Saturday, March 23, 2024

7 NPA fatalities in Bukidnon encounter identified

ILIGAN CITY (Dec. 28, 2023) – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division has identified seven out of the ten New People’s Army rebels killed in an encounter with the 403rd Infantry Brigade in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Christmas Day

Lt. Col. Anthony A. Bacus, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, identified the fatalities as Beverly Sinunta, alias “Ayang,” secretary of Sub-regional Committee 2, Northern

Central Mindanao Regional Committee, her husband, Alfredo Banawan, alias “Alab,” deputy secretary, their daughter, Chen-chen Banawan, alias “Pao” and “Chin-Chin,” residents of Sitio Trukat, Barangay Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon; Penita Singaman, alias “Pening,” of Purok 8, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City; Bebot L. Solinay alias “Ligid,” of Sitio Kadagsangan, Barangay Bulonay, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon; Aurelio Gonsalez, alias “Alvin,” of Zone 8, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City, and a certain “Louie” from Agusan.

The fatalities were members of the Sub-regional Committee 2, Headquarters Loader, and Regional Sentro de Gravidad (RSDG) Compaq of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

Bacus is closely coordinating with different intelligence communities and former rebels for the identification of the three remaining bodies.

Soldiers extricated the bodies on December 26 in Sitio Kieto, Barangay Can-ayan, Malaybalay City, and were taken to Villanueva Funeral Homes in Malaybalay City.

The seven NPA fatalities were identified based on previous data profile, family members, and their former comrades.

The 8th IB informed the families of the fatalities and coordinated with the police and the local government unit for the proper disposition and turnover of the remains.

Major Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, 4th Infantry Division commander, said that the identification of the slain communist rebels highlights the sad truth about the membership in the NPA, particularly those holding top leadership, treated it as a family business and took undue advantage to recruit own members of their family to wield power for monetary gains and intentions.

“It is disheartening to discover how the CNT leaders resorted to promoting their own vested interest and agenda using familial connections as means to sustain their business while the lower members are suffering from hunger and fatigue due to our relentless military operations,” Cuerpo said.

He said this exploitation proves that they are irrational criminals who will do everything to maintain their operations, even sacrificing family members.

“Nonetheless, we extend our condolences to the families of the deceased, after all, they are still Filipinos who became victims of the CTG deception and treachery. Their death is a tragic outcome that reflects the continued challenge we face in maintaining peace and security in our
AOR,” Cuerpo said.

“Moreover, rest assured that the 4th ID, in close collaboration with LGU and LGAs, will extend assistance and support to the families of the dead CNTs,” Cuerpo added. (Bonita Ermac/Manila Bulletin)

Leptospirosis cases up 40% in Northern Mindanao

The Department of Health-Region 10 urged the public to remain vigilant as the number of leptospirosis cases in the Northern Mindanao region has significantly increased this year

According to the DOH-10 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit, 97 cases have been recorded in the region as of October 7, 40.58 percent higher than last year.

Misamis Occidental has the highest number of cases, with 41, followed by Cagayan de Oro City (27), Bukidnon (14), Misamis Oriental (13), and Iligan City and Camiguin with one case each. Lanao del Norte has no reported so far.

Emman Valentin, health program officer of the DOH-10 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit, said one of the factors in the rise of cases was the series of flooding, such as in Misamis Occidental, where a huge increase from only three cases in the same period last year was recorded.

The much-relaxed Covid-19 restrictions this year, Valentin said, may also have contributed to the increase in cases compared to last year when people stayed in their homes.

“So now, in 2023, although the Covid has not been lifted, we are more relaxed. So, the movement of the people has now been going out,” Valentin said on Friday, October 13.

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by the Leptospira genus of bacteria and can be transmitted through the urine of infected animals, such as mice, rats, pigs, dogs, horses, and cattle.

It can also be contracted by humans wading in floodwater tainted with animal urine. If there are cuts or abrasions, this disease may enter the body through damaged skin, as well as through the eyes, nose, or mouth.

An infected person may experience fever, chills, headache, muscle pain (myalgia), skin rashes, diarrhea, redness of the eyes (conjunctival suffusion), and jaundice or yellowish discoloration of the skin.

Valentin said every province, city, and municipality has a surveillance officer who has been conducting information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns against leptospirosis. They were instructed to advise people who have been exposed to floodwater to take prophylaxis, which can be had for free from the local government units.

The public has been reminded to maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings and avoid wading and swimming in floodwater to keep away from the disease. Going to the nearest health center or consulting a physician has been advised, especially for individuals with suspected leptospirosis.

“Untreated leptospirosis may lead to severe complications that can cause liver or kidney failure, jaundice, damage to other major organs, or even death,” DOH-10 OIC Director Dr. Ellenietta Gamolo said.

According to the DOH, keeping the environment clean, disposing of garbage properly to avoid rat infestations, and using pest control measures are some of the best practices to prevent leptospirosis.

