PALO, Leyte-The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing to put closure on the June 25, 2018 Samar “misencounter” within the year as the government continues to extend all necessary assistance to the families of the slain cops.
PNP 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director, Brig. Gen. Dionardo Carlos, said on Wednesday (July 3) that both the police and military are working to settle all cases soon since it was found that the soldiers had no intention to kill the six junior police officers.
“We respect the families and at the end of the day, we will do what’s best for everybody. After extending all the help needed, we hope we can settle the case since there was no intention to attack the policemen. Nobody wanted the incident to happen,” Carlos said.
According to police records, the dependents received P2.49 million financial assistance from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc., P1.53 million from the PNP-Special Financial Assistance, and P457,163 from the commutation of accrued leaves.
Each family also got P250,000 for the first tranche of the Presidential Social Fund – Special Financial Assistance; P100,000 from the Civil Service Commission; and P100,000 from PNP Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde. This is on top of their monthly pension.
The Department of Labor and Employment provided grocery packs while the National Police Commission released gratuity and burial assistance. A scholarship fund is already adjudicated and just waiting for its release.
The national government also extended livelihood and housing grants to the wives of six policemen.
Late last year, Carlos initiated an Evening Fun Run for a cause where the proceeds were turned over to the families of killed policemen.
Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division (ID) Commander, Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio said in an earlier interview that the incident has not affected the working relationship between the army and policemen.
“In fact, two wives of policemen will enter military service,” he added.
At least six junior police officers were killed and nine others were wounded in a “misencounter” in Sitio Lunoy, San Roque village, Sta. Rita town on June 25, 2018.
Both groups were conducting simultaneous combat operations against the New People’s Army in Sta. Rita. The 20-minute gun battle was stopped after soldiers got a call that they were fighting law enforcers.
Carlos assured that the “misencounter” will never happen again with the strengthened coordination between military and policemen through regular meetings.
(SARWELL Q.MENIANO/PNA)
PNP sees immediate closure of Samar ‘misencounter’
PPI hails Civic Journalism Community Press awardees
As the print industry continues to face challenges brought about by disruptive technology and innovation and a changing consumer landscape, the Philippine Press Institute shone the spotlight on the best of the best among the community newspapers across the country.
Cebu Daily News bagged three of five major awards for the daily newspaper category for the 2018 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, namely the Best Edited Community Newspaper, Best Editorial Page, and Best in Photojournalism.
Edge Davao, on the other hand, garnered the Best in Business and Economic Reporting and Best in Environment Reporting awards for the daily newspaper category.
Baguio-based weekly newspapers Herald Express and Baguio Chronicle were awarded the Best Edited Newspaper and Best in Environment Reporting, respectively, for the weekly newspaper category.
Other winners were The Bohol Chronicle for the Best Editorial Page; Cagayan de Oro’s Business Week Mindanao for Best in Business and Economic Reporting; and Dumaguete’s Metro Post for Best in Photojournalism.
“The industry is being buffeted by dizzying winds of change. Today – as in the past – any technology that accelerates information has the power to disrupt; so it is with the internet and social media…We must adapt to the technology sooner or later if we are to survive. We have to be realistic that this world has changed and adapt to the reality on the ground,” newly-elected PPI chairman and Manila Standard publisher Rolando Estabillo said.
Despite the challenges, Estabillo said newspapers, especially community papers, have the responsibility, more now than ever, to continue reporting on issues that have direct impact on Filipinos.
Speaking on behalf of the winners, Dexter See of Baguio’s Herald Express acknowledged as much: “It takes hard work, and involves pure sacrifice and passion for the job. That’s why we are here.”
