PRO9 RD, DIPO-WesMin visit troops in Isabela City to ensure readiness

 

Isabela, Basilan – Police Regional Office 9 (PRO9) Regional Director PCSUPT Emmnuel Luis D Licup, Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (DIPO) PDIR Daniel G Macatlang and other senior officers visited the troops of the Isabela City Police Station, 53rd Special Action Company-PNP Special Action Force and Augmentation troops from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9 in Isabela City Police Station Headquarters, Barangay Sunrise, Isabela City, Basilan on Sunday, January 20, 2019.

The visit of the top officials of PRO9 aims to make sure that the welfare of the troops is taken care of and the same time part of the PRO9’s security preparations for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite slated on Monday, January 21, 2019.

PCSUPT Licup oversees the security preparation being implemented and the readiness of the troops for the BOL Plebiscite in Isabela City, one of the cities in Basilan province that is going to participate in the plebiscite to ratify the BOL.

The Regional Director and DIPO-Western Mindanao Chief talked to the men of Augmentation from RMFB9, 53rd Special Action Company-PNP Special Action Force and Isabela City Police Station which is operationally and administratively control by PRO9 to boost the morale of the troops who are tasked to secure the BOL plebiscite in Isabela City. 

Meanwhile, a command conference with the leadership of the Isabela City Police Station led by its Chief of Police PSUPT William Gadayan, PNP Special Action Force and AFP counterparts was conducted.

The plebiscite is scheduled on January 21, 2019 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato City, and Isabela City for the ratification of the BOL.(Posted by Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)

Trump cancels US delegation's trip to Davos

WASHINGTON -- The White House said Thursday US President Donald Trump has canceled his delegation's trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, due to the partial government shutdown.

"Out of consideration for the 800,000 great American workers not receiving pay and to ensure his team can assist as needed, President Trump has canceled his delegation's trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland," White House spokesperson, Sarah Sanders, said in a statement.

Trump called off his own planned trip to the Swiss ski resort last week due to the ongoing partial government shutdown and asked a US delegation, which was led by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, to attend the annual forum instead.

The shutdown started on December 22 due to a budget standoff, in which Trump requested USD5.7 billion for building a wall along the US-Mexico border, but congressional Democrats rejected his demand.

The White House and Democratic congressional leaders appeared to get no closer to solving the budget impasse after several rounds of negotiations.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called on Trump to delay his State of the Union address, saying the president should wait to deliver his message to the nation until the partial government shutdown ends.

Meanwhile, Trump on Thursday postponed Pelosi's upcoming trip to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan, asking her to stay in Washington to negotiate with him.

The president didn't mention Pelosi's request to move the date of his speech scheduled for January 29.

To resume work as "a national security agency," the US State Department said on Thursday that it was recalling the furloughed employees back to work next week with pay.

"The Department expects to be able to resume most personnel operations and fund most salaries," Bill Todd, the department's deputy undersecretary for management, said in a statement posted on its website.

According to the statement, most employees of the State Department will resume work on Tuesday. (Xinhua)

Panghuhuli ng LTO at HPG pina-igting sa Lanao del Norte

TUBOD Lanao del Norte - Mas palalakasin at paiigtingin pa ng Land Transportation Office (LTO) at Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Lanao del Norte ang kanilang panghuhuli sa daan laban sa mga nagmamaneho na walang mga lisensya at mga sasakyan na walang mga rehistro ngayung taong 2019.

Ayon kay LTO Tubod District Office head Malic Sultan,na palalakasin pa nila ang mga road operation para maiwasan ang mga disgrasya sa daan na kalimitan sangkot ang mga kabataan lalo na umano ang mga studyante.

Sunod sunod umano silang magsasagawa ng mga road operation sa mga pangunahing daanan sa probinsya para mahuli ang mga colorum,drivers na walang lisensya at mga sasakyang walang mga rehistro.

Magsasagawa din sila ng isang forum sa mga malalaking paaralan para maipaliwanag sa mga kabataan/studyante ang mga batas trapiko at ang mga penalty kung sila ay mahuli.

Ayun naman kay HPG Tubod Lanao del Norte head Lucman Paca,na araw arawin na nila ang pagpanghuli lalo na sa kanilang checkpoint sa may Tubod at sa iba pang lugar sa probinsya.Kinukumpiska din nila ang mga L.E.D lights na nakakabit sa mga motor at sasakyan na labag umano sa batas.(Mike Navarro)

Peaceful plebiscite seen, but LPA could affect voter turnout

Marawi City Hall employees line up the ballot boxes to be used in the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law on January 21. (PNA photo by Nef Luczon)

MARAWI CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Lanao del Sur is confident the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) throughout the province will be peaceful but the low-pressure area affecting Mindanao might affect voter turnout.