Health authorities advised the public always to wear boots when crossing floodwaters and wash their feet after wading in the flood. Open wounds also need to be covered by plasters and keep their eyes, ears, and mouth from floodwater to avoid bacterial infection. (Manila Bulletin)

SP Bukidnon declares Pura Luka Vega persona non grata

ILIGAN CITY – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed a resolution declaring Amadeus Fernando Pagente, also known as Pura Luka Vega, a persona non-grata or unacceptable person in the province of Bukidnon

Authored by Vice Gov. Clive D. Quiño and co-authored by all Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, the resolution was approved in the 52nd regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last August 8 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall, Malaybalay City.

The resolution stated that the declaration was issued because of the recent viral video of the person in question dancing to a remix of the “Ama Namin” or Lord’s Prayer while donning a Black Nazarene-inspired attire in a bar in Metro Manila.

The resolution said the video is blasphemous, offensive, and insulting to the Christian religion and that Pagente also performed some other material that was said to have mocked sacred Catholic imagery, figures, and practices.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan quoted Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes, among others, “those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographers, or any other place exhibit indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, whether live or in film, which are prescribed by virtue thereof…” which include those that “offend any race or religion.”

The provincial board also quoted Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which constitutes the offense as a cybercrime if the crime uses cyberspace as a medium and that the act was, according to the resolution, “the pinnacle of the misuse and abuse of our freedom of expression and borders on criminal activity.”

Pagente responded online to these declarations, stating, “Tell me EXACTLY what I did wrong. I’m open to dialogue, yet cities have been declaring persona non grata without even knowing me or understanding the intent of the performance. Drag is art. You judge me, yet you don’t even know me.”

Netizens are divided on whether or not Pagente’s actions were justified in the name of art or a mockery of the Catholic church.

Pagente has also been declared persona non grata in the town of Toboso in Negros Occidental, General Santos City, and the municipality of Floridablanca, Pampanga. (Manila Bulletin)

Bukidnon solon pushes for bamboo as cash crop

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The bamboo industry in Northern Mindanao region is a rich untapped source of raw materials for the construction industry, Bukidnon 1st District Rep. Jose Manuel Alba has said

In an interview on June 13, 2023, Alba said he and other bamboo industry leaders in Mindanao are engaged in ongoing information dissemination to make bamboo a source of livelihood for building materials.

He earlier filed House of Representatives Bill 7105, or the proposed Philippine Bamboo Industry Act.

“Shifting to bamboo as building material instead of wood will also help the environment in the long run, as it will lessen the cutting of more trees,” he said.

Bukidnon alone has about 2 million “bamboo stands,” which are ready for harvest to become raw materials, he said.

A supporter of Alba’s bill is Robert Palomares, the proprietor of Homebiz Crafts based in Iligan City, who has been using bamboo materials for making furniture and plywood for clients since 2014.

He said he has been sourcing bamboo materials from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

“Bamboo can become a good source of additional income for farmers and even residents who have a backyard space for growing bamboo,” Palomares said.

Because bamboo is a grass species, it can sprout new trunks after cutting the old ones for production.

Palomares said the variety currently used in production is the giant bamboo species.

In this city, the bamboo processing firm, Rizome Bamboo, has been providing bamboo supplies to clients across the country since 2021.

Russel Smith, the firm’s president and chief executive officer, said they are planning to plant an additional 1.5 million “bamboo stands” throughout Mindanao, which they will also buy back from farmers and growers to meet the production demands. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Mindanao coffee farmers sweep PCQC 2023

ILIGAN CITY — Farmers from Mindanao garnered all 12 winning entries in the Arabica category during Sunday’s awarding ceremonies of the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition 2023 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, according to announcements from the Department of Trade and Industry offices in the Northern Mindanao and Davao regions

Garnering the top prize with a cupping score of 86 was Manolito Garces’ natural-processed coffee, with cupping notes of pineapple, mango, black currant, and honey. Garces is from New Eden, Pangantucan in Bukidnon.

Second was Jhon Lawrence dela Cerna, of the Balutakay Coffee Farmers’ Association (BACOFA) in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, with a score of 85.75; third was Dione F. Ellaga, also of Bansalan, 85.41.

Fourth place was Junmar Gunayan, of the MILALITTRA Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (MILFACO), of Bukidnon, 85.03; fifth was Rogelio Gonzales, also of BACOFA in Bansalan, 85; and sixth was Arnold Pina, of the Bayanihan Millennium Multipurpose Cooperative (BMMPC) in Pangantucan, Bukidnon, 84.97.

Completing the top 12 were Rogelio R. Balacuit, of Amai Manabilang in Lanao del Sur; Cecilia G. Cavalida, Davao del Sur; Rosebele Sulatan, MILFACO; Cherry Gil Cabanday, Davao del Sur; Roquita dela Cerna, Davao del Sur; and Lendilou F. Loon, Davao del Sur.

Arabica coffee is considered the superior coffee and fetches higher prices for the farmers.

In the Robusta category, Ilocos Sur farmers dominated the competition, winning 10 of the top 12, according to the DTI-Ilocos Region.

First place was Vilma Lapasan, of the Tirad Pass Growers Association, Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur, with a cupping score of 85.22. Her coffee had notes of vanilla, pineapple, berries, and raisin.

