Army seizes abandoned rebel camp in Sorsogon

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 12 (PIA) -- The army successfully seized an abandoned rebel camp in Magallanes town on February 5.

Capt. Mardjorie Paimela P. Panesa, 903rd Infantry Brigade spokesperson, said the troop under First Lt. Rory P. Esico conducted a raid of a suspected enemy training camp in Sitio Barayong, Magallanes, Sorsogon and successfully seized the rebel’s campsite.

The training camp is strategically located and believed to be abandoned by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) the night before the raid was conducted.

“The camp can accommodate more or less 75 to 100 persons and it has good training ground, cover and concealment with a good source of water,” she added.

The troop invited two persons seen at the training camp’s vicinity after the raid and one admitted that he was a student of the camping group. The two were turned over to Brgy. Chairman Eduardo Velazco of Tula-Tula Sur, Magallanes.

Lt. Col. Teody Toribio, 31st Infantry Battalion commander, commended the effort of his men and said they owe the successful operation to a barangay resident who reported the presence of several suspicious people in their area, prompting his troops to conduct operations in the area.

Toribio said his men will continuously scour the area and do follow-up operations to track down and block the evading enemy. He also encouraged local residents in the area and nearby areas to report illegal activities and unfamiliar faces in their locality.

Meanwhile, Col. Joselito Kakilala, commander of the 903rd Brigade assured the public that troops will be regularly visit the abandoned enemy camp.

“We and the entire military group will continue to conduct relentless combat operations against the rebels to stop their plans, training and recruitment of innocent youths to join their ranks,” he said. (MAL/BAR-PIA5, Sorsogon)


WFP helps institutionalize disaster preparedness program

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 12 (PIA) -- United Nations World Food Program (WFP) project coordinator Michelle McGonagle will be in Sorsogon today for a three-day visit, institutionalizing the Disaster Preparedness and Response (DPR) Program in the province to build resilient communities, boosting the capacity of its government, academe and non-government partners.

McGonagle initially met with officials of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), local chief executives and municipal DRRM officers of four highly vulnerable areas of Sorsogon and its various stakeholders. This was to determine the progress of the WFP-supported DPR program implemented in Juban, Irosin, Casiguran, and Sta. Magdalena.

PDRRMO Chief Raden Dimaano said the stakeholder’s meeting will help identify plan of actions for the remaining project timeline, address gaps and provide information to key stakeholders on DPR initiatives in the area aside from determining the status of the DPR project implementation.

“Likewise, the municipal DRRM officers will be given an orientation and discussion on the radio communication protocol, and will be given the opportunity to have consultation with the WFP’s project coordinator,” he added.

Sorsogon is one of the many areas covered by the WFP’s DPR Program being implemented in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG), Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the provincial and local governments.

WFP, the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, launched Phase II of its program in September last year. It was dubbed as, “Technical Support to the Government of the Philippines for Disaster Preparedness and Response,” and is implemented in four identified disaster-prone areas of Sorsogon.

For Sorsogon, WFP tapped the expertise of Bicol University in working with the target local government units, communities and families to come up with appropriate family disaster plans and preparedness kits. It also tapped the Green Valley Development Inc. (GVDI) in advancing innovative DPR activities and in promoting best practices.

Phase II of the DPR Program includes organizing information and education campaigns for communities on the risks they face and training local government units on using geographic information systems to enhance preparedness and response planning.

Gov. Raul R. Lee said, “Sorsogon is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, landslides and volcanic eruptions, and this vulnerability is one among the major challenges the province is facing. The DPR project which strengthens capacities of the first responders is a big help to Sorsogon communities to make them better prepare for, respond to natural disasters and eventually save lives and properties.”

The WFP allotted over P20 million for the program while its partners, the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) and the Australian Aid Agency (AusAID) contributed over P10 million in support to the initiative. (MAL/BAR-PIA5, Sorsogon)


Police, military, security agencies gear up for 2013 elections

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 12 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and security agencies in Sorsogon met last week to discuss their joint preparations to ensure an orderly and peaceful election on May 2013.

PNP Sorsogon Officer-in-Charge Senior Supt. Ramon Ranara emphasized the salient provisions of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 9615-A or the rules and regulations on the ban on bearing, carrying or transporting firearms and other deadly weapons and the availment of security personnel or bodyguards during the election period.

Ranara said the activity, led by the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, aims to have security coordination between PNP, AFP and concerned security agencies and to maximize the utilization of security guards as force multipliers.

“This is in preparation for a massive implementation of the gun ban and other prohibitions during the election period,” he added.

Sorsogon Provincial Police Office (PPO) Chief of Operations and Plans Police Supt Arturo P. Brual was tasked to present the salient provisions of Comelec Resolution 9561-A and discuss the authorized uniform of PNP personnel and protection agents during election period. He also discussed the guidelines for deputation and training of security personnel.

Present during the conference were Deputy Provincial Director for Operations Police Supt Aarne V. Oliquiano, the chief of police of several stations across the province, contingents of the 31st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army headed by Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Teody Toribio and security officers from security agencies in the province of Sorsogon.

The Sorsogon Police Provincial Office led the security coordination conference. (MAL/BAR-PIA5, Sorsogon)