Bicol PNP chief orders reshuffle of 17 police chiefs

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- Chief Supt. Clarence Guinto, regional chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol, has ordered the reshuffling of 17 chiefs of police in three provinces in the region.

Supt. Renato Bataller, PNP Bicol spokesperson, said on Tuesday that affected by the order last Jan. 11, two days before election period, were 10 chiefs of police in Camarines Sur, two towns and two cities in Albay and three towns in Camarines Norte.

Bataller said the chiefs of police were reshuffled in the towns of Libmanan, Nabua, Ocampo, Bonbon, Cabusao, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, Magarao and Pili, all in Camarines Sur; Libon and Tiwi towns and the cities of Legazpi and Ligao in Albay; and the towns of Daet and Mercedes in Camarines Norte.

He said, next to be reshuffled are town police chiefs in the provinces of Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Masbate.

The reshuffled police officers range from senior inspectors to superintendent.

Bataller explained that the move is in anticipation of the Comelec election ban on personnel reassignment during the election period which kicked off Sunday, Jan. 13.

He furthered that the reassignment of police officers is a normal procedure of the agency because some of them have over-stayed their tour of duty while some have been tagged to be chummy with the local chief executives where they are assigned.

“We would like to remove these negative public impressions and doubts,” Bataller explained.

As the election period started, PNP Director General Alan Purisima has directed the PNP Bicol to heighten its campaign against loose firearms and the dismantling of private armed groups in Masbate, considered as among the 15 election hot spots in the country.

Purisima, in his directive, intends to send additional troops to Masbate to beef up the 240-man Regional Operation Task Group and the Police Special Action Force based in Mobo town in Masbate. (MAL/MSA-PIA5, Albay)


Environmentalist group suggests regulated construction of bldg, structures

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The Mountain Cares and Hikers Association (MCHA), in its relentless commitment to ensure the preservation of mountain and shoreline environments, has called the attention of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Catanduanes to regulate the construction of buildings and structures along the shorelines of Virac and Bato towns.

MCHA is a non-profit organization dedicated to protection and conservation of mountains and coastlines in the province.

The organization urged SP members to invoke the provisions of Presidential Decree 1096 regulating the construction of residences, buildings, and other structures both public and private within and adjacent to foreshore and shoreline to ensure public access and safety.

According to the letter sent by the organization to the Provincial Board members, while their group believes that the provincial government is committed to the wise management of coastlines to sustain the economic value of the coastal zones, they also hold that preserving the quality of such resources requires public awareness that protection of shorelines is a responsibility shared by every member of the community.

They pointed out that the construction of permanent structures on shorelines of San Vicente in Virac and Marinawa, Binanuahan, and Cabugao in Bato is a violation of Article 51 of Presidential Decree 1067 or the “Water Code of the Philippines.”

The group believes that regulating the construction of residences, buildings, and other structures, both public and private, within and adjacent to foreshore and shorelines will ensure public access and safety.

They suggested that to ensure compliance with such laws, local governments can declare structures that hinder access to shore as “nuisance” and can have them removed.

Members of MCHA are the following: Ruben C. Geromo, president; Sammy V. Laynes, vice-president; Fernan A. Gianan, secretary; Gabriel Tejerero, chairman; Gil A. Balmadrid, vice-chairman; and Winifredo Molod, Pedro R. Arcilla, Alexander Ang Hung, Napoleon De Luna and Richard T. Bernal, members. (MAL/EAB-PIA5, Catanduanes)


Army's 903rd Brigade, 9th Battalion adjudged best units in 9ID for 2nd Sem, 2012

By Benilda A. Recebido

CASTILLA, Sorsogon, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The 903rd Infantry Brigade and 9th Infantry Battalion consistently maintained their titles being Best Brigade and Battalion, respectively, of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division for second semester in 2012.

