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Zambo tightens antiCovid measures ‘Travellers need to present negative RT-PCR test result’
Z
AMBOANGA CITY has further tightened its anti-Covid measures following a sudden spike in actives cases and as part of an effort to prevent the further spread of the deadly respiratory virus, especially with the emergence of new coronavirus variants from the United Kingdom, South Africa and the Philippines. There were reports Mayor Beng Climaco, der 643-2021, the new that U.K. Covid-19 variant head of the Zamboanga Covid-19 guidelines for has now reached Mindan- City Task Force Covid-19, travellers which took ao. has issued Executive OrContinue on page 2
Good Job Mayor! DOH Water rates increase burden Zamboangueños, Beng to find solution THE ZAMBOANGA City Water District (ZCWD) has ignored the pleas of residents and local government officials against raising water rates, especially at this time of the Covid-19 pandemic where many people and economy are suffering. Mayor Beng Climaco, who strongly opposed the water rate increase, Continue on page 3
Mayor Beng Climaco inaugurated in February the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat Program and assured that the local government will continue working with the Zamboanga City Water District to ensure potable water supply where it is needed. But a month later, ZCWD announces an increase in water rates that will put additional burden on the shoulders of the poor Zamboangueño people. (Photo by Giana Andrion)
THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) has again cited the Climaco administration for topping in
the anti-tuberculosis (TB) campaign in the whole of the Zamboanga Peninsula region despite the
Covid-19 pandemic. Zamboanga City was also the sole recipient of Continue on page 3
Researchers look into genetic origins of Filipinos A LANDMARK study has revealed the complex shared origins, inter-relatedness, and genetic diversity of the Filipino people. Taking advantage of the latest advances in
genomics and computational biology, a team of researchers investigated into the Filipino’s DNA, and looked into 2.3 million molecular DNA markers that were known
to differ between various populations. The markers from more than 1,000 individuals representing 115 Philippine cultural communities were Continue on page 7
First Standard Finance Corporation Zamboanga City 0915-3976197 FOR SALE FOR SALE Toyota Altis P650,000
Toyota Fortuner P1.9 Million
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The Zamboanga Post
April 5-11, 2021
Zambo tightens antiCovid measures ‘Travellers need to present negative RT-PCR test result’
Continued from page 1 effect on April 1 and shall run until end of the month unless otherwise lifted, amended or superseded. Climaco’s order came following the recent meeting of the Zamboanga City Task Force Covid-19, the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Civil Defense under the Department of National Defense. The new guidelines now require all travellers whether government people or private citizens bound for Zamboanga City to present their negative RT-PCR test result, including a valid identi-
fication, especially those coming from the National Capital Region and other regions, cities or municipalities where there is a surge in Covid-19 cases. And due to the re-imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region and its neighboring areas, Climaco said Zamboanga City temporarily suspended March 29 all commercial flights until further notice - with the exception of hybrid flights (cargoes and outbound passengers) - to Zamboanga International Airport from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, including connecting flights from Cebu or Davao whose flight origin is from NAIA with passengers enroute to
Zamboanga City. The emergence of a new variants of Covid-19 have health officials and medical experts worried after the sudden spike of the respiratory disease in the National Capital Region, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, especially now that there are no supply of vaccines, but only those donated by China and World Health Organization which is intended for medical frontliners and health workers. “The City Government is very strict, especially in the entry of people from other parts of the country, and we really require a negative RT-PCR test before they are allowed entry to Zamboanga City. This is our way of protecting Zamboanga City and its peo-
Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think. Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated with other fecal matter, they are collected. In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad. But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee seller in Zamboanga City. The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to
Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the Zamboanga City Task Force Covid-19, meets with representatives of the the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Civil Defense under the Department of National Defense. Zamboanga City has tightened its anti-Covid measures following the emergence of new variants of the coronavirus. ple from further spread of Covid-19, let alone its new variants,” Climaco said. “We would like to appeal to everyone, especially those from outside Zamboanga that it is our mandate and our duty protect our people. That is why, for those who wish to enter Zamboanga City, the Covid-19 safety protocols are required of you and the negative RT-PCR test is the highest priority,” she added. The mayor said all leisure travel in Zamboanga City is temporarily suspended until the expiration of her executive order. “Bien importante y necesita el suporta y cooperacion de todo na pelea contra Covid-19.
