Halfway house for
ex-rebels officially opens in AgNor
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- A halfway house for former rebels
officially opened here in Agusan del Norte.
Located inside the 402nd Brigade’s headquarters in Butuan City, the
fully-operational facility has 16 rooms and could accommodate up to 50 persons.
While inside the facility, former rebels will undergo debriefing and
treatment. They will also be provided with skills and livelihood training
before they can be reintegrated back into their respective communities.
Silver Joy Tejano, chief of the Provincial Social Welfare and
Development (PSDW)-Agusan del Norte highlighted that surrenderees are given due
attention and are well-taken cared of by the different government agencies to
ensure that they get the appropriate programs and services for them.
“A former rebel will undergo a psychological debriefing after going
through a war. That is why he needs to undergo treatment for him to express his
fears and other concerns that bothered him while he was in the mountainous
area,” shared Tejano.
The halfway house is one of the many projects that supports the
government’s enhanced comprehensive local integration program or E-CLIP
program.
This as the government remains committed to addressing insurgency in the
country.
Governor Dale Corvera emphasized that the halfway house will bring new
opportunities to the former rebels in a community where people are working
together towards achieving peace and development for all.
“This is going to be a continuing project. We could only achieve peace
if we all give what we have for us to create a community that is supportive to
its people,” said Corvera. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PSA enjoins support
for October 2020 labor force survey
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 5 -- The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in
Caraga will conduct the October 2020 Labor Force Survey (LFS) together with its
rider surveys, the 2020 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF), Philippine
Competition Commission (PCC) and the Philippine Competition Act (PCA) Awareness
Survey, with a regional sample of approximately 2,136 housing units, deemed
sufficient to provide regional level estimates.
In Caraga, about 48 statistical researchers and field personnel will be
involved employing an integrated Computer-Aided Data Collection System (CADaCS)
for the surveys.
The LFS is a nationwide quarterly survey of households conducted by the
PSA to gather data on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the
population. Whereas the SOF aims to provide data on overseas Filipinos and
their contribution to the economy. The PCC aims to be a world-class authority
in promoting fair market competition to help achieve a vibrant and inclusive
economy and advance consumer welfare.
In line with this, the PSA encourages everyone, especially the sample
households, to support and cooperate in the conduct of the October 2020 LFS,
2020 SOF, PCC and PCA Awareness Survey. The data collection will start on
October 8 to 31, 2020.
All information collected by the hired statistical researchers from the
sample households shall be kept strictly confidential and shall not be used for
purposes of taxation, investigation or regulation as provided under Article 55
of RA 10625. (PSA Caraga/PIA Caraga)
176 FRs pledge support to ELCAC in Agusan Norte
By 1Lt. Edmar C. Colagong
CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, Oct. 5 -- Some 176 Underground Mass
Organizations Members (UGMOs) from Mahayahay, Brgy. Sangay, Kitcharao and Brgy.
Curva in Santiago, Agusan del Norte took an oath and withdrew their support
from the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) and its affiliated organizations
on September 24 and 27, 2020.
The event is pursuant to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Executive Order
No. 70 to attain inclusive and sustainable peace and to institutionalize the
whole-of-the-nation approach towards Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict
(ELCAC). This government program gives the CNTs the chance to surrender to the
folds of the government so that they can experience peace in mainstream life.
The said former rebels were assisted by the troops of the 29th Infantry
Battalion (29IB), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the local
government council of Agusan del Norte.
The activity culminated in the burning of the CNTs' flag, which
symbolized the withdrawal of the people’s support and denunciation of the said
terrorist group.
Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding Officer of 29IB, urged the
remaining CNTs to surrender and return to the folds of the law.
"To all NPAs, surrender and return to the folds of the government,
live comfortably and let us end this war together. The 29th Infantry Battalion
is steadfast in helping our government to attain the peace that we all desire.
Even during this pandemic, we will continue to fulfill our core mission in
protecting you- our fellow Filipino citizen and securing our land,” he
said. (CMO Officer, 29IB, 4ID/PIA Agusan del Norte)
SurSur town records
first positive case of COVID-19
LANUZA, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 5 -- The municipality of Lanuza has just
recorded the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Based on the report, Lanuza COVID-19 Case (LANCC)-01 is a 40- year old
male, neither a locally stranded individual (LSI) nor a returning overseas
Filipino (ROF), but has a travel history in Tandag City in the past 14 days.
Currently, the patient is asymptomatic and has been isolated after he tested
IgM and IgG Positive in his Rapid Antibody Diagnostic Test last September 25,
2020. The patient underwent rapid testing on his own, and the medical team was
informed later of his result. He then underwent swab test for confirmation. The
team immediately conducted the initial contact tracing, and the close contacts
have already quarantined. On October 3, 2020, the swab test turned out to be
positive.