Col. Joselito E Kakilala, newly installed commander of 903rd Brigade who replaced newly promoted BGen Felix J Castro Jr AFP, and Lt. Col. Julian C Pacatan, 9IB commanding officer, received the Command Certificates of Recognition awarded by Major Gen Romeo V Calizo, 9ID commanding general, after the New Year’s call and Command Conference at 9ID headquarters on January 10, 2013.

The 903rd Brigade covers Sorsogon and Masbate provinces in the conduct of Internal Peace and Security Operations (IPSO), while the 9IB, under the Brigade’s operational control, covers Masbate province.

Kakilala noted that considering the imperatives of IPSP “Bayanihan” and its emphasis on both combat and non-combat dimensions of military operations, the Brigade during the period, had accomplished more than the expected output including neutralization of seven NPA personalities: killed two unidentified lawless elements; apprehension of three lawless members; and, one surrendered.

Along with the combat operations, he added, 24 firearms were gained (20 high powered/ four low powered), although many of these were outside the focus area.

The recovered firearms included: eight M16, one M653, one M14, two Garand rifles, one Cal. 38 revolver; one .45 Cal pistol; eight homemade shotguns; 12 landmines (Anti-tank); five improvised claymore mines (anti-personnel); 30 Molotov bombs; and other subversive documents.

Kakilala furthered that the establishment of a Barangay Defense System (BDS) acted as Integrated Territorial Defense System (ITDS) in the cleared barangays especially in holding areas.

“This has been proven effective as the CNNs find difficulty in recovering lost areas particularly in Castilla, Pilar, and Donsol municipalities, all in Sorsogon,” he added.

“Similarly, the unit pursued efforts to link with agencies that could help in the development of the communities in Sorsogon and Masbate. It has opted to focus its efforts in certain areas rather than have projects in many dispersed barangays. By pouring in development projects in selected focus areas, the improvement could easily be felt by the people and there is a higher chance of success. Neighboring communities will eventually also benefit from the improved economic environment,” he explained.

Kakilala also bared that the 903rd Brigade has been active in the programs of Pamana Convergence for Sorsogon which involves representatives from the different government agencies has been a good venue to recommend infrastructure projects and target areas for development.

The two covered provinces in its area have received funds for development - Sorsogon P40 million (seven focus municipalities) and Masbate P68 million (three focus municipalities). Furthermore, in Masbate, P500-million infrastructure projects are programmed next year.

The unit also facilitated the conduct of four Medical, Dental, Optical and Legal Missions sponsored by UNTV Channel 37 in Brgy San Francisco; Brgy Butag, Bulan, Sorsogon; Brgy Rizal, Sorsogon City; Brgy Poblacion, Pilar Sorsogon together with the elements of 31st Infantry Battalion, staff and volunteers of Clinic ni Kuya and Kamanggagawa Foundation Inc. with the support of LGUs and DepEd.

The Brigade, according to Kakilala, was able to establish links with the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Inc for the construction of classroom buildings in Pandan National High School in Castilla, Sorsogon and another in Cabangcalan Elementary School in Aroroy, Masbate.

Moreover, the Pinoy Big Brother, Sagip Kapamliya Foundation, Maalaala Mo Kaya Program, the 903rd Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Battalion, and the 565th Engineer Battalion partnered in the construction of a two-classroom school building in Sitio Mababoy, Brgy Guinhadap, Monreal, Masbate.

The Lewis College and ABS-CBN are the other partners for education. The Brigade has now 22 Bayanihan scholars enrolled at the college, while two other scholars who took Tesda courses were sponsored by ABS-CBN foundation.

The Brigade also partnered with the Fiber Industries Development Authority (FIDA) for the abaca planting projects in Brgy Pandan and Salvacion in Castilla. The one-hectare nursery in each barangay has already been emplaced.

It is a long time program that will benefit these barangays as well as adjacent ones and municipalities in the near future.

Kakilala concluded that the Army's 903rd Brigade has been able to perform exceedingly well in its combat and non-combat operations.

This could be attributed to a pool of well-motivated, well-trained, and experienced personnel who get the job done. (MAL/BAR/Cpt. MPanesa-PA/PIA5)