By Nora C. Lanuza
BUTUAN CITY, July 1 (PIA) -- Forty-eight former members of the communist
New People’s Army (NPAs) consist of 42 members of Guerrilla Front 4A (GF4A)
operating in the areas of Las Nieves, Buenavista, Nasipit, Carmen in the
province of Agusan del Norte, Gingoog City, and Butuan City; and six members
from the Guerrilla Front 88 (GF88) operating in the areas of Agusan del Sur and
Bukidnon have signed a manifesto withdrawing their support to the communist
terrorist group (CTG).
The former rebels (FRs) have decided to go back to the government to
have a peaceful life with their families.
Agusan del Norte Governor Dale B. Corvera thanked the FRs for deciding
to go back to the government. He also asked them to be a partner of the
province’s development.
“I am asking you to support us in ending the insurgency problem in our
place,” he said. The governor then read the pledge of withdrawal of
support and requested them to raise their right hand in front of the other
provincial officials, police personnel, and media partners and to sincerely
pledge their withdrawal of support to the communist terrorist group.
Col. Cerilo C. Balaoro, Jr., the deputy brigade commander of 402nd
Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, also asked the FRs to help in convincing
their former comrades to go back to the folds of the law and help in their
peace initiatives. “I urged you to help stop the armed struggle and let’s give
peace a chance,” he said.
The FRs also recited the Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas led by Agusan
del Norte 2nd district representative Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba.
“By reciting this, you are now again a Filipino that not only love peace, but
want to give peace to our fellow Filipinos, be an instrument of change and help
the police and the military to stop local communist armed conflict in order to
live peacefully,” she said.
In showing their sincere intention of going back and supporting the
government in their fight against terrorism, the FRs also burned the CTG's flag
at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga grandstand.
PBGen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr., regional director of PNP Caraga,
thanked the FRs for their acts of signing the manifesto of withdrawal of
support to the CTG. He was also confident that the government is winning
against the terrorist group.
Meanwhile, because of the acts shown by the FRs and while the government
is still validating and processing their Enhanced Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (ECLIP) benefits, Rep. Matba and Gov. Corvera gave
cash assistance to the 48 and the seven newly-surrendered FRs. (NCL/PIA Agusan
del Norte)
PH
Nickel Industry Association provides P38-M for COVID-19 response
SURIGAO CITY, July 1 -- The members of the Philippine Nickel Industry
Association (PNIA) have collectively disbursed more than P38 million of their
Social Development Management Program (SDMP) fund for various coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) relief efforts to benefit frontliners and
host communities during the two-month enhanced community quarantine period
(ECQ).
PNIA has also been working in solidarity with Act as One, Kalinga Kontra
Kovid (KKK) QC, as well as local and national government authorities in
providing assistance to key hospitals in Metro Manila and to more than 66,200
households in Caraga, Zambales, and Palawan.
“We try our best to keep our commitment to our host communities
especially during these trying times. It’s definitely a challenging time for
our business operations but our local communities are our partners throughout
the years and saving lives is our priority right now,” said Atty. Dante R.
Bravo, PNIA president.
Aside from providing 31,800 food packs and sharing over 26,960 sacks of
rice to their host communities, mining companies also organized transportation
for displaced individuals, set up disinfection tents and facilitated
disinfection drives in the area.
Other member companies likewise sourced majority of its fresh produce from
local farmers and other goods from local establishments to stimulate the
region’s economy. Due to ECQ restrictions on transportation, these farmers
faced the risk of spoilage of their produce – in addition to the challenge of
putting food on their own tables.
PNIA member companies donated over 20,300 units of medical supplies
including facemasks, personal protective equipment (PPEs), digital thermal
scanners, vitamins, and other medical and disinfection supplies to local
government units and various non-government organizations.
In addition, PNIA recently donated 5,000 test kits through Act as One to
help fast track rapid testing efforts of local government units in Metro Manila
and other selected cities in the country.