Lawyer Allan Kadon, Comelec's provincial head, said Sunday there is no expected violence during Monday's plebiscite because of the non-existence of active opposition to the BOL. He added that the counting of votes would be easier and is expected to be completed by Tuesday.

The only problem seen by Comelec regarding the election is the possible low turnout of voters, given the bad weather, which is mostly foggy and rainy since last week.

“Fortunate ang Lanao del Sur kasi isang issue na lang ang sasagutin: Whether to ratify Bangsamoro Organic Law, unlike sa ibang provinces na maraming opposition (Lanao del Sur is fortunate because there is only one issue to be addressed: whether to ratify BOL or not, unlike other provinces where there is a lot of opposition),” Kadon said.

The voting will be conducted manually. Ballots contain the choices "yes" and "no" for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

After the election from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the results will be sent to the Plebiscite Board of Canvassers, and then to the Comelec provincial offices.

Kadon said there may be plebiscite results available by Tuesday.

Lanao del Sur will have 1,984 clustered precincts and a total number of 554,552 voters.

The number of registered voters for the plebiscite was 200,000 less than the number of voters, who are registered for the national elections.

There will also be voting precincts in schools nearest to the temporary shelters that house internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Express lanes for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women have also been set.

Kadon also said that teachers serving during the elections have undergone training and information drives have also been conducted by election officers since December, popularly called 'pulong-pulong’.

A coordination conference was also conducted last Tuesday for the conduct of the plebiscite.

Jamalodin Basman Mohammad, barangay kagawad of Marawi City’s Barangay Panggao Saduc, said that about 800 residents in their barangay are registered voters for the plebiscite. He called on his constituents to go out and vote.

Given the weather conditions, he said it is possible that only half of the number would come out and vote and that the residents have already predicted a majority "yes" vote for BARMM, even if they do not come out to vote.

“Alam din ng mga boboto na ‘yes’ and lalabas dyan. So sasabihin nila ‘Bakit kailangan pa naming lumahok dyan, eh ‘yes’ pa rin naman ang mananalo? (The voters already know that majority will vote "yes', so what's the point of going?)” Mohammad said.

“Elections is a right to exercise their right to vote. Importante siya kay dugay na ni (BARMM) gipangayo sa Bangsamoro people. Dugay na ni (BARMM) siya gihulat (It is important because the people have long wanted to have the BARMM),” he added. (PNA/By Riz Sunio and Nef Luczon)

Police, military on ‘full alert’ in Davao for BOL plebiscite

DAVAO CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 has placed all police units on ‘full alert’ as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) votes for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law Monday.

"Davao, being part of Mindanao, and an adjacent region to ARMM, although we have not detected any threats in our region, we cannot let our guards down," said Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO-11 regional director, in a statement Sunday.

Morales ordered all unit commanders in the region to keep their personnel intact and to strengthen target hardening on all vital installations, economic key points and places of convergence.

Morales also ordered close coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies and to ensure high state of operational readiness to thwart any hostile action that may be launched by other armed groups like the New People’s Army (NPA), the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

The Davao police is also taking the directive of Philippine National Police, chief Oscar Albayalde to strictly implement the gun ban.

PRO-11 already recorded seven violators of the gun ban set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and has so far confiscated nine short firearms and 256 ammunition.

On the other hand, the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) is also supporting the peaceful conduct of the ratification of the BOL to end armed conflict in Mindanao.

"The 10ID supports the peace initiative and preparations of units involve in providing security assistance during the conduct of plebiscite for BOL,” said Capt. Jerry Lamosao, spokesperson of the 10ID.

Lamosao said units under 10ID are ready in terms of security deployment to prevent untoward incidents.

“We see no significant threat that may disrupt the BOL plebiscite. We also urge everyone to still be vigilant and report any presence of suspicious persons or baggage left unattended especially in places of convergence,” Lamosao added. (PNA/By Lilian Mellejor)

Cops replace 60 teachers as election officers in Cotabato

COTABATO CITY – Policemen trained to perform as election officers took the place of over 60 teachers here, who refused to show up in their assigned voting centers for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, due to alleged threats on their lives.

Lawyer Ernie Palanan, Maguindanao election supervisor, which includes Cotabato City as his area of supervision, said the teachers have earlier received threats via text messages.

“The teachers backed out from serving the plebiscite due to fear,” he told newsmen here in an interview.

