ICRC set to conduct media orientation on
international humanitarian law
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) - The International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is set to hold a media briefing on ICRC
activities in the Philippines and will orient participants on the basic
principles of the international humanitarian law (IHL) on Tuesday, May 31, 2016
at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.
According to ICRC Butuan head of office Olav
Sinsuat, the media briefing is a follow-up to the one-day workshop held in
October 2012 for jouralists in Caraga region.
“With this event, we aim to bring together
Butuan-based journalists to update them with ICRC’s significant undertakings;
enhance their awareness on IHL, its applicability and basic principles, who it
protects globally, and how it protects journalists specifically; and encourage
ethical reportage of humanitarian issues,” emphasized Sinsuat. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
BSP Butuan briefs stakeholders on NGC
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) - The Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas (BSP) conducted on Thursday the in-house seminar entitled "Know
Your Money" at the BSP Multi-Purpose Hall, this city.
BSP Butuan City branch Jovito Mainit said their
focus at this time is on the New Generation Currency (NGC), the currency
banknotes in circulation.
“The in-house seminar entitled 'Know Your Money'
is aimed to educate the public in the design, characteristics, and distinct
features of the NGC and also disseminate the information on the demonization
schedule of the old banknotes, the New Design Series (NDS),” Mainit disclosed.
Also, during the said seminar, Rose Zarate,
Research Analyst II of BSP-Butuan reiterated that to carry out its mandate, the
BSP focuses on these three Pillars of Strength: 1) Price Stability that entails
keeping inflation low and stable to promote economic efficiency and improve the
well-being of Filipinos; 2) Financial Stability wherein BSP seeks to maintain
the health of the banking system so that it can effectively intermediate
between providers and users of funds; and 3) Payments and Settlement System
which helps ensure the safe, timely, and accurate payment and settlement of
financial transactions.
Zarate further reiterated that the banknotes,
denominated in P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1000, contain upgraded security
features, as well as fresh and old design elements.
“Familiarize yourself with the design,
characteristics and distinct features of the banknotes. Remember the following:
feel the paper, examine the watermark, inspect the security fiber, view the
windowed security thread and the embedded security thread, check the concealed
value, optically variable ink and serial number, and recognize the portrait and
color,” elaborated Zarate.
Zarate also reminded the general public on the
pertinent laws and regulations to protect and maintain the integrity of the
currency.
BSP is committed to promote and maintain price
stability and provide proactive leadership in bringing about a strong financial
system conducive to a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy. It shall
conduct sound monetary policy and effective supervision over financial institutions
under its jurisdiction. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Peace consultant in AgSur peacefully buried
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, May 30 (PIA) -
Family and friends of the late Josefina Bajade, a peace consultant and retired
provincial social welfare and development officer (PSWDO) who was killed
recently by the New People’s Army (NPAs) were gathered at Sacred Heart of Jesus
Parish in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur to attend her final interment and
burial.
Governor Santiago Cane delivered his message in a
eulogy expressing that no words of comfort would describe the sorrow felt by
the bereaved family whose dearly departed died violently in pursuit of peace.
He recollected the interventions of the late Josefina Bajade or Nic-Nic as a
full-blooded social worker and as a peace process negotiator.
Cane further underscored that Nic-Nic is an
epitome of a woman with courage who steadfastly stood amidst life threatening
situations for fighting to bringforth lefties in the folds of the government.
Also, all other co-workers and direct family members have enunciated late
Josefina's utmost extent of boldness to take, even in struggle and risking
life, in order to advance negotiated peace. For the hundreds of people who
attended her funeral, they considered her brutal death as a huge loss of the
province.
While the necrological mass was ongoing at the
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, supporters and friends of the late Josefina
Bajade also brought with them placards with statements against the NPAs and
praying for justice be served to her.
After the mass, an indignation rally was held
going to San Lorenzo Ruiz Memorial Garden where she was buried. (JPG/VLG,
PIA-Caraga)
PNP 13 nabs over 406 individuals linked to illegal
drugs
By PO2 Ryan C. Cagula
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) - The Philippine
National Police (PNP) 13 had intensified its operations against illegal drugs
making a total of 406 persons arrested from January 1 - May 29, 2016.
Based on the record, the PNP seized a total of
1,398.27 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” and 17.90 grams of
marijuana which the Dangerous Drug Board valued at P16.3 million.
They have also conducted a total of 280 operations
mostly buy-bust, checkpoints, implementation of search warrants, and saturation
drives.
“The days of drug pushers/users are already
numbered as our troops will stage more police operations to bring them behind
bars,” said PNP-13 regional director P/CSupt. Rolando B. Felix.
Included in the arrested persons were three PNP
personnel: SPO2 Elmer L. Dela Torre, PO1 Edgaro M. Aquino, and SPO1 Eleonor N.
Osico.
