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March 8-14, 2021
IATF approves uniform protocols on local travel ‘No more Covid tests unless LGU requires it’
T
HE NATIONAL task force on Covid-19 has eased travel restrictions, including documentary requirements for travellers across the country. The uniform travel fectious Diseases (IATF- certificate are no longer protocols was approved MEID) and under Reso- required for land, air and by the Inter-Agency Task lution No. 101 the travel sea travel. Force on Emerging In- authority and medical Continue on page 2
Zambo’s road clearing campaign lauded A passenger plane of the Cebu Pacific Air lands at the Zamboanga International Airport. The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases has passed Resolution No. 101 easing up travel restrictions across the country. (Zamboanga Post)
Zamboanga’s waterfront one of the best in South ZAMBOANGA CITY now has one of the most beautiful and colorful beachfront in southern Philippines following the recent inauguration of the Waterfront and Heritage Walk Redevelopment Project and the Scouting Centennial Monument at the long stretch of the Roseller T. Lim Boulevard. Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado together with Assistant Secretary Kim de Leon and Continue on page 3
Mayor Beng Climaco and City Administrator Apple Go with the DILG validation team. (Claudine Uniana) MEMBERS OF the Interior Department’s validation team lauded the local government’s efforts in clearing road of obstructions as ordered by President
Rodrigo Duterte. Climaco earlier ordered barangay officials not only to help the local government in clearing public roads and spaces of
all obstruction, but also to maintain the campaign in an effort to preserve all the hard work of all those involved in Continue on page 7
Report presence of foreigners BARANGAY OFFICIALS were ordered to report and monitor the presence of foreigners in their respective areas as part of
security precautions. The order came from Mayor Beng Climaco, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council after
the security body passed a resolution. Climaco also enjoins barangay officials to Continue on page 7
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The Zamboanga Post
March 8-14, 2021
IATF approves uniform protocols on local travel ‘No more Covid tests unless LGU requires it’ Continued from page 1 The new travel protocols were crafted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, the League of Provinces of the Philippines, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and the League of Cities of the Philippines. DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the new protocols are applicable to all local governments. He said all local governments must o comply with the new IATFMEID regulations. Malaya said Covid-19 testing shall not be mandatory for domestic travellers, except if the local government will require testing as a requirement prior to travel. “If the LGU of destination requires a test, it shall only require
a Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction or RT-PCR test and no other. Meaning, LGUs cannot require Antigen tests or rapid tests as test requirements prior to travel,” he said. He advised all travellers to check with the local government of their destination before travelling to ensure a smooth trip. Malaya also said that under the new protocols, no traveller shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms upon arrival at their destination. “Therefore, the health assessment of passengers or travellers supervised by medical professionals shall be mandatory upon entry in the port or terminal and exit at point of destination,” he said. He said that all local governments shall con-
duct clinical and exposure assessment at all points of entry and exit to ensure that only asymptomatic, non-close contact individuals are allowed to travel or move from one local government to another. Malaya emphasized that with the travel regulations harmonized, the strict implementation of health protocols remain the same - wearing of face mask, face shield and physical distancing, including frequent hand washing – to ensure safety at all times against the deadly respiratory virus. He said Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs) from national government agencies shall provide their identification card, travel order, and travel itinerary, and must pass symptom-screening at ports of entry and exit. “Pero kahit
Ban on sardine fishing lifted
Mayor Beng Climaco gestures as she speaks during a program following the lifting of a three-month sardine ban in Zamboanga Peninsula. (Bong Serondo) THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has lifted its ban on sardine fishing in Zamboanga Peninsula ending a three-month conservation measure to help protect and conserve sardine species in the southern region. Mayor Beng Climaco led a ceremony along with BFAR officials led by Regional Director Isidro Velayo Jr. and representatives of canning and fishing companies in Zamboanga declaring an open season for the resumption of sardine fishing. The mayor also lauded the BFAR and the Southern Philippines
Deep Sea Fishing Association Inc., and also the Industrial Group of Zamboanga for supporting the sardine conservation program that contributed to the sustained supply in this part of the country. Climaco cited the key role played by the sardines industry that largely contributes to Zamboanga’s economy being the so-called “sardine capital of the Philippines.” During the fishing ban each December, purse seiners, ring nets, bag nets and scoop nets are not allowed within the sardine conservation area in East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay.
