Cops cite stakeholders’ unity in peaceful Maguindanao polls

COTABATO CITY --- With cooperation and unity among local stakeholders, police said the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in Maguindanao turned out "generally peaceful" despite minor incidents of violence, commotion, and misunderstanding.

MINDANAO EXPOSE’ also gathered positive feedbacks or assessment from the field following the conduct of the polling and had these documented in print such as those in the towns of Buldon, Datu Salibo, and Mamasapano..

Senior Superintendent Edwin Wagan, Maguindanao police provincial director, told reporters last May 15 that about 130 cops served as members of the electoral board.

"Peacefully, we hurdled the balloting with minor and manageable problems like disenfranchisement, misunderstanding," Wagan said as he thanked the stakeholders for their cooperation with the different government agencies involved in the elections.

“We could have not done enough in securing the polls without the help of the constituents of Maguindanao,” he said.

Across the province, the balloting was peaceful with 18 policemen performing as election board members in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town after teachers refused to serve due to their blood relations with some of the candidates.

An hour before the polling started in the town, a staccato of gunfires were heard in the area.

The commotion originated from a quarrel between supporters of two candidates for barangay captains at a voting precinct at the Poblacion area, police said.

Wagan said one was reported injured during the incident, adding that “the victim is a relative of a re-electionist candidate for village council member that was hit by a bullet from an unknown source during a commotion with another party of supporters."

Five explosions in different areas of the province were also reported during the election day, one of which was a grenade blast just outside the municipal hall of neighboring Datu Unsay town barely an hour before elections were to take place.

Still in Maguindanao, a blast also occurred in Barangay Dungguan, Datu Montawal around 11:30 a.m. but no one was hurt. It also failed to scare away voters in the area, police said.

In the border of Tulunan, North Cotabato and Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao, twin explosions were heard before noontime but the electorates continued with their voting after being assured of safety by government troops.

In Datu Paglat town, an explosion also took place in the early morning of May 14 but hurt no one.

In the entire Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), police recorded an "unprecedented generally peaceful" election, said Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares, Police Regional Office-ARMM director.

Mijares lauded all the stakeholders, candidates, and voters for the peaceful elections in the region. (Noel Punzalan & Edwin Fernandez, PNA - Cotabato)

Buldon election

In Buldon municipality, Mayor Abolais Manalao stated that, for the first time in the history or since the creation of Buldon, the  May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls was generally peaceful.

“I should say it was generally peaceful because no political fraud or any untoward incident happened during and after the voting and canvassing last May 14, 2018 election,” he said.

The municipality of Buldon is comprisef of 15 barangays, with four of the barangays having been declared un-opposed, namely: Minabay, Nuyo, Kabayuan, and Aratuc.

Among those 11 contested barangays , there were no  reports of engagement in any political harassment or any major incident that marred the polling, except for some minor problems in a few polling precincts. But, accordingly, it was manageable due to the presences of men in uniform who guarded the different polling centers..

The mayor also attributed the orderly election to the effect of Martial Law and the Balik Baril program of the national government.

Mayor Manalao stressed that the absence of loose firearms in the area has improved the  peace and security situation and this he said would contribute to development “as what we have seen, observed, and experienced right now.” (Anne Acosta)   

Datu Salibo town

In Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, despite some reports on minor problems particularly at Barangay Tee, Mayor Norodin Salasal said  the recent barangay and SK polls in his  municipality was generally peaceful and “no major untoward incidents reportedly happened.”

The minor incident occurring atBarangay Tee, he accounted was really a “normal scenario” in that area, but, only a minor problem “even our PNP and AFP could attest.”

“That’s why I could say, the political exercise in our municipality is generally peaceful and right after the canvassing, the election officer assigned in this town proclaimed the elected winner. And no one dared, harassed,  or  protested the proclaimed winners,” Salasal said.

The real problem now that the folks are  facing and suffering  is the flooding and not the barangay and SK polls, the mayor said. “Almost all of the 17 barangays of this municipality have submerged because of this perennial problem of ours.”

Datu Salibo is one of the eight municipalities created and approved by the Regional Legislative Assembly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for more than a decade now but yet has no Internal Revenue Allotment. (IRA).

But despite the odd, the mayor said “our development-oriented spirit, in spite of poor edeucational attainment, we have managed to sustain and implement whatever programs have been mandated by our national government... all these for the benefit of our people.”  

