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Sept. 30-Oct 6., 2019
‘NEA appointment of 5 Zamboangueños to ZAMCELCO Board of Directors questioned’
A
PROMINENT LAWYER Wendell Sotto has questioned the appointment of 5 Zamboangueños by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to sit as members of the Board of Directors of bankrupt and poorly-managed Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO). NEA has recently Rodrigo Duterte after the ZAMCELCO. “The law clearly reappointed Jaime Vol- Crown Investments Holdtaire Faustino, Jadrick ings, Inc. and Desco Inc. quires elections, not apYap, Steven Ryan Wee, took over ZAMCELCO pointments. These apand John Ebrahim, in- in January this year and pointments are unlawful cluding a lawyer, and bailing out the heavily-in- and the acts of these replacing members of debted electric coopera- appointees are void and not binding on the conthe NEA-designated Task tive for P2.5 billion. But Sotto said the sumers. The NEA Law IRR Force Duterte. The appointment appointment of the new (Implementing Rules and was due to mounting directors was void and Regulations) provides that public clamor to place unlawful, adding, “the NEA may appoint board Zamboangueños to sit law requires elections (by members after it steps as board members and cooperative members), into an ailing electric coMayor Beng Climaco’s not mere appointments.” operative. This is what personal and repeated He said the appointment NEA did in 2018 when it appeals with President added more problems for Continue on page 3
DPWH to fix damaged portion of sports complex
Rubberized track at the Mayor Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex. (Kathy Wee Sit)
THE DEPARTMENT OF Public Works and Highways, which is responsible in the rehabilitation of the Mayor Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, has committed to repair damaged rubberized track at the stadium. DPWH Project Engineer Shadimar Jalaidi said they have already inspected the rubberized track and told the private contractor to immediately repair the damaged portion. Jalaidi said the Continue on page 5
ZAMCELCO line men during a maintenance work in Barangay Putik. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
Zambo steps up anti-polio campaign FOLLOWING A CONFIRMED polio case from a three-year old girl in Lanao del Sur province, Mayor Beng Climaco has ordered the Zamboanga City Health Office to intensify its campaign against the infectious disease which can cause paralysis, respi-
ratory distress, and even death. City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Miravite has urged parents to have their children immunized or complete at least three doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) which is given as early as 6 weeks of age
and the two other doses are given at 10 weeks and 14 weeks, as part of the government’s regular immunization program. “It is very important that we have to - first and foremost - is to have ourselves or our Continue on page 2
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The Zamboanga Post
Zambo steps up anti-polio campaign Continued from page 1 children vaccinated because polio is vaccine-preventable disease. As early as 6 weeks, el bata puede ya manda man OPV,” Miravite said, reminding parents and guardians to bring their children for vaccinations at barangay health centers on immunization day – every Wednesday. Miravite said they will further strengthen the local government’s immunization advocacy and emphasizing polio vaccinations in the barangays. She also urged residents to avoid open defecation practices and to constantly wash hands with soap and water and to observe proper food handling, and ensure clean and safe drinking water. The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that polio is re-emerging in the country, 19 after the Philippines was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization. It said polio virus was also detected in samples taken from sewage in Manila and waterways in
Dr. Dulce Miravite (Kathy Wee Sit) Davao. The samples were tested by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and verified by the Japan National Institute for Infectious Diseases and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A single confirmed polio case of vaccine-derived polio virus type 2 (VDPV2) or two positive
environmental samples that are genetically linked isolated in two different locations is considered an epidemic in a polio free country. DOH said there is no cure for polio and it can only be prevented with multiple doses of polio vaccines that have long been proven safe and effective. (Zamboanga Post)
Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2019
The Zamboanga Post
Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2019
‘Electrifying’
