BOBON, Northern Samar—Heeding the call of the collective initiative of all government and non-government agencies in observance of the Global Coastal Clean-up celebration aimed at improving of all beaches, coastal regions and surrounding areas throughout the province, hundreds of municipal and village officials and employees this town headed by Mayor Reny Celespara participated a nationwide clean-up campaign on September 17.
Rodel Pajares, designated officer of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) said that the national clean-up event had a theme “Bayan Ko, Linis Ko” is based on Proclamation No. 470 declaring every third Saturday of September each year as the international coastal clean-up day.
Almost all villages of the town joined the activity, particularly in the coastal villages of Santa Clara and Gen. Lucban.
Bobon River as well as canals and creeks located within the town center were also cleaned up by the participants.
Pajares said that the participants started to arrive at the designated assembly area in Brgy. Santa Clara at 5 am with the clean-up ending at 10:30 am.
During the activity, the participants were reminded on how to segregate wastes and help avoid clogging of water ways.
The participants were mostly students, employees of the municipal government and barangay officials, among others.
(PETER D. PAREDES)
Bobon officials, employees join nationwide clean-up campaign
Puregold opens in Tacloban
Puregold opens its branches in Tacloban City located in Marasbaras and Calanipawan on September 25, 2016.
Puregold has an unmatched customer service anchored on its advocacy to provide Filipino with their complete shopping needs and best for their hard-earned money. Known throughout the country for its reasonable prices and wide assortment of items.
It consistently continue its unwavering commitment to uphold consumer and retail excellence in the service of the Filipino people. It will also further strengthen its solid relationships with the Taclobanon.
For over decade, Puregold has successfully established a well-trusted and respected reputation in Philippines as a provider of the best hypemarket shopping experience for every hard working Filipino consumer.
PUREGOLD PROMOS
One of the consumer-based programs that is very unique and exclusive to Puregold that people of Tacloban can avail of its Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP).
TNAP is a program that is part of Puregold’s mission to provide not only quality products and topnotch services, but also profitable business opportunities for every Filipino family.
TNAP is designated specifically for small and medium scale entrepreneurs, which include sari-sari store owners, carinderia/cantee owners, caterers and other kinds of resellers.
The central objective of TNAP is to assist and support every Filipino family in augmenting their income and Puregold is very happy and eager to make this program for every Taclobanon.
Now, every people in Tacloban can be a member of TNAP for free and enjoy the benefits such as the instant Ka-Asenso Welcome Kit, the change to get free Aling Puring Super Suki SIM for an additional mobile phone loading business; a points-rebate redemption program for members to enjoy: free delivery; call/order pick-up service, exclusive promo deals and special invites to events such as the annual “Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-Sari Store Convention”.
Another loyalty program by Puregold is the PERKS card that is open to all shoppers who are 18 years old and above a minimal membership fee of P100, renewable every two years. It can earn points every you shop at any Puregold branch. Points earned have an equivalent peso value and may be used to purchased at any Puregold store. Futhermore, this membership card can be used to enjoy discounts and other promo exclusive to PERKS members. On top of all these, discounts and priviledges in various affiliates and partner merchants can be availed.
Puregold boasts the fact that it strives to continually give special offers and discounts to its customers and are always guaranteed to get the best deals and bonus. They also get the chance to win in exciting promos. (PR)
Bato: carry your duty but observe human rights
Intensified drug war
PALO, Leyte- As Police Director General Ronald ‘Bato’ de la Rosa directed his men to “triple” their efforts on their war against illegal drugs to meet their six months target, he reminded them to always observe the human rights of the civilians, to include the suspects.
The intensified campaign on the proliferation of the illegal drugs waged by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has met strong rebuke from various human rights groups and even from foreign countries.
de la Rosa, who graced on Tuesday(Sept.13) the 115th police service anniversary held at the regional police headquarter at Camp Ruperto Kangleon, this town, said despite the strong criticisms, he want the campaign to continue and meet the deadline set by the President for them to finish the proliferation of the illegal drugs.
“Despite the criticisms from other sectors, let us just do our job and do it well. Dapat mangibabaw pa din ang respeto sa karapatang pantao sa lahat ng pagkakataon,” he said in his speech in front of officials and personnel of the Philippine National Police during the program held at the Matapat Hall.
He, however, said that he would rather see alleged drug pushers or users who resist arrest killed than seeing a police officer.
“As I have said time and time again, during an encounter, once the smokes clear, I want to see the cop standing and the criminal lying down the pavement,” de la Rosa said.
“(But)let us keep in mind that no civil or political rights are suspended during the existence of the state of lawless violence kaya maging maingat pa rin tayo sa gitna ng matapang na pagpapatupad ng batas,” de la Rosa said.
Pres. Duterte declared the state of lawless violence on Sept. 3 in the aftermath of a bombing incident at the night market in Davao City that killed 15 people and injured 71 others.
Critics described the move as almost a declaration or “creeping martial law” where police or Army force are giving more powers and could arrest any civilians even in the absence of a warrant issued by the courts.
Mr. Duterte declared that he want to finish off the proliferation of the illegal drugs in the country in six months counting from the day he assumed Malacañang on July 1.
According to de la Rosa, with only four months remaining before the deadline, they have to hasten their efforts in the implementation of the campaign.”
“We’re running out of time na kasi kaya kinakailangan ko ng umikot sa lahat ng region para hikayatin at personal na kausapin ang ating kapulisan to do double time, triple time our efforts dahil mga ilang tulog na lang, nasa third month na pala tayo and we’re only given by the President six months to eradicate the drug menace in our country,” he said.
