Feature: Fighting the plight against the spite of Maute terrorists
By Venus L. Garcia
The untroubled and typical daily grind of life among the ordinary people who were working in Marawi City from different neighboring towns was put to test when violence broke out caused by the Islamic-State-linked Maute group on May 23, 2017.
For an 18-year old lad, Tito Abringab, who labored as a gasoline boy in Gadungan, Marawi City, it was a breakneck instance when a horrible scene exposed before his eyes at around 2:00 p.m. of that day. “I had witnessed the hostile acts of the terrorists while I was doing my usual job. They flagged down the vehicles along the lanes and aggressively made harassments to the fearful civilians,” expressively recalled Abringab.
Adrenaline made his shake harder at the thought of getting his life into undeserved trouble. But with the mindfulness of Abringab’s employer, he and his co-workers were immediately brought to the former’s residence to take safe refuge.
As the worst situation progressed, the Philippine Army troupe was in swift response. In less than a day, Abringab heard them knocking the door where he hid and helped him withdraw from that dangerous spot. He was brought to the detachment of 103rd Brigade for safekeeping.
The rescue operation was even strengthened when President Rodrigo Duterte declared the Martial Law over Mindanao. The same help was accorded to the family of Arman Suoong, his wife Lyn-Lyn and five months old daughter. “In our eight years of habitation in this city, this is the first time when we are terror-struck at the apprehension of losing not only the humble and tangible properties we gained out from our hard work but of losing our lives,” he admitted.
Suoong sadly described their fate of keeping awake in a pitch-black experience while hearing the ear-piercing shriek of his hungry baby in the midst of power outage. “We are very thankful to the government and Army forces for faithfully doing their job to assist us in this time of crisis,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lina Cabanilla, a 28-year old mother of a 2-year old child, expressed her indebtedness to 2nd Lieutenant Junrey Villamor and his troupe for providing them food and granting them appropriate treatment during their stay in the detachment. “I salute our soldiers for protecting us and upholding our human rights,” said Yuri Cabanilla, a rice mill worker and husband of Lina.
Public servants at work
In the midst of continuing state of conflict and tragic rebellion, the innocent civilians’ ordeal was quelled after temporary taking shelter at the Army detachment for eleven days.
On Saturday morning of June 3, the successful coordination of the Naawan and Initao local disaster risk reduction and management office (LDRRMO), its local government unit (LGU), Philippine Army and PNP personnel, the civilians were rescued after experiencing the terrible fright from the violence and inhumane acts of the Maute.
Given the clearance for safe passage, they were transported at around 10:30 a.m. traversing a safe route in going back to their respective town of origin. They also claimed that they were given sacks of rice for consumption by their thoughtful rice mill employer as they have lost their jobs due to the prevailing situation in Marawi City.
According to Naawan Municipal Mayor Jaime Roa, they are working hand-hand to help save and secure the lives of their affected constituents. “We cannot afford to abandon our brothers and sisters and deprive them from their right to be defended by the rightful authorities,” enunciated Roa.
At around 10:00 p.m. a convoy of two forward cargo trucks safely arrived in Iligan City, an area free from Maute infestation, and proceeded directly to Naawan and Initao, all of Misamis Oriental.
“We are relieved to see them arrived and we promptly look after their needs by providing them food for dinner from a long travel. We deeply appreciate the good-hearted employers who lend their vehicles to be used in transporting them. After the profiling of these 14 displaced individuals, we will endorse them to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development for debriefing,” said PSInsp Jay Francis Estigoy of Naawan, Municipal Police Station.
More or less 87 individuals were rescued and were sent back to their respective municipalities and more are still to be rescued. “Coordination is still ongoing to our counterparts. It’s good to note that none of them has sustained injuries,” said Paul Cezzane Abrea, Naawan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer.
For the displaced individuals, survival from the warfare can be made possible by risking without firing a bullet against the enemy. The administration is incessantly directing its efforts toward relieving the plight and fright from the terrorist attacks in parts of the country. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
NCMF Caraga leads relief distribution to Marawi families
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
ILIGAN CITY, June 4 (PIA) – Heeding the call for assistance by the Muslim brothers and sisters in Marawi City, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Caraga led the distribution of relief goods to some 420 families affected by the armed conflict between the Maute local terrorist group and the Philippine Army.
NCMF Caraga regional director Atty. Nadzma Ameril-Naga, who led the team from Caraga, bared that this is their first time to conduct relief goods distribution to the affected families of Marawi City and other parts of Lanao del Norte.
“We were able to gather and prepare some 420 relief goods for our Muslim brothers and sisters consist of canned goods, detergent bars/soap, coffee, noodles, biscuits, and a kilo of rice, among others. We have coordinated with other government agencies and more donations are expected to come,” underscored Naga.
Atty. Naga also expressed that the commission is saddened with the crisis that the Muslim community and Christians are facing right now who are greatly affected by the shameless acts of the Maute group.
“We may be in Caraga region, but we feel the same way that our brothers and sisters in Muslim community are feeling. We Filipinos have established close family ties, that’s why we also expect that more of the evacuees would want to stay in their relatives’ houses outside Marawi City while others will stay in the evacuation centers that are provided by the government,” Naga underlined. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
78 Marawi residents rescued by gov't forces
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
ILIGAN CITY, June 4 (PIA) - About 78 individuals from Marawi City were rescued on Saturday night, June 3, 2017 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and fetched by the local government unit of Naawan thru the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), together with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The evacuees arrived in Iligan City at around 10:00 p.m. and immediately proceeded to Naawan and Initao Municipal Police Stations while others went to their respective municipalities. The PNP personnel have also conducted profiling of the evacuees.