Just recently, Mayor Salasal went to Manila to lobby for project support and funding, especially on flood control.

Salasal said it is their vision to transform Datu Salibo municipality into an agricultural land and not merely submerged by water. “I want to uplift the living condition of my people through farming.” (Anne Acosta)

Mamasapano

In a similar development, the last Barangay and SK Election in Mamasapno, was also assessed as generally peaceful, Mayor Tahirudin Benzar Ampatuan said in an exclusive interview by this paper.

As early as 7:30 a.m. that day, mayor Ampatuan said the registered voters were already prepared to casts  their votes in their respective polling precincts and “it was done peacefully, without any untoward incident,” except in some polling precincts where there reported “minor” commotions.

The mayor explained that these minor commotions normally happen, especially in barangay elections.

Mamasapano has 14 barangays but only three have been contested and the rest are un-opposed.

After the canvassing, the election officer proclaimed the three newly elected barangay chairmen of the contested barangays as winners.

The mayor said the proclaimed barangay officials have expressed their commitment to work and perform their duties as mandated by the national government and implement their platforms of governments “in order to maintain peace and order in their respective barangays and the entire municipality as a whole.”

Mayor Ampatuan thanked the different stakeholders for maintaining the peace during the political exercise, citing the presence of contingencies from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, especially the 40th Infantry Battalion headed by Col. Edgar Catu, and the cooperation of support government line-agencies. 

“Without them, this recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls will not turn out peacefully,” the mayor said, adding that the implementation of Martial Law is a big help in the recent political exercise. (Anne Acosta)/ MINDANAO EXPOSE’

Voting in GenSan, South Cotabato ‘generally smooth’

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --- Voting in this city and nearby South Cotabato province had been “generally smooth” despite some reported problems, among them the usual missing names of voters and confusion over the election procedure.

Atty. Jay Gerada, Commission on Elections (Comelec)-South Cotabato supervisor said, last May 14 that all election centers and precincts opened as scheduled and they had not encountered any major problem related to the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang (SK) Elections.

“We’ve encountered some minor problems but these were resolved by our election officers and personnel,” he said in a radio interview.

A number of voters in this city and parts of South Cotabato were not able to immediately cast their votes when the precincts opened at 7 a.m. after failing to find their names in the computerized voters list.

There were voters who had difficulty finding their precincts while some endured long queues in voting precincts.

Gerada said they referred the voters with missing names to the election officers to properly determine their status.

He said it’s possible that some of them were already delisted or deactivated after failing to vote in the last two elections.

In Koronadal City, some voters at the Koronadal Central Elementary School-II complained that members of the election board required them to submit identification or ID cards and related documents before being allowed to cast their votes.

But Gerada said voters were not required to carry or present IDs to be able to vote based on election rules.

In Barangay Ezperanza, he ordered acting Koronadal City Election Officer Emma Uy to dismantle the reported assistance desks established by supporters of three candidates who were running as barangay chair.

The assistance desks mainly offer help in finding the names of voters through a list supposedly provided by the Comelec.

“These are not allowed as they could lead to campaigning for the candidates,” he said.

In terms of election-related violations, especially vote-buying, Gerada said their office has not yet received any formal complaint.

In case they occurred, he said they expect potential cases to be reported first to the local police and city or municipal election offices. (PNA - Cotabato MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Improvised bomb shuts down Maguindanao highway

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao --- Traffic along the highway in Maguindanao was shut down for more than an hour  last May 17 in the morning after soldiers and militiamen found an improvised explosive device (IED) by the roadside.

The IED, fashioned from combined 60mm mortar and 40 mm rifle grenade with mobile phone as triggering device, was found by patrolling government troopers around 6 a.m. at Sitio Panang in Barangay Salbu of Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

The IED was successfully disabled by Army bomb disposal experts at 7:30 a.m.,” Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division based in Camp Siongco, Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, said.

He said elements of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion and members of Maguindanao Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) were conducting foot patrol along the highway as the Ramadan fasting month began Thursday when they found the bomb.

Encinas said no one claimed responsibility in the foiled bombing but military intelligence unit is eyeing the IS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that operates in the peripheries of the town as the ones behind the foiled attack.

