mosulod sa area nga kotrolado sa BHB aron sa pag imbestigar sa illegal nga pagpamutol ug kahoy. Apan ang tinuod, ang mga personahi sa DENR ila kining gihulga nga dili mosulod sa lugar aron dili makit-an ang ilang illegal nga pagpamotol ug kahoy sa erya. Ang DENR mao ang gitahasan sa panggamhanan aron sa pagsumpo sa illegal logging nga kalihukan sa kabukiran. Nasuko kaayo ang mga miyembro sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan o BHB human nabulabog ang ilang illegal nga kalihukan. Sila ang usa sa mga hinungdan nganong na upaw na ang mga kabukiran sa rehiyon. (PCI Nelly Tabornal Villagarcia, PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
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DILG-DOJ task force, with civil society participation, to release findings on Quirino hostage in three weeks
Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said that the Joint DILG-DOJ Task Force organized to probe the Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis will release its findings within three weeks.
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Robredo said the members of the Task Force chaired by Justice Secretary Leila De Lima started reviewing the procedures conducted by the assault team, interviewing key witnesses including survivors, and determining accountability of all those involved in the hostage incident.
“We are working as fast and as judicious as we can to find out what really happened,” he said, adding that the findings and corresponding recommendations would be released as soon as possible.
Other members of the Task Force include DOJ Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Leah Armamento, P/Supt. Francisco PeΓ±aflor, NBI Anti-Terrorism Division Chief Atty. Romulo Asis, Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano, Atty. Cesar Chavez III and Atty. Cholo Palencia. To ensure the credibility of the Task Force’s report, civil society representatives will join, including Teresita Ang See, anti-crime advocate, and Kilusan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) President Herman BasbaΓ±o. The Officer-in-Charge of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Retired Justice Santiago Kapunan, has also been invited to join.
At the same time, Robredo also called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to utilize a big portion of their budget to intensify training of police officers on how to manage crisis situations such as hostage incidents and to acquire protective and safety gears and equipment such as gas masks and bullet-proof vests.
“The hostage incident showed the apparent lack of modern equipment and training of our police force, which the previous administration failed to address,” he said.
Robredo said the DILG had started assessing the logistical and operational requirements of the PNP, including budget allocation, equipment and training prior to the incident
He also said that the hostage incident happened at a time when pending cases against PNP personnel are being reviewed by the Department for immediate resolution.
Earlier, botched negotiations in the ten-hour hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand resulted to the killing of at least eight Hong Kong Chinese nationals and former Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, the hostage-taker.
Robredo said all protocols were followed in handling the hostage incident as it was being dealt with at the local level.
“Mayor Lim was on top of the situation as head of the crisis management committee and he possesses relevant experience as former chief of the Manila Police District, former NBI director and even a former DILG Secretary,” he said.
According to him, the situation only went out of hand when negotiations bogged down in the afternoon with the improper manner of arrest of Mendoza’s brother.
Robredo expressed his commiseration to the victims’ families and assured them of the Department’s speedy investigation on the incident. (DILG/PIA-Caraga)
4ID troops encounter NPAs in Surigao, 1 Amazon killed
A series of encounters occurred between operating elements under 36th Infantry Battalion and local terrorists (NPA rebels) in the vicinity of Mahaba, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur in the afternoon of 28 August 2010. Said encounters resulted to the death of 1 female terrorist and the recovery of 1 M16 rifle from the terrorists while for the government side 1 soldier died and 1 wounded and 2 others sustained superficial wounds. The female terrorist is yet to be identified.
The first firefight occurred at about 1:00 PM in the vicinity of Sitio Palonpon, Mahaba, Marihatag, SDS against more or less 10 terrorists believed to be belonging to Guerilla Front 19B. The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes that resulted to the wounding of Cpl Rodel C Umopang (Inf) PA while undetermined casualties on the terrorists’ side was observed.
At about 1:35 PM, another section of 36IB encountered more or less 10 terrorists in the same barangay which is believed to be the same group encountered previously. The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes that resulted to the death of Cpl Frethel V Escabal (Inf) PA from Bayugan City and the superficial wounding of Cpl Binag and Pfc Reyes while undetermined casualties were observed on the enemy side.
At about 1:40 PM and 2:00 PM, 2 separate and short encounters occurred in the same barangay between different sections from 36IB and separate groups of terrorists believed to be remnants of the same group encountered previously. No casualty on the government side while undetermined on the enemy side was monitored.