Over and beyond allocating SDMP funds, PNIA members have also prepared a
COVID-19 response fund to support employees and local community stakeholders
through salary continuance, and various forms of assistance during
the crisis.
“We also ensure highest health and safety standards are enforced
in our mining operations, during and beyond the ECQ to protect
the welfare of our employees, partners, and communities. PNIA members are
strictly following quarantine protocols and information campaign efforts to
help mitigate transmission of the virus,” said Bravo.
PNIA members have also been resolute in implementing quarantine
protocol guidelines mandated by the Inter-Agency Task Force for COVID-19 (IATF)
in coordination with local government authorities. The companies
also augment the local government’s information and education
drive by proactively promoting awareness on social distancing and proper
hygiene procedures within the local host communities.
Looking beyond the pandemic, PNIA members looks forward to bounce
back and help reinvigorate the country’s economy towards recovery.
“Each company is doing its best to balance the impact of this
crisis and at the same time uphold the safety of all our stakeholders but we
are optimistic that will survive this,” Bravo said. (PNIA/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
P9.8-M illegal drugs
seized by PNP-Caraga in Q1 2020
BUTUAN CITY, July 1 -- Police Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel,
Jr, regional director of Philippine National Police (PNP) - Caraga reported
that for the period January 1 to June 27 of this year they were able to
confiscate P9,879,173.76 worth of shabu, marijuana, and cocaine; arrested 225
drug personalities while two have died during an intensified campaign against
illegal drugs in the region.
Record from Regional Operations Management Division 13 revealed that for
the said period, a total of 198 drug operations were conducted wherein 661.18
grams of shabu; 14,250 grams of marijuana; and 15 grams of cocaine were
confiscated.
On May 8, two anti-illegal drugs operations under Case Operational Plan
(COPLAN) Everest-Bravo were conducted in Barangay Kasapa II in La Paz, Agusan
del Sur wherein 4,000 and 6,000 marijuana hills were uprooted in two separate
plantations, and amounting to P800,000 and P1,200,000, respectively.
Two separate cases for violation of Section 16 Republic Act No. 9165 or
the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, docketed under NPS
No.13-03-INV-20F-208 and NPS No.13-03-INV-20F-207 were already filed against
Iming Tilocan, legal age, farmer, resident of Sitio Landing, Kasapa II, La Paz,
Agusan del Sur, and the identified owner and cultivator of said marijuana
plantations.
BGen. Esquivel lauded the operating personnel for their dedication to
duty and sincere commitment of giving the people a drug-free community.
“I assure all Caraganons that we will sustain all our efforts against
all forms of criminality in the region. The people deserve no less and it is
our prime duty as law enforcers that all criminals will be put behind bars,”
said BGen. Esquivel.
He added that the community has a significant role in the attainment of
sustainable peace in the region. “We are calling for your continued support by
immediately reporting to the nearest police station any illegal activities or
presence of criminals in your locality,” said BGen Esquivel.
(PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Siargao
Island tallies first confirmed COVID-19 case; cases in Caraga now total to 138
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
BUTUAN CITY, July 1 (PIA) -- Authorities confirm the first confirmed
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in the municipality of Del Carmen in
Siargao Island.
The said case is one of the 22 new confirmed cases reported by the Department
of Health (DOH) Caraga on Monday, June 29. Eighteen of these cases are locally
stranded individuals (LSIs), two returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), one with
a travel history in Metro Manila while the other is a health care worker.
Twenty are asymptomatic and are now isolated in the quarantine
facilities in their respective local government units (LGUs) while two are
experiencing mild symptoms of the disease and are now confined in the treatment
facilities in the region.
Per the health department’s data, the area distribution of the cases are
as follows: 2 in Cabadbaran City; 1 in Buenavista; 2 in Carmen; 1 in Jabonga;
and 2 in Nasipit, all of which are areas in the province of Agusan del Norte; 1
in Esperanza; 1 in Loreto; 2 in Prosperidad; and 1 in Sibagat in Agusan del
Sur; 1 in Bislig City; 2 in Carmen; and 1 in Lingig, Surigao del Sur; one
confirmed case in the municipalities of Alegria, Mainit, and Tubod in Surigao
del Norte, and one in Butuan City.