LANCC-01 is being closely monitored and will continue staying at the
isolation facility of the municipality until the Municipal Health Office will
declare him as a recovered patient based on the guidelines of DOH.
The Lanuza COVID-19 Municipal IATF is taking the conservative approach
in handling its first case and has already started the contact tracing as soon
as the patient tested positive in IgM and IgG to ensure that the further spread
of COVID-19 will be prevented, considering the number of activities and
involvement of LANCC-01.
The Lanuza Municipal IATF, in a statement, called on the public if they believe they may have been in contact with LANCC-01... "to kindly isolate yourself on strictly quarantine for 14 days since last exposure and inform our health workers so that they can assist you." (LGU-Lanuza/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
IP leader, companion killed in ambush in Surigao Sur
By 1Lt. Krisjuper Andreo J. Punsalan
LIANGA, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 5 – An indigenous peoples (IP) leader and
his companion were killed on Sunday, Oct. 4, in an ambush by suspected
communist NPA terrorists (CNTs) in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
In a report from the Police Provincial Office of Surigao del Sur,
Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Hawudon Jumar Bucales, a
staunch advocate of IP rights, and a vocal critic of Bayan Muna Representative
Eufemia Campos Cullamat and Datu Alberto dela PeΓ±a were killed in an ambush at
Sitio Mamprasanon, Barangay Banahao, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on Sunday
afternoon by the CNTs while on their way home after an IP council meeting. CAFGU
Active Auxiliary (CAA) Ronald Acevedo, CAA Artemio Moldes and Oliver
Rosaldo were reportedly wounded, the police report added.
Datu Jumar Bucales, as an IP leader, has strongly condemned the CNTs and
its front organization, Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU) for
exploiting the IPs which, according to him, destroyed the culture and
traditions of the tribe.
He also confronted the communist-linked IP schools, Tribal Filipino
Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS), and Alternative Learning Center for
Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV), which breed New People's
Army (NPA) cadres, and terrorist fighters. He also revealed that these schools
were the sources of logistical support from the international and local funding
agencies and used as recruitment facilities.
Bucales’ leadership was instrumental in crafting the tribal resolutions
to close CNT-linked TRIFPSS and ALCADEV, and in the establishment of Department
of Education (DepEd) IP schools to provide quality education for their children.
He also authored resolutions for the continuous development of the far-flung
conflict-affected communities.
With his leadership, he anchored his efforts with the Whole-Of-Nation
Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Lianga, which strongly
opposed by Bayan Muna Representative Cullamat, who is also a native of Lianga
and brother of Communist NPA Terrorist leader, Pablito Sinzo Campos alias
Batik.
Bucales, on some occasions, dared Rep. Cullamat to help the IPs build
DepEd accredited schools and to support the tribe by condemning the Communist
NPA Terrorists and their atrocities but Cullamat took no action.
Lianga Tribal Chieftain Datu Constancio Duhac and the whole IP community
condemned in strongest terms the killing of their IPMR and have vowed to
continue his vision towards saving the whole IP community from being corrupted
by the CNTs.
“We mourn for the death of our IPMR Hawudon Jumar Bucales, and we
condemn these NPA terrorists to include the MAPASU. His death will not stop us
from fighting for the rights of IPs. His death will not discourage us in
fighting the NPAs, rather this will inspire and ignite us more to protect our
tribe from them,” Duhac said.
“Once again, we challenge Congresswoman Cullamat to take action and
condemn the NPA terrorists because what happened is unacceptable. If she cannot
do that, this will strongly prove that she is not supporting the genuine cause
of the IPs but the cause of the NPA terrorists and the Communist Party of the
Philippines whose ambition is to overthrow the government and gain political
power through a bloody revolution,“ San Miguel IPMR Rico Maca, said in his
social media post.
Datu Bucales was also a former NPA leader who returned to the folds of
the law upon discovering that he and his tribesmen were being exploited by the
CNTs in their futile armed and political struggle by using IP issues to agitate
and recruit IPs. From then on, Bucales vowed to help the government win the
peace by countering the CNTs’ deceptive scheme and supporting the Whole-of-Nation
Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Meanwhile, the IP Tribal Council of Lianga is set to file human rights violations and criminal cases against the NPA terrorists and their masterminds for violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. Further, the IP leaders will continue to support the National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) to put an end to the CNTs’ atrocities and abuses in the IP communities. (3SFBn, PA/PNP/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Hybrid rice promises
high yield
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 5 -- Rice farmers in Barangay Baan Km. 3, Butuan City
have showcased the 30-hectare hybrid rice technology demonstration for this
season under the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Caraga Rice Program in
collaboration with the city government of Butuan.
Eight farmer-cooperators accepted the challenge to venture on hybrid
rice. They received free bags of hybrid rice seeds and fertilizers. Aside from
the farm inputs, technical assistance was also provided.
