TF Kontra Druga nets 600-T in Illegal Drugs

By Mike Medina

After devising and transforming its strategy into a united effort, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was able to confiscate some P600-thousand worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride in Pagadian City.

Harnessing also the full potential of Task Force Droga of the Provincial Government and Provincial Anti Illegal Drug Task Force (PADITF), the joint anti-narcotic drive in Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City did big in a span of four months since January because of pounding busts and raid operations.

The amount of drugs seized consist of 98.8 grams of shabu and 134 drug paraphernalia, among others, PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena said in a press briefing at the Capitol, Monday, last week.

Ochotorena added that the Provincial Anti Illegal Drug Task Force (PADITF) conducted a total of 67 operations against illegal drugs for the said period and arrested 49 drug traffickers and filed 30 cases against the suspects.

For the part of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), about 50 cases were filed against drug suspects for the same period, with March and April having the most cases filed with 14 and 13, respectively, disclosed IO1 Brenda Joy Congreso, a member of PDEA’s operating unit.

With trials for the 17 cases are ongoing while 33 already filed, Congreso explained that most of the suspects were charged with either violating Sections 5, 11 or 12 of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Section 5 of RA 9165 deals with the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs while Section 11 states punishment for possession of dangerous drugs and Section 12 is for possession of equipment, instrument, apparatus and other paraphernalia for dangerous drugs.

Gov. Aurora Cerilles, who led the press briefing inside her office with journalists, was elated with the report and commented that the aggressive campaign and operations against all forms of illegal drugs in the province should be supported by the constituents and the communicators.

Just last Saturday, for example, PADITF confiscated some 50 grams of shabu and undetermined volume of Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) leaves in a simultaneous buy bust operation conducted in Banale and Tiguma districts.

The raiding team stormed the house of Muslimen Malaco and a certain Gigi in Purok 7-Tonner, Alta Tiera Subdivision, Tiguma, then went to raid the residence of the murdered businessman Muminin Malaco in Banale.

Police sources said Muslimen and Muminin Malaco are twins. The latter was killed by two motorcycle assassins, Friday, while driving his Hi-lux along Ariosa-Pulmones streets.

Three big sachets containing white crystalline substance weighing 15 grams were confiscated inside the house of Muslimen. The drug, according to the police has an estimated street value of P105,000 and another small sachet worth P2000.

The said items were recovered in the possession of Jimmy Sabanal Malaco and Ibrahim Antis Wahab, residents of Bulawan, San Miguel, this province.

Gigi’s house, which is adjacent to Muslimen, yielded three big sachets of shabu weighing a total of 15 grams with an estimated market value of P105,000; two small sachets of the same substance worth P105,000; and two more sachets worth P7000.

Also found were a weighing scale with three batteries, scissor, and a small pink pouch.

The mentioned items were taken from Jamion Danial, a resident of Lapuyan, and Amad Latip Ismula of Boalan, Kumalarang.

During the raid at Muminin’s house, authorities confiscated two -big sachets of shabu weighing 10 grams with an estimated market value of P70,000; a small one gram sachet of shabu worth P6000; and still another small sachet worth P2000.

Several pack of Marijuana leaves and seeds, a pack of Marijuana stick wrapper, and plastic sachets containing undetermined grams of golden yellow shabu and a disposable lighter were likewise recovered from a certain Pindaton Sarif Abdul, a resident of Sultan Gumander, Lanao del Sur.

Ochotorena said that the total value of the contrabands seized from the three houses valued an overall estimated cost of P293,000, inventoried in the presence of PADITF action officer and board member Ernesto Mondarte.

The joint raiding team was composed of PDEA, the PNP Provincial Command led by SPO1 Melburne Mangubat, C/Insp Gabriel Etbew of PAIDTF and the 53rd IB led by Lt. Rafael Balacamaya.

“The effort of joint raiding forces and PAIDTF is a great loss of those people behind the illegal drug trade in our province,” Cerilles commented as she praised the success of the operation which crippled the illegal drug trade in the city.

“This is just the beginning of our fight in our all-out war against illegal drugs and all forms of criminalities. I congratulate the people involved in the success of the operations and also to the people who gave us vital information as the basis of our action,” the governor added.

To recall, the PDEA and the PNP has signed a memorandum of agreement in order to harmonize anti-drug operations and mobilize various sectors to help crush the drug menace.

Earlier, the PDEA signed similar agreements with the Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Bureau of Immigration.

A memorandum from the DILG is being circulated to encourage PNP unit commanders to coordinate with local government units to solicit support for the implantation of the police’s anti-illegal drug strategies.

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Salvador Municipal Mayor implements KALAHI-CIDSS projects

By: Armand Apolinario, Magagawang Media ng Mindanaw

Salvador, Lanao del Norte - Incumbent Municipal Mayor Raida Langitao-Tawantawan have implemented the multi-million pesos projects, the KALAHI-CIDSS (Makamasang-Tugon Municipal Pilot Initiative Project) given by the Department of Social Welfare & Development and a World Bank-Assisted Project under IBDR Loan no. 7417 PH, said Executive Adviser Sultan Johnny Tawantawan.

