Monday, March 31, 2025

Tag: Cagayan De Oro

Police unearth NPA terrorists’ weapons cache in Bukidnon

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 19, 2024/PIA) –The Philippine National Police (PNP) uncovered five M16 rifles, 38 assorted magazines, a caliber 45 pistol, firearm parts, and rounds of ammunition hidden underground by the New People’s Army-Communist Terrorist Group (NPA-CTG) under Platoon Mercedes, Sub-Regional Committee 5 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC5-NCMRC)

The joint operation of Area Police Command-Eastern Mindanao Cagayan de Oro Satellite Office; Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-10; 1st Bukidnon Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC); and Barangay Dominorog’s Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay led the recovery of the communist terrorist group’s (CTG) arms cache, early morning of January 6 this year in the hinterlands of San Rafael village in Talakag, Bukidnon.

Police Colonel Ramil Montilla, APC-EM executive officer, credited the discovery and recovery of firearms to former New People’s Army members who surrendered and narrated the hardships they faced and their families’ miseries while they were with the NPA-CTG as combatants.

“Malaki ang impact nitong recovered firearms kasi nabawasan ang kanilang capabilities na magwagi against the government forces. Malaking kawalan ito sa kanila. (The recovered firearms have a significant impact on the rebels, reducing their ability to oppose government forces—a substantial loss for them),” Montilla said.

He explained that all recovered firearms will undergo ballistic testing to check for previous use in crimes. Those records, he said, will also undergo cross-referencing in the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Unit for any existing information.

Weakening of rebel group

The government forces succeed after two operations against the NPA-CTG in just one week.

Montilla said the credit also goes to the APC-EM for their focused efforts, the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ intensified military operations, and the relentless law enforcement of the Philippine National Police that forced the rebels to move around to avoid detection and arrest.

The government’s whole-of-nation strategy, outlined in EO 70 that addressed concerns in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), encouraged the mass surrender of former rebels and supporters.

Similarly, the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay deployment in GIDAs establishes safe and conflict-resilient communities.

Montilla also said that the presence of the R-PSB in NPA-infiltrated areas encouraged the former rebels to divulge information to authorities, which lessened the terrorists’ foothold in the area.

“It demonstrates that the CTG has no identified mass bases to rely on. The people’s view toward public safety forces is noticeable,” he said.

In retaliation of NPA-CTGs

Brigadier General Michele Anayron, 403rd brigade commander, said that after two successful operations on December 25 and January 6, the government forces, including the APC-EM CDO SATO, are prepared for any potential retaliation by the NPA rebels.

However, Anayron emphasized that if one would look at the NPA-CTG’s pattern of retaliation in the past, most were against vulnerable soft targets.

“Since there are ongoing development projects like road opening and concreting, contractors are being targeted. In April, at Sitio Mahagwa, Barangay Hagpa, Impasugong town, the said group committed an act of terrorism by burning two units of backhoe. We are actively pursuing them, collaborating with the PNP Mobile Force in an ongoing joint operation,” Anayron said.

The APC-EM urges the community and business sector to report any CTG group sightings to prevent potential criminal acts.

The APC-EM and 403rd Infantry Brigade call on active NPA members and CTG-affiliated groups to abandon armed struggles, emphasizing the government’s readiness to assist them and their families through various programs. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA10)

NorMin police, PDEA intensify cleansing ranks of illegal drugs

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 17, 2024) – Law enforcement agencies will remain vigilant in going after illegal drug use and trade, even against those within their ranks, an official assured Wednesday

Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., the Police Regional Office-10 (Northern Mindanao) director, said the police force is committed to an intensified internal cleansing program.

“We will not hesitate to take swift and decisive action against police personnel involved in any illegal activities,” Layug said in a statement on Wednesday.

Layug’s statement came after the recent anti-illegal drug operation on Wednesday at Barangay Carmen here, where a 32-year-old male police corporal was arrested for allegedly using “shabu” with two other individuals.

Seized from the suspects were shabu drugs worth PHP13,600 and other paraphernalia.

Col. Salvador Radam, city police director, said the operation against the erring police officer is part of clearing the organization from illegal drug involvement.

“As we continue the conduct of random drug testing, I warn every personnel caught in engaging such illegal drug activities and who violates the law will surely face charges accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Gaspi, the regional chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-10), said they are also conducting their own “internal integrity program” to remove agents involved in illegal drugs.

Gaspi, a lawyer, said PDEA has supported not only the enforcement aspect but also the rehabilitative programs for the recovery of persons who used drugs.