The barangays include Rosary Heights 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10, all in this city.

He said the Commission on Elections-Maguindanao, in coordination with the Department of Education-Cotabato City, has fielded the said election officers to the concerned villages for the referendum to push through.

In other parts of the city’s 37 villages, disenfranchisement of voters, as in the past, remained a perennial problem.

In nearby Maguindanao province, no untoward incident has been reported so far in connection with the conduct of the plebiscite in its 36 towns. (PNA/By Noel Punzalan)

Ex-Tawi-Tawi Guv seeking seat again for governor

Former Tawi-Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahali informed  to his people  that he is  now cleared and ready to serve again  his constituents.

Recently, Ombudsman prosecutors indicted  him for  two counts of violation of Section 3[e] of the Anti-graft and corrupt practices Act with the amount of P1.75 million of ferilizers and insecticide in 2004  for beneficiaries of Ginintuang Masaganang ani in 2004 during his term.

But he seeks leave of court for the outright dismissal of his fertilizer case because the case has weak of evidence and failed to present some evidences against him by the office of Ombudsman on January 15 at the court of Second Division.

Sadikul Sahali run for gubernatorial race  this coming May 2019 election.

He run again  for governor  because his people  needs  him  and he wants also to continue his un-finished projects like: Farm to market roads, livelihood projects and  among others in order to  uplift the living condition of his constituents here

"I am willing to help them again because they needs a fatherly  cares  and supports", said Sahali.(By Becky D. de Asis)

Vote 'Yes' to BOL ratification, PRRD tells Moro community

YES TO BOL. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Peace Assembly for the Ratification of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City on January 18, 2019. Joining the President on stage are Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim, and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito Galvez Jr. (Robinson Niñal Jr./Presidential Photo)

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday urged the Moro community to vote “yes” to the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in the plebiscite to be held on January 21 and February 6.

"Your approval of this law will not only serve as an expression of your desire to end more than half a century of armed struggle in the region.

It will also serve as a testament to your determination to bring genuine peace and development in Muslim Mindanao through an autonomous government that truly represents and understands the needs of the people," Duterte said in a speech at the Peace Assembly for the ratification of Republic Act No. 11054 or the BOL in Cotabato City.

The President said the power to craft their own destiny now lies in the voters' hands."

I am proud to say that the BOL has undergone comprehensive analysis and thorough review to ensure that once implemented, it will lead to better governance, inclusive political empowerment, and enhanced systems (for) transparency and accountability," he said.

The BOL version under his administration has undergone multiple consultations with various stakeholders, Duterte added.

"As the centerpiece legislation of my administration, the BOL has been the product of a long and rigorous process that involved meaningful and exhaustive consultations by one another and for all of us here. 

We listened to the indispensable sentiments and concerns of Muslims, Christians, Lumads, and other indigenous peoples and various stakeholders who also call Mindanao their home and rightly so," he said.

Duterte also expressed hope that with the ratification of the BOL, peace and inclusive growth in Mindanao would benefit the entire Philippines.

"Together, let us take this opportunity to begin the process of healing, reconciliation so that one day, we can embrace each other as really brother and sister Filipino, with a view of -- in tolerance in all, understanding and take the new world on its totality," he said.

The BOL, previously known as the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and considered as one of Duterte’s biggest legislative achievements, seeks to give the Moro people basic legal tools to chart their own destiny within the country’s constitutional framework. (PNA/By Earl Jed Roque)

MILF lauds PRRD for 'siding with Bangsamoro'

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Police ready for BOL plebiscite

COTABATO CITY -- The Philippine National Police is all set to secure Monday’s plebiscite here and in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, police officials said Friday. 

Senior Supt. Michael Lebanan, acting city police director, said voters should have nothing to worry about as enough number of police officers have been deployed to the city and its environs.  “We are 100 percent ready,” Lebanan said.

He said the city police is backed by members of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces Battalion plus additional personnel from Police Regional Offices 10 (Northern Mindanao) and 13 (Caraga) to secure all entry and exit points of the city in time for the January 21 plebiscite here.

The police official said he has also urged city residents to alert the police of any suspicious individual, group or thing that may endanger the lives of city residents.

In a similar development, Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, police director for the ARMM, also said that everything is in place to ensure that Monday’s referendum would be peaceful and orderly in their jurisdiction.

PRO-ARMM covers the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur.

In a statement, Mijares said all police units in the region are in their respective areas of assignment in preparation for the upcoming plebiscite. (PNA/By Edwin Fernandez )