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‘NEA appointment of 5 Zamboangueños to ZAMCELCO Board of Directors questioned’ Continued from page 1 appointed the Task Force Duterte- Zamboanga City Power composed of non-Zamboangueños.” IRR provides the framework for the implementation of the structural reforms of the NEA and the electric cooperatives in pursuit of the country’s total electrification in an accelerated and sustainable manner and such other objectives of the National Electrification Administration Reform Act of 2013. However, Sotto said the NEA Law IRR also requires that within 90 days, it should call for elections for a new set of board of directors. He said NEA did not comply with its obligation to call for elections and instead appointed a new set of board of directors, which is against its own IRR. “The problem is that since the appointments are unlawful, any act of the new ZAMCELCO Board is invalid. This creates more legal problems for ZAMCELCO. The appointees are from the business or professional sectors. They do not represent the various districts of Zamboanga City or other sectors of our society, particularly the poor and the marginalized.” “What assurance do we have then, as consumers, that our interests are protected when our very own Board fails to represent us? This is why elections are so important. So that we, as member-consumers, have the opportunity choose our representatives to the ZAMCELCO Board,” Sotto said. Sotto said he sent a letter to Edgardo Masongsong, the NEA Administrator, urging the NEA - a Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation attached to the Department of Energy - to promptly hold an election “so that we, as ZAMCELCO’s member-consumers, have the opportunity to elect our representatives to the ZAMCELCO Board.” In Good Faith Faustino said their appointment to the ZAMCELCO board of directors is in good faith. “We accepted NEA’s appointment in good faith so we will do what needs to be done to help revive
Atty. Wendell Sotto ZAMCELCO. We leave it to NEA to answer any question regarding our appointment,” he told The Zamboanga Post. Review ZAMCELCO Contracts Climaco asked the new ZAMCELCO board of directors - after their courtesy call at City Hall - to conduct a thorough review of all existing contracts entered into by the cooperative with power producers. While Climaco lauded NEA for appointing Zamboangueños to sit in the board of directors, she expressed optimism “that they will protect the interest of the member-consumers.” Climaco recalled that Duterte personally called to inform her of his commitment to help resolve the power crisis in Zamboanga. She said Duterte’s call paved the way for her meeting with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi in Manila where measures to end the persisting power interruptions and fluctuations were tackled. She asked Faustino’s group to “review all existing contracts the power utility firm has entered into during the past and previous managements.” The review on all ZAMCELCO’s contracts is necessary to ensure the cooperative’s operation is effective and responsive to the needs of its member-consumers and “making sure that it is financially viable and technically capable,” Climaco said. “This is a welcome development because we really want that anyone, who sits in the Board, helps the consumers of
Zamboanga on how we will be able to attain a 24hour electricity that is stable and without voltage fluctuations, and affordable,” she added. Faustino, in an earlier exchange of messages with Sotto on Facebook, said: “I experienced a painful realization during our first board meeting. Let’s set a meeting this coming week so we can explain to you the true situation of the coop now, and what is being done by the non- Zamboangueños to help save ZAMCELCO which was put to the ground by our fellow Zamboangueños.” He said the meeting with Sotto pushed through and told the lawyer about the plans of the new board of directors, explaining in details the things that must be done in ZAMCELCO to ensure steady and ample supply of electricity in Zamboanga. Generator Sets Sotto, an advocate of good governance, was the only Zamboangueño who questioned ZAMCELCO’s issues with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). He also accused Amador Guevarra, ZAMCELCO’s general manager, of evading questions on the operation of diesel-powered generator sets which Sotto claimed was illegal. “ZAMCELCO has been illegally operating diesel generator sets all over Zamboanga City. Worse, ZAMCELCO has been evading questions regarding the generator sets and refuses to be accountable to the Zamboangueños.” “This is alarming to
Members of the ZAMCELCO board of directors led by Jaime Voltaire Faustino meet with Mayor Beng Climaco and Vice Mayor Rommel Agan at City Hall.(Kathy Wee Sit) us consumers, who will suffer the consequences of ZAMCELCO’s illegal activities. The tens of millions of pesos used to run the generator sets illegally will drive ZAMCELCO into further financial ruin and us along with it,” Sotto said. Last May, Sotto filed a petition with the ERC pointing out ZAMCELCO’s failure to comply with the legal requirements for the generator sets: “No Certificate of Compliance, no bidding, no ERC approval, expensive power, conflict of interest because the generator sets are owned by Desco Inc.” He said Guevarra also failed to appear at a preliminary conference called by ERC on June 26. “To draw out the truth, I filed – Written Interrogatories – consisting of very simple questions regarding the generator sets. The ERC gave GM Guevarra 15 days to answer the Written Interrogatories, which lapsed last July 19.”