Based on PDEA-10 records, 1,484 of the region’s 2,022 barangays have been declared drug-cleared while 156 were categorized as drug-free. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

CDO, Bukidnon inflation rise, but regional rate remains low: PSA

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (24 January 2024) – The inflation rate in Bukidnon province and this city increased in December 2023, but the overall regional rate in Northern Mindanao remained low

Dr. Janith Aves, Philippine Statistic Authority-Northern Mindanao (PSA-10) officer-in-charge, said Bukidnon had an inflation of 12 percent last month, compared to the 9.2 percent in December 2022.

In the same rating period, Aves said this city registered a 12.6 percent inflation, but is lower compared to the previous year’s 13.3 percent.

“When we say there is a lower inflation rate, it does not mean the prices of commodities instantly became lower, but it means the increasing of prices has slowed,” Aves said in a report Wednesday.

Of the five provinces and two chartered cities in the region, this city had the highest inflation rate, while Misamis Occidental had the lowest with 2.8 percent from last month’s rating.

For the Northern Mindanao region, the regional inflation rate in Dec. 2023 was 4.8 percent, compared to the Dec. 2022 rate of 7.8 percent. (By Nef Luczon/PNA)

Bukidnon LGU 1st in NorMin to adopt local climate action plan

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 12, 2024) – The municipality of Kadingilan in Bukidnon province is poised to become a pioneering local government unit (LGU) in creating an Enhanced Local Climate Change Adaptation Plan (ELCCP) in the Northern Mindanao region

In a statement on Friday, Kadingilan Mayor Jerry Canoy Jr. said the LGU’s ELCCP includes a greenhouse gas inventory and identifies indicators for science, technology, and innovation.

The greenhouse gas inventory covers the assessment of the sources and amounts of greenhouse gases emitted within a specific focus area.

Canoy noted that such information is crucial for understanding the local contribution to climate change and developing strategies to reduce emissions in the municipality.

“With the help of our experts, I have great confidence that we can create an Enhanced LCCAP, which is one of our key references in developing and advancing our town,” he said.

Dr. Romela Ratilla, director of the Department of Science and Technology in Northern Mindanao, said the agency has the full support of Kadingilan’s ELCCP in embracing science, technology, and innovation in the local development plan.

“The Kadingilan LGU is the first municipality in the region with which we have partnered in planning — all while mainstreaming science, technology, and innovation,” she said.

The ELCCAP serves as a blueprint for disaster prevention and mitigation in adapting to climate change. It incorporates the latest advancements in science and technology offered by DOST.
(By Nef Luczon/PNA)

Malaybalay attack vs NPA a showcase of latest military assets

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 27 December)—The attack against the New People’s Army (NPA) in neighboring Malaybalay City before dawn on Christmas Day, where 10 rebels were allegedly killed, was a showcase of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) latest military assets

Used in action were the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, the 155mm autonomous truck-mounted howitzer system (ATMOS), and heat-penetrating military drones.

Brig. Gen. Michelle Anayron, commander of the Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade, said they had to use their new military assets to break through the mine-infested rebel camp in Sitio Kiito, Barangay Can-ayan in Malaybalay.

Anayron said the drones were launched from the Lumbia Airfield here, which used to be a commercial airport now being used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), to triangulate the exact position of the rebels in Sitio Kiito, about 68 kilometers away, and avoid civilian casualties.

He said so precise was their information that they fired the truck-mounted 155mm howitzers—made by Israel’s Elbit Systems delivered to the Philippines only early in 2022—inside Camp Bahian in Malaybalay City toward their targets 10 kilometers away.

The PAF, meanwhile, dropped 250-pound bombs from the Super Tucanos, a turboprop aircraft made by the Brazilian company Embraer.

Anayron said the military offensive killed nine New People’s Army (NPA) rebels but troops scouring the encampment found another male dead body a day later. He said this brought the number of rebels killed to 10 with more than six high-powered firearms and other war materials recovered at the ground zero in Sitio Kiito.

CPP spokesperson Marco Valbuena, in emails sent to reporters, did not confirm that the dead rebels were NPA members, saying they are still verifying reports whether the encounter really took place.

“As for now, we cannot say for sure whether those whom the AFP said were killed are really NPA fighters or civilian residents in the area. Tulad ng alam ninyo, marami nang pagkakataon sa nakaraan na maling ibinabalita ng AFP na nakapatay sila ng NPA sa engkwentro, para lang pagtakpan ang katotohanan na mga sibilyan ang kanilang pinatay,” Valbuena said.

The military operation took place three hours after the CPP declared a unilateral ceasefire on Christmas Eve and caught the rebels preparing for the party’s 55th founding anniversary celebration (December 26) by surprise.