Compli firmi el minimum health standards y maga reglamento para prevenir la propagacion del coronavirus. The battle against Covid-19 is not just the responsibility of government agencies, but of all sectors and each and every resident or visitor of Zamboanga City,” she said. Since the start of the pandemic last year, Climaco has maintained the strict enforcement of health protocols and community quarantine guidelines, especially at the borders and in different barangays to prevent the spread of Covid-19. “The strict enforcement of the regulations and protocols is being done to ensure that
Covid-19 will not thrive in the city. All persons should be subject to compliance with the IATFMEID and local government health protocols for everyone’s safety and protection. No queremos que se enfermen porque al final el gobierno local tiene que cuidarlos,” she said. “We reiterate the need for public compliance on all safety and health protocols to prevent a spike in Covid cases. The wearing of face mask and face shield, washing hands often with soap and water, or alcohol, and the strict observance of physical distancing remain to be our main defense against Covid-19,” the mayor said. (Zamboanga Post)
FOR SALE give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink. Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a backyard reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection. Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and
resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao. The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice. And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)
Face Mask from South Korea Retail: P65 a piece Wholesale: P50 a piece (20 pieces up) Mobile: 0915-3976197 – Zamboanga City
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The Zamboanga Post
April 5-11, 2021
Water rates increase burden Zamboangueños, Beng to find solution
Good Job Mayor! DOH Continued from page 1 the “Population Testing Rate Award” for garnering the highest percentage of the population tested for TB last year. And even in the midst of the local government efforts to completely eliminate the deadly Covid-19 and prevent the further spread of the deadly respiratory disease, the Climaco administration has not lost sight of its priority programs that benefit the Zamboangueño people. Considering the restrictions and the challenges posed by the pandemic on the anti-TB campaign, the local government though the City Health Office and Barangay Health Workers and others who were involved in the program, managed to majority of its population against the lung disease. TB is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but they can also damage other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or talks. The DOH awarded the local government during recent fete for the region’s top performers in the fight against TB. The Zamboanga City Medical Center also took the silver medallion under the Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment Success
Award with a rate of 78%. The Race to End TB campaign was launched in April 2019 in a bid to finally end the infectious disease that continues to be a major public health problem in the country despite being both preventable and curable. Just recently, DOH Assistant Secretary Romeo Ong congratulated the local government for keeping the number of active Covid cases below 100. “I congratulate the City (Government of Zamboanga) for keeping the active cases to below 100, we should not keep our guards down, especially on our borders,” he said. Ong also urged residents to follow the strict health protocols, especially now that Covid cases spiked in other parts of the country. “This pandemic proves again this is not only a national, but a global challenge. The virus recognizes no national boundaries, no difference in political system, in culture, in religion whatsoever. It attacks all of us the same way. So there is an even greater need for closer and more effective cooperation, it has to be a whole of government and whole of society approach,” he said. “My message is to always keep the minimum health standards, keep masks and face shields on, social distance and wash-
ing of hands. No matter whether it is the variant or not, it is the same virus and the transmission is the same. For our health care workers, get vaccinated. We are about to go to the next batch of vaccines,” Ong added. Climaco said the “raging battle” to stop, if not reduce the spread of the deadly respiratory virus and other Covid variants, is not only the work of government alone, but of everyone as everybody is vulnerable to the dreaded disease. She again reminded residents not to be complacent and always use face mask and face shield in public places, and sanitize or wash hands with soap and water frequently, and comply with the community quarantine guidelines. “I am enjoining the public to please cooperate with and help government in the implementation of these health protocols,” she said. City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite also echoed the same appeal. “While we have the vaccines, this is no time to relax and we still have to practice proper wearing of face mask and face shield, practice hand hygiene and observe physical distancing. Until we get 70% of our population vaccinated, we will not be really protected from infection and surges,” she said. (Zamboanga Post, Claudine Uniana)
