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“Turogpo” fast becoming a tourist attraction during Black Saturday in Leyte

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CARIGARA, Leyte- Thousands of spectators and tourists trooped to a village of this town on Black Saturday to enjoy an event involving carabaos and horses fighting against each other.The event, dubbed as “turogpo,” a Waray term which means “to meet” has been a common sight among the natives of this town for more than 200 years now.

What started as a form of defiance against the Spanish friars during a Holy Friday, the event has now evolved into a tourist event. And the local government is banking on this annual event now held every Black Saturday, said Mayor George Ong. During this event, carabaos, horses and now even fighting cocks, meet and fight against each owners with the owners of the winning animals getting a prizeAnd this year’s staging of the turogpo saw more than 5,000 people trooping to Barangay Camansi, the site of the event, which is about five kilometers away from the town proper.

The fight or the contest of the carabaos is called the “pasungay” while the fight between the horses is called “paaway.”Aside from the fighting competition of the carabaos and horses there is also cockfighting called “carambola” wherein the spectators can place their bets just like in an ordinary cockfighting events. Needless to say, turogpo is one of the bizarre and fascinating festivals in the Philippines which continuously attract locals and tourists to the town of Carigara.

Meanwhile, the municipal government is hoping that the three- hectares area where the event is being staged would be donated by the family of Energy Sec. Carlos Jericho Petilla and his brother Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla.The lot is originally owned by the Petilla’s great-great grandparents, Telesforo Bodo, who was among the first to organize the turogpo more than 220 years ago.
(RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT / LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Mayor Aquino received recognition from 63rd IB

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LOPE DE VEGA, Northern Samar– Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo Aquino was among the local chief executives awarded as active partners in peace and development by the 63rd Infantry Battalion during their 17th founding anniversary celebration last March 30. Mayor Aquino, regional chairman of Peace and Order Council, personally received the award from Major General Jet Velarmino, commanding general of the 8th Infantry Division, and the guest of honor and speaker during the anniversary program.He was assisted by Col. Hermenigildo Francisco Aquino, commanding officer of the 803rd Infantry Brigade.

The 63rd IB, whose area of operations covers Calbayog City’s Tinambacan and Oquendo districts and under the command of Lt. Col. Carmelito Pangatungan, is under the operational control of the 803rd IB which is based in Catarman, Northern Samar. Other mayors whose municipalities are within the area of operations of the 63rd IB were also given recognition. In his message, Maj. Gen. Velarmino said that it was “only fitting that we share the limelight of 63rd Infantry Battalion’s anniversary with our friends and supporters, for our success is as much as yours as they are ours”.

Velarmino likewise thanked them for taking time to witness and participate in this meaningful celebration.Pangatungan, meanwhile, said that giving recognition to the mayors and their other partners in achieving peace and order in the area within the 63rd IB was just right. “Indeed, I really look forward to this anniversary celebration for other than taking a break in our daily activities, this is also the proper time to recognize our local government leaders who partner with us in nation-building and contribute immensely to the successful conduct of AFP operations and initiatives in this part of the country,” Pangatungan said.

The 63rd IB was established April 1, 1998, and this year’s founding anniversary celebration, Pangatungan added, only signifies that they are on the “upper hand” in their campaign as they have the ability to influence the situation and choose when to carry on the fight.
(AIMEE A. CATALAN)

Five provisions of BBL strains its possible passage, says Rep. Apostol

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TACLOBAN CITY- Leyte Rep. Sergio Apostol expressed his reservations on the controversial Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) saying it contain some provisions that appear to contravene with the 1987 Constitution.Apostol, who once served as presidential legal adviser during the administration of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, cited five provisions of the BBL which he find highly questionable.However, the veteran solon representing Leyte’s second district, said that if these provisions stipulated under the BBL will be deleted or amended, it could pass in Congress

The provisions under the BBL which Apostol find legally infirm include its preamble as it mentioned “we the Bangsamoro people” rather than mentioning the phrase “we the Filipino people” as contained under the country’s fundamental law; creation of its own audit commission; having its own local separate Philippine National Police force; creation of its education department and the provision on its territorial jurisdiction.
Apostol also said that the P75 billion to be allocated once the BBL takes effect is a “very huge amount.”“If we approve the present constitution of the BBL it is no longer autonomy but being independent” said Apostol, citing the five provisions as reason. According to Apostol on April 20 they will have an executive meeting and try to submit their amendments The proposed law that would create the autonomous Bangsamoro Region is the product of peace negotiations between the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

While before, the BBL was hailed as a possible solution to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao, its passage became a controversial and delicate issue after the killing of 44 members of the Philippine National Police’ Special Action Force(SAF) in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on January 25 this year.
Several congressmen and senators expressed their reservations, if not, total rejection of the BBL, notably among them is Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, one of the original authors of the BBL. Apostol also dismissed claims that if the BBL will not be approved, it would result to war.“They should stop threatening since the government and the MILF is trying to have a negotiated peace,” said Apostol.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

Child killed by alleged NPA members in Matuguinao

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TACLOBAN CITY- A two year old girl was shot and killed when a group of armed men, believed to be members of the New People’s Army, staged a shooting spree while in pursuit of a man who was once a member of a civilian armed group in a remote village in a Samar town on Good Friday, April 3.
Killed was Disley Arandia, who was sleeping inside their house in Barangay Mahanud, two kilometers away from the town proper of Matuguinao, Lt. Col. Seigfred Tubalado, commanding officer of the 43rd Infantry Battalion based in Gandara town, also in Samar, said. The girl, who was hit at her neck, died on the spot.According to Tubalado, six NPA members arrived in the village at around 8:30 a.m. with a mission to kill Jovic Obiado, 38, a resident of the village and once a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu)

Obiado was resting in the village’ waiting shed when the six armed men entered their village and immediately fired at him.Obiado, however, was able to run and escape with the NPA members running after him firing their guns indiscriminately, Tubalado said.“While they were pursuing Obiado, they were firing their guns and hit the house of the victim who was still sleeping when she was hit at her neck, killing her immediately” the Army official said in a phone interview

The child’s mother, Perlita, was in the kitchen, while her father, Junie, was outside their house at that time of the incident.Tubalado said that Obiado was being hunted down by the six NPA members for being a former Cafgu member.“Perhaps, the NPA members were on a test mission against Obiado for his being an ex-Cafgu member. He just retired from service recently from his assignment in Las Navas town in Northern Samar,” he said.
Tubalado condemned the incident describing it as “barbaric and a plain terroristic act.” (JAZMINE BONIFACIO/
RESTITUTO CAYUBIT)

Cristina continues outreach activities toTacloban villagers

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CRISTINA
Councilor Cristina Romualdez and the Caring, Giving and Reaching out Team were in Barangay 62, Sagkahan and Nula-tula to extend several services like feeding, free medicines, livelihood assistance, among others. (Photos by: Alex Alamos-CIO/ Gay B. Gaspay-TISAT)

 

TACLOBAN CITY- Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez continues her role as the “mother” of the city by conducting outreach activities in the different barangays of Tacloban. Recently, the councilor, wife of City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, together with her team, went to Barangay 62 in Sagkahan and on Nula-tula. Services such as feeding for nutritionally-challenged children were provided as well as the needs of senior citizens like medicines were also given. Those seeking of their birth certificates were also given assistance and even some livelihood opportunities which were made possible through the councilor’s Cristina Learn and Earn Program. The outreach program of Councilor Romualdez is her share of helping the residents of Tacloban still reeling from the impacts of supertyphoon “Yolanda” that hit the city more than a year ago. (GAY B.GASPAY, TISAT)

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

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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)

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