Caraga RDRRMC on red alert as Mindanao placed under
Martial Law
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, May 25 (PIA) – Following the
declaration of Martial Law in the island of Mindanao, the Regional Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Operations Center Caraga has
already activated effective 3:00 p.m. Wednesday.
According to Office of Civil Defense and
chairperson of the RDRRMC Rosauro Arnel Gonzales, Jr., the activation will help
to closely monitor the situation and maintain continuous coordination with the
concerned member-agencies and offices of the region.
Gonzales said as per directive from the National
DRRMC, the member-agencies are requested to assign two personnel to render
24-hour duty services at the RDRRMC Operations Center starting Thursday until
the operations are terminated.
"Each personnel shall render 12 hours per
shift to ensure efficient monitoring and coordination on relevant information
and preparedness measures," Gonzales said.
The following are the concerned member-agencies
requested to render duty services: Department of the Interior and Local
Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health,
Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and
Philippine Coast Guard. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag City dad backs PRRD's martial law
declaration
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 25 (PIA) – Tandag
City Mayor Alexander Pimentel expressed support to President Rodrigo R.
Duterte’s (PRRD's) declaration of Martial Law (ML) in the entire Mindanao for
60 days. He also urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to immediately
implement checkpoints within the city.
Pimentel said he had already coordinated with the
highest official of the 402nd Brigade in the person of Colonel Franco Nemesio
Gacal, the current commanding officer based in Tandag City in relation to the
declaration.
Pimentel called on the public to be vigilant all
the time and immediately coordinate with the authorities if they have observed
unusual activities in their area.
Mayor Pimentel also reminded the local constituents
not to bring their firearms outside their residence to avoid incovenience.
Pimentel said the declaration of the Martial Law
has a big difference compared to the previous ML declared under the Marcos
regime. "The declaration made by President Duterte on Tuesday night was an
immediate action to the incident in Marawi City that needed immediate response
to control the situation," said Pimentel. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Agusan Norte governor urges public to cooperate
with security forces
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
BUTUAN CITY, May 25 (PIA) - Relative to the
declaration of Martial Law in the island of Mindanao on the evening of Tuesday,
governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante Matba of the province of Agusan del
Norte urged Agusanons to cooperate with the security forces in any way possible
that will help bring back the normalcy of the situation in the entire Mindanao.
Governor Matba said that while waiting for specific
guidance from the national level, everyone should remain calm and vigilant, and
help the security forces in giving relevant and timely information of any
activities and plans of the lawless/hostile groups.
Meanwhile, in support to the calling of governor
Matba, Lt. Col. Emil J. Cruz, commanding officer of 23rd Infantry Battalion
(IB), Philippine Army (PA), assured that the security situation in the western
part of Agusan Norte and Butuan City, Magsaysay in Misamis Oriental and
Esperanza in Agusan Sur is manageable and under control.
"Our battalion is on red alert and continuously
coordinates with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the area for the
efficient handling/management of security conduct particularly in the conduct
of intensified joint checkpoints and patrols," Cruz said.
"We are requesting the public to remain calm
and to please cooperate with our (PNP and PA) for security procedures. We are
doing these to prevent spill over of threat forces from Marawi and any threat
group who will take advantage of situation by conducting terroristic or any
violent activities. Rest assured your Phil. Army forces will strictly abide
with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights,” Cruz
added.
Also, 29IB commanding officer Lt. Col. Joy Aynera
said the security situation in the eastern part of Agusan del Norte and Butuan
is under control.
Aynera said the 29IB, Phil Army has increased
alertness and vigilance of troops in the entire Caraga region but request
vigilance of the public and report any suspicious movement.
The 29IB coordinated with the PNP to effect
increased checkpoints especially going and ingress cities of Butuan and
Cabadbaran. Military presence is now implemented in the city as part of
security measures, Aynera said.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has declared Martial
Law in Mindanao following the violence happening in Marawi City. The
declaration was announced by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on
Tuesday, May 23. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
