Sulu praised for its efforts in fighting Covid-19 RADIO NETWORK dzMM praised the efforts of the Sulu provincial government in fighting the spread of the deadly novel
coronavirus and how the local task force Covid-19 effectively addressed the health crisis. Mark Logan and Vic
Sulu Task Force Covid-19 Chairman Governor Sakur Tan signs Executive Order No. 05-2020 extending the General Community Quarantine in the province to May 15, 2020 in an effort to prevent the entry of the novel coronavirus disease. Also in the photo are Dr. Fahra Omar, chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office; Sulu Task Force Covid-19 spokeswoman Jainab Abdulmajid and Julkipli Ahijon, of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. (Task Force Photo)
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859
Lima, anchors of the dzMM Radyo Patrol’s “Tandem Lima at Logan,” lauded how the Sulu Task Force Covid-19 headed by Governor Sakur Tan handled the pandemic following the imposition in March of the strict general home quarantine that largely helped control the spread of the disease. Continue on page 7
P10
May 4-10, 2020
Covid-19 cases still rising
I
T WOULD be premature to say the Philippines has flattened the pandemic curve in its fight against the deadly coronavirus disease before mass testing is established across the country, the Department of Health said, suggesting a further lockdown extension may be necessary. Continue on page 3
Despite GCQ, many sectors remain closed
AS SOME parts of the country transitioned from the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to the general community quarantine,
the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said there are sectors that will remain closed or until the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious
Diseases releases new guidelines. DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said fitness gyms and studios, and Continue on page 2
DILG orders creation of OFW Desks to assist returning workers THE DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all its regional offices to establish their respective OFW (Over-
seas Filipino Workers) Desks and to designate desk officers in the provinces and cities in order to facilitate the return of the workers affected by
the global coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. “We have been receiving reports that some Continue on page 2
Army orders ‘relentless’ ops vs. NPAs DAVAO CITY – Troops have intensified its operations against the communist rebel group New People’s Army, blamed for the spate of deadly attacks across the coun-
try in recent weeks amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Let us continue with our relentless operations to deny the terrorists the opportunity to carry out
coercion and intimidation so that the communities can continuously cope with the crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Maj. Gen. Continue on page 7
A Department of Health photo shows a medical front-liner holding a 16-day old baby who survived the novel coronavirus at the National Children’s Hospital. Front-liners took care of the infant for 11 days.
First Standard Finance Corporation Zamboanga City 0995-5202358 FOR SALE Toyota FOR SALE Mitsubishi FOR SALE Toyota P795,000
Fortuner
P899,000
Strada
P750,000
Altis
2
The Mindanao Examiner
May 4-10, 2020
Despite GCQ, many sectors remain closed Continued from page 1 sports facilities will not be allowed during GCQ. He said the government will still prohibit entertainment-related mass gatherings, including but not limited to theaters, cinemas, large concerts, festivals, carnivals, conventions, shows, pubs, and bars as well as business-related mass gatherings such as trade shows, conferences, conventions, workshops, and retreats. He said establishments with gambling and betting activities shall remain closed and services catering to the tourism sector, including travel agencies, tour operators, reservation services, and related services will also not be allowed to operate, although hotels are allowed to operate, but not for tourism purposes. “Also hotels are allowed but for the special purpose of providing accommodations for workers of BPOs (business process outsourcing), exporters, banks, etc. At any rate, we expected that travel tourism will still be very weak,” he said. Moreover, Lopez said libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural activities
are still closed during the GCQ. The government also identified mass gathering events that will remain prohibited during GCQ, which include politically-related mass gatherings like election rallies, polling centers, parades, speeches, and addresses. And sports-related mass gatherings such as training, games, tournaments, and championships will not yet resume. Activities of member organizations are still not allowed in areas under GCQ. He said manufacturing activities that were closed during ECQ can return to their operation. However, firms shall implement minimum health standards like physical distancing in the work area, wearing face masks, and providing alcohol and sanitizers. “Malls will be allowed to open except for non-leisure stores. Services such as barbershops, salons, spas, and other personal care industries can resume their operation but must maintain strict health standards,” Lopez said. “Other sectors that were forced to close during ECQ but will be allowed
