The 36th National Folkdance Workshop Held in Dapitan City

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (May 24, 2016) – Following the challenging holding of the May 9, 2016 national and local elections, Dapitan City officials have their hands full again with the hosting of another 3-day national event which is the 36th National Folkdance Workshop held at Dapitan City Cultural Arts Center started Monday to Wednesday.

Dapitan City Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong said the activities is in partnership of the Philippine Folk Dance Society and the City Government of Dapitan whose main facilitator is the Chair of the Committee on Heritage, Culture and Arts in the person of Councilor Alemarlo B. Dagpin for and on behalf of City Mayor Rosalina Garcia Jalosjos and Mr. Peter Macrohon, Director of Singhay Dapitan.

Agolong said the workshop is being attended by over 1,200 participants from different places all over the country which is composed of choreographers, teachers and students who has a passion for dancing.

She added that the workshop is also being attended by the UP Filipiniana Dance Group as a guest performers.

Meanwhile, as part of Dapitan City's Celebration of Heritage Month, the holding of another Santacruzan is slated on May 31, 2016 at 5:00pm featuring 15 Sagalas and 1 Reyna Elena, the City Tourism Officer disclosed.

Gov’t Troops overrun Sayyaf encampment in Sulu

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY (May 25, 2016) – The Government troops of the 14th Scout Ranger Company, seized an Abu Sayyaf encampment after a 45 minutes encounter with  the group of Idang Susukan in Barrangay Gulangan, Maimbung, Sulu, Southern Philippines on Tuesday morning military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) spokesperson Maj. Felimon Tan said the encampment, which can accommodate more or less 200 persons and is equipped with water source, was seized amid pursuit and clearing operations launched by the operating troops.

Maj. Tan said the Government troops found in the encounter site were gun parts, personal belongings, and a Honda motorcycle. No casualty was reported on the government side, while on the Abu Sayyaf side believe to have sustained undetermined casualty, he disclosed.

Lapuyan kidnapped victim release in Jolo, Sulu

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (May 25, 2016) – The kidnap victim in nearby town of Lapuyan of this province was released by his abductors in Sulu province, Southern Philippines in the evening on May 17, 2016 after almost 2 months in captivity, police official said.

Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Michael Nicolas said the kidnap victim identified as Rian Tan Nuñez, 21 years old, male, Lapuyan of this province was already in his family after he was released by his captors.

In the police report said the victim was released at vicinity of Cawa-cawa Boulevard, Zamboanga City. He was received by his family in Zamboanga City.

The reliable sources said the victim was fetched by two unidentified men of Governor Abdusakur Tan II from Talipao, Sulu after being released by his captors at 7:30pm last Tuesday (May 17, 2016) in the evening.

The said kidnap victim were kept in Sulu at the lair of Abu Sayyaf Group Leader Alhabsy Misaya. The elder Tan was separated by their captors and they never saw each other again.

It was recalled that the kidnap victim together with his grandfather Antonio A. Tan was kidnapped last April of this year by the armed men in Lapuyan of this province and fled and boarded on a motorized bangka.