Finally at about 2:20 PM another section belonging to the 14th Scout Ranger Company led by 2Lt Pateres spotted 2 armed terrorists probably trying to run away from the previous encounters. “Our troops ambushed the terrorists resulting to the death of one of them, a female, and the recovery of 1 M16 rifle while the other one run for his life. We are pretty sure that the remaining terrorists are confused, shocked and exhausted and they will try to mingle with the civilians so that their lives can be spared,” said Ltc Rene CaΓ±ete, Commanding Officer of 36th Infantry (Valor) Bn based in Tago, Surigao del Sur.
“The outcome of this incident is a result of the cooperation provided by the residents of Brgy Mahaba who have been suffering from the terroristic activities of the NPA rebels. These terrorists will have nowhere to hide because our troops will continue to scour the area to pursue and finish the remaining terrorists,” said Col Augusto Tolentino, Commanding Officer of 401st Infantry Brigade based in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
“While we grieve and deeply sympathize with the family of our fallen hero and so with the family of the NPA rebel, it is our wish for the NPA rebels to heed the government’s call for lasting peace. We at 4th Infantry Division are more than willing to sit down and talk about lasting peace in our AOR and the Philippines as a whole,” MGen Victor A Felix AFP, Commander of 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division said.
As of this writing, the body of the dead terrorist is being brought to Brgy Mahaba proper for identification and a decent burial however, the soldiers are being harassed and sniped at by the NPAs. As much as possible they want to hide their casualties because it will surely expose their lost cause.
Meanwhile, the wounded soldiers are already evacuated and treated at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City. Likewise the remains of our fallen hero is being taken cared of for the funeral arrangements where all expenses will be shouldered by the Philippine Army while processing of other benefits due him are being fast-tracked aside from the full military honors befitting a hero accorded to him. (LTC TRIUMPH DOMINIC G BAGAIPO (OS) 4th CMO Bn, 4ID, PA/PIA-Caraga)
BCBMPC extends services to Surigao City
The Baug CARP Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BCBMPC) has opened its 5th branch at Surigao City held at new branch office located at Espina cor. Zabala Street, Surigao City on August 18, 2010.
The event was highlighted with a motorcade around the city at 9:30 a.m. and converged at the said venue where the blessing took place. The blessing ceremony was officiated by Fr. Manuel Quiban.
DAR CARAGA Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay, CESO IV led the Cutting of Ribbon with the assistance of PARO II Andre B. Atega, CEO VI of DAR Agusan del Norte and PARO II Teresita E. DepeΓ±oso of DAR Surigao del Norte.
BCBMPC has grown to 89.9 Million of assets with a total of 4,723 members gaining its own building, vehicles & computerized operations. BCBMPC has maintained same dedication to service & honesty in their work.
RD Faisar A. Mambuay said, “BCBMPC is one of the progressive and successful Agrarian Reform Beneficiary cooperatives in Agusan del Norte. One of the reasons why DAR CARAGA Region is proud having an empowered cooperative.”
Meanwhile, Chairman Jimmy L. Beray said, “BCBMPC has maintained its upward growth curve under his management. He stressed that he will promote policies to sustain the growth surge.”
The BCBMPC is one of the cooperatives in Agusan del Norte assisted by the Department of Agrarian Reform from 1994 with 110 lowly-paid crab hunters and fishpond workers who started as CARP beneficiaries and become bankers.
It was learned that last February 23, 2010, BCBMPC launched its “Pinoy Coop ATM” serving members and non-members at main branch in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. (Gil E. Miranda, DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Caraga)
At about 6:40AM of 26 August 2010, operating elements under 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army encountered about 15 local terrorists (NPA Rebels) at Sitio Gamot, Brgy Sta Filomena, Quezon, Bukidnon. The troops were on combat patrol towards said area when the firefight broke out that lasted for about 35 minutes until the terrorists withdrew in the direction of Brgy San Roque/ Kawayan of the same municipality.
Brgy Sta Filomena is considered as the guerilla base of the local terrorist operating in the area. It is from this community that they get their much-needed logistical and financial support through extortion from sugar cane and corn growers.
Unfortunately, one of our troopers made an ultimate sacrifice for the country while undetermined casualties on the terrorists’ side were monitored. As of now, troops are undergoing pursuit operations. Name of our fallen soldier is withheld pending notification of his next of kin.