to operate under GCQ include wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, forestry and logging, publishing activities, motion picture, video and television program production, sound recording and music publishing activities, and advertising and market research,” he added. Lopez said the government is also eyeing to resume construction activities, particularly for its ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. But Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority Director General Karl Kendrick Chua said the Inter-Agency Task Force will give special analysis on the reopening of the construction sector and malls. One of the key points that Chua cited is the risk of virus transmission once activities in the construction sector resume as most of the workers are migrants, but he said it is an opportune time to roll out these projects to speed up the infrastructure program. (With a report from the Zamboanga Post)
DILG orders creation of OFW Desks to assist returning workers Continued from page 1 OFWs are being barred from entering their communities or otherwise prevented to go to their designated health facilities to undergo their mandatory 14-day quarantine,” says DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. “Miscommunication and misinformation should both be out of the question. Kaya magkakaroon ang Kagawaran ng mga OFW Desk sa regional offices pati ang pagtatalaga ng desk officer sa bawat rehiyon, lalawigan, at lungsod. Tutulungan natin silang makauwi sa kanilang mga kaanak pagkatapos ng required quarantine period,” he added. In DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-075, Año directed all regional directors and the BARMM Minister of Local Government to designate the Local Government Operations Officer of DILG city and municipal field offices to be the DILG OFW Desk Officer of the concerned component cities and municipalities.
The main task of the designated DILG OFW Desk Officer is to immediately coordinate with the local chief executives and provide the relevant information about the arriving OFWs. They must ensure that local government units (LGUs), including the BARMM, provide all the necessary assistance to the OFWs. The OFW Desk Officer shall also monitor the health status of all Filipino repatriates within their respective jurisdictions through the city or municipal health workers, barangay health workers, or members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams. Año said that the creation of the DILG OFW Desks is in line with Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 14 that enjoins the accommodation of distressed OFWs. With many LGUs transitioned from enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine for being low-risk areas, many OFWs
will want to return to their provinces, he said. Año said OFWs coming home must undergo self-quarantine or isolation process in Metro Manila first. “Mahirap iyon kasi meron na tayong insidente na nalusutan tayo. Sabi ay COVID-free siya pagkatapos siya raw ay okay na at nag-quarantine na. Pagkatapos umuwi ng bahay, nakapag-infect siya. Mahirap iyong ganoon,” he said. “Katulad noong nangyari sa Cebu, naging 200 [positive COVID-19 cases] talaga siya, mahirap iyong ganoon. Para siguraduhin natin na safe talaga, dito [Metro Manila] na lang muna sila mag-quarantine bago natin ibigay sa LGUs. Pagdating sa LGUs, kung requirement ng LGUs ay mag-quarantine pa siya, puwede na siyang ‘home quarantine,” he added. More than 8,000 OFWs have returned to the country and have all undergone the mandatory 14-day quarantine. (With a report from the Zamboanga Post)
Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
PDEA intensifies ops in Sulu ANTI-NARCOTICS agents have intensified their operations in Sulu province following a recent raid on a marijuana plantation owned by an Abu Sayyaf supporter in Kalingalan Caluang town. Last Friday, members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 swooped down on a 2,100-square meter illegal plantation - owned by a man identified only as Sahabi - in the village of Masjid Punjungan. Soldiers and anti-narcotics agents in collaboration with village leaders, uprooted some 22,000 fully grown marijuana plants and burned them. Marine battalion commander, Lt. Col. Oliver Baylon, said the destroyed marijuana was well over P5 million in street value. Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, commander of the 11th Infantry Division and anti-terror Joint Task Force Sulu, said Sahabi is a known supporter of the pro-ISIS group Abu Sayyaf
A military photo shows security forces uprooting marijuana plants in Kalingalan Caluang town in Sulu province. and may be using funds from the illegal marijuana trade to finance the violent campaign of the terrorist group. “Sahabi is a supporter of the Abu Sayyaf group. The marijuana plantation could be another source of fund of the Abu Sayyaf and their supporters,” Vinluan said. Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said troops will continue supporting law enforcement operations