Continued from page 1 demanded ZCWD to open its book of financial records to truly find out if there is really a need to increase the water rates amid the economic difficulties of the people due to the pandemic. The ZCWD refused to make public its financial books. Since last year, ZCWD executives wanted to raise water rates allegedly to improve its utility services and raise salaries of employees. But residents have long complained of inefficient services and yearly water rationing, and wasted water from broken or leaking pipes in different barangay that largely contributed to the non-revenue water or losses to the ZCWD. Due to the poor services of the ZCWD and its insistence to increase water rates, members of the City Council previously called on Leonardo Rey Vasquez, the ZCWD general manager to resign. But the embattled Vasquez, who has been with ZCWD for many years now, said only the ZCWD Board of Directors, can compel him to resign. The ZCWD announced recently its new minimum water rate of P210or P25.00 water rate adjustment from the current P185 minimum charge will take effect on the April billing. According to the ZCWD, the P25 rate adjustments represent only 13% of its proposed adjustment of P278 it filed with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) in May last year. It said the increase in water rates is needed for it to be able to start and slowly implement water security programs intended to address the growing needs of the expanding populace. The LWUA approved the P25 rate adjustment last October 2020. Climaco, who also pleaded many times with ZCWD not to raise water rates, said the local government is now looking on how to help the consumers and ordered the creation of a technical working group to uphold and protect the interests of residents from the impact of the “sudden” water rate hike. “I directed that a technical working group be created so that we will be able to look at the figures and see how the City Government will subsidize the water district,” Climaco said, adding, ZCWD must also come up with a rehabilitation plan mapping their future directions and outlining measures to prevent bankruptcy. “Ademas de este, el govierno local ay empuja el maga mejoras para puede
protege con el interes de maga vivientes and shield our people [by] the subsidies,” she added. Climaco last year also rejected the proposed water rate, saying, it has to first improve utility services and ensure clean supply of potable water to residents, among other woes locals have raised against the ZCWD which is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC). GOCCs receive from the government subsidies and program funds. Subsidies cover the day-to-day operations of the GOCCs when revenues are insufficient, while program funds are given to profitable GOCCs to pay for a specific program or project. Scrutiny Climaco said she wanted to look into the salary problems of the ZCWD following complaint that they have never received any salary increase for a long time as executives cited the need to increase water rates before it could increase the salaries and benefits of employees. “We have to look into the (financial) books of the ZCWD and utilize existing funds from loans. And before we increase the rates, we have to provide better service to the public. It’s just as simple as that and by looking at an area where to improve,” the mayor said, adding, she will be studying the possibility of asking the ZCWD to forgo the increase of water rates and look instead for other ways to address the funding need for development projects. “One of the causes of the ZCWD’s financial burden is its system’s loss or the non-revenue water being not fully maximized. So much water is wasted and this is compounded by climate change resulting in water rationing. To be efficient and sufficient, the ZCWD should and must always be at the helm of providing water,” Climaco said. The local government
last year also handed over some P29.36 million in cheque to the ZCWD as part of its assistance to tens of thousands of bonafide concessionaires. The P500 one-time cash subsidy to water concessionaires - as promised by Climaco - was credited to the account of all bonafide water concessionaires upon payment of their bill. Recommendations Climaco previously ordered the creation of a technical working group (TWG) headed by Vice Mayor Rommel Agan and City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Rey Gonzales help the ZCWD find solutions for its problems. Among the recommendations of the TWG were to strengthen the enabling environment for sustainable service delivery; strengthen the capacity of water supply and wastewater treatment service provides to expand coverage and improve services; strengthen the collection, analysis and sharing of water and climate data; reduce risks from climate-related disasters and improve capacity for ensuring long-term water security. The members of the past TWG were Councilor Elbert Atilano, City Administrator Angelique Go, City Agriculturist Carmencita Sanchez, City Budget Officer Geraldine de la Paz, City Planning Officer Engr. Rodrigo Sicat, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Dr. Elmeir Apolinario, City Legal Officer Atty. Jesus Carbon, Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Rodrigo Rufo Soliven, Rotary Club of Zamboanga City West President James Cesar Makasiar, Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Karel San Juan, and the Employees Confederation of the Philippines. (Zamboanga Post, Jasmine Mohammadsali)
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The Zamboanga Post
April 5-11, 2021
Zamboanga Pictures in the News Local government of Zamboanga City at work. This is where your taxes go.