“If there was nothing illegal, ZAMCELCO could have easily set the record straight by answering the questions. Unfortunately, ZAMCELCO has not even bothered to answer until now,” he said. Sotto said it is lamentable for the consumers that ZAMCELCO has continued to evade answering concerns regarding the use of the generator sets. ZAMCELCO has acquired expensive diesel-powered generators to be able to supply Zamboanga’s power demand of at least 80 megawatts after Western Mindanao Power Corporation (WMPC) stopped supplying electricity to the cooperative for failing to pay about P450 million in debts. ZAMCELCO also accused WMPC of overbilling the cooperative by P400 million and demanded a refund. With ZAMCELCO and WMPC locked in a legal battle, electric consumers and businesses here continue to suffer from power
outages and poor utility services. Rotational power outages, which began in February, have already affected the local economy with many business establishments spending more on fuel to run their generators for hours on a daily basis. The lack of household electricity also put heavy burden on residents and many of them rely on ZAMCELCO for power supply because they cannot afford to buy their own generators. Aside from power outages, ZAMCELCO’s irregular supply of electricity here resulted in low voltage most of the time and residents blamed the utility firm for damages on their appliances. It was only recently that ZAMCELCO managed to improve a “little” the power situation after it signed a compromised agreement with WMPC and paid a substantial amount to cover some of its past due accounts. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2019
Beng fetes employees for 25 years of excellent public service FOR THEIR HARDWORK and dedication to public service, Mayor Beng Climaco honored 41 employees of the local government of Zamboanga for their 25 years as civil servants. Climaco led the trib-
ute in a simple, but memorable event held at Patio Palmeras in Barangay Santa Maria. The event was organized by the City Human Resource Management Office in recognition of the outstanding contribution of local gov-
ernment employees to public service. “It is every day that we get to celebrate life at a quarter of a century of service in the government. I am sure you have a lot of stories to share as you serve our people.
There were many who have aspired to serve in the City Government, but only few have been chosen and you were among the few given the opportunity to serve for the past 25 years and beyond.” “God willing, you
continue to serve as you still have much energy and dedication to serve,” Climaco told the employees and thanking them “for giving their best to the service of the city government 25 years and beyond.”
The employees also praised and thanked Climaco for her strong support and good governance that serves as a motivation and a dedication for civil servants to work hard. (Zamboanga Post)
‘Once Islas’ are Zamboanga’s eco-tourism destination
Mayor Beng Climaco convenes the Once Islas Development Board and sworn in the board members and the Technical Working Group organized to prepare the implementing rules and regulations for the development and promotion of the pristine islands as top eco-tourism destination in Zamboanga City. (Kathy Wee Sit)
Mayor Beng Climaco pays tribute to 41 local government employees for 25 years of dedicated public service. (Kathy Wee Sit)
ZAMBOANGA CITY is now preparing for the development and promotion of the “Once Islas” (Eleven Islands) as an ecological and cultural tourism destination here. Mayor Beng Climaco has recently convened the Once Islas Development Board and sworn in the board members and the Technical Working Group organized to prepare the implementing rules and regulations. Climaco, who is also the chairperson of the Once Islas Development
Board, signed an agreement in August this year with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Cristina Marlene Rodriguez, and Sama Banguingui Tribal Leader Salam Buah, and the barangay chairpersons of Panubigan and Dita, Jacqueline Magasa and Samat Nasa to co-manage the Once Islas. The agreement seeks to promote Once Islas as Zamboanga’s premier eco-tourism destination and likewise calls for its
preservation, management and conservation, especially the islands of Bisaya-Bisaya, BaungBaung and Sirommon which are some of the best diving and snorkelling sites in Mindanao. Barangay Panubigan has been designated as the official jump off point to the islands via Sirommon. The Once Islas are popularly known for their pristine beaches, rock formations and diversified underwater organisms. (Zamboanga Post)
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The Zamboanga Post
Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2019
Zamboanga del Sur has new DILG director PAGADIAN CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has named Mohamad Taha Arakama as the new provincial director of Zamboanga del Sur. Arakama, who was
Zamboanga City DILG director prior to his appointment, relinquished his post to Ginagene Uy. Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco thanked Arakama for his efforts and contributions
and for “promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety and strengthening local government capability aimed towards the effective delivery of basic services to the citizenry.”