He noted that the IED could be intended for military convoys that regularly pass by the Barangay Salbu section of the highway. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA - Cotabato MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Alert residents foil bomb attempt in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY --- Police and Army bomb experts deactivated Wednesday night (May 9) an improvised bomb along a busy alley in Barangay Bagua here.

The discovery of the improvised bomb fashioned from 81 mm mortar with mobile phone as triggering device briefly interrupted the campaign period for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) here.

Quoting witnesses, re-electionist village chair Bimbo Diolonen said two men were seen entering the densely populated village at past 7 p.m. and left what appeared like a bag beside the narrow alleyway.

Residents noticed the suspicious item and alerted authorities who quickly sealed off the area.

“At past 8 p.m., the IED was deactivated after several attempts of disrupting it,” Senior Superintendent  Rolly Octavio, city police director, said.

An Army disposal bomb expert who responded at the scene said that after the IED was deactivated using a water disruptor, he noticed traces of suspected shabu substance in the site where the bomb was found.

The police said intense rivalry has been observed in the village.

Diolonen, the village chairman, said it was the first time an IED was planted in the village since he was elected village chief.

Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi lauded the civilians for quickly alerting the police, preventing a potentially bloody Wednesday evening. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA - Cotabato)

Teachers’ take home pay gets a hike

MANILA  --- The take home pay of teachers will increase this year due to the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Act, plus increases in their allowances, the Department of Education (DepEd) noted last May 11.

The TRAIN Act or Republic Act No. 10963 was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last December to provide income tax cuts to most of the Filipino taxpayers. It is also said to be the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program.

The basic salary of a Teacher 1, for instance, is P19,620 and has a take home pay of P17,220.

With the implementation of the TRAIN Act and also the 3rd tranche of the Salary Standardization Law of 2015, the DepEd said a Teacher 1 would have a basic salary of P20,179.

They would have a take home pay of P20,012 (with Personnel Economic Relief Allowance or PERA), the DepEd said.

In a statement, the agency said it supports the administration's tax reform initiative as this would "significantly develop the country's human capital".

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones has been working on helping teachers get an adequate compensation. Last October 26, she signed DepEd Order (DO) 55, or the "Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of P4,000 Net Home Pay for DepEd personnel."

The move aims to help teachers manage their finances, after data showed that many of them avail of various loans. DO 55 prioritized deductions for contributions to the GSIS, Home Development Mutual Fund, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and PhilHealth.

Meanwhile, teachers can also look forward to an increase in their allowances. Their clothing allowance, which used to be P5,000, would be P6,000 this year.

Similarly, their chalk allowance (which they could use to buy chalks and other classroom supplies), would be increased from P2,500 to P3,500, the DepEd said. (Ma. Cristina Arayata, PNA/ MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Duque urges intensified awareness vs HIV/AIDS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --- Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged health workers in Region-12 to step up  their awareness and surveillance activities against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

In his speech at the launching of the Mindanao-wide measles-rubella mass supplemental immunization activity here last May 9, Duque said the country is facing  a major challenge due to the increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases in the last several years.

At 133 percent, he said the Philippines currently has the highest rate of increase in infection in the Asia Pacific region.

The Department of Health (DOH) recorded a total of 52,280 HIV/AIDS cases in the  country in 2017. It reported 871 new cases in February.    

In comparison, Duque said that during his  stint at the DOH from 2005 to 2010, the health department only detected a positive case each day. The current infection rate, he said, has increased to 32 a day.

“During my (first) time as health secretary, it was low and slow. But now it’s fast and furious,” he said.

Duque directed local health offices to expand awareness on “safe sex” and the voluntary testing of those vulnerable to the disease.

He said it is important for young people, especially those aged 18 and above, to be properly aware of safe sexual practices, including the use of condoms.

He added that cases of HIV/AIDS transmission have been high among ages 15 to 19 years-old.

The DOH also recorded cases involving 13 year-olds and even younger ones due to mother and child transmission.

“So we should not let our guards down. Keep your surveillance active and monitoring systems at high gear all the time,” the health official said.

Listed several years ago as an HIV/AIDS hotspot, this city has recorded nearly 600 cases as of May 9.

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, disease surveillance head of the City Health Office, said two victims died this year due to the incurable disease. (PNA - Cotabato/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

DTI-12 pushes for upgrade of Negosyo Centers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --- In a bid to enhance their services, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region-12 is pushing for the upgrading of the region’s Negosyo Centers into complete units.