April 5-11, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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Zamboanga Pictures in the News Photos by : Bong Serondo, Giana Andrion, 74th IB, OCVET, ZCDRRMO, IATF, OCENR, and ZCPO.
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The Zamboanga Post
April 5-11, 2021
Across : 1. Mongrel 5. Golf prop 8. Burn 12. Between ports 13. Dashed 14. French female 15. Helsinki native 16. Regarded highly 18. Country hotels 19. Insignificant 20. Ripen 21. Acceptance of others 26. scanty 28. Face covering 29. ___ pointer 31. Regional 32. Imitator 33. Climb 36. Too early 38. ___ Baba 41. Absent 42. Beam 43. Large boa 47. Wedding band 48. Extinct bird 49. Take food 50. Unfasten 51. Hard candy 52. Poor grade 53. whip
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The Zamboanga Post
April 5-11, 2021
Researchers look into Alamin Kung Sino Ang Maaaring genetic origins of Filipinos Mabakunahan: DOH
Continued from page 1 comprehensively analyzed. “This finally gives us a clearer picture of who we are as Filipinos, where we came from, and our sense of relatedness.” said Carlo Ebeo, Board of Trustee member of the National Museum involved in the study. It was revealed that, through time, the Philippines was inhabited by at least 5 major waves of human migration - starting with Northern and Southern Negritos as the first Filipinos, then followed by Manobo, Sama, and Cordilleran-related populations. The latter three major waves happened around 15 to 7 thousand years ago, coinciding with the major geographic changes in the region that was brought about by climate change. These include the inundation of the Sunda landmass as well as the loss land bridge between Taiwan and southern China. It was previously thought that the search for new arable lands by expanding farmer populations was the main reason for driving population migrations, such as the dispersal Austronesian-speaking groups into the Philippines. However, Dr Maximilian Larena, a Filipino scientist based in Sweden who co-led the study, challenges this view and said: “Our findings suggest that instead of farming, climate change may have played a more important role in driving the mass movement of populations in various directions.” The significant geographic changes may have prompted the migration of Manobo and Sama-related ancestral groups from Borneo into southern Philippines and Cordilleran-related ancestral groups from southern China-Taiwan area into the various islands of the Philippines. The arrival of Manobo,
Sama, and Cordilleran-related groups resulted in interbreeding with resident Negritos. Interestingly, some Cordillerans remained to be the only ethnic group in the Philippines who did not show evidence of historical interbreeding with Negritos; and consequently are the only population in the world who remained to be the unadmixed descendants of Basal East Asians. According to Dr. Adrian Albano, a Kalanguya Cordilleran from Ifugao State University and co-author of the study: “This affirms that Cordillerans were isolated for quite some time, which is evident on the retention of distinct indigenous cultural practices and presence of immense linguistic diversity in the region.” Additional minor genetic signal were also detected in some Filipino ethnic groups, including Papuan, South Asian, and European genetic ancestry. The Papuan-related ancestry is found among the coastal ethnic groups of southeastern Philippines. This likely reflects a westward migration or gene flow of Papuan-related ancestry from Papua New Guinea or the Bismarck’s archipelago into eastern Indonesia and subsequently into southeastern Philippines. The South Asian or Indian-related genetic signal was detected among the Sama Dilaut and other coastal Sama ethnic groups of southwestern Philippines. The signal was dated to 500 to 1000 years ago, coinciding with the time when there was increased maritime trading activity between Island Southeast Asia and India. The European genetic signal was only detected in 1% of all individuals investigated, indicating a limited genetic legacy of the Spanish Colonial Period. The study was made possible through the partnership between Uppsala
University of Sweden led by Prof Mattias Jakobsson and Dr. Maximilian Larena, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines through the office of then NCCA chairperson Felipe Mendoza de Leon. “This is a groundbreaking study that the commission heartily endorsed, and we should be thankful for this collaboration as it sheds some light on the longstanding question of our origins. It will certainly revise our understanding and appreciate that the story of the peopling of the Philippines from three waves of migration as proposed by Otley Beyer is not supported by archeological, genetic, or historical evidence,” says Prof Felipe Mendoza de Leon. Aside from the extensive network of cultural workers provided by the NCCA, the scientific endeavor was also implemented in collaboration with indigenous cultural communities, local universities, local government units, non-governmental organizations, and or regional offices of the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples. More importantly, the study is one of its kind in terms of the active involvement of the Indigenous Peoples, who some of them are also involved as co-authors, in recognition of their valuable contribution, indigenous knowledge, ownership and shared responsibility of the work. “We are proud to be part of this historical research. It revealed how interconnected we are to each other after all, and that we share a common ancestry. Recognizing this fact will hopefully carry a message of unity and peace among various ethnic groups, regardless of beliefs,” said Waway Saway of the Talaandig ethnic group of Bukidnon who is involved in the study.