According to him, based of the 1.8 million target of illegal users and pushers, only more than 700,000 have voluntarily surrendered under “Oplan Tokhang.”
He said that from July 1 up to Sept.1, 652,370 drug users and 51,791 drug pushers have surrendered.
In Eastern Visayas, 20,528 drug users and 2,609 drug pushers have gave up to the police authorities covering the same period.
de la Rosa said that he would be more glad if the regional police could arrest Kerwin Espinosa, tagged as Eastern Visayas top drug lord whom he had earlier issued a shoot on sight order.
Kerwin, who is believed to be in Malaysia, is the son of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa who had already sought protective police custody and issued an affidavit naming 74 government officials and 154 civilians as their alleged protectors for them to continue their illegal drug activity.
Ombudsman dismissed graft charge against LTFRB-8 chief
TACLOBAN CITY- The graft charge filed against the regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Arthur Saipudin, was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The case was dismissed by the Ombudsman for lack of probable cause.
However, the anti-graft court finds the LTFRB official guilty of simple misconduct, an administrative offense.
The Ombudsman, on its June 9, 2016 decision, meted Saipudin a three months and one day suspension from office.
Saipudin filed his motion for reconsideration and deferment of the implementation of the penalty.
But last August 30, 2016, LTFRB chairman Martin Degra III issued a memorandum order implementing the suspension order for three months issued by the graft court despite the presence of a pending motion for reconsideration.
“I am a lawyer. I know the rules of law that is why it’s hard for me to just vacate my office and leave my sworn duties and responsibilities” Saipudin said.
The case stemmed from the complaint of Cesario Licopit he filed on October 23, 2015 before the Ombudsman for violation of the Republic Act 3019.
Saipudin, who was appointed to his post on 1987, will retire from government service next year.
Aside from being the regional director of the LTFRB in the region, he is likewise the concurrent regional head of their office in Region 9.
(BEN VERIDIANO)
AFP-PNP intensifies security in EV
CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, CATBALOGAN CITY- In adherence to the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte’s state of national emergency on account of lawless violence, the 8th Infantry Division and the Police Regional Office – 8 is currently conducting joint AFP-PNP security patrols and checkpoints all throughout Eastern Visayas to secure the people, vital facilities and infrastructures against the Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist groups.
Upon the President’s declaration of state of lawlessness” on September 5, 2016, a coordinating conference was initiated by this Command headed by Major Gen. Jet B Velarmino, 8th ID commanding general, together with the PNP headed by Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Beltejar, acting regional director of PRO-8 and other law enforcement agencies to come up with measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of Eastern Visayas.
With that, the body agreed on the need to enhance present security measures especially in public places such as bus terminals, airports, seaports, commercial centers and places of worship.
Maj. Gen Velarmino also added that the 8th ID will deploy sufficient troops to augment the Philippine National Police in their foot and mobile visibility patrols, checkpoints and inspections.
Likewise, troops and K9 bomb sniffing dogs will be augmented to the Philippine Coast Guard and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines/Air Transportation Office in all seaports and airports in the area of responsibility, respectively.
With the aforesaid, we would like to appeal to the public for your utmost cooperation and understanding as we, your Army in Region 8 together with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, will continue to do our mandate of protecting and serving the people of Eastern Visayas. (PR)
PNP Chief de la Rosa issues order to dismantle PAGs in Samar
PALO, Leyte- PNP Chief Director General Ronald de la Rosa issued a stern warning to the police provincial director of Samar to dismantle immediately the private armed groups(PAGs) operating in the province.
The warning was made by de la Rosa during a press conference with the presence of police regional officials to include S/Supt. Elmer Pelobello.
de la Rosa, who attended the 115th police service anniversary of the PNP-8 on Tuesday (Sept.13), met some family members of those killed alledegely by members of a private armed group in Calbayog City.
“Dismantle them all, I don’t care whether they belong to the Tans or to the Sarmientos. My order is for you to dismantle them,” the police chief said.
“Gibain at ubusin mo lahat yan.Kung hindi ere-relieve kita. Kailangan natin ma maintain ang mataas na respeto nang tao sa police ngayon.Kailangan mawala na ang PAGs na yan sa Samar,” de la Rosa added.
de la Rosa was referring to the family of Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and former congressman and Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento.
Gov. Tan and Sarmiento, brother of incumbent Rep.Edgar Sarmiento, had earlier denied that they maintain their own private armed groups.
Both officials had called on the police hierarchy to break the presence of PAGs in the province, particularly in the first district of the province like in Calbayog and Santa Margarita.
The presence of PAGs in the province has been tagged as reason for the spate of killings mostly involving political supporters of warring politicians in the province.
The presence of PAGS in Calbayog came about again after six barangay officials were killed by PAGs.
Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino personally asked the head of the country’s police force for assistance which include deployment of additional police personnel.
But Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, police regional director, said that there is already enough police presence in the area coupled with the augmentation by soldiers belonging to the 803d Infantry Brigade.
He also assured the family members of those who were killed by PAGs that the police are doing its best to track down those responsible.
Meantime, Col. Mario Lacurom, commanding officer of the 803rd IB, told Leyte Samar Daily Express in an interview that they were mandated by their central command to address the series of killing incidents in Calbayog which he described as “alarming.”
Lacurom said that Army troops have already been deployed to different areas in the 1st district of Samar with the mission to maintain peace and order in the area and to disarm, arrest all lawless elements such as the private armed groups in Samar.
(JAZMIN BONIFACIO)