Vanessa Claire Pleña, DTI-12 information officer, said last May 16 that they are currently working with local government units (LGUs) to facilitate the conversion of Negosyo Centers in the region that are still operating as Model C or desk-type facilities.

Pleña said a total of 52 Negosyo Centers were already established within the 45 municipalities and five cities, mostly operating as Model A or complete centers.

She said a Model A Negosyo Center has its own building and features complete facilities such as a reception area, lounge, library, consultation and meeting room, working area, and a training room. Three to five business counselors and a support staff from the DTI supervised these, she said.

She said Model C centers are those situated within local government offices, usually just a table manned by a lone business counselor.

For the upgrading, Pleña said LGUs mainly provide the site and the building while the DTI takes care of the manpower and needed equipment.

Negosyo Centers are “one-stop-shops” that cater to various concerns and needs of existing and prospective MSMEs on various aspects of doing business, from start-up to the actual operations.

It provides assistance to MSMEs in terms of business registration, business advisory services, business information and advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation of business processes.

To complement the upgrading of the centers, the DTI-12 has been enhancing their services to accommodate more residents.

Dorecita Delima, DTI-12 acting regional director, said they are specifically customizing their trainings and seminars to complement with the needs of prospective clients.

She cited beneficiaries of the national government’s conditional cash transfer or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Senior High School graduates.

“They can come to us and avail of entrepreneurial trainings and support programs that are customized for them,” she said. (PNA - Cotabato MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

AFP denies 'Southern Command' withdrawing support

MANILA --- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  denied last May 11 a "Messenger" post which claimed that soldiers from "Southern Command" are allegedly withdrawing support to the national government.

"A 'Messenger' post purportedly from the soldiers of the "Southern Command" allegedly withdrawing support to government and President Rodrigo R. Duterte and encouraging other AFP units to follow suit is now circulating in social media," AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

"Few people sent it to me to determine its veracity. That is a fake statement. It did not come from the military," he said.

He also clarified that there is no "Southern Command" of the AFP, saying that the post is the handiwork of individuals who intend to sow discord and discredit the military as a professional organization.

Arevalo also assured the public that the AFP will be "united and steadfast" amid such disinformation.

"Your AFP shall and will remain united and steadfast following duly constituted authority and under the Chain-of-Command with the President and Commander-in-Chief on top of the hierarchy," Arevalo said. (Priam Nepomuceno, PNA/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Paglas exec hands over 22 loose guns

FIREARMS YIELD --- Mayor Abubacar Paglas of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao
leads the turn-over of loose firearms to Army's 33rd Infantry Battalion commander 

Harold Cabunoc at the Paglas town hall last May 7. (33rd IB photo) 

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao --- The military voiced confidence that the surrender of unlicensed firearms to authorities will further sustain peace and order in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao. 

Led by Datu Paglas Mayor Abubacar Paglas, at least 22 loose firearms collected from residents by the local government unit were turned over last May 7 to Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, the commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (IB), a week before the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

Datu Paglas is the third municipality within the 33rd IB’s area of responsibility that has complied with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to collect and hand over loose firearms to authorities, Col. Cabunoc said.

Among the firearms surrendered were two Garand rifles, one Carbine caliber .30, four M14 rifles, one M16, one .30-caliber Barrett sniper’s rifle, six Springfield bolt action rifles, one M7 rifle, three shotguns, and two submachine guns.

“(It is) our intention to support the Balik Baril program because it will free our constituents from harm,” Paglas said.

The mayor added that he hopes to receive more loose guns from civilians in the run-up to the elections “so we will have a peaceful election.”

Cabunoc said the military is open to accept guns voluntarily surrendered by civilians, but will also continue to hunt down those in possession of unlicensed firearms.

Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, lauded the residents of Datu Paglas for participating in the government’s disarmament program "to help build a peaceful community."

Since January, a total of 1,041 firearms were surrendered and recovered in the areas covered by the 6th ID that include the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, and parts of North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur. (Edwin Fernandez, PNA - Cotabato/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Philippine GDP grows by 6.8% in Q1 2018

MANILA --- Strong government and household consumption drove the Philippine economy to grow by 6.8 percent in the 1st quarter of the year, despite a slower agricultural output, higher inflation, and wider trade deficit.