As a show of gratitude, Climaco through Councilor Jihan Edding and Barangay Affairs Di-
vision Chief Bebot Cortez presented Arakama with a certificate of recognition during the handover of
post to Uy. The ceremony was presided by OIC Asst. Regional Director Arnel Gudio. (Zamboanga Post)
DPWH to fix damaged portion of sports complex Continued from page 1 contractor will start the repair soon since the project is still within the one-year warranty period since the formal turnover of the P199-million sports complex in February. He said the certificate of completion and other bills for final payment have also been withheld pending corrective measures on the defects. City Sports Officer Dr. Cecile Atilano said the 57,000 square meter sports complex will remain open to the public, except the Lanes 1 up to 4 of the rubberized track oval to prevent further damage. The DPWH said the rehabilitation project was jointly undertaken by RCDG and RU Aquino Construction. It was started on March 21, 2016 and completed on January 1, 2019. The stadium was damaged after it was used by the government as temporary shelter for thousands of families displaced by the siege of 2013 when loyal supporters of
Mohamad Taha Arakama hands over the “Zamboanga City DILG Key” to Ginagene Uy who replaced him. Arakama is the new DILG provincial director of Zamboanga del Sur. (Kathy Wee Sit)
DPWH Project Engineer Shadimar Jalaidi. (Kathy Wee Sit) Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari raided Zamboanga. And street battle lasted for three weeks leaving dozens of people dead. DPWH Assistant Secretary Maximo Carvajal, who led the turnover of the sports complex together with DPWH Regional Director Cayamombao Dia, bragged the stadium, built in 1992, is now back to its old glory. They even claimed the complex as “world class” after the rehabilitation and Dia praised those
behind it and the perseverance and hard work of the men and women of DPWH-9, including the designers, the estimators, the project supervision team and the contractor for successfully implementing the project that started.” Critics of Mayor Beng Climaco were quick to blame the local government for the damage to the rubberized track and ignorantly criticized not knowing that it was a DPWH project. (Zamboanga Post)
Zamboanga del Sur DILG Director Mohamad Taha Arakama poses with Zamboanga City Councilor Jihan Edding and Zamboanga City Barangay Affairs Division Chief Bebot Cortez with DILG OIC Assistant Regional Director Arnel Gudio and Ginagene Uy, of DILG Zamboanga City. (Kathy Wee Sit)
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The Zamboanga Post
Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2019
Across : 1. Tacks on 5. Siesta 8. Molecule component 12. Ark’s captain 13. Fruit punch 14. Heredity carrier 15. ___ Moore of “Ghost” 16. Fatherly 18. Painted 20. Look happy 23. Track events 26. Compact 30. Decay 31. Circle parts 32. Approvals 33. Nothing more than 34. Disfigure 35. Dislike 37. Earnest request 40. Exterior 41. Aardvark 45. Hindrance 47. Periods in history 51. Troubles 52. Female fowl 53. Recedes 54. Lord’s wife 55. Sept. follower 56. Kind
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Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2019
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The Zamboanga Post
LOTTO TIPS KARON SEMANA
Timbo karon, timbo ugma, timbo kada adlaw ug timbo kada semana!
Beef Tinola
RECIPE
INGREDIENTS : • 1 ½ lb. beef chuck paypay, cubed • 3 cups beef broth • 5 cups water • 1 small green papaya wedged • 5 pieces long green chili pepper optional • 2 cups spinach or malunggay leaves • 1 medium yellow onion • 3 cloves garlic chopped • 3 thumbs ginger cut into strips • 3 tablespoons fish sauce patis • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper • 3 tablespoons cooking oil
panlasangpinoy.com
and onion for 30 seconds. Add ginger. Continue to cook until onion gets soft. 4. Put the beef chuck into the pressure cooker. Cook until brown. 5. Pour beef broth and water. Let boil. 6. Cover the pressure cooker and then pressure cook for 40 minutes. 7. Safely remove the cover and then add green papaya and long green chili peppers. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes. 8. Season with ground black pepper and fish sauce. Stir. 9. Turn the heat off. Add spinach (or INSTRUCTIONS : malunggay leaves). Let the residual 1. Heat oil in a pressure cooker. het cook the leafy greens for 3 minutes. 2. Once the oil becomes hot, saute garlic 10. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot. 3.
