Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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Contents An Electronic News Magazine of Philippine Information Agency Caraga
December 15 - 21, 2018
Volume II, No. 90
IPs sa Agusan Norte kinondena ang mga NPA; nanawagan sa gobyerno na palawigin pa ang Martial Law
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SSS News: SSS, PNP strengthen partnership anew
DOE News: DOE ready to implement 2nd tranche of oil excise tax hike
DOE News: ASEAN SecretaryGeneral meets with Myanmar authorities on Rakhine repatriation plans
Regional News 9
GAD resource pool assembly isinagawa sa Butuan; PCW kinilala ang mga na-certify na resource pool mula sa Caraga region
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Provincial News 14
NGEI beneficiaries rejoice over land allocation
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DICT urged to upgrade internet services in AgNor
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SP Agusan Norte pushes ‘No Fee Policy’ for IP civil registration
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Mindanao News
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AFP chief wants guerrilla bases as ‘peace zones’
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MILF chief condemns Cotabato mall bombing
National News 50th anniversary a 21 Reds’ ‘downgraded’ event 22
PRRD orders filing of raps vs. Iloilo solon, mayor for mauling
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Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
News Briefs • PIA CARAGA: The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - Caraga is celebrating today the 45th Fire Service Recognition Day held in Butuan City. Part of the activity is the OathTaking Ceremony of the newly promoted non-commissioned officers; Graduation Ceremony of the 110 fire trainees; & Fire Service Recognition Day Celebration which shall recognize the brave & gallant firefighters who have displayed courageous feat in the performance of their duties. • PIA AGUSAN DEL NORTE: Mayor Ramon M. Calo said that the declaration of the Municipality of Carmen in the province of Agusan del Norte as Drug-Cleared Municipality is not the end of their campaign against illegal drugs but the beginning of war to combat illegal drugs. (MLGOO Atty. Mary Christine Anthonette S. Punzalan) • PIA AGUSAN DEL SUR: In time with the Christmas Party of the 2003rd Ready Reserved Infantry Brigade on Sunday, Dec. 16, BGen. Andres Centino, commander of 401st Brigade also led the pinning of ranks to newly promoted reservists held at the Naliyagan Cultural Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. • PIA DINAGAT ISLANDS: The prov’l gov’t of Dinagat Islands continuously conducts its yearly Pamaskong Handog to 100 barangays throughout the 7 municipalities of the province that started on December 15, 2018. Beneficiaries of the said Pamaskong Handog are the senior citizens, person with disabilities (PWDs) and malnourished children. This annual activity is spearheaded by Vice Gov. Benglen B. Ecleo & Senior Board Member Nilo P. Demerey, Jr., in collaboration with Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office (PSWDO), Provincial Health Office (PHO) & Provincial Community and Affairs Office (PCAO). (PIO-Dinagat Islands) • PIA SURIGAO DEL SUR: Upon taking office of Hon. Manuel Alameda, Sr. as the new governor of Surigao del Sur, Judge Edwin Malazarte of RTC Branch 27 sworn in 1st District Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Eleonor Momo today, Dec 27, 2018 at around 10:55AM as new provincial vice governor held at the Session Hall, Provincial Legislative Bldg, Capitol, Tandag City.
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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COVER STORY
IPs sa Agusan Norte kinonde nanawagan sa gobyerno na Law By Jennifer P. Gaitano
Gusto naming ipanawagan sa ating Pangulong Duterte na sana tuldukan na niya o tapusin na niya ang CPP-NPANDF. Hanggat may NPA pa lalu na dito sa ancestral domain sa tribu walang katahimikan, walang kapayapaan lalu na walang mangyayaring magandang kinabukasan sa mga katutubo,” pahayag ni Datu Ampiyawan.