By enforcing the closed season, sardines fish stocks are able to replenish and recover, ensuring the abundance of sardines and other fishery resources in the area. Data from the National Stock Assessment Program showed an upward trend in sardine production with the volume reaching an all-time high of 297,683.49 MT in 2020 since 2011, the year when the implementation of the closed season was started in Zamboanga. This is a significant indicator especially in sardine-rich Zamboanga waters, which account for an average production of 49.25% of the country’s total sardine from 2010 to 2020 based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. “More than ever, now is the time to take advantage of this open fishing season to take part in ensuring the country’s food supply. As we sail again to the waters of Zamboanga, we are hopeful to receive the abundance of aquatic resources reinforced by our unwavering support towards fishery conservation and management, said BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona. (Zamboanga Post)
lumuwag ang travel protocols, paalala po sa travellers na pinapatupad pa rin ang minimum public health standards. Maging disiplinado pa rin po sa pagsunod sa physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette at pagsuot ng face masks at face shields. Disiplina muna para sa ligtas na biyahe,” he said. For ports and terminals, all must have assigned sufficient quarantine facilities, according to Malaya, adding, a referral system must be in place wherein travellers who become symptomatic shall be transferred to quarantine or isolation facilities to enable the Bureau of Quarantine for airports, or local government to take over. S-PASS With the new developments, Malaya said the Safe, Swift, and Smart Passage (S-PaSS) Travel Management System, of the Department of Science and Technology shall be institutionalized as the one-stop-shop application or communication for travellers. “To complement the S-PaSS, we are also encouraging the public to install the mobile application StaySafe.ph. It shall be utilized as the primary contact tracing system,” he said. “The work of contact tracers of the DILG field offices and LGUs is complemented by technology. I urge travellers and the public, in general, to use the StaySafe.ph app in their mobile phones as our way of contributing to beating COVID-19 so we may smoothly transition to a safe new normal,” he added. Vice President Leni Robredo has criticized the IATF-MEID’s decision harmonizing travel requirement across all the country, saying it could trigger the spike in Covid-19 cases. Malaya said that they needed to streamline local regulations for domestic travel as well as recommend best options to encourage domestic travel for leisure to revive the heavily-hit travel and tourism sector and related industries while managing the risks of Covid-19 transmission. Citing figures from the
National Economic Development Authority, he said that quarantine restrictions put in place since March 2020 has caused a total income loss of P1.04 trillion that year. On average, that translated to P2.8 billion in salaries lost — or an annual income loss of P23,000 per worker. “We needed to streamline because we need to revive our economy and address the hunger, loss of jobs and economic opportunities that came as a result of the travel restrictions,” Malaya insisted, noting that 30% of the public still cannot go to work and 50% of the people cannot take public transport. “People need to be able to commute to go to work or to earn a living,” he said. Malaya said that the domestic airline industry has also asked the DILG to address this issue since the local air carriers have accumulated a P47.4 billion net income loss as of September of last year alone. “Despite the reopening of major regional airports, the domestic airline industry has seen a slump in domestic passengers and domestic cargo carried due to fragmented LGU regulations compared to our ASEAN neighbors where Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand have already revived their domestic travel industry to 2019 levels. If other countries can do it, why can’t we?” he asked. Zambo Maintains Covid Test Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco also signed Executive Order BC-626 2021 which states that for inbound air, ferry and land passengers who are merely passing through Zamboanga to Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi - the following documentation are needed: Endorsement latter from focal person of Ministry of the Interior and Local Government of the Muslim autonomous region to the Zamboanga City Tourism Office, RTPCR negative test result within 5 days from swabbing, and that the end destination local government must receive their constituents at the entry points or border. And for Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur
and Zamboanga del Norte, the following requirements are also needed: RT-PCR negative test result within 5 days from swabbing, and that the end destination local government must receive their constituents at the entry points or border. The order also said that for outbound air, ferry and land passengers en route to the airport, they need to present their “confirmed flight ticket.” And for frequent and business travellers, only “frequent travellers pass” shall be required for business owners, or their duly authorized representatives who engage in small, medium and large business enterprise in Zamboanga City. They are also required to undergo RT-PCR test once a month and present the result to the Zamboanga City through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. And for inbound frequent traveller, they need to surrender at least 1 valid government-issued ID at the entry point, and only allowed to stay in Zamboanga City for 3 days and must undergo RT-PCR test if they want to extend their stay. But for outbound frequent traveller, they are allowed 3 days to travel outside Zamboanga City for emergency purpose, business transaction or for any other essential purpose. Should their travel go beyond the 3-day period, they will have to undergo RT-PCR test. It said that travellers with incomplete documents shall not be allowed entry into Zamboanga City. And those caught illegally entering Zamboanga City shall be fined P5,000 and shall be immediately quarantined pending RTPCR test all at their own expense. While travellers with falsified documents shall also be fined P5,000 and shall be immediately quarantined pending RTPCR test all at their own expense. And those aiding in the entry of any persons with incomplete requirements shall be fined P5,000 for every individual smuggled into Zamboanga City, and the revocation of business permit if they are engaged in the trade or business in Zamboanga City, among others. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
March 8-14, 2021
Zamboanga’s waterfront one of the best in South
Scouting Centennial Monument (Bong Serondo)
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Mega Fishing inaugurates new building
Inauguration of Mega Fishing Corporation headquarters in Barangay Cawit. (Bong Serondo) DESPITE THE Covid-19 pandemic, the Mega Fishing Corporation has inaugurated a new headquarters in Zamboanga City. True to its slogan “Improving Everyday Lives. Turning meal times into extraordinary experiences with high-quality and innovative products for your family’s convenience,” Mayor Beng Climaco praised the company for providing jobs to many people, especially during this time of crisis. “Gracias por el de ustedes confianza na admin-
istration del Ciudad de Zamboanga para invirti aqui y ayuda dale empleo na maga residente y ayuda na economia del Ciudad,” Climaco, who graced the inauguration in Barangay Cawit, said. Mega Global Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of canned goods. It is the company behind Mega Sardines - the Number 1 Sardines brand in the country, and other innovative, high-quality and value-for-money products such as the Mega Cre-
ations Premium Sardines, Mega Tuna, and Mega Prime Canned Vegetables. The company is behind Mega Fishing Corporation and Ayala Seafoods Corporation with its modern facilities, international standard certifications and equipment for both fishing and manufacturing, Mega Global Corporation said it is dedicated to improve people’s lives by bringing forth improvements and innovation in fishing, food technology and packaging. (Zamboanga Post)
Continued from page 1 Regional Budget Director Mark Louie Martin and Emil Aquino, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, graced the twin events led by Mayor Beng Climaco and local government officials. The P74-million refurbished project was funded by the Department of Budget and Management and forms part of the Green, Green, Green project intended to make selected cities more liveable and sustainable through the development of public open spaces. The Scout Centennial Monument, designed by acclaimed Angono artist and sculptor Nemesio Miranda, reminds Filipinos that Zamboanga City is the birthplace of the first scouting activity in November 14, 1914. Avisado hailed Climaco and the people of Zamboanga for their resiliency amid the trials and tribulations. “Today is still truly a celebration as Zamboanga City has been blessed with 84 long years of strong and dynamic leaders. This day is a commemoration of how long the city has been prospering and how its people have contributed to what it is now today. Your leaders are reflections of their constituents and are only as effective as they are if the people choose to support and empower them,” Avisado said. The event also saw the unveiling of the huge “I Love ZC signage.” Prior to the inauguration, Climaco gave visiting Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson a tour of the Waterfront Heritage Redevelopment Project. Robinson was here to discuss various Australian-funded programs for Zamboanga Late last year, Climaco’s political foes used the delay in the Waterfront
Heritage Redevelopment Project due to the Covid pandemic, to attack the mayor and spread black propaganda by saying that it had been abandoned by the local government. The project was suspended in March last year due to the health crisis and resumed in July 16. In slamming the propaganda of her detractors, Climaco said: “El black propaganda ta continua y el fake news, false information na social media ta continua hace calayat el cuantos maga persona que tiene mal intencion para destrosa el govierno local, para destrosa el esfuerzos del govierno por de ila vested interest.” “Y el los demas personas, como venganza contra con el govierno cay no puede estos maga gente influir con el gobierno local. Por tantos años, el ataque contra na administracion sin descanso por causa de politica,” she added. Residents and visitors have praised the beautiful façade of the boulevard with its well-lighted path walk adorned with palm trees and flowering plants and stainless hand rails. Green, Green, Green project is funded under the Local Government Support Fund - Assistance to Cities and it is the government’s public open space development program launched in 2017 by the Department of Budget and Management.