The board of judges for the press awards was composed of Joyce Babe Pañares, PPI trustee and news editor of Manila Standard as chairperson; Nickel Asia Corporation vice president for corporate communication Jose Bayani Baylon; Science and Development Network Asia Pacific Coordinator Joel Adriano; University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication dead Arminda Santiago; and Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines member Angelo de Silva. (PR)
Disaster response exhibit held as part of the national disaster resilience month celebration
TACLOBAN CITY-In line with the annual observance of the National Disaster Resilience Month, Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez and newly-assumed Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 8 Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan led the formal opening of the Response Cluster Exhibit at the City Hall grounds on Friday, July 5.
Gopalan said that the exhibit showcases the commitment to ensure resiliency amidst disaster by displaying the latest response equipment and capabilities.
“We are armed with the necessary types of equipment in facing these challenges. But, more than that it is the people who are ready and consciously doing what they can to be able to help respond to (any) crisis,” she added.
In addition, Mayor Romualdez also shared how cooperation is crucial in terms of addressing any unfortunate event.
“Everyone has a particular role to address the issues. It is important that all the agencies understand their particular role so we can prevent now any incident from becoming an emergency,” said the city Mayor.
Meanwhile, the exhibit was participated by the 9 member-agencies of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Present during the event were representatives of the Bureau of Fire Protection Tacloban, ACCESS 5 (Emergency Telecommunication Cluster), PNP, the Philippine Coast Guard, DPWH, DepEd City Division, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Tacloban City Rescue Unit and Assistant Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense Rey Gozon.
This year’s celebration carries the theme: “Kahandaan sa Sakuna’t Peligro Para Sa Tunay na Pagbabago.” – CBM/TACLOBAN CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
Pres. Duterte wishes to grant citizenship to French owner of the Chin Yi Agriventures
Due to his contribution to agriculture industry
ALANGALANG, Leyte- Apparently enamored with the multi-billion peso rice facility project built by Patrick Renucci, President Rodrigo Duterte directed Solicitor General Jose Calida to look if the French national could be naturalized as a Filipino.
The President made this declaration during his visit to the Chin Yi Agriventures Rice Processing Complex located in Barangay Mudburon, this town, last Friday (July 5).
The Chief Executive lead in the formal inauguration of the P1.5 billion facility sprawled in 8-hectare lot owned by Renucci and his wife Rachel.
Mr. Duterte, in his speech during the event, said that considering what Renucci has done to help the farmers and the agriculture sector in the country by building the state-of-the-art rice complex, he believes he deserves to become a naturalized Filipino citizen.
He added that while there is a law on how a foreigner like Renucci could acquire a Filipino citizenship, he is willing ‘to cut corners’ in the case of the French national.
“I said few in my life, people who would come to, come here and try to help my fellowmen. Kaya I feel like almost maybe sentimental now because I’ve seen the complex that you have built for my countrymen,” he said.
And addressing to Calida, the President said:” Di ba may administrative yan? Well, kindly work on it because actually Patrick is very much willing to become a Filipino citizen. And if we can do that in a jiffy, hurry up,” he said.
The President even said that he is even willing to ‘cut corners’ and just issue an executive order.
Then, he added that if Renucci eventually become a naturalized Filipino citizen, he might just name him at his Cabinet.
“Maye I’ll try-experimental lang naman. If he becomes a naturalized citizen, then I think he is qualified to be a member of the Cabinet. Then I can maybe ask Sir Patrick that you join us and help us because it’s really agriculture,” the President said.
Renucci and his wife came to the country, particularly in Leyte, in 2015, two years after the province was devastated by super typhoon ‘Yolanda.’
According to the couple, whose been living in Europe, they decided to put up the facility to help farmers, in particular have sustainable livelihood, as they were the most affected by the disaster as they noticed that there were several arable lands but the farmers were lacking of assistance and skills to improve their living condition.
The vast complex, built at P1.5 billion, is considered to be the most technologically advanced such facility in Southeast Asia where the milling, drying, and packaging are being done by automation using a Japanese technology.
For his Agriculture Sec. Manny Piñol also expressed his gratitude to the Renucci couple for coming up such facility.