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN - Kasabay ng selebrasyon ng ika-70 anibersaryo ng Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) dito sa lungsod, mariing kinondena ng mga Indigenous Peoples (IPs) sa Agusan del Norte ang pang-aabuso ng New Peoples Army (NPA) sa kanila at sila ay nanawagan sa pamahalaan na palawigin pa ang pagpapatud ng Martial Law sa Mindanao.
Nakiusap din si Datu Ampiyawan sa pamahalaan na palakasin ang pagpapatupad ng seguridad dahil na rin sa patuloy na banta ng terorismo sa Mindanao. Samantala, binigyang-diin ni Julieto “Tatay Boom” Canoy, na dating naging miyembro ng NPA, layon din ng aktibidad na ialerto ang publiko para makaiwas malinlang sa panloloko ng mga ito. “Para sa amin na nanggaling sa CPP-NPA-NDF, alam namin na ang pagmartsa sa December 10 ng mga teroristang komunista ay paglinlang lamang sa masa, pero itong martsa/rally na ginagawa namin ngayon ay hindi paglinlang sa masa kundi isang recovery sa mga dati ng nalinlang at sumama sa grupo,” sabi ni Tatay Boom.
Ayon kay Datu Bawang Eddie Ampiyawan, IPMR ng Agusan del Norte, isang peace rally ang kanilang isinagawa dahil gusto nilang isiwalat ang kasamaan, kasinungalingan at pang-aabuso ng NPA sa mga katutubo. Maayos na natapos ang nasabing peace rally ng IP community sa lungsod “Sila (NPA) ang totoong umaabuso. ng Butuan at nagpalipad ng mga puting Dahil sila ay pumapatay o pumatay sila lobo na simbolo ng hangaring matamasa sa mga katutubo na wala man lang ang kapayapaan sa mga katutubo. (JPG/ kadahilanan lalu na sa mga lider namin. PIA-Caraga)
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Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
ena ang mga NPA; a palawigin pa ang Martial
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
SSS, PNP strengthen partnership anew
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc and PNP Chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde, represented by Police Director Eduardo Serapio M. Garado, led the signing of the MOA which aimed to establish a framework that will strengthen the enforcement of and extend social protection to the working class. It also aims to share significant resources that will equip PNP and SSS to attain its respective mandates. “Both SSS and PNP commit to provide protection, particularly social and security, to our members. That’s why we are glad to have entered into an agreement with PNP as they will help maintain peace and order while we reinforce the Social Security law, especially as we continue to implement our aggressive collection efforts like the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign, Operation Tokhang-SSS Style
SSS
and soon for the serving of the Warrant of Distraint, Levy, and Garnishment (WDLG),” Dooc said. The MOA formalizes the coordination of SSS with the PNP regarding activities, including serving of lawful Orders and execution of all warrants that would require the police assistance and protection to SSS representatives. “There is no slowing down for SSS in going after erring employers to ensure that our members’ right to social security is protected. We need the support of the police force as we strongly administer our nationwide campaign to increase contribution collection and promote compliance to the Social Security Law by filing charges and serving warrants to these employers who run away from their obligations to SSS and their employees,”
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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SSS Dooc added. This is not the first time that SSS and PNP are working close together as the pension fund and PNP have ongoing partnerships under the programs Operation Tokhang and Run After Contribution Evaders, where they serve warrants against erring employers and post show cause orders in non-compliant establishments, respectively. “As of November 6, there were already 102 employers subjected to RACE conducted in 10 regional areas, namely, Lipa City, Dagupan City, El Nido, Palawan, Davao City, General Santos City, Bacolod City, Pagadian City, Laoag City, Naga City and Butuan City. This has been part of our regional campaign as part of our aggressive efforts in collection contribution,
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promoting compliance and ensuring higher coverage of employees,” Dooc said. The event also highlighted the turnover of 762 directional signages to PNP from SSS. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last year between the two agencies that led to the implementation of Standardized Police Directional Signages that aims to promote a safe, secured, orderly and peaceful community. Based on the MOU, the SSS is in-charge of the production of the uniform signages while the PNP will do the installation in coordination with local government units nationwide. Last December 12, 2017, the PNP and SSS initially installed signages in selected places in Quezon City and San Juan.