“This incident will hasten our plan to activate a Patrol Base in the barangay to pre-empt further illegal activities of the terrorists. In this manner we will be able to constrict their movements,” declared Col Romeo Gapuz, Commanding Officer of 403rd Infantry Brigade based in Camp Osito Bahian, Malaybalay City.
“We ascertain NPA members that even without military action, the atrocities they are conducting are indirectly hurting the rebels themselves and their families. It is our wish for the NPA rebels to heed the government’s call for peace. We believe that no one should get hurt regardless of whose groups they belong to, for we are all Filipinos,” MGen Victor A Felix AFP, Commander of 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division said.
“As I mourn for the loss of one of my sons, rest assured that his ultimate sacrifice will only make our resolve stronger to achieve lasting peace in the area,” added MGen Felix.
As of this writing, the body of our fallen hero is in Malaybalay City for the funeral arrangements where all expenses will be shouldered by the Philippine Army while processing of other benefits due him are being fast-tracked. Likewise, full military honors befitting a hero will be accorded to him. (LTC Triumph Dominic G Bagaipo (OS), 4th CMO Bn, 4ID, PA/PIA-Caraga)
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LGU Tandag adjudged 2010 Regional KABALIKAT awardee by TESDA
By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, SURIGAO DEL SUR - The Local Government Unit (LGU) of this city proclaimed this year as Regional KABALIKAT awardee, under the leadership of Mayor Alexander Pimentel.
According to City Administrator Aldy Novo, Mayor Pimentel personally received the award on Wednesday (August 25) during the celebration of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) founding anniversary at TESDA Central Office.
Tandag was chosen as 2010 Regional KABALIKAT awardee due to its support and contributions to TESDA Program implementation thru Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the areas of scholarship, training or employment assistance, technical assistance, relevance, impact of performance, achievement , reliability and effectiveness and consistency of performance which are among of its criteria.
According to IO de Guzman, in 1998, Mayor Ayec offered the Technology, Livelihood and Productivity Center, an LGU-owned building including the facilities to TESDA for its Provincial Office for free.
The building offered was also used in utilizing for the conduct of various community-based skills training that includes food processing, cosmetology, garments, building wiring, consumer electronics and computer literacy course that made around 500 graduates per year.
Meanwhile, Mayor Ayec always uttered in his speech most of the occasions he attended “My dreams are the people’s dreams” that lead him to drive his commitment to the people as a leader towards a progressive and united community. After accomplishing several infrastructures which are visible in the locality of Tandag from his two terms, Mayor Ayec aimed to prioritize the Human Development programs on his last term.
Automatically, Tandag will represent Caraga Region for the National level, this was confirmed by Information Officer (IO) Ms. Nancy de Guzman. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Cebuano News: Pagpang haras sa NPA sa Surigao Sur hugtanong gikundina sa pulis
Camp Rafael C Rodriguez, Libertad, Butuan City - Hugtanong gikundina sa kapulisan ug dili mahitabong ibutang na lang sa kalimot ang gihimong pagpang haras sa mga rebelde sa Surigao del Sur nga mikalas sa kinabuhi ni PINSP CHRISTOPHER POSAS MAZO niadtong Agosto 21, 2010 sa hapon. Kahinumduman nga si PINSP MAZO uban sa iyang pipila ka mga sakop sa Lianga Police Station ug ginsakpan sa Philippine Army ug PPMG nag escort sa taga DENR human sila gihangyo nga muuban aron pagsusi sa dinakpan nga mga kahoy sa bukirang bahin sa Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Walay konsensya nga gipaulanan ug mga bala sa tag as nga kalibre sa armas ang gropo sa gobyerno dihang pauli na unta sila gikan sa erya sakay sa mga sakyanan. Si Mazo nakabsan gilayon sa iyang hinulamang kinabuhi human kini natiyempohang naigo sa ulo, samtang nasamdan ang pipila ka personahe sa DENR apan nakalingkawas ra kini gikan sa tino nga kamatayon.
Ang gihimo sa NPA klarong dili makatarunganon sa rason nga dili giyera ang tumong ug katoyoan sa kapulisan ug mga sakop sa Armadong Kusog sa nasud tungod kay ang ilang gihimo mao lamang ang pag escort sa mga personahe sa taga DENR. Dili gyud unta angayang himoon sa NPA ang pag haras gumikan kay daghan mga sibilyan ang kuyog sa gropo. Ang gihimong pagpamusil sa NPA nagpadayag lamang sa ilang kriminal nga binuhatan. Ang ilang niloob ug walay puangod nga binuhatan solod sa dugay nang panahun meresulta sa pagka-ilo ug pagka-balo sa ubay-ubay. Asa naman ang ilang gipasiatab nga hustisya sa katilingban. Wala! Kini nagpasabot lamang nga dakong bakak ang daw tam-is nilang mga pasalig ngadto sa katawhan ilabi na ngadto sa mga kabus nga mga kaigsoonang Pilipino.
