29.2 C
Tacloban City
April 02, 2025 - Wednesday | 9:56 AM
Home Blog Page 1469

2 soldiers from the region killed in battle against BIFF in Mindanao

0

 

TACLOBAN CITY- Soldiers from the region who are were deployed in war-torn Maguindanao engaged in a long gun battle with the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on March 22.
This gun battle resulted to the deaths of two soldiers and three “key pillars” of the BIFF, included the one who said to have killed a commando of the Philippine National Police’ Special Action Force(SAF).
This was disclosed by Lt. Col. Edgar de los Reyes, commanding officer of the 34th Infantry Battalion which was deployed to Maguindanao to help fight against the terrorist group BIFF.
Killed in action were Private First Class Marlon Marino and Corporal Faizal Julmain.
Marino was from Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar, the same town of SAF commando PO1 Joseph Sagonoy, the one seen in a viral video being finished off by a BIFF member.
Incidentally, the killer of Sagonoy was among the three BIFF leaders killed during the March 22 engagement between the members of the 34rd IB and the terrorist group, said de los Reyes.
He identified the BIFF leader as “Commander Bisayas” who was also known as the notorious hit man of the BIFF responsible in the massive liquidations in Maguindanao.
The encounter also resulted to the wounding of Staff Sergeant Robert Espina of Forward Support Medical Platoon of Task Force Central and PFC Vincent Gulla of 1st Mechanized Battalion.
At least 13 BIFF members were also wounded during the eight- hour gun battle.
de los Reyes paid tribute to Marino to include Sagonoy saying that the people of Samar should be proud of their “heroic” act sacrificing their own lives so that peace could be achieve in Mindanao.
“It’s a heroic deed that the province of Samar should be proud of. The Samarnon’s soldiers contributed significantly in the weakening of the BIFF,” de los Reyes said.
He also said that the death of the two soldiers from his brigade did not affect the morale of his men.
“The morale of our people continues to be high. This is an incident which will not deter our soldiers from performing their mandate of protecting the people and the state, the security and sovereignty of the state, and the national territory,” De los Reyes said. (JAZMIN BONIFACIO)

Joining religious activity part of “penalty” of a curfew ordinance in Bobon, N. Samar

0

BOBON, Northern Samar- This town is strictly enforcing an ordinance prohibiting minors to loiter in the streets during the night. The curfew imposed by the municipal government and enforced by the local police was based on an ordinance approved by the Sangguniang Bayan on October 20, 2014.
The curfew is from 10 pm up to 4 am the following day. Based on Ordinance Number 2014-07, minors below 18 who will violate it will be penalize by undergoing a community service to be followed with a guidance counseling along with their parents or guardians. Also, as part of the “penalty,” the violators are required to attend any religious activity in their town. The curfew is from 10 pm up to 4 am the following day. The ordinance was meant to ensure the safety and security of minors from any untoward incidents during the curfew hours. However, minors who will be caught in the streets within the curfew hour but are homeless, abandoned, neglected or no known parents or relatives will be referred to the local office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Meantime, minors are exempted from this ordinance if they are accompanied by their parents or family members of legal age; if they are involved or participating school affairs, church activities or any emergency purposes, provided the local police are notified accordingly. The said ordinance was principally authored by Councilor Danilo Balena and approved by Mayor Reny Celespara. (PETER PAREDES)

Medical mission for the poor

0

BOBON, Northern Samar- As part of his administration’s thrust to provide the health needs of his people, a free medical service will be held on April 13.

The medical and dental mission actually started last April 7 for the residents of Barangay Acedera and nearby villages. It was learned from Mayor Rey “Jing” Celespara that free circumcision will also be conducted during the medical and dental mission.  Residents from poblacion are advised to proceed to the rural health unit for them to avail the free services while those in the interior or car line areas are to proceed to the villages of Acedera and Dancalan, per information of Doctor Henry Novales, municipal health officer.  Val Conrad Celespara, a registered nurse of the Nurses Deployment Program of the Department of Health based this town said, “damo an mga nurses san Bobon, bas hibaruan san kadam-an—makonektado man sa gobyerno o pribado, andam pirme bumuleg ug magpartisipar san sugad sini nga misyon”.

Last year’s dental mission benefitted 181 young and old with some of them treated of gum infections and about 249 teenagers availed the free circumcision. During the mission, antibiotic, pain reliever and paracetamol, among other medicines, will be readily-available to be given free to the patients. Meanwhile, Mayor Celespara said that aside from holding the medical and dental missions, his administration is also had its opening of their summer sports festival for this year last April 11 at their town’s municipal covered court after a colorful parade of the participating teams around the town with their muses.

The following sports to be vied are basketball- Junior, Midget and Mosquito category(Inter-barangay) Inter- Barangay Football-High School and Elementary Level and Volleyball for Girls-(Bobon residents only) with prizes ranging from P10,000; P7,000; P5,000;P3,000 and P2,000 plus trophy respectively, for champions, 2nd and 3rdplacers. “Kaparte liwat ini san ak regular activity every summer, kadungan man liwat san ak pagselebrar san ak adlaw nga natawhan– Abril 13, tungod nga an kabataan bakasyon, salit yaon sira panahon nga makapahimulos ug mag-enjoy ngan matalwas san magraut nga epekto san egindedere nga droga, alcohol ug tabako”, the mayor said. (PETER D. PAREDES)

Army official seeks support from LGUs, agencies against fight on insurgency

0

ORAS, Eastern Samar – A top Army official based this town said that he would continue to work with other government agencies to ensure that peace will be achieved.