The total amount of the aforementioned projects is totaled to; P17,884,175.00 with the breakdown as follows: KC Grant is P12,500,000.00; Provincial LGU share is P1,800,000.00 and the Municipal LGU’s share is P700,000.00. The projects implementation were started on January 18, 2009 then its target dates of completion will be on April and May, 2009, in the 18 Barangays of this town, Sultan Tawantawan added.

The projects are known to be the Barangay road improvements (gravelling) in the Brgys Mindalano and Padianan; on the constructions of Solar Drier with Warehouse in the Barangays of Saumay and Pagayawan. The Barangay road concreting are being implemented in the Barangays of Mapantao, Kilala, Pansur, Patidon, Bulacon, Bulacon, Camp 3, Madaya, Daligdigan, and Sudlon.

The construction of Day Care Center in also being implemented in Brgy Pagalongan; and also the construction of Barangay Potable Water System Level 1 in the Barangays of Poblacion, Curva-Miagao and Panaliwad-on.

Barangay Mabatao have also acquired the Portable Corn Sheller with the construction of a warehouse in the amount of P495,000.00 still this project is on-going.

The peace and order here is normal wherein all Municipal, Barangay elected officials & all its constituents are behind and very supportive to the administration of Mayor Tawantawan.

On the other hand, on the recent renovation of existing Municipal Hall Building had just finished anew which is now the attraction being a nice looking building in Poblacion, this town that it costs about P0.5-million more or less, Sultan Tawantawan concluded.

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Iligan Detour Bridge now Open for Public Utilities

By PJTremedal

Iligan City- After a week of agony and inconveniences from walking on a makeshift bridge bringing personal belongings, crafts, and business trade materials, transferring agri –fishery goods and bounties transferring from buses to buses and other vehicles from other towns and cities from Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga Sibugay, the Iligan detour bridge is now open for public utilities.

The said inconvenience on motorist and travelers happened after the Agus Bridge in Fuentes, Iligan City was bombed by unidentified group (as of this report nobody claims the bombing) and incurred damages to the 50 year old bridge connecting Iligan City to the Lanao Del Norte Province and the Zamboanga Peninsula Region to include Misamis Occidental.

Motorists and travelers going to and from Iligan City to Lanao Del Norte province will have to suffer the inconvenience of taking an alternate route as workers repair the bombed Agus Bridge, the Department of Public Workers and Highways (DPWH) said Thursday.

Serving as detour is the Ditucalan Bridge, which was opened after engineers deemed that Agus Bridge need immediate repair.

A bomb planted by still unidentified suspects on April 20 damaged steel beams of the halfway of the steel bridge, the DPWH field office said in a report to Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.

Only light vehicles, however, are allowed to pass the detour bridge, and the Lanao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be supervising traffic flow.

Ebdane said Agus Bridge, one of the main bridges of Iligan City, need to be repaired immediately as further delay would affect the flow of trade going to and from Zamboanga, Misamis Occidental and all other parts of Mindanao.

Agus Bridge has a total length of 104 meters, of which 30 meters is reinforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) and 74 meters of steel. And accordingly, the government needs another 100 million budget to defray cost of the bridge.

Located along Iligan-Aurora Road, the main access road leading to Zamboanga Peninsula and Misamis Occidental. The bridge is eight kilometers away from the city proper. (news source from gmanews.tv)

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Zampen Region takes 20 games in Day 1

By PJTremedal

Tacloban City – With more than 600 athletes from the Zamboanga Peninsula Region billeted at the San Jose National High School, Western Mindanao DepED Regional Director Walter Albos was happy indeed to confirmed that the region’s best were able to show their might against the other competing athletes from all over the country in the Palaro Pambansa opening games betting their counterparts.

Zampen athletes bet their rivals in both the elementary and secondary division. In basketball (Elem) Zampen wins against CAR and in kiddie weight boxing bout. While the secondary boys bet EVRAA in basketball.

Other games such as Chess (B), Football, Sepak Takraw, Softball (G),and Tennis (B & G) in the elementary division, Zampen Region makes it against CAR, CALABARZON, CAVRAA, and CLRAA athletes. Meanwhile in the secondary division Zampen stands out in Badminton (B) against the Ilocano’s, Badminton (G) against CAVRAA and IRAA.

In baseball Zampen batters wins against East Visayan hosts and Basketball (B) that Leyteños will never forget the loss with 90 against 71 in the score. While, in other events, such as Football (B), Table Tennis (B & G) Chess (B & G) the Zampen athletes showed their might. However, some of the games against other teams Zampen athletes who were boosted in both spirit and support from the DepED officials of Region 9 never quit in winning for the second round of events.

As of this writing, Zamboanga Peninsula Region emerged with two gold medals in the boys division as Glenn Pangatungan won the 50m distance (296 points) and the 1/2 FITA round (620 points) in archery. Other winners were winners were: Northern Mindanao’s Elgen Altubar had an easy outing in archery sweeping all four finals disputed in Friday’s 2009 Palarong Pambansa which is being jointly hosted by the Leyte province and Tacloban City.