of the PDEA in an effort to eradicate the illegal trade. “Team WestMinCom will continue to support other agencies in the conduct of law enforcement operations to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs in our operational area,” he said. Officials did not report any arrest and it was unknown whether villagers were aware of the existence of the marijuana plantation in the area. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
3
The Mindanao Examiner
May 4-10, 2020
Covid-19 cases still rising Continued from page 1 Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said indications show that coronavirus cases will still rise even if lockdowns are lifted or eased on May 15. “If we look at the numbers we record daily,
we can see that they are becoming constant and predictable. It is averaging at between 100 and 200 additional cases per day. It’s dangerous and risky for us to declare now that we are plateauing and we are reaching that peak. We are still not at
that point. Even I can tell that,” Vergeire said, citing the lack of testing kits in provinces and regions across the archipelago. She said conducting 8,000 to 10,000 tests per day is insufficient in Manila, which has more than 13 million residents, let
alone the rest of the country. “We can only provide reasonable predictions if we have more data. And that data comes from mass testing. So, if mass testing is limited, our data will also be limited,” she said. Vergeire said they will
recommend that President Rodrigo Duterte maintain an international travel ban due to the pandemic situation abroad. Religious gatherings, however, could be permitted after May 15 but worshipers would have to observe strict social dis-
tancing rules, she added. The Philippines recorded over 8,000 Covid-19 cases with more than 500 deaths, according to government figures. (Joseph Peter Calleja – UCAN. With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
SEC releases guidelines for easy company registration be a fine ranging from P400,000 to P5 million. Wilfully certifying incomplete, inaccurate, false or misleading statements or reports shall likewise be punishable with a fine ranging from P20,000 to P200,000. When the wrongful certification is injurious or detrimental to the public, the respon-
sible person may be punished with a fine ranging from P40,000 to P400,000. Liability for such offenses shall be separate from any other administrative, civil or criminal liability provided under the Revised Corporation Code and other laws, it added. “By easing the requirements for company regis-
tration, we hope to further encourage the formation of businesses and attract more investments that will subsequently generate more employment opportunities and support our economy’s overall growth,” SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino said. (With a report from the Zamboanga Post.)
Sulu reports first Covid-19 case
Residents wait for their turn to go inside a supermarket in Zamboanga City as local government efforts in fighting the deadly coronavirus continues. (Zamboanga Post) THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has relaxed the requirements for the registration of domestic corporations by accepting articles of incorporation authenticated by incorporators. It said under the April 29 approved Guidelines on Authentication of Article of Incorporation in Applications for Registration of New Domestic Corporations, the SEC will accept for registration articles of incorporation that are accompanied by a certificate of authentication signed by all incorporators in the prescribed form. Both the articles of incorporation and the certificate of authentication
will no longer have to be notarized or consularized - the act of authenticating any legal document by the consul office, by the consul signing and affixing a red ribbon to the document. SEC said the incorporators may choose to acknowledge the articles of incorporation before a notary public. If executed outside the Philippines, the articles of incorporation may be apostilled (a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document) or notarized or authenticated by a Philippine diplomatic or consular officer. In the case of a domestic corporation with more than 40% foreign equity, the application
for registration of investments of non-Philippine nationals using SEC Form F-100 must be apostilled or notarized or authenticated by a Philippine diplomatic or consular officer only if the same is executed outside the country. The registration of a corporation, which has procured its certificate of registration through fraud or misrepresentation, shall be revoked. Furthermore, SEC said those responsible for the formation of the corporation or who assisted directly or indirectly therein shall be punished with a fine ranging from P200,000 up to P2 million. When the violation is injurious or detrimental to the public, the penalty shall