Anayron said they got information that the rebels have instructed villagers to cook food in anticipation of the visitors and supporters coming to witness the anniversary celebration.

“That was very vital information for us because we have been hunting for these rebels since December 1 after they burned several harvesting equipment [in Malaybalay and neighboring areas],” Anayron said.

The impact of the Christmas Day fighting on the prospects of future peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front remains uncertain.

Last month, both parties agreed to resolve the decades-old conflict peaceably. Malacañang announced that both parties could reach a final peace agreement in the next few months.

Peace groups hailed the CPP’s declaration of a two-day unilateral ceasefire, which is supposed to end Tuesday night, as a major step in building confidence for the peace talks to proceed and urged the government to reciprocate.

Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, said they did not receive any orders from higher headquarters to reciprocate the ceasefire being implemented by the communist rebels.

“In the absence of orders, we attack,” Cuerpo said.

Cuerpo said he had given orders to run after the fleeing rebels in at least three villages in Malaybalay City. (Froilan Gallardo /MindaNews)

4ID honors injured soldiers toughens fight vs. NPA in NorMin, Caraga

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Dec. 18, 2023, 9:00 pm) – The Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) recognized on Monday injured troopers recuperating at the headquarters infirmary, even as it sent more troops to combat communist rebels in Bukidnon

“Their sacrifices in the line of duty are truly noble and deserve to be honored. In this Christmas season, we have to make them feel appreciated and supported as our most important resources,” Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, the 4ID commander, said.
At least five injured troopers are recuperating at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital here. They received gifts from the 4ID.
Meanwhile, an additional 118 new batch of soldiers will augment troops in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga Regions fighting the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
The new troopers belong to the Candidate Soldier Course “Lagablab” Class 782-2023 and completed their Infantry Orientation Course at the 4ID Training School in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
The batch, comprised of 112 males and six females, started infantry familiarization training in October. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

NorMin ‘service-oriented’ contributor in PH economy: NEDA

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (December 14, 2023, 3:33 pm) – Northern Mindanao region is hailed as a “service-oriented” economy, with its services sector posting a 54.5 percent contribution to its 2022 gross regional domestic product (GRDP), the regional National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-10) office reported Thursday

In a statement, NEDA-10 director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño said the services sector contributed PHP509.9 billion in gross value added in the region and a growth rate of 10.1 percent from the previous 2021-2022 rate.
“That includes tourism, accommodation services, and other service-related subsectors,” Cariño said.
Northern Mindanao’s GRDP increased by 7.2 percent or PHP935 billion, compared to the 6.3 percent growth in the previous year, which was impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
“That is why we are hoping that there will be no more pandemic because it will affect the mobility of our industry, especially in the services sector,” she said.
Also included in the growth drivers in the 2022 GRDP were the industry sector which covered 25.6 percent or PHP238.8 billion; and the agriculture sector which has 19.9 percent of the share or worth PHP186.6 billion in gross value.
Out of the five provinces and two chartered cities in the region, Bukidnon province remains the capital of the agriculture industry in Northern Mindanao.
Meanwhile, this city remains the top contributor to the regional economy of Northern Mindanao, according to the data presented by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
PSA data indicated that of the PHP935.3 billion value of Northern Mindanao’s gross domestic product in 2022, this city accounted for the largest share of 28 percent, followed by Bukidnon province at 26.6 percent, while Misamis Oriental in third at 16.8 percent.
The PPA measures the economic performance of the provinces and highly urbanized cities of the region. (Ercel Maandig and Nef Luczon/PNA)

Over 1,000 jobs up for grabs for DOLE’s 90th anniv celebration

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Dec. 13, 2023)– The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 10, led by Regional Director Erwin N. Aquino, spearheaded a job fair on December 1-2, at the SM Uptown, Masterson Avenue, here, as the Department commemorates its 90th founding anniversary with the theme “DOLE @ 90: Serbisyong Mabilis at Matapat sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

In this event, 30 employers demonstrated their participation in the job fair, with more than a thousand job openings for interested job seekers.

Simultaneously, a total of P810,000 worth of salaries were released to 200 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), 113 of whom are small-time local vegetable and produce farmers and vendors under the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa (KADIWA) Program. Each beneficiary will receive a 10-day pay amounting to P4,050 following service in their respective BLGUs and areas.

“This nationwide conduct of the job fair is DOLE’s strategy toward achieving our mission of providing gainful opportunities to all job seekers as we are about to celebrate our 90th founding anniversary. In the entire region, we have lined up various activities to include a job fair, TUPAD payout, Angel Tree, child labor prevention, and elimination advocacy, among others,” Aquino said.