Altubar, who last year won only a bronze medal in the 50 meter event, this time ruled the 30m (329 points) then added the 50m (274 points) 1/2 FITA round (603 points) and the Individual Olympic (87 points) crowns played at the Sacred Heart Seminary Grounds in Palo, Leyte.

She engaged Central Visayas’ Gelen Roleda in a shoot off for the 50m gold after both archers scored identical 274 points. Altubar registered 8 to beat Roleda’s 6 in the finals.

Altubar will try to complete a sweep of all five events when she leads Northern Mindanao’s bid in the Team Olympic Round.


Western Visayas’ Mar Cris Antolino topped the 30m event (329 points) while defending champion NCR, which also swept the boys’ competition last year, had only a gold medal to show courtesy of Carl Buenaventura’s 105 points in the Individual Olympic round.

Big City, however, continued to dominate the pool even as Western Visayas had a field day in athletics with both disciplines disputed at the Leyte Sports Development Center in Tacloban City. NCR won five of eight events contested to hike its gold medal total to 12 after 22 events.

Johansen Aguilar, who broke three records, added a third gold in the 200m backstroke with a time of two minutes and 13.81 seconds. Dorothy Hong Grace won the girls 200m backstroke (2:28.53); Gabriel Castelo topped the 100m butterfly (1:00.11) while NCR’s 4 x 50m freestyle boys and girls teams ruled their events to complete Big City’s medal haul.

Sharing the spotlight is Delia Angela Cordero, a 13-year-old Cainta Rizal native, who won her third individual gold and fourth overall, with a new Palaro mark in the 100m butterfly.

Cordero, whose elder sister Denjylie, was a former Palaro standout, negotiated the distance in 1:06 to break the 1:07.25 record set by Lynnette Ang in 1998.

Hannah Dato of NCR also eclipsed the said record with a second best 1:06.66 time.

NCR added two more gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics as Noely Figueroa topped the women’s individual all around with 32.95 points. She then joined bronze medalist Yosherich Mabborang’s (32.60) and Myla Rodriguez (32.10) to give NCR the team gold with 97.65 points.

The Men’s Artistic Gymnastics individual and team event title, however, were taken by CALABARZON with Jay Francis Villegas winning the individual with 27.40 and the team posting a combined score of 77.80 points (other news From GMANEWS.TV)

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Arroyo Graces Palarong Pambansa 2009

By PJTremedal

Tacloban City – Amidst the heat of the sun, people from all walks of life in this “waray” province flock to witness the formal; opening of the 2009 Palarong Pambansa with the presence of the President of the Republic, Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who plane in at the Daniel Romualdez Airport five kilometers from the Leyte Sports Development Complex.

With 15,000 participating athletes, coaches and DepEd Officials led by Secretary Jesli Lapus were welcome by the Leyteños and other visitors from Region 8 and other visitors all over the country.

With an excellent performance from the Leyte artists (Leyte Expression in Movement) and the Buyogan Festival dancers who were adjudged this year’s champion in the Aliwan Festival, Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla and Mayor Alfred Romualdez and DepED Region 8 Regional Director Sol F. Matugas with other guests welcomed the president and his entourage to include Vice President Noli de Castro.

“We, in the province of Leyte, are very excited that President Arroyo will take time out from her hectic schedules to grace the opening of the Palaro,” Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla said.

The President calls on the more than 10,000 athletes and athletic officials from the country’s 17 regions to use sports as an effective tool to achieve national unity, peace and progress in keeping with the Palaro’s theme this year: “Bridging Unity, Peace and Progress through Sports.”

After delivering her message, President Arroyo formally declared the weeklong multi-sports meet open. The first and only time Leyte province hosted the Palaro was in 1983.

The Leyte province has spent P70 million to refurbish the Leyte Sports Development Center, the same venue where former Southeast Asian Games long jump queen Elma Muros upset sprint queen Lydia de Vega in the century dash in the 1983 Palaro.

Gia Bucag, a first timer in the Palaro from Central Visayas Region, made sports history today when she bagged the first gold in the elementary girls’ javelin throw.

Aside from athletics, other sports disciplines calendared this year are archery, arnis (secondary only), badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing (secondary only), chess, football, gymnastics, sepak-takraw, softball (secondary only), swimming, table tennis, lawn tennis, taekwondo and volleyball.

Powerhouse National Capital Region (NCR) is the reigning overall champion both in the elementary and secondary divisions, but last year’s second placer Western Visayas is hoping to end the Big City’s sports supremacy.

Completing the list of sports delegations from the regions are Southern Tagalog CALABARZON, Central Visayas, Central Luzon Region, Northern Mindanao, Ilocos Region, Southern Tagalog MIMAROPA, Davao Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, CARAGA, Cotabato Region, Cagayan Valley and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.(with reports from Jun Corgue,PIA 9)

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