SULU – A 63-year old man who died in hospital in Sulu province in April 19 was positive for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) disease after test results came out just recently. Health authorities have confirmed this report on May 1, but details of her death were not made public. However, the Sulu Task Force Covid-19 chaired by Governor Sakur Tan said the patient was a native of Indanan town and died April 19 at the Sulu Sanitarium Hospital. It was unclear how the sexagenarian contracted the disease since he had no travel history outside the province. He is Sulu’s first Covid-19 case, although 6 others suspected of being infected by the virus, had died in recent weeks. Tan has appealed again to residents to stay at home and practise social distancing and maintain cleanliness to minimize risk of infection. “The Sulu Task Force
Covid-19 is taking all necessary measures, based on protocols to contain the spread of the virus. We request the people of Sulu to remain calm and not to panic. Please continue to stay home to prevent the infection and spread of the virus,” he said. Sulu now has six dozen more suspected Covid-19 cases and 58 of them have completed the 14-day home quarantine. The provincial government continues to distribute relief aid to families in all 19 municipalities in an effort to help local chief executives feed the poor while assisting social workers in the distribution of emergency cash subsidy to all those affected by the pandemic. Tan previously appealed to the regional government and the national health authorities for medical support, but received little. The regional government only sent 2,500 face masks and bottles of alcohol, although it claimed to have
released P155 million to all 5 provinces under it to support efforts to combat the virus. The regional has nearly 4 million populations. Tan said the provincial and municipal hospitals still lack medical equipment to support the campaign in combatting the spread of Covid-19. He said the provincial government has been asking medical support from the regional government and national agencies, but received nothing. “Because of the absence of testing kits, the incapacity of our hospitals, lack of ventilators and shortage of sufficient medical personnel to attend to a sudden surge of Covid, our only viable course of action is prevention through a province-wide general community quarantine. We cannot afford to take any chances of putting at risk the lives of our people as a consequence of relaxing our quarantine procedures,” he said. (Zamboanga Post)
Stay at home to avoid deadly Covid-19, Zambo mayor tells residents ZAMBOANGA CITY Mayor Beng Climaco again reminded local residents to stay at home and maintain cleanliness to avoid getting infected with the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid-19) following the deaths of 11 people from the virus. She said Zamboanga now has 30 positive cases of Covid-19 after 18 prisoners and a jail guard have been tested positive for the virus. The spread of the respiratory virus at the local jail broke out after 2 prisoners died one after the other in hospital just recently. Both patients suffered from tuberculosis and pneumonia and were
positive carrier of the virus. Health authorities are still waiting for the laboratory results of 100 others who underwent mass testing conducted by the City Health Office at the jail facility following the deaths of the prisoners, according to Climaco. Climaco, who heads the local task force Covid-19, fears that more prisoners have been infected with the virus. She said those found positive for the disease have been separated from the others and now under quarantine. She said health authorities are monitoring over 400 suspected Covid-19 cases
after 11 people tested positive for the disease died since March. Zamboanga City which has nearly one million populations in all 98 villages - remains under a strict enhanced community quarantine following the approval by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases of Climaco’s request to extend the regulation until May 15 in an effort to address the health pandemic. Climaco reminded residents to practice physical distancing and maintain cleanliness at all time. (Zamboanga Post)
Even late at night while many are asleep, Mayor Beng Climaco continues working hard for the welfare of the Zamboanguenos amid the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. Here, Mayor Beng discusses important measures with Vice Mayor Rommel Agan, City Administrator Apple Go, Councilor Jimmy Villaflores and her Chief of Staff, Mike Saavedra at City Hall. (Christian Olasiman)
4
The Mindanao Examiner
May 4-10, 2020
Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Task Force Covid-19)
May 4-10, 2020
The Mindanao Examiner
5
Sulu Pictures in the News
6
The Mindanao Examiner
May 4-10, 2020
Across : 1. Vane dir. 4. Donkey 7. Cut bread 12. ___ loss (2 wds.) 13. Not me 14. Photocopier liquid 15. Camper’s lamp 17. Change 18. Wood source 19. Safe to eat 21. Aired again 23. Snitch 26. Beatle Ringo ___ 29. Improve 32. Courageous 34. Bun seed 35. Beseech 37. Director Woody ___ 38. Had a bite 39. Commerce 41. Moscow’s country 44. Send out 48. Biblical pronoun 50. Get ready 52. Napped leather 53. High’s opposite 54. Scratch 55. Mexicn coins 56. Compass point (abbr.) 57. “Raggedy” doll
CEBU CITY G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan (0923) 1670009
Rodil P. Ybañez
DAVAO CITY Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021
Marilou Cablinda