Two farmers from Sultan Kudarat province also made it to the winning entries—Reyjohn A. Basco, 8th place; and Robert James Gacayan, 10th.

Second was Mabini Ubuan, of San Elias Coffee Growers Association in Sigay, with a score of 85; third was Juana Bitongan, also of Gregorio del Pilar, 84.38; fourth was Marietta Lidem, of Sigay, 83.94; and fifth was Jean Apalet, also of Sigay, Ilocos Sur, 83.5.

The rest of the winners from Ilocos Sur were Byron Daplayan, 6th; Silvestra Villegas, 7th; Erlinda Dao-ayan, 9th; Jordan Dalida, 11th; and Marielle Gannad, 12th. (MindaNews)

DPWH to build temporary lane beside Iligan-Bukidnon road’s collapsed portion

ILIGAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started work on a temporary road beside the collapsed portion of the Iligan-Bukidnon highway in Barangay Besigan, in the hinterlands of Cagayan de Oro City, so it can soon accommodate vehicular traffic

Engr. Maria David, DPWH district engineer for Iligan City, said the temporary lane that they will build is designed to handle only light vehicles.

On May 5, 2023, morning, DPWH personnel lifted the 10-wheeler truck that fell into the pit created when the road collapsed on April 30.

The truck was fully loaded with falcata logs.

David said they are still awaiting the budget to do full-blown repair work on the damaged road, adding that for 2023, the Iligan City engineering district only had P13 million for road maintenance.

The Iligan-Bukidnon road had been a convenient route for travelers from Lanao del Norte and the Zamboanga Peninsula toward Bukidnon and on to Davao, bypassing the coastal highway leading to Cagayan de Oro City.

However, it is often affected by landslides and road slips. (Richel V. Umel/Inquirer.net)

Iligan-Bukidnon Road close to traffic due collapse

ILIGAN CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) temporarily closed starting May 1, 2023, the national highway that snakes through the mountains between Iligan City and Bukidnon province

Engineer Maria Badelles David of DPWH’s Iligan City engineering district said a section of the road in Barangay Besigan, Cagayan de Oro City collapsed when a 10-wheeler truck loaded with falcata logs passed through it on May 1, morning.

No one was reported hurt during the incident.

David said they were still coordinating the use of a crane to lift the truck.

David further said that the road would be closed until repair works are done as they could not build a detour because one side is a cliff while the other is a spring.

David said a road maintenance team would proceed to the site to conduct an inspection and road safety mitigating measures.

The Iligan-Bukidnon road is prone to landslides and road slips and the DPWH engineering district in Iligan City is not yet fully furnished with heavy equipment so it could quickly respond to such situations, David said. (Richel Umel/Inquirer.net)

Iligan, 3 NorMin provinces placed under Alert Level 3

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Jan. 14/PNA) – The City of Iligan and three other provinces in Northern Mindanao Region on Friday were placed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) under Alert Level 3.

Under IATF Resolution 157-A, Acting Spokesperson Karlo Alexei Nograles announced in the online briefer that the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Oriental will be placed on Alert Level 3 starting January 16 until January 31, 2022.

Earlier, Nograles announced that this city will be placed on the same Alert Level 3 beginning January 14 up to the end of this month.

Alert Level 2 was recommended to the provinces of Camiguin and Lanao del Norte.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno, said in the online briefer, that the high vaccination rate may play a crucial role in potentially increasing the indoor capacity of some venues in the city by 10 to 20 percent from the standard 30 percent stated in the alert level system guidelines set by the national government.

“There’s a proposal by the Department of Trade and Industry to increase indoor capacity (by 10 to 20 percent) on local governments under Alert Level 3 provided that they have a high vaccination rate for seniors (A2) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) and that the establishments secured a safety seal from the local government (certifying their compliance to health protocols),” he said.

Moreno said this after Cagayan de Oro City was placed along with some local governments in the country under Alert Level 3 from January 14 until this month’s end.

Moreno said the higher a local government’s vaccination rate, for seniors and the A3 priority list, the more liberal the government becomes in enforcing the guidelines.

“The safety seal certificate issued by the local government mandates businesses and offices to comply with health safety protocol. The alert level system is one way by the government (to encourage people to get vaccinated),” he said.

No restrictions

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government -Northern Mindanao (DILG-10) Director Arnel Agabe said on Thursday’s briefer that there will be no restrictions for interzonal and intrazonal travel in the city despite its Alert Level 3 status.

Guidelines for inbound travelers to Cagayan de Oro under the said alert level status were also reiterated during the press briefer, as Agabe cited IATF Resolution No. 154-C.

He said should local government units (LGUs) deem it necessary to impose additional quarantine and isolation measures for returning passengers from airports and seaports, they can do so.

He said no restrictions have been put in place by local authorities regarding the movement of unvaccinated individuals.

When asked about the possibility of a “no vax, no ride” policy being implemented in this city, Agabe said it would be the discretion of the LGU to implement such.

“A private establishment may also exercise their right to bar entry of unvaccinated individuals,” he added.