Meanwhile, ten of the previously tallied cases also tested positive in
their follow-up tests.
Caraga region now has a total of 138 cases, wherein seven are
discharged, 28 have recovered but are to complete quarantine period, and 103
are still admitted and on strict facility quarantine. (DMNR/PIACaraga)
Communal garden sa Butuan City,
nagbibigay ng pagkain at seguridad
Sa pangunguna ni Hanawi Alauya,
isang empleyado ng Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources o BFAR at
residente sa nasabing lugar kasama ang pitong pamilya na apektado ang
hanapbuhay dahil sa enhanced community quarantine o ECQ, sinimulan nila ang
isang communal garden sa isang 400-square meter na bakanteng lote sa buwan ng
Abril upang matugunan ang kanilang pangangailan sa pagkain.
Saysay pa ni Alauya, naramdaman
niya ang pangangailan ng kanyang mga kapitbahay kaya’t kinombinsi niya silang
magtanim sa bakanteng lote at kukuha ng seedlings sa DA.
Tulong-tulong sa pagtanim,
pag-alaga at ngayon ay nakikinabang na sila nito. Si Lyn Montes, isang tricycle
driver at asawang construction worker na parehong apektado ang kanilang
kabuhayan dahil sa ECQ ay masaya sa pagkakaroon ng communal garden sa kanilang
lugar. Anya hindi lang ito nakakatulong sa araw-araw nilang pagkain, kumikita
din sila at nagkaroon din sila ng magandang relasyon ng kanyang mga anak dahil
nagtutulongan sila dito.
Kabilang sa mga pananim sa
communal garden ay ang pechay, mustasa, okra, opo, alugbati at talong.
Sa ngayon, nadagdagan pa ng
300-square meter ang kanilang tinataniman at may plano na silang lakihan pa at
magtanim ng mais sa pamamagian ng project maisan sa nataran o pro-mais
movement, ang bagong food production initiative ng DA. (NCL/PIA Caraga)
Unang kumpirmadong
kaso ng COVID-19 sa Siargao Island, naitala na
By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Hulyo 1 (PIA) -- Kinumpirma ng mga otoridad ang unang
kaso ng coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) sa bayan ng Del Carmen sa isla ng
Siargao.
Kabilang ito sa 22 na bagong kasong naitala ng Department of Health
(DOH) Caraga noong Lunes, Hunyo 29.
Labing-walo sa naitalang kaso ay are locally stranded individuals
(LSIs), dalawa ay returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), isa ay may travel
history sa Metro Manila, at isa naman ay healthcare worker.
Dalawampu dito ay asymptomatic at kasalukuyang nakaisolate na sa
quarantine facilities ng kanilng local government units (LGUs) habang dalawa
dito ay may mild symptoms at nakaconfine sa mga treatment facilities sa
rehiyon.
Base sa datos ng kagawaran, ang sumusunod ay area distribution ng mga
kaso: 2 sa Cabadbaran City; 1 sa Buenavista; 2 sa Carmen; 1 sa Jabonga; at 2 sa
Nasipit sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte; 1 sa Esperanza; 1 sa Loreto; 2 sa
Prosperidad; at 1 sa Sibagat sa probinsya ng Agusan del Sur; 1 sa Bislig City;
2 sa Carmen; at 1 sa Lingig, Surigao del Sur; isa sa bayan ng Alegria, Mainit,
and Tubod sa Surigao del Norte, at isa sa Butuan City.
Samantala, nagpositibo naman sa follow-up tests ang sampung previously
tallied cases.
Sa kabuuan, may 138 na confirmed cases na ang Caraga region, kung saan
pito ay nakarecover at nadischarge na, 28 ay nakarecover na ngunit
kinakailangan pang tapusin ang quarantine period, at 103 ay kasulukuyang
admitted at naka strict facility quarantine. (DMNR/PIACaraga)