NORTH COTABATO KIDAPAWAN CITY CENTRAL MINDANAO COTABATO CITY Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936 Answer to last week’s crossword:
PAGADIAN CITY
Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera st., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur (0910) 7348600
Richard Suarez
Down : 1. Popcorn seasoning 2. “A ___ Is Born” 3. Dwindle 4. sailor’s yes 5. More angry 6. Ice-cream treat 7. Pierce 8. Recline lazily 9. ___ medicine 10. So-so grade 11. Slip up 16. Fright 20. Small hotels 22. Ohio lake 24. Zenith 25. Youth 26. Mets’ old stadium
27. Camping need 28. Blood vessels 30. Noggin 31. Snoozing 33. Felines 36. Three-base hit 40. Slugger Hank ___ 42. Take apart 43. Observes 45. Papa’s partner 46. Mideast nation 47. Shore bird 48. Recipe measure (abbr.) 49. Color 51. Ram’s mate
Weekly Sudoku:
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA BASILAN, SULU, TAWIͳTAWI ΈBARMMΉ 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / 0995-5202358
Maritess Fernandez The Mindanao Examiner The Zamboanga Post
Newspaper, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief / Producer (OIC)
Answer to last week:
Reynold Toribio Graphics/Video Editor
Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily / Business Week / Mindanao Star ADVERTISING Rhoderick Beñez (0927) 4757936 Central Mindanao/ Kidapawan City/Cotabato City North Cotabato Eduardo A. Sode (0917) 3087366 044 Mabini St. Cebu City Rodil P. Ybañez (0923) 1670009 Ground flr, Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko St., Kamagayan Cebu City
Marilou Cablinda (0997) 3172021 Davao Region/ Eastern Mindanao Jeng Fernandez (0917) 7930652 Zamboanga Peninsula
Richard Suarez (0910) 7348600 Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera sts., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone & Fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0995) 5202358 DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero Phone: (082) 2841859 Mobile: (0925) 7621914 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: 3/F JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone & fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0995) 5202358
7
The Mindanao Examiner
May 4-10, 2020
Sulu praised for its efforts in fighting Covid-19
Vic Lima and Marc Logan (Photo courtesy of DZMM TeleRadyo)
Still no classes in June CLASSES FOR grade school students will not begin in June due to the prevailing novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. He reiterated that only Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may resume operations on a skeletal workforce in areas not under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Roque made this clarification after some private schools want to start classes next month by implementing a “multi-modal approach” which allows combination of both faceto-face and online classes. “I can announce that there will be no classes this June for grade school, but for higher education institutes, they can have skeletal forces but only to finish the academic year and only to consider alternative learning,” Roque said. The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Manage-
ment of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) earlier recommended moving the next school opening to September, subject to the approval of the Department of Education (DepEd). DepEd, which is eyeing the opening of classes in late August, is set to present its recommendations to the IATF-EID this month. “I don’t think there’s much of a difference between the recommendation of the IATF and the law because we’re only talking of one week. I think that can be threshed out,” Roque said. “Although continuity of learning is important, the primary consideration now is the health of the nation.” Citing a study by the University of the Philippines, Roque said the youth have the most contact with vulnerable populations including the elderly. “As far as epidemiology is concerned, the worst ‘carriers’ are actual-
ly young people,” he said. Last month, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the IATF-EID’s recommendation to place Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Benguet, Albay, Catanduanes, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Iloilo, Cebu, and Cebu City under ECQ until May 15 since these are considered as highrisk areas. The EITF-EID, however, recommended to revise the list of areas to be placed under ECQ. The revised list includes Metro Manila, Central Luzon, except Aurora; Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Benguet, Baguio City, Iloilo, Cebu province, and Davao City. Roque said other areas will be placed under a less-stringent GCQ until May 15. And GCQ in lowrisk areas may be lifted after May 15 if there is no deterioration in their risk level. (Azer Parrocha)
Continued from page 1 Logan and Lima on Saturday interviewed Jainab Abdulmajid, the spokeswoman for the Sulu Task Force Covid-19, and both veteran news announcers were astonished over how the provincial government effectively managed the health crisis. Abdulmajid said the implementation of the general home quarantine and the discipline of the locals greatly helped prevent the spread of the virus. She said Sulu only reported a single Covid-19 case just recently and that the quarantine has also been extended by Tan for 2 more weeks following the recommendation of health authorities and various stakeholders to
