HIGH-VALUE INDIVIDUALS BUSTED IN BUY-BUST OPS IN SURIGAO NORTE TOWN

The Claver Municipal Police Station, together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), conducted a buybust operation which led to the arrest of the high-value individual (HVI) priority target in the Municipal Level at Purok-6, Brgy. Tayaga, Claver, Surigao del Norte on January 31.

Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office director PCol. Renato Mercado identified the suspect as Jason Samontina Zapanta, 31 years old, student, and a resident of Purok-6, Brgy. Tayaga, Claver.

During his apprehension, Zapanta attempted to flee, but failed, after noticing that he was dealing with a police officer who had disguised himself as a poseur buyer and threw away his cellphone and pouch containing the money from the transaction. No items were confiscated from his possession but joint operatives were able to retrieve several items during a search in the area such as one Android cellphone; one five hundred peso bill (marked money); four heatsealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu with an estimated weight of 0.8 grams amounting to PhP9,440; one heatsealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu bought by the poseur buyer from the suspect, with an estimated weight of 0.1 grams amounting to PhP1,180; and one black pouch. A body search was also done in the presence of Brgy. Tayaga officials.

All confiscated items were brought to the authorities for documentation and proper disposition.

The arrested person was informed of the nature of his offense and was apprised of his Constitutional Rights under the Miranda Doctrine and Anti-Torture Law in the dialect known to him.

PCol. Mercado noted that these efforts are part of the law enforcements’ dedication to carry out the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign amid a health crisis.

“This serves as a stern warning that despite the height of this pandemic, we will continue to strengthen our campaign against illegal drugs,” the police official added. (PNP-Surigao del Norte/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DepEd Siargao to receive 4 disaster-resilient classrooms from Kapuso Foundation

The GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. staff spearheaded by its Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Rikki EscuderoCatibog, Senior Project Officer Tina Dungca, Marketing Supervisor Tracy Cruz, and Senior Project Engineer Edgar Eniego conducted an ocular inspection to the six shortlisted schools recommended by the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte province for the construction of four typhoon-proof and earthquake-resistant classrooms.

During the inspection on Saturday, February 5, the GMA Kapuso Foundation staff was accompanied by SDO-Siargao Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Dr. Nelia Lomocso, Engineer Neil Espenido, and Division Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) coordinator EPS Catherine Landao,

duly escorted by the Philippine Army Engineer troop led by Commander Macalintangui.

The schools visited by the team for onsite validation were Mabuhay Elementary School, Tigasao Elementary School, Baybay Elementary School, Matin-ao Elementary School, Bagacay Elementary School, and Cabitoonan Elementary School.

From the six inspected elementary schools, Catibog said the school with a good number of enrollees that can justify the number of proposed classrooms, and has a water supply and internet connection, is most likely to be considered in granting the said project. “Mamimili kami ng isang school mula sa anim na inirekomenda ng inyong tanggapan. Ang talagang pipiliin naming

ay yung mga mahihirap at malalayo that’s why we don’t go central (We will choose one school from the six schools recommended by your office. We will choose the poorest school and one that is situated in a far-flung area that’s why we don’t go central),” said Catibog to Dr. Lomocso.

“Ang maganda sa classrooms na ‘to is that, it can withstand the 8-intensity earthquake and can resist the 300-kilometer-per-hour wind speed like the ones we built in Catanduanes (What’s great about this classroom is that it can withstand an 8-intensity earthquake and can resist a 300-kilometerper-hour speed, like the ones we built in Catanduanes),” she added.

Catibog anticipated that the construction of classrooms will start in June, and the groundbreaking will follow in October of this year.

She also asked the total number of enrolments throughout the Siargao Division from Kindergarten to GradeII for the provision of school supplies through their foundation’s “Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan” program. All grade learners will also receive a bag full of grocery items through their “Give a Gift” project.

“Lalahatin na namin para at least hindi malulungkot yung ibang schools na hindi papalarin sa ocular inspection. Magsasagawa din kami ng libreng tuli at mamimigay ng roofing materials sa ibang bayan ng Siargao para spread yung blessings (We will include all schools that have not been included in the ocular inspection so that they won’t be left out. We will also conduct free circumcision and distribute roofing materials in other towns in Siargao to spread the blessings),” said Catibog.

Dr. Lomocso was truly delighted to GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc. for considering DepEd Siargao in their project.

“We consider it as a great assistance for the learning continuity here in our beloved Schools Division of Siargao,” Dr. Lomocso said. (DepEdSiargao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)