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HINDI MAAARI KUNG: May edad na mas mababa sa 18 taong gulang May allergy sa polysorbate, polyethylene glycol / PEG, o iba pang sangkap ng bakuna May malubhang allergy matapos tumanggap ng unang dose ng bakuna IPAGPALIBAN MUNA KUNG: May alinman sa mga sumusunod na sintomas: lagnat / panginginig dahil sa lamig, sakit ng ulo, ubo, sipon, pananakit ng lalamunan, pananakit ng kalamnan, pagkapagod, panghihina, kawalan ng panlasa o pang-amoy, hirap sa paghinga, rashes May exposure sa taong confirmed o suspect na kaso ng COVID-19 sa nakaraang 14 na araw Dating ginamot para sa COVID-19 sa nakaraang 90 na araw Ginamot o nakakuha ng convalescent plasma o monoclonal antibodies para sa COVID-19 nitong nakaraang 90 na araw
Mga buntis na nasa unang 3 buwan ng pagbubuntis Nakakuha ng kahit na anong klaseng bakuna sa nakaraang 14 na araw KAILANGAN NG MEDICAL CLEARANCE MULA SA DOKTOR KUNG: May autoimmune disease Na-diagnose na may Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Na-diagnose na may kanser Sumailalim sa organ transplant Kasalukuyang umiinom ng steroids2 Nakaratay na lang sa kama o may sakit na hindi tataas sa 6 na buwan ang taning OO, SUBALIT KAILANGAN NG KARAGDAGANG PAG-IINGAT KUNG: May sakit kaugnay ng pagdudugo o kasalukuyang umiinom ng anticoagulants May history ng anaphylaxis o malubhang allergy May allergy sa pagkain, itlog, o gamot May hika
Wi-Fi access is now available at the Licomo Border Control Point. (Photo by Alan Aizon)
Licomo border now has Wi-Fi access THE LOCAL government thanked the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Mindanao Cluster 1 for the Wi-Fi router and a digital tablet it donated for the personnel manning the Licomo Border Control Point. Mayor Beng Climaco said personnel who are manning the border screen all those entering Zamboanga City as part of a strict health protocol against Covid-19. “The communication to and from the Licomo border will be easier
and faster with this technology. This is a big help to the city government’s efforts to battle against Covid-19,” she said. The DICT Mindanao Cluster 1 handed over the donation to City Veterinarian Dr. Mario Ariola, who is also the Licomo Border in-Charge; and Alan Aizon, of the Computer Services Division of the local government. DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said: “Through Free Wi-Fi (program), we want to reach places where there is min-
imal to no fiber and tower. Thus, we are currently carrying out Free Wi-Fi installation to target more geographically isolated and disadvantaged sites through the use of very small aperture terminal or VSAT Satellite.” Honasan said DICT has launched over 8,000 Wi-Fi sites in various national government agencies, hospitals, public schools, state universities and colleges, airports and terminals, and other public places nationwide. (Zamboanga Post)
Bureau of Customs commended ZAMBOANGA MAYOR Beng Climaco commended the Bureau of Customs for surpassing its target collection by P1.36 billion in 2020 despite the slowdown in economic activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Climaco, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council, lauded the efforts of the Bureau of Customs
during the RPOC’s virtual meeting recently. The Bureau of Customs thanked Climaco for her unwavering support to the government’s anti-smuggling campaign. The Bureau of Customs, headed by Sigmundfreud Barte Jr., said they had collected over P5.17 billion last year and even surpassed their target col-
lection of P3.8 billion. He said the Bureau of Customs collected more than P2.18 billion in taxes from seized contraband from cigarettes, sugar and rice and even fake revenue stamps, among others. Barte said they also destroyed some P1.96 billion worth of smuggled cigarettes. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
April 5-11, 2021
April 5-11, 2021
The Zamboanga Post
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April 5-11, 2021
Mayors na tinurukan ng Covid vaccine, lagot kay Duterte