ensure public health and safety of everyone from the virus. Abdulmajid also reported that the Sulu Task Force Covid-19 and municipal governments have provided sufficient relief assistance to every family, especially the poorest of the poor, in all 19 towns, including security forces and health care workers in the front line battling the spread of the respiratory disease. Since the start of the quarantine period, the provincial government distributed hundreds of tons of rice to municipal governments with mayors providing additional provision, mostly grocery items, to their constituents. Social workers and health care workers also
provided services despite the risk of getting infected with the virus. Abdulmajid said despite the strict quarantine guidelines, the movement of essential goods and services continue to ensure the flow of basic commodities remains unhampered. Logan and Lima, awed by the pristine beauty of Sulu, said they would visit the province soon after the pandemic is over. The dzMM Radyo Patrol is a 24-hour Filipino language news and talk radio station broadcasting from Quezon City. It is the flagship station of the Radyo Patrol Network owned by television giant ABS-CBN. (Zamboanga Post. With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
Army orders ‘relentless’ ops vs. NPAs Continued from page 1 Jose Faustino Jr., chief of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command. Just last week, patrolling soldiers killed 2 communist insurgents in a clash that also wounded 2 infantrymen in Agusan del Sur. The series of fighting
erupted in the village of Guibonon in Esperanza town after members of the 26th Infantry Battalion ran into the group of NPA rebels. Soldiers recovered the bodies of the slain rebels and their weapons, according to Lt. Col. Romeo Jimenea, the battalion
commander, saying, they are coordinating with the municipal police to identify the casualties. There was no immediate stamen from the rebel group which has been fighting for the establishment of a communist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Security forces capture notorious killer and gunrunner in Lanao Norte
Earn More, Be an Advertising Agency! Do you want to earn more? Be an ADVERTISING AGENCY and DEALER for the Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper and earn hefty commissions. Apply now. This offer covers Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE 3rd Floor, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone: 062-9555360 Mobile: 0995-5202358
DAVAO CITY OFFICE Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines Phone: 082-2841859 Mobile: 0947-4823453
URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
NOTICE Please report to us any individual or persons who are illegally soliciting money or donations for or in behalf of The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, The Zamboanga Post and Radyo Mindanao. We have a strict company policy against solicitation in any forms and the Company shall not be responsible for illegal practice of unscrupulous persons, who pass themselves off as Reporter, Stringer, Correspondent or Sales Executive of The Mindanao Examiner, The Zamboanga Post and Radyo Mindanao. When in doubt, please call or SMS us at these numbers (062) 9555360 or 0995-5202358 or email us – mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Military photos show the captured Halid Ameril and his weapons. PAGADIAN CITY – Security forces captured a notorious hired killer and gunrunner in the province of Lanao del Norte in southern Philippines, security officials said. Officials said Halid Ameril was captured recently at a road block in the village of Dansalan in Sapad town after receiving intelligence that he would pass the area to smuggle automatic weapons. Ameril, a member of the Rhapakhar criminal group, was cornered by soldiers and policemen and they seized from him one M-16 automatic rifle, one M14 Garand rifle, one handheld radio, maga-
zines and ammunition, according to a report by Brig. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV, commander of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade, involved in the joint operation. Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, commander of the 1st Infantry Division, lauded the capture of Ameril and praised soldiers and policemen for the successful operation. “Amid the fight against the COVID- 19, you have shown professionalism and proficiency to eradicate lawless elements that continuously pose threat to the peace and safety of the people in our area of responsibility,” he said. Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobe-
jana, chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, also praised the joint law enforcement operation and congratulated the units involved in the mission. “Strong interagency collaboration is very vital in the implementation of joint law enforcement operations. Successful operations are also attributed to the aggressive stance of the peace-loving citizens against lawlessness and criminality in their community,” he said. Officials did not say how many people Ameril had killed or who were supplying illegal weapons to his group. (Zamboanga Post)