It assists the Philippines’ 145 cities and their local government units in making their communities more liveable, sustainable, and well-connected through the development or enhancement of public open space by creating esplanades, parks, arboretum, or botanical gardens, and building bike lanes, walkways, and green infrastructure. The program is a parallel endeavor to the massive national infrastructure development program Build, Build, Build. And the Zamboanga City Waterfront and Heritage Walk Development Project is one of the biggest public open space projects under Green, Green, Green project. The city’s project focused on upgrading and connecting the boulevard and its neighboring thoroughfares in the waterfront city zone and heritage zone. Uniform and non-skid paving were used to improve the appearance and safety of the streetscape while speed tables were built to connect sidewalks, making the corridor friendly to people on foot. Rows of native Zamboanga trees and shrubs are also planted along the esplanade to protect pedestrians and bikers from motorists on the carriageway. Seating areas were also built on the edge of the shore for a good view of the sunset. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
March 8-14, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
March 8-14, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, Claudine Uniana, Gerry Pollisco/ Dr. Ed Bisquera/OCENR, Niño Olasiman /HLMD, Giana Andrion, and Chris Mandi.
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The Zamboanga Post
March 8-14, 2021
Across : 1. Edge 4. Assists 8. Peruvian capital 12. Poem of praise 13. Fit of temper 14. Wrought ___ 15. ___ constrictor 16. Firmly loyal 18. Yew or willow 20. Thickly populated 21. Mediate 25. Bench 26. Service charge 27. Intentions 31. Fit 32. Double curve 33. Spoiled child 34. Companions 35. Go bad 36. Pavarotti solo 37. Leaving 39. Cowboys’ contest 43. Get together 44. Surpassed 47. CBS rival 50. Surrealist painter Salvador ___ 51. Take care of 52. Typewriter key 53. She, in Bordeaux 54. Picnic intruders 55. Naval officer (abbr.) Down : 1. Burglarize 2. Altar vow (2 wds.) 3. Spaghetti topping 4. Desirable quality 5. Butt in 6. Expire 7. RR depot 8. Existence 9. Persia, now 10. Velvety growth 11. Poker opener 17. President before JFK 19. Ceremonial events 21. Urgent abbr. 22. Songstress ___ McEntire 23. Fable author
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March 8-14, 2021
Report presence of foreigners Continued from page 1 coordinate with police authorities and the Bureau of Immigration and report foreigners who are either residing or temporarily staying in their locality to ensure their safety. In November last year, Climaco - citing intelligence reports - warned the public, including foreigners and their Filipina spouses, to stay vigilant against of threats of kidnapping and terrorism, saying criminal elements
may strike anywhere or at any time. “We would also like to warn the public, especially maga families or the spouses married to foreigners, to please exercise precautions. El warning de aton is against kidnapping, especially to the foreigners residing in Zamboanga, and (for them) to coordinate with your barangay officials and the local security forces - the police and military because we do not want to have any incident of
kidnapping in Zamboanga and even our own residents, cay el maga kidnappers hinde mas ta escoge este tiempo, si uste ba foreigner or local, hinde mas estos ta escoge cay tiene sila grande ambicion de terorismo” Climaco said. The mayor previously warned residents of Abu Sayyaf attacks following last August twin suicide bombings in Jolo town in Sulu province that killed and injured dozens of people. (Zamboanga Post)
Zambo’s road clearing campaign lauded Continued from page 1 Duterte’s directives. The DILG validation team headed by DILG City Directress Ginagene Uy were unanimous in lauding Climaco’s efforts. “The effort of LGU Zamboanga is laudable. I believe that having a mayor with strong political will, Zamboanga City will improve pa talaga. Ngayon pa lang nakikita na namin maganda na yung improvement kasi alam natin na sa simula ay mahirap siyang gawin. Pero pag meron lang talagang will ang ating officials, magagawa at magagawa talaga. Wala talagang imposible,” said Fire Marshal Jasmine Tanog, one of the members of the validation team, adding, the City Government scored high on most of the validation points. Climaco thanked the DILG team and said: “We are very dedicated to being faithful to the mandate and directive of clearing the roads of Zamboanga City” and assured the validation team the local government will continue to do its best.