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
REGIONAL NEWS
GAD resource pool assembly isinagawa sa Butuan; PCW kinilala ang mga na-certify na resource pool mula sa Caraga region By Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN – Nagtitipon-tipon kamakailan ang mga miyembro ng Gender and Development (GAD) resource pool mula sa ibat-ibang rehiyon ng bansa sa isinagawang tatlong araw na GAD Resource Pool Assembly dito sa lungsod.
Dagdag pa ni Millar, ang GAD resource pool assembly ay pagtitipon ng lahat ng certified GAD trainers, practitioners, o experts sa bansa na siyang magsisilbing technical assistance providers sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan at local government units nang mahasa ang kanilang kaalaman at kanilang kakayahang mapalaganap pa ang gender and development mainstreaming sa kani-kanilang lugar.
Ayon kay Nharleen Santos-Millar, chief GAD specialist ng Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), ang una at pangalawang GAD resource pool assembly ay noong 2016 at sinundan noong 2017 na isinagawa sa Manila, habang ang pangatlo ngayong Sa Caraga region, ang tatlong nataon ay dito naman sa lungsod ng Butuan. certify ng PCW sa national GAD resource pool ay nagmula sa DSWD, Department
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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REGIONAL NEWS of Budget and Management (DBM) at Commission on Civil Service (CSC). Kinilala din ng PCW ang walong na-certify ng Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) Caraga mula sa ahensiya ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), DSWD, Department of Tourism (DOT), LGUButuan, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Education (DepEd) at DBM. Ang mga ito ay tinatawag na Caraga Technical Advisers on GAD. Ibinahagi naman ni Oliver Salino, ang regional GAD officer sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ng DSWD at kabilang sa tatlong na-certify ng PCW sa national GAD resource pool ang kahalagahan ng gender and development sa rehiyon.
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Ayon sa kanya, ang pagpapatupad ng GAD ay mandato ng gobyerno na mapalaganap ang gender equality at women empowerment at matugunan ang nakasaad sa Philippine Development Goals. Isa rin anya itong moral at legal obligation ng mga nasa gobyerno na mabigay at mapatupad ang isang inclusive development sa lahat ng sector. Samantala, nananawagan din si Millar sa lahat ng Caraganon na sumuporta sa gaganaping 18-day campaign to end violence against women na may ibat-ibang aktibidad sa rehiyon mula Novermber 25 hanggang December 12. (JPG/PIACaraga)
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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DOE
DOE ready to implement 2nd tranche of oil excise tax hike By Kris Crismundo
MANILA -- The Department of Energy (DOE) said that it is prepared to implement the second increase in oil excise taxes next year, which is called for under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. “The DOE, in coordination with the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue, is ready to implement the second tranche of excise taxes by January 1. Government devised a mechanism to closely monitor the inventories,” the DOE said in a statement on Thursday. Under the TRAIN law, the government will impose PHP2-per-liter excise tax on diesel and gasoline products and PHP1 per kilogram on liquefied petroleum gas and PHP1 per liter on kerosene by the start of 2019. However, the DOE noted that oil firms should not pass on the additional tax to consumers immediately as companies have inventories of 15 to 30 days.
“The sale of old stocks which was not
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covered by the excise taxes should not be collected from consumers,” the DOE said. “Otherwise, it would be a violation of the law -- not only administrative penalties like closure of the establishment will be imposed but also the criminal penalty of large-scale estafa,” it added. Last October, the economic managers submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte the recommendation to suspend the second tranche of the excise tax, as world oil price breached the USD80-per-barrel. However, the Chief Executive decided early this month to continue the collection of second tranche of oil excise tax after world oil prices dropped significantly. This week, diesel and gasoline prices fell for 11 straight weeks. Gasoline prices have also decreased for eight consecutive weeks before a modest increase of PHP0.40 per liter last Dec.11. (PNA)
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
PHOTO GALLERY
BFP Graduation Ceremony
Bureau of Fire Protection holds graduation ceremony of the 110 new recruits and oath-taking of the newly promoted non-commissioned officers at Hotel Oazis, Butuan City, 17 December 2018.