Nasayran nga kontrolado sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) ang CBFM kon Community Based Forest Management sa SAMMILLA (San Agustin, San Miguel, Marihatag, Lianga) area. Walay laing makahimo sa pagpamutol og troso sa lugar kundili sila ra mismo nga gropo. Una niini, ilang gipasiatab nga dili nila hilabtan ang taga DENR kung mosulod sa area nga kotrolado sa BHB aron sa pag imbestigar sa illegal nga pagpamutol ug kahoy. Apan ang tinuod, ang mga personahi sa DENR ila kining gihulga nga dili mosulod sa lugar aron dili makit-an ang ilang illegal nga pagpamotol ug kahoy sa erya. Ang DENR mao ang gitahasan sa panggamhanan aron sa pagsumpo sa illegal logging nga kalihukan sa kabukiran. Nasuko kaayo ang mga miyembro sa Bagong Hukbong Bayan o BHB human nabulabog ang ilang illegal nga kalihukan. Sila ang usa sa mga hinungdan nganong na upaw na ang mga kabukiran sa rehiyon. (PCI Nelly Tabornal Villagarcia, PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
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DILG-DOJ task force, with civil society participation, to release findings on Quirino hostage in three weeks
Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said that the Joint DILG-DOJ Task Force organized to probe the Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis will release its findings within three weeks.
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Robredo said the members of the Task Force chaired by Justice Secretary Leila De Lima started reviewing the procedures conducted by the assault team, interviewing key witnesses including survivors, and determining accountability of all those involved in the hostage incident.
“We are working as fast and as judicious as we can to find out what really happened,” he said, adding that the findings and corresponding recommendations would be released as soon as possible.
Other members of the Task Force include DOJ Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Leah Armamento, P/Supt. Francisco PeΓ±aflor, NBI Anti-Terrorism Division Chief Atty. Romulo Asis, Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano, Atty. Cesar Chavez III and Atty. Cholo Palencia. To ensure the credibility of the Task Force’s report, civil society representatives will join, including Teresita Ang See, anti-crime advocate, and Kilusan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) President Herman BasbaΓ±o. The Officer-in-Charge of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Retired Justice Santiago Kapunan, has also been invited to join.
At the same time, Robredo also called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to utilize a big portion of their budget to intensify training of police officers on how to manage crisis situations such as hostage incidents and to acquire protective and safety gears and equipment such as gas masks and bullet-proof vests.
“The hostage incident showed the apparent lack of modern equipment and training of our police force, which the previous administration failed to address,” he said.
Robredo said the DILG had started assessing the logistical and operational requirements of the PNP, including budget allocation, equipment and training prior to the incident
He also said that the hostage incident happened at a time when pending cases against PNP personnel are being reviewed by the Department for immediate resolution.
Earlier, botched negotiations in the ten-hour hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand resulted to the killing of at least eight Hong Kong Chinese nationals and former Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, the hostage-taker.
Robredo said all protocols were followed in handling the hostage incident as it was being dealt with at the local level.
“Mayor Lim was on top of the situation as head of the crisis management committee and he possesses relevant experience as former chief of the Manila Police District, former NBI director and even a former DILG Secretary,” he said.
According to him, the situation only went out of hand when negotiations bogged down in the afternoon with the improper manner of arrest of Mendoza’s brother.
Robredo expressed his commiseration to the victims’ families and assured them of the Department’s speedy investigation on the incident. (DILG/PIA-Caraga)
4ID troops encounter NPAs in Surigao, 1 Amazon killed
A series of encounters occurred between operating elements under 36th Infantry Battalion and local terrorists (NPA rebels) in the vicinity of Mahaba, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur in the afternoon of 28 August 2010. Said encounters resulted to the death of 1 female terrorist and the recovery of 1 M16 rifle from the terrorists while for the government side 1 soldier died and 1 wounded and 2 others sustained superficial wounds. The female terrorist is yet to be identified.