8
The Mindanao Examiner
May 4-10, 2020
May 4-10, 2020
The Mindanao Examiner
9
10
The Mindanao Examiner
May 4-10, 2020
May 4-10, 2020
The Mindanao Examiner
11
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859
P10
May 4-10, 2020
Public told to follow GCQ guidelines
T
HE GOVERNMENT has released revised set of guidelines the public must strict follow for areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) after it was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Presidential Spokesper- social distancing, pagsusuot stressed. “Yun mga biyahe son Harry Roque said the fol- ng face mask, yung manda- para sa leisure, mga bakasyon, lowing areas are now under tory check of temperature, at hindi pa rin po iyan pinapayaGCQuntil May 15 – the whole paggamit po ng alcohol at iba gan,” he explained. Roque said residents of Metro Manila, Central Lu- pang sanitizers,” he said. zon, except Aurora, CalabarHe said public move- 21 years old and below or 60 zon, Pangasinan, Benguet, ments are still limited to ac- years old and above; and peoIloilo, Bacolod City, Cebu cessing essential goods and ple with immunodeficiency, province, and Davao City. services and for work in the comorbidities, or other health Roque said there must permitted industries during risks; and pregnant women be minimum public health the implementation of GCQ. who are in areas under GCQ standards at all times in Thus, movement for leisure must observe strict home those areas. “Ibig sabihin, purposes are not allowed, he quarantine, except when in-
dispensable under the circumstances for obtaining essential goods and services or for work in permitted industries and offices. “Yun mga essential work gatherings and religious activities, pupwede na pong magpatuloy. Essential work gatherings and religious activities may continue as long as strict social distancing of at least two meters is observed,” he said, adding, attendees are required to wear face mark, face shield, or other facial protective equipment during the
SEC warns public vs. online get-rich-quick schemes CEBU CITY – Despite the prevailing health crisis due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), online investment scammers continue victimizing the public in their “get-rich-quick” schemes, the Securities and Exchange Commission-Cebu extension office (SEC-CEO) said. Lawyer Alma Marie Dalena, officer-in-charge of SEC-CEO, reminded the public to exercise caution in dealing with firms soliciting investments using the social media and internet platform. “We are reminding the investing public that the certificate of incorporation is not enough for corporations to solicit investments. Before they can do that, they must first secure a secondary license from the commission,” Dalena said. Dalena said the SEC is relentlessly conducting investor protection efforts, adding that would-be investors may email their office through seccebu@sec.gov.ph to verify if a certain corporation is authorized to engage in investment-taking. She also encouraged potential investors to regularly check the Advisories page of the Commission’s official website, www.sec.gov.ph. “The Enforcement and Investor Protection Department is proactive in identifying groups or individuals taking advantage of the (Covid-19) pandemic to scam
ARMM
investors. I’m encouraging the investing public to regularly check on the advisories posted on our website for additional guidance and information on the activities of these fraudulent entities,” she said. Tiara Jabutay, the information officer of SEC-CEO, told the Philippine News Agency, that there are Cebuanos who filed complaints with their office after being victimized by online investment scams. “The location of the investment firms does not matter. What matters is the reach of their offer to the public. Some are having their operations in Manila and some are in other provinces but they have the same modus, that is to use online and social media in reaching their target audience and entice them to invest online,” she said. Jabutay said some investment firms enticed Netizens to invest through products like gold or silver and some use pyramiding recruitment as a scheme to lure investors. The SEC earlier warned the public against investing in CROWD1 Asia Pacific, Inc., Sharebiz Ads/ Sharebiz Advertising/ Sharebiz Online Advertising Services, and Winners Ecommerce International Network Corp. (WINCORP). SEC said that CROWD1, Sharebiz, and WINCORP neither have registered securities such as investment contracts nor have secured a secondary license to solicit and take in-