“Our road clearing campaign is a continuing process. Let us continue the tasks of ensuring road safety as well as the safety of the motorists and people as well. Hace todo manera que debe hace, tene Disiplina todo,” she said. In July 2019, the DILG - upon Duterte’s order - issued Memorandum Circular 2019-121 which gave mayors 60 days “to exercise their powers essential to reclaim public roads which are being used for private ends, and in the process rid them of illegal structures and constructions.” Following Duterte’s directive, Climaco – together with barangay officials – led a massive operation called “Oplan Baklas” against road obstructions even though the local government had been implementing this long before the DILG order. Zamboanga was also cited last year by the DILG for its vigorous road-clearing campaign, including the strict enforcement of the anti-littering, an-
ti-garbage and anti-traffic laws and city ordinances. The DILG commended Climaco and the local government for its efforts in implementing Duterte’s order to clear public roads of all obstruction. Paizal Abutazil, the DILG regional director for Western Mindanao, said Zamboanga City obtained 90 points – the highest points beyond the passing mark set by the national government, and praising the local government efforts and Climaco. Abutazil led the validating team of the national government in Zamboanga and the following criteria were the basis of the rating: Ordinance, wherein the City scored 14 out of 15 points; Inventory- the City got a perfect score of 5; Road Clearing – the local government got 45 out of 50 points; Displacement Program earned for Zamboanga 8 out of 10 points; Rehabilitation Efforts gave the City Government 13 out of 15 points; and Grievance Mechanism with a perfect score of 5 for a total points of 90. (Zamboanga Post)
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DA praises Climaco administration
Mayor Beng Climaco and other officials pose with DA representatives who handed over a check worth P3 million to the local government for its strong support to the Kadiwa on Wheels program. (Bong Serondo) THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture has commended the Climaco administration and praised the local government for its strong collaboration in the implementation of the Kadiwa on Wheels or Mobile Market program in various barangays despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Because of Mayor Beng Climaco’s strong support to the program, Agriculture Assistant Regional Director Ferdinand Gamorot handed over a check amounting to P3 million to the local government for the purchase of 2 trucks to further strengthen the Kadiwa on Wheels program and benefit both the locals and farmers and fishermen. He also presented Climaco with a plaque of appreciation for the involvement and support of the
local government through the City Agriculturist Office headed by Carmelita Sanchez, to various agricultural programs in Zamboanga. Climaco and Sanchez thanked the DA for the recognition. Gamorot said the Kadiwa on Wheels program was able to market over P10 million worth of agricultural and fishery products. The program, he said, benefited local farmers through the sale of their produce at cheaper prices that directly benefited residents here. “Over 50,000 local consumers were able to avail of affordable products from the Kadiwa mobile market in various barangays,” he said. Last year, the Department of Labor and Employment also praised Climaco and the local
government for taking an active participation in “Project HOPE” (Helping Others Prosper Economically) which sold various crops and products at the Kadiwa on Wheels program. Project HOPE is a holistic intervention for the fishing and canning industry workers and their dependents displaced during the annual closed fishing season which included emergency employment, training, retooling and livelihood. It focuses on eco-livelihood farming as an enrolled project under the “Trabaho Negosyo Kabuhayan” framework and provided beneficiaries with an alternative source of income through agricultural farming. (Zamboanga Post, Bong Serondo and Joni Sarina Mejico.)