The first firefight occurred at about 1:00 PM in the vicinity of Sitio Palonpon, Mahaba, Marihatag, SDS against more or less 10 terrorists believed to be belonging to Guerilla Front 19B. The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes that resulted to the wounding of Cpl Rodel C Umopang (Inf) PA while undetermined casualties on the terrorists’ side was observed.
At about 1:35 PM, another section of 36IB encountered more or less 10 terrorists in the same barangay which is believed to be the same group encountered previously. The firefight lasted for about 10 minutes that resulted to the death of Cpl Frethel V Escabal (Inf) PA from Bayugan City and the superficial wounding of Cpl Binag and Pfc Reyes while undetermined casualties were observed on the enemy side.
At about 1:40 PM and 2:00 PM, 2 separate and short encounters occurred in the same barangay between different sections from 36IB and separate groups of terrorists believed to be remnants of the same group encountered previously. No casualty on the government side while undetermined on the enemy side was monitored.
Finally at about 2:20 PM another section belonging to the 14th Scout Ranger Company led by 2Lt Pateres spotted 2 armed terrorists probably trying to run away from the previous encounters. “Our troops ambushed the terrorists resulting to the death of one of them, a female, and the recovery of 1 M16 rifle while the other one run for his life. We are pretty sure that the remaining terrorists are confused, shocked and exhausted and they will try to mingle with the civilians so that their lives can be spared,” said Ltc Rene CaΓ±ete, Commanding Officer of 36th Infantry (Valor) Bn based in Tago, Surigao del Sur.
“The outcome of this incident is a result of the cooperation provided by the residents of Brgy Mahaba who have been suffering from the terroristic activities of the NPA rebels. These terrorists will have nowhere to hide because our troops will continue to scour the area to pursue and finish the remaining terrorists,” said Col Augusto Tolentino, Commanding Officer of 401st Infantry Brigade based in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
“While we grieve and deeply sympathize with the family of our fallen hero and so with the family of the NPA rebel, it is our wish for the NPA rebels to heed the government’s call for lasting peace. We at 4th Infantry Division are more than willing to sit down and talk about lasting peace in our AOR and the Philippines as a whole,” MGen Victor A Felix AFP, Commander of 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division said.
As of this writing, the body of the dead terrorist is being brought to Brgy Mahaba proper for identification and a decent burial however, the soldiers are being harassed and sniped at by the NPAs. As much as possible they want to hide their casualties because it will surely expose their lost cause.
Meanwhile, the wounded soldiers are already evacuated and treated at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City. Likewise the remains of our fallen hero is being taken cared of for the funeral arrangements where all expenses will be shouldered by the Philippine Army while processing of other benefits due him are being fast-tracked aside from the full military honors befitting a hero accorded to him. (LTC TRIUMPH DOMINIC G BAGAIPO (OS) 4th CMO Bn, 4ID, PA/PIA-Caraga)
BCBMPC extends services to Surigao City
The Baug CARP Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BCBMPC) has opened its 5th branch at Surigao City held at new branch office located at Espina cor. Zabala Street, Surigao City on August 18, 2010.
The event was highlighted with a motorcade around the city at 9:30 a.m. and converged at the said venue where the blessing took place. The blessing ceremony was officiated by Fr. Manuel Quiban.
DAR CARAGA Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay, CESO IV led the Cutting of Ribbon with the assistance of PARO II Andre B. Atega, CEO VI of DAR Agusan del Norte and PARO II Teresita E. DepeΓ±oso of DAR Surigao del Norte.
BCBMPC has grown to 89.9 Million of assets with a total of 4,723 members gaining its own building, vehicles & computerized operations. BCBMPC has maintained same dedication to service & honesty in their work.
RD Faisar A. Mambuay said, “BCBMPC is one of the progressive and successful Agrarian Reform Beneficiary cooperatives in Agusan del Norte. One of the reasons why DAR CARAGA Region is proud having an empowered cooperative.”
Meanwhile, Chairman Jimmy L. Beray said, “BCBMPC has maintained its upward growth curve under his management. He stressed that he will promote policies to sustain the growth surge.”
The BCBMPC is one of the cooperatives in Agusan del Norte assisted by the Department of Agrarian Reform from 1994 with 110 lowly-paid crab hunters and fishpond workers who started as CARP beneficiaries and become bankers.
It was learned that last February 23, 2010, BCBMPC launched its “Pinoy Coop ATM” serving members and non-members at main branch in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. (Gil E. Miranda, DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Caraga)