vestments from the public, as required under Republic Act No. 8799 or The Securities Regulation Code. SEC added that it has no record of Sharebiz and WINCORP being registered as corporations or partnerships. Under its scheme, CROWD1 offers membership packages worth P6,000 to P240,000. An investor is entitled to bonuses by simply joining, sponsoring newer members, and recruiting more people. Sharebiz, meanwhile, offers three entry packages worth P330 to P1,100. An investor may earn by recruiting members, encoding captcha, selling products, and converting a portion of his/her earnings into the so-called BIZCOIN. This Camarines Sur-based firm also offers a BIZCOIN-focused compensation plan where one may invest P500 to P50,000 and earn a 42% interest every 20 days within a two-month period by simply logging in own account. WINCORP likewise offers entry packages worth P4,888 to P39,998 with 200 to 1,600 equivalent points. An investor may earn P1,000 daily or P20,000 weekly, and as much as P30,000 monthly by selling products and recruiting members. SEC warned that those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers, or agents of fraudulent investment schemes may be held criminally liable and penalized with a maximum
Eastern Mindanao
fine of P5 million or imprisonment of 21 years or both under the Securities Regulation Code. Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” further penalizes those participating in cyber incidents that make use or take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to prey on the public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts with two-month imprisonment or a maximum fine of P1 million or both. (John Rey Saavedra)
event. Roque said road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors of public transportation can operate at “a reduced capacity” during the implementation of GCQ. He said the operations of mass public transport must be in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation. “In all public transports, a strict one-meter distance between passengers shall be observed and appropriate engineering controls [shall be] in place,” Roque said. He said work in government offices may be at full operational capacity. “Balik trabaho na po ang mga government offices, local and national. Kinakailangan, merong social distancing at saka kung pupwede po, magkaroon ng alternative work arrangements, as agencies may deem proper,” he said. Roque noted that limited operations in malls and shopping centers would still be allowed. He, however, stressed that leisure establishments would remain closed. But he said the resumption of essential public and private construction projects would be
allowed, in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Public Works and Highways He said that amusement, gaming and fitness establishments may not operate during ECQ period. He likewise said hotels or similar firms cannot operate, except for those that are outside Luzon; have existing long-term bookings; and serve as basic lodging to repatriated Filipinos, healthcare workers, and other front-liners. Roque said physical classes are still suspended in areas that are placed under GCQ. Classes have been suspended as early as March to stop the further spread of Covid-19. He said higher education institutions (HEIs) may hold classes through flexible learning arrangements to finish the academic year 2019-2020. He said HEIs may operate at a limited capacity to receive students’ requirements, as well as to prepare credentials subject to the guidelines that may be issued by the Commission on Higher Education. (Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos)
DTI offers loans for entrepreneurs CEBU CITY – Micro and small entrepreneurs in Central Visayas affected by the enhanced community quarantine can now borrow funds from the government to help their distressed businesses amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Central Visayas said. Asteria Caberte, DTI regional director, said the agency is opening a P1-billion enterprise rehabilitation financing (ERF) for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) affected by the crisis brought by Covid-19. She said through the DTI’s financial conduit, Small Business Corporation, the ERF facility will be implemented under the DTI’s Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pagasen-
Western Mindanao
so program. “The loan facility aims to restore and reinstate the financially distressed businesses during Covid-19 pandemic and is also open for businesses who want to re-structure or re-purpose their business operations to suit the recent demand of the market,” she said. Caberte said micro enterprises with asset size of not more than P3 million may borrow P10,000 up to P200,000, and small enterprises with asset size of not more than P10 million may borrow a higher loan amount but will not exceed P500,000. The borrowed funds are expected to be used to update loan amortizations for vehicle loans or other fixed asset loans of the business, replace inventory for damaged perishable stocks, and
Cebu
as working capital replacement to restart the business, she added. Caberte further said a grace period on payments will be given to borrowers until such time the Covid-19 crisis has abated. Although SB Corp still has to release the requirements and guidelines of the ERF, she is encouraging MSME business owners to contact any of the DTI Central Visayas provincial offices to signify their interest and to get an endorsement from the corporation. The ERF facility forms part of the government’s P27.1-billion package of priority measures to help fight against Covid-19 and provide relief to affected sectors. (John Rey Saavedra)
Manila