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
AGUSAN DEL SUR
NGEI beneficiaries rejoice over land allocation
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office here has recently conducted the Ceremonial apportionment of NDC Guthrie Estates Incorporated (NGEI) landholdings to three Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) cum signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Distribution of Certificate of Land Allocation held at the DAR Provincial Office lobby, San Francisco, this province.
of the NGEI landholdings after the three groups agreed to divide and apportion the awarded land and had acknowledged that each group will receive a compact and contiguous land awarded under CARP proportionate to the number of ARB members of each Fgroup. It can be recalled that during the advent of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in 1988, the vast tracts of agricultural lands owned by the NDC situated at Rosario and San Francisco Agusan del Sur were offered for CARP coverage pursuant to Executive Order No. 407 as amended by Executive Order No. 448.
DAR-Caraga Regional Director Leomides R. Villareal, Asst. Regional Director for Operations (ARDO) Cenon S. Original, PARPO II Leoncio C. Bautista Jr., PARPO I Allan N. Mundala, FPPI General Manager Gil T. Delos Santos Jr., attended the said event. However, because of several cases that ensued including managerial issues “This is indeed an early Christmas gift and concerns, the members have formed for all of our Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries. themselves into three breakaway groups, We are glad that after several meetings thus, the problem existed. and negotiations we now come to this moment of apportioning the lands to three Nevertheless, the DAR have never groups who have long been waiting for this stopped in helping to recuperate the time to happen,” RD Villareal said. situation and look after the welfare of the affected ARBs. PARPO Bautista was likewise grateful “Nalipay gyud me ug dako nga sa that finally the goal of bringing back once kaulahian nakab-ot namo ang dugay na harmonious relationship among the three namong gipangandoy nga diin kami karon groups have been rekindled. makatagamtam na sa yuta nga gihatag kanamo. Salamat sa walay hunong nga “In behalf of the Department of tabang sa DAR kanamo (We are very Agrarian Reform Agusan del Sur, we are thankful that in the end we have achieved happy that we have come this far, we owe our dream of having our own land. Thank this success to the cooperation of the three you for the unending support and assistance groups,” he said. of DAR to us,” NGEI MPC Chairperson Jimmy Magbanua said. (Rechel D. Besonia, DAR More than a thousand ARBs Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur) celebrated the ceremonial apportionment
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Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
PROVINCIAL NEWS
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
DICT urged to upgrade internet services in AgNor By Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte recently requested the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to facilitate the immediate upgrading of the internet services in the province for easy access and prompt access of the constituents.
public areas using the most cost-effective telecommunications technology, through a partnership with private service providers as may be necessary. He added that to improve the economic, social and educational opportunities in the province and provide efficient and effective internet infrastructure and information systems to the public, there is a need to maintain sustainability and viability of the faster wifi internet access service.