“In behalf of the DA and the rice farmers of Alangalang, I would like to extend to them our great appreciation and I pray that this project will be replicated elsewhere in the country so that our rice farmers would have a fighting chance in competing foreign-produce rice,” he said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
Leyte teacher wins 2019 Bayaning Gurong Pilipino award
PALO, Leyte-For his ‘gulayan’ project, Gary Mosquito, a teacher from Cabarasan Daku Elementary School, this town, was adjudged as this year’s national winner for Bayaning Gurong Pilipino during the 15th Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards sponsored by ABS-CBN and Ugat Foundation.
“Now, I can say that nothing is impossible if you will just offer everything to our Almighty Father for His will is our path towards success,” said Mosquito after receiving the award in Manila on July 3.
“Receiving an award from a very prestigious award-giving body like ABS-CBN and UGAT Foundation is more than enough to say that at last I was able to fulfill my duties and responsibilities of being a public elementary school teacher,” he said.
According to Mosquito, whose been in the teaching profession for 13 years now, working beyond and above the call of duty is not so easy but if a teacher is inspired and passionate enough to serve the best interest for the learners’ welfare he will succeed and fulfill the realization of being a true public servant.
“We should not limit our services within the four walls of our classrooms but rather widen its horizon to touch and uplift the lives of the people,” said the 34-year-old head teacher.
Mosquito’s innovation is called Project: Life or “Lifelong Interventions through a Finest Environment,” a project enhancing the implementation of “Gulayan Sa Paaralan” into an organic vegetable production for malnutrition alleviation, love for mother nature, income generating project, livelihood for parents, school greening and beautification program.
He thanked for the support of his fellow faculty members, principal, parents, students, education officials, and local leaders who inspired him in his teaching career.
Edgar Tenasas, assistant schools division superintendent of Leyte, extolled Mosquito’s achievement saying what he is doing is ‘inspiring.’
“The schools division of Leyte is one with you in celebrating this success. May you continue to inspire others for the sake of our learners,” he said.
The annual Gawad Geny Lopez, Jr. – Bayaning Pilipino Awards aims to give recognition to ordinary Filipinos who exemplified the Filipino values of humanitarianism, industry, determination, and dedication to public service.
(RONALD O. REYES)
Rep. Javier faces falsification complaint filed before Ombudsman
The complaint was filed by former congressman Ong
TACLOBAN CITY- Newly-elected Rep. Lolita Karen Javier is facing a complaint of falsification of public document filed by the candidate she defeated during the recently held midterm elections.
The complaint was filed by former congressman Henry Ong of the second congressional district before the Office of the Ombudsman on July 5.
The case of falsification of a public document by a private individual filed by Ong against the congresswoman was in relation to what he claimed to be ‘falsified’ entries on the certificate of candidacy (CoC) she submitted at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In particular, the defeated congressman claimed that Javier claimed that she was a registered voter of Barangay I, Jaro town when she filed her CoC on October 17, 2018.
The former congressman said that at that time, Javier’s voter’s registration has yet to be approved by the Comelec.
The poll body approved the voter registration application of Rep. Javier only on October 25, Ong said on a statement.
Ong also cited the alleged difference on the number of residency of Rep. Javier as indicated on the CoC and that indicated on her voter’s registration.
“(She) falsely claimed to be a resident of municipality of Jaro for 44 years and two months even her husband was at that time was sitting as mayor of Javier (town),” he said on his complaint.
Rep. Javier’s husband, Leonardo ‘Sandy’ Javier, was the mayor of Javier town at that time.
The town of Javier belongs to the fifth congressional district of Leyte.
Rep. Javier, running for the first time under the banner of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, defeated Ong during the May 13 midterm elections by more than 27,000 votes.
The newly-elected solon garnered 112,989 votes against Ong’s 88,995 votes.
Ong, who ran under the administration’s PDP-Laban, was then seeking for a second term.
Rep. Javier could not be contacted for her reaction on the complaint filed by her former political nemeses.
But in previous interviews she had said that she is a resident and native of Jaro town.