National Statistician Lisa Grace Bersales announced last May 10 that the gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.8 percent from January to March 2018. This is the 10th consecutive quarter that the economy grew by 6.5 percent or better.

This is slightly higher than the 6.4 percent growth in the same period a year ago, and 6.5 percent in the last quarter of 2017.

This placed the country's growth pace outside the government's full-year target of seven percent to eight percent.

Socio-economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said that inflation was the "spoiler," as he noted that the GDP growth for the first quarter would have been within target if not for rising inflation.

Spoiled by inflation

"Despite improving labor market conditions, private consumption eased somewhat to 5.6 percent due to rising inflation, which is a major factor, and interest rates, and weaker consumer confidence," Pernia said in a briefing in Pasig City last May 10.

Inflation, or the movement of prices of basic goods and services, rose to another five-year high to 4.5 percent in April 2018.

"Spending would have been higher, spending on durable goods would have been higher if inflation was lower," Pernia said.

Had inflation been lower than 4.5 percent, Pernia said the country's economic growth in the 1st three months of the year would be "approaching the middle" level of the government's target of seven percent to eight percent.

Even with the higher-than-expected inflation rate, the GDP growth in the 1st quarter was higher than that in the same period a year ago, thanks to the upbeat performance of public construction, government consumption, and capital formation.

Pernia said despite improving labor market conditions, private consumption eased to 5.6 percent due to rising inflation.

External demand also weakened significantly, with net exports plunging to 6.2 percent in the first quarter of the year, from 17.4 percent in the same period a year ago.

"Growth in exports of goods eased to 2.9 percent, after consistent growth averaging 21.1 percent in 2017. Net exports therefore worsened during the quarter. This is something we need to keep an eye on," Pernia said.

Malacañang welcomed the latest GDP figure. "We are optimistic that our economic momentum would continue to be sustained with higher tax revenue collection and bigger public spending in infrastructure," said President Spokesman Harry Roque.

High among peers

The 1st quarter performance also showed the Philippines is still among the fastest-growing economies in Asia, after Vietnam's 7.38 percent and at par with China's 6.8 percent.

The Philippines – once called the "Sick Man of Asia" – has been aggressively launching reforms, like updating its tax system and filling the infrastructure gap to boost its economy, which has been growing for 76 straight quarters.

Philippine GDP has been growing above six percent for six consecutive years or since the administration of Benigno Aquino III.

In the past quarters, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, and India have been in the running for the title of "fastest-growing economy in the world."

But among the member-economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam has been a strong contender. It has been outpacing the Philippines as the best performing economy in the regional bloc since the 3rd quarter of 2017.

Among the pioneering five members of the ASEAN, however, the Philippines remains the best performer. The ASEAN-5 is composed of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

The country's economy had a sluggish start in 2017 due to the slow implementation of big-ticket infrastructure projects, which gradually began to pick up in the 2nd quarter of that year. It then slowed down to 6.5 percent in the 4th quarter of the year and began picking up again in the 1st quarter of 2018.

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) both expect the Philippines to remain among the fastest-growing economies in the region for 2018, with forecasts of 6.7 percent and 6.8 percent growth, respectively.  (Chrisee Dela Paz with a report from Paterno Esmaquel II / Rappler.com)

R-12 polls ‘peaceful’

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --- Except for some minor incidents, police authorities in Region-12 said the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections last may 14 in Region-12, or Soccsksargen, turned out “orderly and generally peaceful.”

Superintendent  Aldrin Gonzales, public information officer of Police Regional Office (PRO)-12, said last May 15 that they have not recorded any major election-related incident that affected the region’s security situation.

Gonzales said voting and canvassing in most election precincts within the region’s four provinces and five cities proceeded as scheduled with expectation of full completion of the process without any disruption.

“There were minor problems reported in some polling centers but these did not hamper the over-all conduct of the elections,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

In South Cotabato, a still unidentified man was gunned down at around 2 p.m. last May 15 in Sitio San Juan, Barangay Rizal in Banga town but investigators said the incident was not considered as election-related.

Power interruptions occurred in Barangay Lun Padidu, Malapatan town in Sarangani province and parts of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat at the height of the canvassing of votes. Power was eventually restored hours later.