This move was pushed by Provincial Board Member Lorito Q. Maragañas, chairperson of the Committee on Energy, Transportation, Communication and Information, considering it as one of the priority measures of the committee under As to Countryside Development, the the Legislative Agenda of the SP. DICT is also required to assist, guide and support ICT-related activities and initiatives During the committee consultation, for countryside economic development; it was known that the country has internet and promote and assist LGUs and local providers that have speeds of at least 100 stakeholders in developing specialized ICTMbps in the likes of PLDT, Globe, Smart enabled investments areas by providing Telecommunications, Converge ICT, technical and industry-calibrated assistance Sky Cable, Planet Cable, PT&T, Eastern in the use of ICT for the enhancement of Communications and Rise. key public services, development and promotion of local arts and culture, tourism, In comparison, in Japan, a Japanese digital literacy, and talent development. internet service provider has begun offering broadband plans with 2Gbps downloads Said request was approved through and 1Gbps uploads to residents in Tokyo Provincial Resolution No. 352-2018, authored and six surrounding districts that makes by Maragañas the 105th regular session of the service provider the world’s fastest for the SP. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan commercial internet. del Norte) However, in the province of Agusan del Norte, the most common internet providers have a slow internet connection. Provincial Board Member Maragañas said one of the mandates of DICT is to establish a free internet service that can be accessed in government offices and
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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PROVINCIAL NEWS
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
SP Agusan Norte pushes ‘No Fee Policy’ for IP civil registration By Jessica O. Mellejor
BUTUAN CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Agusan del Norte recently urged all municipal and city local government units in the province to adopt the “No Fee Policy” in the civil registration of all individual members of the Indigenous Cultural Community (IPs/ICCs) in the province with regard to birth, marriage and death registration at their respective city/ municipal Local Civil Registry Office. Said move was pushed by Provincial Board Member Eddie S. Ampiyawan, as Chairman of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples Concern through Sanggunian Resolution No. 360-2018.
It was known that the basic reason
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for the members of IPs/ICCs who do not care about their civil registration was the lack of information about the significance of registering important documents that can be used to support the requirements for social, health, projects and other development programs of the provincial government and other government offices for indigenous peoples. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has a great consideration of the IPs/ICCs on their rights and conditions by putting in place their benefits of the “no fee policy” considering their plight in terms of their economic condition. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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ASEAN
ASEAN Secretary-General meets with Myanmar authorities on Rakhine repatriation plans Photo courtesy of ASEAN
NAY PYI TAW – The ASEAN SecretaryGeneral Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN SocioCultural Community (ASCC) Kung Phoak, and AHA Center Executive Director Adelina Kamal, met with high-ranking officials of key Myanmar and Rakhine State ministries on repatriation plans for displaced people in the state yesterday. The coordination meeting discussed plans for conducting needs assessment to identify possible areas of cooperation to facilitate repatriation of the displaced people in Rakhine State. Among others, the meeting discussed the Terms of Reference for the needs assessment, capacity building program, and resources and coordination mechanisms. It was agreed that the needs assessment mission would be ASEAN-led in which the AHA Centre will utilise the ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment
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Team (ERAT) members, both at the regional and national levels. The meeting was the first high-level consultation following the decision of the 33rd ASEAN Summit in Singapore on 13 November 2018 to continue supporting the Myanmar Government in its efforts to bring peace, stability, and sustainable development in Rakhine State. Prior to the coordination meeting, the ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim paid a courtesy call on State Counsellor and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, where they discussed how ASEAN could further support the repatriation process. The delegates also visited Rakhine State a day before the coordination meeting to observe the readiness of several reception and transit centres for the repatriation process.
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
MINDANAO
AFP chief wants guerrilla bases as ‘peace zones’ By Lilian Mellejor
DAVAO CITY --The chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is seeking to turn areas formerly used by the communist guerrillas as bases into peace zones where development can thrive and people’s lives are improved.
Photo Courtesy of Sunstar.com.pn
Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal said the plan needs an integral approach, and that the whole nation must participate as he conceded that peace and development initiatives cannot be achieved solely by the military.
“Paano mo i-encourage ang mga tao sa conflict areas kung gobiyerno lang? (How are you going to encourage people in conflict areas if you solely rely on the government),” he said.
“We should have the same dedication, sense of urgency, the same passion, parehong momentum para sabay sabay (the same momentum so that we all move together),” Madrigal said in an interview here Wednesday.
For instance, Madrigal cited the dire situation of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) whose ancestral lands the NPA has turned into guerilla bases. This, he said, has made the tribes more vulnerable not only to NPA atrocities but to its recruitment as well.