M
AHIGPIT ANG kautusan ni Pangulong Duterte na dapat maunang mabakunahan ang mga medical frontliners at healthcare workers at ipinag-utos nito ang masusing imbestigasyon at pagsampa ng reklamo laban sa mga mayors at iba pa na naturukan ng Covid-19 vaccine kahit wala sila sa listahan ng priority ng pamahalaan. Kabilang sa mga mayors na nagpaturok ng bakuna ay sina is Mayor Alfred Romualdez, ng Tacloban City, Leyte; Mayor investigation, and then send of following the (protocols), Dibu Tuan, ng T’boli sa South it to the Ombudsman. May- seeing to it that the list is Cotabato; Mayor Sulpicio roon ring mga show cause followed religiously at hindi nasunod,” sabi pa ni Duterte. Villalobos, ng Santo Niño, sa orders,” ani Duterte. Hindi naman agad South Cotabato rin; Mayor Idinahilan naman ng Noel Rosal, ng Legazpi City mga mayors na kaya sila nag- mabatid kung bakit napakasa Albay; Mayor Abraham paturok ng bakuna ay upang higpit ng pamahalaan sa mga Ibba, ng Bataraza sa Pala- maging halimbawa sa kanil- mayors na pinuno rin naman wan; Mayor Elanito Peña, ng ang mga nasasakupan at hindi ng mga local Covid task force sa kanilang lugar at maituMinglanilla sa Cebu; Mayor matakot sa Covid-19 vaccine. Victoriano Torres ng Alicia sa “Ang sabi nila na… Ito turing na frontliners. Noon nakaraang taon Bohol; Mayor Virgilio Men- ‘yong mga ang rason nila I dez ng San Miguel sa Bohol think that is universal excuse ay inamin ni Duterte na pa rin; Mayor Arturo Piollo II na para hindi matakot ‘yong sikretong naturukan na rin ng Lila sa Bohol. mga constituents. Well, ako, ng Chinese Covid-19 vaccine Maging ang artistang medyo gray area ‘yan na dapat ang mga miyembro ng Pressi Mark Anthony Fernan- talaga ang una ‘yong mga… idential Security Group at dez ay nabakunahan rin Whether or not if they jumped mga sundalo kahit wala pa kahit hindi naman ito med- the Covid-19 line of vaccina- itong approval ng Food and ical frontliner. tion would require a certain Drug Administration. Ilang opisyal rin ng Gabinete ni “So to make a story --- amount of a legal study.” a long story short, mag-ex“So ‘yon lang po. Sila Duterte ang nabakunahan ecute na lang ng affidavit ‘yong may show cause order. ng smuggled vaccines. (Zamand why --- result of the Bakit sila ang nauna? Instead boanga Post)
Sunday Reflection
by Mayor Beng Climaco
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Reviled, use abusive language, mock, spit, are sufferings and great humiliation Jesus underwent because of His great love for us. Can we bear our cross and share in his suffering for love of Jesus? Mark 11:1-10; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1—15:47; First Reading Is 50:4-7. The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning He opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not
disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. From different reflections such as that of Father Ben Y. Sim, S.J., the words reverberate on how Jesus is a perfect example of humility. His accusers “kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him!” From the jubilant welcome of palms to the passion. We are called to share in Jesus’ sufferings. If I look into my pains compared to the sufferings of our Lord, I am humbled. Perhaps we recall our sufferings and the causes it would be easy to give up, but I draw strength from Jesus. Na tiempo de cuaresma este Semana Santa yo puedo refleja mio sufrimientos comparando na sacrificio del Señor hinde pwede compara. Poreso ademas del maga dolor, aquellos que ta juzga, acusa, pelea y ta hace huya ta pwede iyo humildemente comparti na sufrimiento del Señor. Ta habla yo mio cuerpo el Señor Dios ya dale suyu vida para con migo, cosa lang man sufrimiento que yo ta sinti? Ay carga yo mio cruz con fe y amor con Dios mio Salvador! “Christ became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 My prayer this Holy Week is for us to offer our sufferings and be obedient to God till the end! We are able to bear our sufferings because Jesus led the way. Our problems in life purify us so we will hang on to God who alone can save us. NB: Today we celebrate the gift of life of PRRD, Myl Amsid and Christian Olasiman. We thank God for their blessing in our lives. (MBC)