Police said two explosions were reported near polling centers in Barangay Dungos, Tulunan town in North Cotabato on Monday (May 14) morning but no casualties and damages were recorded.

Gonzales attributed the smooth conduct of the polls to the preparations conducted by the Commission on Elections and the successful implementation of the region’s comprehensive security plan.

He specifically cited the strategic deployment of security personnel in parts of Region-12, especially in the 255 villages that were identified as areas of concern or hotspots.

The PRO-12 had assigned some 109 police personnel to serve as members of the election board in some villages in North Cotabato.

To prevent possible security-related problems due to intense political rivalries, the canvassing of votes in some remote areas in South Cotabato were transferred on Monday (May 14) night to more secure village and town centers. 

Gonzales said the entire region will remain under heightened alert even as the election period ends on May 21 due to the prevailing martial law in Mindanao. (PNA - Cotabato MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

3 tectonic quakes hit Maguindanao

COTABATO CITY --- Three minor earthquakes hit the northern part of Maguindanao last May 16 but the tremors were too deep to be felt, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) here said.

The three tremors, recorded at Magnitude 3, 3.2, and 3.3, came in succession beginning at 7:31 a.m. followed by two aftershocks at 8:02 and 8:31 a.m. which were traced about 12 kilometers east of Buldon, Maguindanao, the Phivolcs said in its bulletin.

Phivolcs said no reported damage to properties in the three tectonic quakes, which occurred about 12 hours after a Magnitude 4.9 earthquake hit South Upi town, also in Maguindanao at 8 p.m. last May 15.

Engr. Rainier Amilbahar, chief of Phivolc -Cotabato station, said the tremor in South Upi was too deep that it was hardly felt by the citizens.

Amilbahar said the epicenter was traced 613 kilometers deep and no casualty or damages to properties recorded. (Noel Punzalan & Edwin Fernandez,  PNA - Cotabato MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Duterte opens Alegria oil fields for commercial production

ALEGRIA, CEBU --- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was set to open last Saturday (May19)  the ceremonial valve of the Polyard-3 Well site as a ceremonial commencement of oil and gas production of the Alegria oil fields at Barangay Montpeller, Alegria town south of Cebu.

Department of Energy (DOE-7) OIC-Regional Director Engr. Saul Gonzales, in an interview with Manila Bulletin, said Alegria town is an oil field of natural gas and crude petroleum deposits with commercial quantities whose production can last until 2037.

Gonzales added that the oil field has a total production area of 42,749 hectares.

Gonzales said the Alegria oil fields have 9.42 billion cubic feet of natural gas reserves with a potential of 70 percent for extraction, or an estimated 6.6 billion cu/ft of recoverable resource for commercial use.

The crude petroleum, on the other hand, has an estimated 27.93 million barrels of oil (MMBO) with a possible production recovery of 3.35 MMBO ,or a conservative estimate of 12 percent of total oil in place/reserves, Gonzales added.

According to Gonzales, DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi and China International Mining Petroleum Company Limited (CIMP Co..Ltd) chair Lam Nam signed the joint declaration of commerciality on March 14, 2018, in Taguig City, formalizing the service contract of CIMP Co. Ltd which covers the Alegria oil field.

Gonzales said the exploration and drilling activities of CIMP Co. Ltd. on the oil field started in 2009. In 2016, the DOE and CIMP jointly established that the oil field contained commercial quantities of natural gas upon its discovery of oil accumulation in the adjacent hydrocarbon traps within the Alegria underground area.

Engr. Dennis Guardiario, site engineer for the East Asia drilling contractor, said the third, fourth, and fifth wells in Alegria may produce 300 to 400 barrels of crude oil daily. The sixth well is still being tested.

Gonzales said the crude oil and gas in commercial quantity will spur economic growth in Alegria and the whole Cebu province, even in the country.

According to Gonzales, the  CIMP Co. Ltd has now the option to sell or to produce power/electric for domestic use by connecting to the distribution grid of CEBECO or to the transmission grid of the National Grid Corporation of the Phil. (NGCP).

When the CIMP Co. Ltd shall have produced the power and based on PD 87, known as the Oil Exploration and Development Act of 1972,  the Philippine Government gets 60 percent share from the net sales of the project while 40 percent goes to CIMP Co Ltd.