Madrigal said development efforts should not be confined on the areas affected by the communist insurgency, but also around neighboring areas to encourage New People’s Army (NPA) community supporters to actively engage with the government’s programs.
To respond to these challenges, Madrigal said the AFP will launch a national task force that will give flesh to the “wholeof-nation” approach by starting communitybased development programs.
Meanwhile, the AFP chief lauded the military units in Mindanao for the series of The AFP chief also underscored mass surrender of NPA combatants and the role of the private sector in bringing their community supporters. development to areas whose economic development has been stunted by In Davao Region alone, the Army’s insurgency. 10th Infantry Division (10ID) said it has
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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MINDANAO scored 524 regular NPA surrenderers; 700 Militia ng Bayan--the NPA frontline militia organization; 256 Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL) or community-based supporters; and 6,242 underground mass organization members.
However, the military official conceded that “we can only achieve complete victory if we can address all concerns in the conflict-affected areas.”
“With President Rodrigo Duterte in the Madrigal assured the former NPA lead supported by the regional executive combatants and supporters “can lead a councils, the local government units, we good life after abandoning the communist can address the roots of insurgency,” he struggle.” added. (PNA)
MILF chief condemns Cotabato mall bombing By Edwin Fernandez
provised bomb explosion ripped through the front entrance door of South Seas Mall situated along Don Rufino Alonzo Street. Murad said he was saddened the incident happened in the thick of preparations for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). The MILF chief said he hoped it was not related to the BOL. Residents here have been divided between voting to be part of the new entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and rejecting it. Photo Courtesy of ABS-CBN News
COTABATO CITY – The head of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has condemned the bombing of a mall here hours before New Year’s Eve that left two people dead and 34 others wounded.
“I call on the people of Cotabato City to remain united in securing our community and ensuring that finally, peace will reign in our homeland. This is not the time to be divided. This is the time to stand united,” Murad said.
MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad, in a Murad said violence like this has ocstatement released Tuesday, described the curred in order to derail the peace process. bombing as “an act of cowardice, inhuman and atrocious.” “We must forge ahead with the same resolve as before so that we may finally Shortly before 2 p.m. Monday, an im- achieve peace,” he said. (PNA)
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Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
Reds’ 50th anniversary a ‘downgraded’ event
NATIONAL
By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA -- The 50th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is best described as “downgraded”, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said, quoting a former ranking member of the rebel group.
from his former comrades,” Detoyato said. “Compared to previous years sir, downgraded and they were not able to sustain big assemblies with their allies and organized masses attending the event,” he added, quoting the former rebel leader.
In a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the military official said he declined to give an assessment of the rebels’ anniversary as he might fall into the trap of “self aggrandizement”. Instead, he quoted the observations of a former ranking leader of the communist terrorist organization.
This, the former NPA leader said, can be attributed to the Filipino people’s lack of regard and support to the CPP and lack of belief in the cause it is fighting for.
The CPP-NPA-NDF was forced to The NPA, the rebel group’s armed make small internal gatherings and the wing, is listed as a terrorist organization by pomposity of their annual anniversary the United States and the European Union. events was reduced to an internal affair.
“So I will borrow the words of a former member of the CPP-NPA-NDF (National Democratic Front) Central Committee who refused to be identified for fear of reprisal
“This gives a complete colored picture of how the CPP-NPA-NDF celebrated. Plus the frustration of Mr. Joma Sison (CPP founding chair) for not being able to witness the ‘event’ which to my mind worked well for him because he might just get a heart attack because of dismay,” Detoyato said. (PNA)
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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NATIONAL
PRRD orders filing of raps vs. Iloilo solon, mayor for mauling By Earl Jed Roque
MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año to file charges against Iloilo 1st district Rep. Richard Garin and his father, Guimbal, Iloilo mayor Oscar Garin for allegedly mauling a police officer. In an interview with reporters after visiting the wake of slain Ako Bicol party-list Representative Rodel Batocabe in Daraga, Albay, the President said no wrongdoing is justifiable to hurt a policeman.
said. The Garins reportedly mauled and threatened Police Officer 3 Federico Macaya at the Guimbal police station after they accused him of convincing a minor victim of a commotion at the town plaza on December 22 not to file a case against the suspect, a son of the member of the Sangguniang Bayan on Guimbal.