Zamboanga Peninsula
Basilan
President Rodrigo Duterte (PCOO)
Police warn rogue cops ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police have warned rogue cops anew following the arrest of 5 policemen, including an officer, in Zamboanga City on allegations of robbery and extortion. The suspects were arrested after they allegedly robbed jewelleries and extorted money from a store owner during a drug raid, according to Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan, the regional police chief. He said among those arrested was Maj. Orlyn Leyte, police station commander in the village of Ayala. He said Leyte was arrested on Monday night by members of the Philippine National Police - Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) led by Lt. Col. Mario Cortez, and other police units. The others who were reportedly involved in the robbery and extortion were SSgts. Hegenio Salvador, Asser Abdulkadim, Cpls. Ismael Sasapan and Juman Arabani – all members of Leyte’s Drug Enforcement Unit. Acting PNP Chief, General Guillermo Eleazar, who received Ylagan’s report, said Leyte and the other policemen will be placed under “automatic leave of absence” while under detention. “The PNP will not tolerate personnel engaging in any unlawful and illegal acts. Officers must serve as role model to their subordinates,” Eleazar said. Undercover cops recovered from Leyte some P90,000
Sulu
in marked money which was used to pay and settle the case against the store owner, whose identity was not made public by the police for security reason. “The victim was robbed and divested of her jewelleries and a week of her store earnings in the guise of a drug bust operation,” a police report said, adding, the suspects are all facing charges of robbery and extortion and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Public Official and Employees. Ylagan said: “The arrest of Maj. Orlyn Leyte in an entrapment operation for complaint of robbery, extortion is the result of PNP’s internal cleansing program. Once again, this Regional Office would like to make it clear that we do not tolerate any wrongdoings of our personnel either officer or members of the ranks.” “While we intensify our campaign against illegal drugs and effectively manage all kinds of police operations, we do not want any unscrupulous schemes devised by our personnel to advance their personal interest. We will continue to cleanse our ranks in order to improve the best quality of law enforcement service in Zamboanga Peninsula.” He said the implementation of the PNP internal cleansing program is relentless. “The relentless effort of
the PNP in the campaign against erring personnel and filing of appropriate charges against them are among the PNP’s step to demonstrate its dedication to quality public service, transparency and accountability,” Ylagan said. In January this year, Maj. Jivertson Pelovello, the chief of the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Zamboanga City Police Office, was also sacked from his post after he tested positive for illegal drug use. He was among 60 members of the local police force who underwent drug testing in December. And in June 2020, undercover police agents also arrested Capt. Haran Ulah, the municipal police chief of Zamboanga del Norte’s Godod town in southern Philippines after he was accused of robbery and extortion. Ulah allegedly demanded P10,000 so-called protection money from treasure hunter Jose Abarca. The money was in exchange for the unhampered treasure hunting activities of Abarca in the village of Raba. Abarca reported the matter and sought the assistance of PNP-IMEG which drew up a plan to arrest the town’s police chief. Ulah was arrested in an entrapment operation at his office after receiving an initial P5,000 in marked money he demanded from Abarca. (Zamboanga Post, Mindanao Examiner)
Tawi-tawi