Lt.Colonel Peter Burgonio, commanding officer of the 14th Infantry Battalion, based this town, said attaining peace and order is not just their duty but is a collaborative effort by other stakeholders. He said that ending the armed struggle being put up by the rebel group, the New People’s Army, will not come to a stop by mere armed fight. Instead, this could be attain if other stakeholders like local government units and other agencies of the government will work together. In particular, Burgonio said, necessary infrastructures should be put into place, especially in remote villages where NPA rebels are commonly sighted. “I will continue to solicit the help and offer partnership to the various sectors so as to immediately put in place the needed government services to the people,” Burgonio said.

He said that soliciting support from other stakeholders is now immediate at this time considering that the people in the villages have openly extended their support to help end the problem on insurgency. “We need to double our efforts since the reason why the conflict has become manageable is because the people trust the government and this is where the challenge really comes on how we are going to sustain this,” Burgonio said. “This can be sustained through serious implementation of government programs, bringing the needed services to the people and showing that the government cares for them,” he added.

The Army official expressed his gratitude for the support and commitment of the provincial government under Governor Conrado Nicart, Jr. on their campaign against insurgency. “Yes, it is very true that the provincial government has strongly supported the AFP in the fight to curve the insurgency problem in the province, but we have to also push for the needed intervention such as infrastructure projects which are very essential especially in the hinterland barangays,” Col. Burgonio said.(JAZMIN BONIFACIO)

Calbayog son among this year’s PMA graduates

0

pix14

CALBAYOG CITY-One of this year’s graduates of the elite Philippine Military Academy (PMA) hail from this city. Rogelio Agarao, Jr., was one of the 171 men and women who graduated on March 12 whose class as known as “Sundalong Isinilang na may Angking Galing at Lakas na Handang Ipaglaban ang Bayan” or Sinaglahi. Agarao,22, did not hide that he belong to a poor family in Purok 5, Barangay Nijaga as he took it as a challenge to achieve his goal and help his family live comfortably.

“Life was hard at the military camp but I survived to fulfill this dream for my parents who inspire me with prayers, love and sacrifices,” Agarao, who now hold the rank as a 2nd lieutenant, said. The newly-minted PMA graduate is the eldest among the brood of seven siblings. His father, Rogelio, Sr., works as a fisherman while his mother, Edna, is a plain housewife.

He said that the work of his father could be the reason why he chose the Philippine Navy. “Our family remains existent by the grace from the waters, so I will be of service to protect it”, Agarao said. In 2010, Agarao finished high school at the Calbayog City National High School. And in spite of their condition, his determination to finish college continued.

Months after graduating high school, he took the entrance examination for entry to the PMA. “I took the PMA examination not only to earn the chance of becoming one of the future leaders of the 140,000 strong military, but initially, to take advantage of the full scholarship it also offers. I always knew that if I take another course, my parents will find it hard to send me to college,” Agarao stated.

“This is for me, I am born to become a leader,” he said. Agarao, during his one-month stay in Calbayog, visited different schools encouraging graduating fourth year students to follow his path and serve the nation.
(AIMEE A. CATALAN)

Army declares Tabango in Leyte as insurgency-free area

0

TACLOBAN CITY – The town of Tabango became the latest town in Leyte to be declared as insurgency-free by the military. The declaration of Tabango as insurgency-free was made on March 30, making the town as the 10th municipality in Leyte to gain such status. Earlier, the military together with their respective municipal officials declared the towns of Merida, Matag-ob, Palompon, Tabango, Matalom, Bato, Dulag, Inopacan, Tabon-tabon, and Hindang under the insurgent-free classification. Col. Dinoh Dolina, commander of the Philippine Army’s 802nd Brigade based in Ormoc City, said that ending insurgency in some Leyte towns is a joint effort of soldiers and civilians.

“This is also coupled by good governance and convergence of efforts of all stakeholders in moving forward towards a just and lasting peace and security,” Dolina said in a mobile phone interview. “The peace we gain will surely pave the way for sustainable development, progress and prosperity in these areas,” Dolina added. Insurgency in Leyte has been manageable since 2006 and government troops concentrated on community service projects to “win the peace.” “We even challenged the New People’s Army to join the government’s efforts since we have the same development objectives,” Dolina said The army official said there are still 50 armed rebels in Leyte, particularly in upland areas of Ormoc City, Burauen, Carigara, and Jaro. The last encounter between NPA and Philippine Army was on November 2014 in Carigara town. (SARWELL Q.MENIANO)

Recent Posts

DALMACIO C. GRAFIL
PUBLISHER

ALMA GRAFIL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ROMEO CEBREROS
OFFICE IN-CHARGE

OFFICE
BRGY. SONGCO, BORONGAN CITY

CONTACT NUMBERS
(055) 261 – 3319 | 0955 251 1533 | 0917 771 0320 | 0915 897 7439 | 0921 511 0010

DALMACIO C. GRAFIL
PUBLISHER

RICKY J. BAUTISTA
EDITOR

ALMA GRAFIL
BUS. MANAGER

OFFICE
RIZAL AVENUE, CATBALOGAN
(INFRONT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, NEAR CITY HALL)

CONTACT NUMBERS
0917 771 0320 | 0915 897 7439 | 0921 511 0010

EMAIL
lsdaily2@yahoo.com

WEBSITE
www.issuu.com/samarweeklyexpress