From the 60 percent government share, 60 percent goes to the national, eight percent share to Cebu Province, 18 percent to Alegria town, and 14 percent to the host Barangay Montpeller. (Minerva BC Newman, Manila Bulletin / Google News PH)

Additional security mobilized in R-12 for village polls

GENERAL SANTOS CITY  ---  Some 1,125 additional security personnel were mobilized in parts of Region-12 to augment the security operations in line with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections last May 14..

Superintendent  Aldrin Gonzales, public information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12, said the augmentation personnel were composed of joint contingents from law enforcement in the region.

He specifically cited the PRO-12 and its support units, Army’s 1002nd Brigade, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The PRO-12 assigned some 696 police commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and trainees assigned at the regional headquarters, he said.

Gonzales said 400 personnel were deployed in North Cotabato, 96 to South Cotabato, 90 in Cotabato City, 71 in Sultan Kudarat, 21 in Sarangani, 11 in this city, five in the Regional Election Monitoring Action Center, and two in the Quick Reaction Force.

Aside from these, he said some 308 personnel assigned at the regional headquarters here and its support units were on stand-by for possible deployment.

The police office said the Army 1002nd Brigade mobilized 90 troopers from the 27th Infantry battalion and the Joint Task Force GenSan while the BJMP and PCG assigned 19 and 12 personnel, respectively.

Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales, Region-12 police director, reiterated that they remain on top of the security situation in the entire region.

“Recent events such as the neutralization of terrorists and the surrender of New People’s Army members along with firearms may suggest that peace and stability is now present in the land. However, during election time, we cannot depend upon such presumption as there are still places in Region-12 that are deemed hotspots and we also have some sightings of rebel activities. So we should have to be more cautious and remain focused on our jobs,” he said in a statement.

Morales personally led the inspection of detention facilities in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces as part of the poll security measures.

“This is to ensure that all prisoners will not be used in political activities and should be all properly accounted for in our jails,” he said.

The police official, along with Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-West Mindanao executive officer Chief Superintendent  Allan Cuevillas, observed the conduct of a bomb explosion simulation exercise held at the Rizal Park in Koronadal City. (PNA - Cotabato MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

GenSan conducts mobile HIV/AIDS screening

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --- Health personnel here  conducted free screening services last May 16 for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in line with the observance of the 35th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial.

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, coordinator of the City Health Office’s (CHO) Social Hygiene Clinic (SHC), said  the activity highlighted the continuing education and advocacy against the deadly disease.

Lastimoso said the mobile screening activity, which will be held at the Robinsons mall, mainly targets vulnerable residents who have not yet undergone HIV testing.

“We detected at least 10 new cases in each of our previous mobile screening activities,” she told PNA.

As of the other week, Lastimoso said the city’s HIV/AIDS cases has reached close to 600, with new cases detected every week.

She said they already recorded two deaths since January due to complications caused by advanced stage of AIDS.

The two fatalities were already suffering from full-blown AIDS upon diagnosis and have not availed of antiretroviral or ARV drug treatment.

The CHO provides ARV drug treatment for free, through the Department of Health-supported satellite treatment hub here.

ARV drug treatment mainly stops the multiplication of the infected person’s viral load and eventually prevents them from further spreading the disease.

In some countries, the use of antiretroviral drugs has helped effectively lower the incidence of HIV infection to about one percent and eventually stabilized the detected cases.

Lastimoso said it’s important for vulnerable residents to get tested early for HIV so they can avail of immediate treatment.

She cited those who were engaged in “risky sexual behavior” such as gays, bisexuals, men who have sex with men or MSMs, and others who engage in unprotected sex and with multiple partners.

The tests or screening are free of any charges and the results will be treated as confidential, she added. (PNA – Cotabato/ MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Locally based euro firms hired more than 800K Filipinos in 40 yrs

MANILA --- Member companies of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) have created more than 800,000 jobs in the country since its establishment in 1978, its president Guenter Taus said as the influential business group marks its 40th anniversary.

In a media event last Thursday evening (May 17), Taus noted that the business group has played a significant role in promoting stronger trade and investment ties between the Philippines and the EU.

He added that the business group has been closely working with the Philippine government through its advocacy tools in promoting policies that would improve business environment in the country.

The ECCP, together with the EU-Philippines Business Network, issues advocacy tools, such as letters to members of the government, drafting of bills, position papers on proposed reforms or current issues, and advocacy papers.