“Kung may kasalanan man ang police (even if police did something wrong), it’s not a reason especially a police officer na bugbugin mo(that you maul him). So, they will have to file the case. Direct assault,” the President said. Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 6 director, Chief Supt. John Bulalacao has Duterte said terror should not be already relieved Guimbal town police committed regardless of whether the chief Senior Insp. Antonio Monreal Jr. “for assailant is a government official or a plain his non-action and his failure to arrest the citizen. Garins” and cancelled the detail of two PNP security personnel of the congressman. “Sinabi ko ‘yan early on na huwag Bulalacao also asked the DILG to remove ninyong gawain ‘yung (I said it early on not from Mayor Garin the authority on local to commit) terror --- political terrorism. Hindi police officers. maganda. Tsaka wala ng demokrasya papatayin mo (It’s not good. You’re killing Meanwhile, Rep. Garin, husband of democracy)… I don’t know who he is. He former Health Secretary Janette Garin, could be a mayor, he could be a governor, apologized for his actions and also took he could be just a plain --- “galit” (mad). But full responsibility for what he did. (PNA) that is not the way how to do it,” Duterte
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Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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For more info. contact: Tel. No.: (085) 225-9219 / 300-0722 Cell Nos. 0908-875-9185 / 0917-580-2609 / 0925-556-2417 Email: inkboxinnovation@gmail.com Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88
EDITORIAL BOARD Executive Editor
ABNER M. CAGA Associate Editor
FRYAN E. ABKILAN Managing Editor
NORA C. LANUZA MOLDE Copy Editor
VENUS LIM GARCIA Layout Artists
JOHN CHARLES B. MALAZARTE RONNIE E. MADANGUIT Contributors
JENNIFER P. GAITANO Agusan del Sur
NIDA GRACE B. TRANQUILAN Surigao del Sur
SUSIL D. RAGAS
Surigao del Norte/Dinagat Islands
SSS PNA DAR AGUSAN DEL SUR LGU AGUSAN DEL NORTE RECHEL D. BESONIA AIMEE B. SIENES JESSICA MELLEJOR LILIAN MELLEJOR EDWIN FERNANDEZ PRIAM NEPOMUCENO EARL JED ROQUE
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Information Centers AGUSAN DEL NORTE Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 815-1991 E-mail: pia.northagusan@gmail.com Facebook: PIA Agusan del Norte Twitter: @PIAAgusanNorte
AGUSAN DEL SUR Provincial Government Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Cellphone no. 0917-723-3455 E-mail: pia.agusandelsur@yahoo.com.ph Facebook: PIA Agusan del Sur Twitter: @AgSurPIA
SURIGAO DEL NORTE/DINAGAT ISLANDS Parrucho corner Magallanes St., Surigao City Telephone no. (086) 826-9450 E-mail: piasurigao@gmail.com Facebook: PIA Surigao del Norte; PIA Dinagat Islands Twitter: @PIASurigaoNorte
Business Managers
ZARINA O. LASTRA REGAL C. ORIBIA Photographer
ROBESPIERRE C. TRADIO RUDOLF BONNIN E. SANICO
SURIGAO DEL SUR Old DPWH Bldg., Telaje, Tandag City Telephone no. (086) 211-3353 E-mail: piasurigaosur@gmail.com; sds_pia@yahoo.com.ph Facebook: PIA Surigao del Sur Twitter: @piasurigaosur
Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 87
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Caraga Infocus • December 15 - 22, 2018 • Volume II, No. 88