The DOLE Regional Office 10 urged job seekers across the region to visit the job fair site and land jobs that best suit their skills and talents. Job seekers are encouraged to prepare all the application requirements, such as a resume and other necessary documents.

True to its mandate, DOLE’s steadfast commitment has stood the test of time, delivering opportunities and assistance to every Filipino worker in need through DOLE-accredited job fairs, employment facilitation programs, and economic grants and services. In line with this, the Department aims to be a consistent and reliable government agency that caters to the rights and welfare of workers under its jurisdiction. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)

DOH-10 pushes safe sex vs HIV

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Dec. 2, 2023, 05:02 PM) – The Department of Health-Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) reiterated on World AIDS Day on Friday, December 1, that safe sex practices remain one of the most effective ways to prevent infections from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

DOH-10 Infectious Diseases Cluster Head Dr. Wellaflor Kindom-Brito said that HIV status will remain confidential and the only person who can divulge the information is the individual infected by the virus.
Hence, safe sex practices are vital, she said. “At the end of the day, we are all accountable for our health. So, have yourselves protected,” Brito said in a press conference on Friday.
The Health official said they recorded 436 newly confirmed HIV cases in the region from January to August this year, bringing the cumulative total to 3,095 since it was first detected in Northern Mindanao in 1991.
This city has the highest number of HIV cases, with over 1,000, followed by Bukidnon with more than 500.
Two-hundred fourteen HIV-related deaths were recorded, 30 of which were logged in the first eight months of this year.
Northern Mindanao ranked sixth among regions in the country with the highest number of HIV cases as of May 2023, according to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines.
The National Capital Region was first with 290 cases, followed by Calabarzon (213), Central Luzon (149), Central Visayas (101), Davao Region (98), and Western Visayas (97).
Brito said that Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV can now be obtained at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in this city. This DOH Region 10-run hospital started dispensing PrEP last March.
PrEP, she said, is given to non-HIV-infected individuals but with risky behavior for infection. There is a criteria for a person to be eligible for the prophylaxis, Brito added.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said PrEP “reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent.” It also “reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74 percent,” adding that it is less effective when not taken as prescribed.
Despite this, Brito reiterated safe sex practices, as people taking PrEP are not safe from other sexually transmitted infections.
Brito reminded us that once a person is infected with HIV, it will last forever but it can be treated using treatment drugs.
If people living with HIV are religiously taking their medicines, it would come to a point where the viral load would be reduced and become untransmittable. This means that HIV-infected individuals, Brito said, are no longer contagious, but they are still not allowed to donate blood.
“If we know people who are in doubt or afraid because they feel that it’s the end of their lives already, then let’s remind them that our medicines and our treatment for HIV are actually effective,” Brito said.
HIV treatment drugs in the region can be obtained from the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in this city, Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center in Malaybalay City, Maramag Rural Health Unit in Bukidnon, and the Adventist Medical Center-Iligan.
The DOH-10 is planning to expand treatment hubs and confirmatory sites in the region and said that there is an additional hub in Valencia City in Bukidnon this year. It also targets treatment hubs in Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, and Talakag town in Bukidnon.
The State Health Department, Brito said, is also ensuring communication between the regional offices to have enough medicines for people living with HIV. (Frank Dick Roste/Manila Bulletin)

5 NorMin radio stations face closure over expired franchise

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 28, 2023, 8:55 pm) – Five radio stations in Northern Mindanao are subject to a cease and desist order (CDO) after their franchises were not renewed

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) – Region 10 Director Teodoro Buenavista Jr. said their recent decision called for the closure of the five radio stations under the Fairwaves Broadcasting Network here.
“Fairwaves applied for renewal in 2018, but the House of Representatives did not move it from the committee level,” Buenavista said in an interview on Tuesday.
Fairwaves first obtained its 25-year franchise in 1995 under Republic Act 8113.
An earlier NTC decision this year recommended the recall of the frequencies assigned to Fairwaves.
The decision listed 30 stations under Fairwaves all over the country, including in this city, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.
Most station names under Fairwaves carry the station name Radyo Bandera.
On Nov. 24, Radyo Bandera Iligan was among the 14 business establishments locked down by the local government for allegedly operating without business permits.
Jeoffrey Baconga, manager at DXFI FM Radyo Bandera in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, said their operations will not be affected by the CDO because the network is now under an agreement with a new franchise operator, Palawan Broadcasting.
He said the chief executive officer of the Radyo Bandera network, Sultan Lope, is aware of the NTC decision.
Baconga added that all Bandera stations are expected to operate under Palawan Broadcasting and no longer under Fairwaves. (Nef Luczon/PNA)