It also lists recommendations in sectors that would enable long-term economic growth in the country, including the sectors of agriculture, automotive, consumer goods and retail, energy and renewables, environment and water, energy efficiency, food and beverages, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, human capital, information technology and business process outsourcing, infrastructure and transportation, manufacturing, maritime, tax and financial services, and tourism.

Data from the EU showed that its bilateral trade with the Philippines in the first half of 2017 grew by 17 percent to USD7.8 billion. Philippine exports to the 28 EU member states increased by 36 percent in H1 2017 from the same period a year ago with the help of the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), wherein it allows some 6,274 goods from the Philippines to enter the EU market duty-free.

In 2016, the EU was the largest investor in the Philippines. About 28 percent or P62 billion of investments in the country in 2016 originated from companies from the EU.

“Looking into the future, it is my hope that the ECCP will continue to do the good work it has done in the past,” said Taus.

“Our hope is that the Chamber will continue to serve the European-Philippine business community with the same vigor and commitment it has over the past 40 years,” he added.

The ECCP has gained nearly 800 member companies ranging from medium-sized to multinational corporations since its inception. (Kris Crismundo, PNA/ MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Displaced families in Marawi receive Ramadan food packs

FOOD PACK beneficiaries line up to receive their Ramadan provisions. (Photo
 by ARMM-HEART)

COTABATO CITY ---  More than 300 internally displaced families currently residing in two tent sites in Marawi City received Ramadan food packs from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government on last  May 15.

The distribution was held during the ARMM People’s Day held in Marawi City led by the Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART), a key initiative of the regional government.

Myrna Jo Henry, ARMM-HEART information officer, said the distribution of food packs “is an act of charity” and will help the evacuees prepare for the Ramadan that  started last May 17.

The food packs contain rice, fresh fish, dried fish, loaves of bread, peanut butter, coffee, energy drink, sugar, and other food items.

“As we observe the holiest month of Ramadan, may we find time to pray for the lives of thousands who have been affected by the conflict,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

Marawi City was under siege by elements of local terrorist groups when they started the assault on May 23 last year. With the terrorists occupying major parts of the city, fighting went on for five months, or until October, destroying properties and forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.

The regional government has been prompt in extending its assistance to the evacuees since the crisis started. It immediately established a crisis management committee and several operation centers to facilitate the delivery of assistance to the affected families.

In June 2017, at least a month since the siege started, the regional government released P77 million as assistance to the victims of the crisis. ARMM-HEART also formed a rescue team that helped save civilians trapped in areas where heavy fighting was reported.

The team also helped in delivering additional assistance from the regional government and the provincial government of Lanao del Sur to the affected individuals since last year.

In earlier reports, Governor Hataman said the regional government has provided P450 million last year for the rehabilitation of Marawi. An additional P930 million will be released for Marawi this year. (Bureau of Public Information – ARMM/ MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Abducted policewomen freed, presented to Duterte

RESCUED --- Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza with the two policewomen who were rescued from their abductors on Saturday (May 19).
The two were kidnapped last April 29 in the town of Patikul by suspected Abu
Sayyaf members. (Photo courtesy of OPAPP)

JOLO, Sulu --- The two policewomen who were abducted some three weeks ago in Sulu by suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) members were rescued on May 19 and were formally turned over to President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City.

The two Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel were rescued with the assistance of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari, who was reportedly personally requested earlier by the President to help in the captives’ safe return.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza, accompanied by Misuari, personally fetched the two PNP officers in Jolo last May 19.

Also present during the hand-over were AFP Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde, and Sulu Task Force head Gen. Cirilito Sobejana.

“Since day one, President Duterte instructed us to work on the safe release of the victims,” he said.

Police Officer 2 Benierose Alvarez and Police Officer 1 Dinah Gumahad, along with two civilians, were abducted by armed men on April 29 in the town of Patikul.

They had just come from Camp Teofilo Bautista near the Jolo Airport when their tricycle was waylaid by suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Authorities in Sulu said the two police officers underwent medical examination and military debriefing.

Sobejana said military operations have been heightened to rescue the remaining kidnap victims in the island.

The other  week, a number of Abu Sayyaf members were killed following a rescue attempt by the military. (OPAPP PR/ MINDANAO EXPOSE’)