HEALTH Tamang Pagligo Para
Kuminis Ang Balat Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong
AYON KAY Dr. Katty Go, isang dermatologist sa Manila Doctors Hospital, may tamang paraan ng pagligo. Sundin natin ito. 1. Huwag lalampas sa 7-10 minuto sa shower. Ang pagbabad tubig ay nakatutuyo ng balat. Pagmasdan mo ang iyong kamay kapag matagal ng nakababad sa tubig. Kumukulubot hindi ba? 2. Magkuskos lang ng bahagya. Alam kong gusto natin maging malinis. Pero kung hindi naman tayo ganoon kadumi sa maghapon, huwag nang magkuskos ng malakas. Hindi rin pinapayo ni Dra. Katty Go ang pag-gamit ng hilod o lufa. Kapag sobra ang pagkukuskos, matatanggal ang oil (o moisture) na nagpapakinis sa ating balat. 3. Maglagay ng lotion o bath oil agad pagkatapos maligo. Ayon kay Dra. Katty Go, ito ang pinakamagandang panahon ng paglagay
ng lotion o bath oil (mabibili ito sa supermarkets) dahil nakabukas pa ang ating mga pores sa balat. Lagyan ng lotion ang mga tuyong parte ng katawan tulad ng siko, kamay, paa, tuhod, tainga at batok. Kung nalalagkitan ka sa lotion, subukan ang bath oil. 4. Kung masyadong tuyo ang iyong balat, maglagay ng pangalawang pahid ng lotion. Sa unang pahid ay na-a-absorb ng ating balat ang lotion. Kaya puwede mo pang lagyan ng isang pahid ng lotion. 5. Sa pagpili ng lotion at sabon, umiwas sa mga may matatapang na pabango, na puwedeng magdulot ng allergy. Maganda ang Ivory soap (walang pabango) at Dove soap (na may oil). Kung gumagamit kayo ng Dove soap, mapapansin ninyo na may natitirang oil sa iyong balat kapag ika’y nagbabanlaw na. Huwag mo nang piliting alisin itong oil dahil nakatutulong ito sa pagpapalambot ng iyong balat. 6. Tandaan: Huwag gumamit ng sabon panlaba para sa iyong kamay o katawan. Matapang ito at nakasisira ng kutis.
7. Pagkatapos maghilamos ng mukha, puwedeng gumamit ng moisturizer para sa mukha. Lagyan din ang ilalim ng mata para mabawasan ang wrinkles sa eye bags. 8. Okay lang kung gusto ninyong maligo ng malamig o mainit na tubig. Para sa akin, mas gusto ko ang maligamgam na tubig. 9. Sa pag-shampoo ng buhok, siguraduhing basang-basa ang iyong buhok bago ito lagyan ng shampoo. Huwag gamitin ang sabon bilang pang-shampoo, Hindi ito angkop (mali ang Ph) para sa buhok. Kung may balakubak, gumamit ng mga anti-dandruff shampoo. Dapat mo lang iwan ng 5 minuto ang shampoo sa iyong buhok at anit para mabawasan ang balakubak. 10. Puwedeng gumamit ng astringent tulad ng Eskinol para linisin ang iyong mukha ng mga 2 beses kada linggo. Dahil may sangkap itong alcohol, natatanggal nito ang mga dumi na hindi kayang tanggalin ng sabon. Ngunit, paminsan-minsan lang ito gamitin dahil nakaka-dry ito ng balat.