Today, farmer leaders from Butuan City were invited to observe the
various varieties of hybrid rice. The ready-to-harvest demo area was made
possible through the six participating private seed companies namely Ramgo,
Bayer Crop Science, SL-Agritech Corp., Corteva, LongPing, and SeedWorks.
In his message, DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James I.
Monteagudo expressed his gratitude to the farmers of Butuan City who leap to
adopt the high-end technology.
“Adopting hybrid seeds can help farmers become more competitive by
allowing them to produce more. The DA continuously provides its all-out support
to rice farmers from planting, harvesting, and marketing. The cooperation and
dedication of each rice farmer are also needed to surpass the challenges of
Philippine agriculture,” Director Monteagudo said.
OIC-City Agriculturist Pierre Anthony Joven is hopeful that the
techno-demo area will not just be an avenue of gaining knowledge but rather
farmer values will also be reformed.
“Farmers must keep in mind to follow the holistic approach in adopting
the Palay Check System and the package of technology recommended through this
improvement of yield, grain quality, and profit will be achieved,” Engr. Joven
said.
Marivic Garcillano, farmer-cooperator, shared that she used inbred rice
seeds before with an average yield of 4-5 metric tons per hectare. As she
compared this harvest season based on the crop stand and grains she expected
that she will harvest 7 metric tons or more per hectare.
According to the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute planting hybrid
rice is one way to improve competitiveness. This could increase yield and
reduce production cost per kilogram of palay. Even if the price of hybrid is
higher than certified inbred seeds, its unit cost is lower resulting in higher
income for hybrid users. (DA Caraga/PIA Agusan del Norte)
Army, AgSur town empower farmers' association
By 1Lt. Percival Carido
ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 5 -- The local government unit of
Esperanza, together with the 41st Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Company,
4th CMO Battalion, and 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion of the 4th
Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army empowered the members of the
Esperanza United Farmers Association (EUFA) through an election of its officers
held recently in Barangay Piglawigan Gymnasium, Esperanza, this province.
The said farmers association consists of 15 redirected organizations
which have 390 members and were formerly members and supporters of the
Nagkahiusang Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Sur (NAMASUR), a recently exposed Underground
Mass Organization (UGMO) of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).
After realizing the futility of their membership in NAMASUR, they
disowned the said UGMO and decided to legalize their group by redirecting and
reorganizing it through the assistance of the LGU-Esperanza, 41st CMO Company,
and 26IB. "Dili na nato tugotan nga padayun kita limbongan sa mga
rebeldeng grupo. Kaniadto gigamit kita sa ilang sayop nga ideolohiya ug dili
kana masubli pa. Kitang tanan magtinabangay para sa kalamboan, kaayohan ug
kahapsay alang sa katawhan sa atong lungsod (We will no longer allow
ourselves to be fooled by this rebel group. They have manipulated us and made
us believe in their wrong ideology. We should all work together towards
achieving peace and development in our municipality)," bared Sancino G.
Mandapiton, the newly-elected President of EUFA said.
Major Jerson B. Igloria, the officer-in-charge of 41st CMO Company
stressed the role of the elected officers in their organization. "This is
the right step in going to the right direction. To the newly-elected officers
of EUFA, you must work together to reach the goals of your organization. As the
leaders, you have to protect your group from the deceptive tactics of the CTG
in using our farmers against the government," he said.
Municipal Mayor Leonida P. Manpatilan of Esperanza, encouraged
the leaders of the said association to craft project proposals for the
betterment of their organization. "The door of LGU-Esperanza is wide
open for you. If you have project proposals, we are here to support and assist
the farmers of Esperanza," she said.
Meanwhile, Erwin G. Dumaguing, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member of
Esperanza and the chair for Peace and Order lauded the Philippine Army's
efforts in fighting insurgency in their municipality. "Dako akong
pasalamat sa Philippine Army labi na sa 26IB ug 41st CMO Company nga walay
hunong nga paningkamot aron wagtangon ang walhong grupo. Ingon usa ka miyembro
sa komunidad, magtinabangay kitang tanan aron sa pag undang ug pagwagtang sa insurgensiya
sa atong pinalanggang nasod (I thanked the Philippine Army particularly
the 26IB and the 41st CMO Company for their continued effort to end the
ruthless acts of the left-leaning group. As a member of the community, we
should all unite and end the insurgency in our beloved country)," he
said.
Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, commanding officer of 26IB, commended
the newly-elected officers of EUFA. "These farmers were victims of
deception and exploitation of the CTG and I commend your group for turning your
back against the terrorists," he said.
"Our farmers are the reason why we eat today. We should protect them and their land from these terrorists. Let's start working together and defeat these left-leaning organizations towards lasting peace and development," added Goce. (CMO, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