It was learned that out of the 78 rescued evacuees, 14 were able to get back home in Naawan, and more than 20 individuals in the municipality of Initao, while others were from the different areas in Mindanao.
Naawan Mayor Jaime Roa of Naawan relayed that the rescued evacuees were provided with food packs and other assistance. Some of the evacuees were lactating mothers.
Paul Cezzane Abrea, MDRRM officer of Naawan also shared that the evacuees from Marawi City have sought refuge from a detachment of the 103rd Brigade, Philippine Army for days and wanted to move out from Marawi City. They also claimed that they were given sacks of rice for consumption by their thoughtful rice mill employer as they have lost their jobs due to the prevailing situation in Marawi City.
Also, Lina Suoong, one of the rescued evacuees and a mother of a 2-year old girl expressed that the existence of the Maute group in Marawi City has forced them to leave their homes, along with their relatives. She further elaborated that they have been hearing gunshots from outside the detachment, but decided to take the risk and move out from the area.
“Pila mi kaadlaw nag-stay sa sulod sa detachment sa Philippine Army para lang masegurado among safety. Pasalamat mi sa mga army nga nag-atiman namo maski paman sa delikadong kahimtang namo sa Marawi (We stayed for days in a detachment of the Philippine Army just to ensure our safety. We are thankful that the army in-charge accommodated us well despite the risk in Marawi),” prompted Suoong.
It was also learned from the statements of the evacuees that there are still several individuals and families left to be rescued in Marawi City until this time. (JPG/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
GAD focal persons prepare for various upcoming activities
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, June 4 (PIA) – The Gender and Development (GAD) focal persons from different government agencies have convened recently together with the representatives from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in time with the 2nd Quarter General Assembly of the Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) held on Tuesday at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-13 regional conference room here.
Chaired by Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director Atty. Jerefe Tubigon-Bacang, the RGADC and PCW personnel from Manila signed the partnership agreement and discussed several activities to be conducted.
The ceremonial signing of the partnership agreement was spearheaded by Atty. Bacang; NEDA-13 regional director and Regional Development Council (RDC) acting chairperson Mylah Faye Aurora CariΓ±o; OIC-Deputy Executive Director for Operations and chief of Technical Service Division of PCW Nharleen Santos-Millar; and Kimberly Anne Teodoro, gender specialist II of Technical Service Division of PCW.
Atty. Bacang expressed her optimism that the RGADC will expand and will have many more endeavors as it engages with other partners for development, not only for women but also with men and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) sector.
The lady director/chair also bared that the following significant activities will be conducted: Mapping of GAD initiatives/efforts; profiling of GAD focal point system; establishment of database in Caraga; leveling sessions on GAD for RGADC members; regional GAD Budget Forum; and training/establishment of Technical Advisers on GAD (TAG).
Also, Atty. Bacang further revealed that the RGADC members will meet on the following schedule: 3rd quarter meeting – August 2017; 4th quarter meeting – November 2017; 18-Day Campaign to End VAW – November 25 to December 12; and Year-end assessment on December 12, 2017. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DAR Agusan Norte holds basic accounting for non-accountants workshop for farmers
BUTUAN CITY, June 4 - The Provincial Agrarian Reform Office in Agusan del Norte held a series of workshop on Basic Accounting for Non-Accountants in the city on April 18-19, 20-21, 24-25, 2017.
Present during the workshop are six Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) that comprised more than 90 coop officers and staff from different cooperatives in the province.
The workshop is an organizational capability program of the department aimed to enlighten the farmers with all that they need about the Accounting Basics.
Among the topics discussed in the workshop were preparation and analysis of balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement and statement of changes in equity.
Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) Point Person Luningning B. Ycoy said that the participants were also taught the new method of accounting entries in accordance with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) guidelines.
“Some of coop officers and staffs have no accounting background and must be trained proper bookkeeping and accounting procedures that eventually help them to plan and grow their organizations,” Ycoy added.
The seminar conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte is under the agency's organizational capability program in partnership with the Propegemus Foundation, Inc., an accredited CDA training provider. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Tagalog News: Mahigit 70 indibidwal mula sa Marawi City, nailigtas ng LGU Naawan at Initao, Misamis Oriental
Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG ILIGAN, Hunyo 4 - Nasa mahigit 70 indibidwal mula sa Marawi City ang na-rescue ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Naawan at Initao, Misamis Oriental Sabado ng gabi kasama ang mga personahe ng Philippine National Police (PNP).
Ayon kay mayor Jaime Roa ng Naawan, Misamis Oriental, agad silang rumesponde sa Marawi City matapos matanggap ang report na may ilan-ilang pamilya at residente ang gustong lumikas sa lugar na apektado ng kaguluhan dahil sa karahasang pinasiklab ng Maute group.
Dagdag pa ni Mayor Roa na agad din silang nagbigay ng relief goods sa mga nailigtas na pamilya at indibidwal mula sa Marawi City.
Napag-alaman na sa mahigit 70 kataong nai-rescue, 14 nito ay taga-Naawan. Nasa nahigit 20 naman ang taga-Initao, Misamis Oriental habang ang iba ay nakauwi na rin sa kani-kanilang lugar.
Ipinahayag naman ni Paul Cezzane Abrea, ang Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRM) officer ng Naawan na ilang araw ding namalagi sa isang detachment ng 103rd brigade, Philippine Army ang mga apektadong pamilya at indibidwal upang makaligtas sa kamay ng mga Maute group na siyang nagdudulot ng karahasan sa mga tao sa lungsod.
Dagdag pa ni MDRRMO Abrea na tumulong din ang may-ari ng dalawang rice mill sa Marawi upang makalabas ng ligtas ang mga empleyado nito sakay ng kanilang malalaking trucks. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