Felix warned that erring PNP personnel caught in
illegal drugs activities will be dismissed from the service.
The region’s top cop also urged the community to
strengthen its cooperation with the PNP to sustain these substantial gains
against illegal drugs. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
DavNor solon vows to help Siargao Island to be the
country's top tourist destination
By John Glenn Platil
SIARGAO ISLAND, Surigao del Norte, May 30 (PIA) -
Davao del Norte first district representative Pantaleon "Bebot"
Alvarez has vowed to support the development of Siargao Island to be one of the
country's top tourist destinations.
In his recent visit to the island along with
Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) president Atty. Fred Lim, and Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Usec. Ernesto Adobo, Jr., Alvarez
said he fully supports Governor Sol Matugas and incoming Congressman Francisco
Jose “Bingo” F. Matugas of the first
district to develop Siargao as a universally-acclaimed leading tourism
destination.
“I am always here in Siargao because I own a beach
resort in General Luna since 1996. I really admire the warm hospitality and
kindness of the people that is why this paradise is home to me, my family and
President Duterte’s family,” said Alvarez.
He also praised Siargaonons for their good
manners, principled values and absolute sincerity.
Alvarez is President-elect Rodrigo Duterte's bet
for the speakership of the 17th Congress.
On May 28, Alvarez and Usec. Adobo also toured
Sohoton Cove in Socorro town. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PNP 13 joins Flag Day celebration
By SPO1 Zena Menioria Panaligan
BUTUAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) - The Philippine
National Police (PNP) 13 joined the entire nation in a simple but significant
celebration of the National Flag Day during the ceremonial activity on
Saturday, May 28 here.
The celebration is in line with Presidential
Proclamation No. 374 declaring May 28 of every year to commemorate the first
time the national flag was hoisted in Imus, Cavite after Filipino fighters
defeated the Spanish forces in the battle of Alapan.
PNP 13 regional director P/CSupt Rolando B. Felix
led the raising of the national flag.
In his message, he called on the officers and men
of PNP Caraga to keep in mind their significant role in safeguarding the
democratic ideals and in upholding the role of law.
The flag will remain on display from May 28 to
June 12 signifying the country’s 118th Independence Day. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: IP groups sa Agusan del Sur
kinondena ang mga rebeldeng NPA sa karumal-dumal na pagpatay sa mga inosenteng
sibilyan
Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Mayo 30 (PIA) –
Mariing kinondena ng mga indigenous peoples (IPs) sa probinsya ng Agusan del
Sur ang mga miyembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) na pumapatay umano ng mga
inosenteng sibilyan, lalung-lalo na ang pagpatay sa kinikilalang peace
negotiator na si Josefina Bajade ng nasabing probinsya.
Ayon kay Datu Batan-on II, pinuno ng San Francisco
Tribal Leaders Cultural Association Incorporated, nanghihinayang anya siya at
nang kanyang mga kasamahang IP leaders sa pagkamatay ni Josefina Bajade o Nanay
Nic-Nic na walang-awang pinatay at nilinlang ng mga kasapi ng mga rebeldeng
NPAs kamakailan lang sa Compostella Valley
Anya, isang ina ng mga lumad ang turing nila kay
Nanay Nic-Nic na naging tapat sa tungkulin sa ilang taong panenerbisyo nito.
Inaakyat umano ni Nanay Nic-Nic ang bundok para lang matugonan ang
kinakailangang tulong ng mga lumad at naging mabuting facilitator sa mga
miyembro ng NPA na gustong sumuko at magbagong-buhay at matulongang
makapag-aral ang kanilang mga anak.
“Hindi napo kami makakahanap ng kagaya ni Nanay
Nic-Nic na magaling talaga sa kanyang trabaho. Para na siyang ina sa aming mga
lumad pati na rin sa mga beneficiaries ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program o
4Ps,” mungkahi ni Datu Batan-on.
Napag-alaman din na magpupulong-pulong ang lahat
ng mga IP leaders sa probinsya at paplanuhin kung ano pa ang maaari nilang
gawin o ibahagi sa pamilya ni Nanay Nic-Nic upang makamit ang hustisyang
nararapat sa kanya.
Ayon naman sa dating miyembro ng NPA na si Julieto
Canoy alyas Ka Boom na ang pagkamatay ni Josefina Bajade ay talagang kagagawan
ng mga rebeldeng grupo na sila ring salarin sa pagkamatay ni Loreto, Agusan del
Sur mayor Dario Otaza ilang buwan palang ang nakakalipas.
Pinaaalalahanan din ni Ka Boom ang lahat,
lalung-lalo na ang mga miyembro ng media na iwasang magbigay suporta sa
rebeldeng grupo sa anumang paraan dahil umano may dala itong pahamak sa
kanilang buhay at kapamilya sa panahong matigil ang kanilang pagbigay ng
suporta at kapag wala na silang silbi para sa mga NPAs. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