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The Zamboanga Post
March 8-14, 2021
March 8-14, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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CHO simulates Covid vaccination
T
HE ZAMBOANGA City Government continues with its Covid-19 vaccination program and simulating the various processes for the mass inoculation here. The City Health Of- City Covid Vaccination Team the City Health Office, infice under Dr. Dulce Amor and uniformed personnel for cluding those who particiMiravite led the simulation a job well done,” he said. pated in the simulation exerrecently at the covered court Dr. Al Kunting, of the cise for their dedication and in Barangay Santa Maria Zamboanga City Medical commitment. She said the where Dr. Joshua Brillantes, Center, and Dr. Maritess simulation will surely help of the Department of Health, Maxino, of the local chapter address the gaps and chaland other officials from the of the Private Hospitals As- lenges in the preparations Zamboanga City Medical sociation of the Philippines, for the mass vaccination. Center served as observers. Inc. also expressed Miravite said the simBrillantes lauded the efcommitment and sup- ulation aims to determine forts of the local government port to the local government’s the preparedness of the and the City Health Office, undertakings to ensure the local government for the including the local task successful implementation of actual vaccination rollout force Covid headed by May- the anti-Covid program. in the coming months. She or Beng Climaco. “Congrats Climaco commended said a series of simulation Mayor Beng, Zamboanga and thanked Miravite and exercises will also be held in different health districts. Members of the local police force also held a simulation on vaccine deployment from the City Health office in Pettit Barracks to the venue of the mock vaccination in Santa Maria. (Zamboanga Post)
Navy, Marines hailed for anti -smuggling ops
A health worker simulates the Covid-19 vaccination to a frontliner. (Bong Serondo)
Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco end, God will bless us beyond our wildest dreams.” Today is Mayor Cesar C. Climaco’s 105th Birthday and in his honor, 12 years ago, TP and I made our solemn vow as husband and wife in Our Lady of Assumption in Panglao, Bohol. A Zamboanguena from Mindanao, marrying a Caviteño from Luzon in Visayas! I would like to witness how I prayed so hard for a husband like St. Joseph and my dad Jose. My dear Tita Nene gave me a novena to St. Joseph and I prayed it twice. Our first Rosary was in Pulacan in the shrine of our Lady of Fatima. Twelve years ago, I had wedding jitters since marriage is a huge commitment. Just as God led Abraham, so did we say HERE I AM! Marriage is sweet, sour, spicy, savory and all the figurative flavors that go with it! But it is in hanging on to God that love sustains us every single day! Thanks Bibing (Marissa Alfaro) Coach Pedro, Marius, Jomari and Peter Alfaro for the anniversary location and sumptuous dinner, also Garnette for the photos. (MBC)
A Philippine Navy photo shows soldiers guarding the unloading of confiscated smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga City. MAYOR BENG Climaco lauded the efforts of the Philippine Navy following the seizure of smuggled cigarettes off Sulu’s Kalingalan Caluang. The contraband, which originated in Indonesia, is worth over P17 million and reportedly owned by a trader identified only as Wari who is based in Zamboanga City, according to Lt. Chester Ross Cabaltera, a spokesman for the Naval Forces Western Mindanao. He said the fishing boat carrying 360 boxes of smuggled cigarettes was towed to the naval headquarters in Zamboanga. The vessel, manned by 8 crew members, was intercepted by the Philippine Navy’s MPAC-494 and 4th Marine Brigade.
The crewmen were handed over to the local authorities and the cigarettes turned over to the Bureau of Customs. Climaco praised the Philippine Navy and Marines and thanked them for their relentless efforts in the anti-smuggling campaign. “Enhorabuena Naval Forces Western Mindanao this latest accomplishment. Keep up the good work for peace and security in Zamboanga Peninsula and ZAMBASULTA. Thank you for your commitment to the anti-smuggling campaign in line with President Duterte’s all-out war against smuggling activities,” she said. ZAMBASULTA refers to Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in Western Mindanao. (Zamboanga Post)
Zamboanga Peninsula
2nd Sunday of Lent. “Here I am!” Reading 1, Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 “Yahweh I trust in You!” FATHER BOBBY Yap, S.J., exhorted us to trust in God! Here, Abraham was tested to offer his beloved son Isaac, and God saved them. The Gospel Mk 9:2-10 narrates the transfiguration in Mt. Tabor where the disciples are terrified seeing Jesus transformed. Then God’s voice is heard: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” In life, like Abraham, we are tested in trials for us to trust God by entrusting our life to God! This I shared in our CLC Camino Nuevo Circle that the Covid pandemic taught me total reliance to God! Allow me to share beautiful insights from Fr. Ben Y. Sim, S.J., - “Faith is like that too.” It follows the rhythms of happiness and sadness, ecstasy and agony, light and darkness. When this happens, God is testing our faith. When this happens, our hearts are pained and our minds are confused. But if we trust God, He will not let us down. In the
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