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Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2019
Gunmen seized 3 Indonesian fishermen off Sabah
U
NIDENTIFIED GUNMEN abducted 3 Indonesian fishermen off Sabah in Malaysia and believed to have been taken to the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi. Malaysian media report- He said that the victims were on the second boat. They aimed a ed the abduction recently and a pair of trawlers when masked gun at the three crew men on one was also confirmed by Sabah gunmen on two motorized boats boat and told them to get on the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd intercepted them off Tambisan Is- pump boat.” “On the other boat, the susShafie Apdal who said the fish- land just 7 nautical miles from the pects took all of the documents ermen were likely Buton, an is- town of Lahad Datu. land off Sulawesi. The three men “While the trawlers were and cell phones from the crewhave been identified as Samiun fishing for prawns, the suspects’ men, but did not take any of the Maniu, 27, Maharuydin Lunani, pump boats approached the two four fishermen on board,” Omar 48, and Muhammas Farhan, 27. boats from behind, and gunmen, was quoted as saying by the MaOnly three of the 7 fisher- dressed in camouflage gear and lay Mail. “They then sped off tomen were seized by gunmen, ac- masks, boarded the two trawlers. wards the islands of Tawi-Tawi in cording to Sabah commissioner Four gunmen boarded the first Philippines. The three kidnapped of police Datuk Omar Mammah. boat and three suspects boarded victims were aged between 27
Two trawlers fish in southern Philippines. (Zamboanga Post)
Felix Y. Manalo Foundation Honored in U.S. THE US CITY of Rockford has declared every August 25 as Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation Day, barely a month since it hosted the “Aid to Humanity” that benefited hundreds of residents there. The FYM Foundation is the
charitable arm of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC or Church Of Christ). The Aid to Humanity distributed 1,100 backpacks of school supplies and slightly used winter wear, and conducted free health screenings in Rockford. Ten local organizations were
Hundreds of residents of Rockford City benefit from the recent ‘Aid to Humanity’ donations from FYM Foundation whose members pose with the Rockford City proclamation.
each offered $5,000 donations to assist them in the impactful work they were accomplishing in the community of Rockford. The Rockford City proclamation applauded the FYM Foundation for “their generous gifts and on their many years of spreading good will,” according to Mayor Thomas McNamara. Eduardo Javier stated, who accepted the proclamation on behalf of the FYM Foundation, thanked McNamara and the City Government and all those behind it. “We would like to express our heartfelt thanks, first and foremost to the Mayor of the City of Rockford Mayor McNamara, and to all of the members of the Council. Rest assured, as promised by the Church Of Christ, we will always be a partner to the City of Rockford, Illinois in fighting against poverty.” “This proclamation, FYM Foundation Day, will be part of Iglesia Ni Cristo history as we celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Church and as we celebrate the 10th year anniversary of our Brother Eduardo V. Manalo. More power to the City of Rockford, Illinois,” Javier said.
Dino Bunag, District Supervising Minister of the 36 congregations across the northern Midwest area, also praised the Rockford City Government for the proclamation. “We are humbly honored to see the goodwill of the FYM Foundation and the Church Of Christ be acknowledged by the City of Rockford, but more importantly we are thankful to God that the Church has been able to positively impact the lives of the residents of not only Rockford, not only Illinois, but throughout the Midwest,” Bunag said. Earlier this summer, the Aid to Humanity tour, of which Rockford was the 9th and last stop, swept the nation providing immediate relief aid to communities, and donations to dozens of organizations on the ground - from the Mexican border-town in San Diego County to the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona; from the San Francisco Bay Area to Seattle; and from Los Angeles to New York; and from Memphis’ poorest zip code to just outside the nation’s capital in Maryland. (With additional reporting from the Zamboanga Post.)
Indonesian Consul-General Krishna Djelani, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal arrive for Indonesia’s 74th Independence Day reception in Kota Kinabalu September 23, 2019. (Bernama) and 40 years old.” No individual or group claimed responsibility for the abduction, but early this month Bernama reported that Indonesian Consul General Krishna Djelani warned Indonesians to stay vigilant after receiving reports that suspected Abu Sayyaf militants may strike in Sabah. “We were initially informed that there was a movement of armed groups from southern Philippines that had to do with kidnapping for ransom. Any information that we receive, we have to warn the Indonesians there as a precaution, lest they become victims (of abduction). Our only intention (to issue the notification) is to warn our citizens to be careful,” he said. Sabah is home to about
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300,000 Indonesians and the warning was raised to ensure that those working as fishermen and crew members of ships take safety precautions and not fall victim to ransom kidnapping. The warning said three Abu Sayyaf groups were reported to have moved into the waters of eastern Sabah on August 30 with the intention to kidnap by targeting several ships, namely Kapal Batubara, Kapal Tanker, Nelayan Kapal Lengkong and Kapal Tarik Udang, especially in Bakongan, Bahala, Sandakan, Mamiang, Tambisan in Sabah, and Taganak in the southern border of Tawi-Tawi. There were no immediate reports from Philippine authorities about the latest abductions. (Zamboanga Post)