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Authorities verifying 13 dead in North Cotabato road mishap
Authorities are still verifying the 13 fatalities in a vehicular accident involving a passenger van that collided with a dump truck along the National Highway in Barangay Luhong, Antipas, around 12:15 p.m. in North Cotabato on March 25, 2024......»»
Wanted for high-profile crimes killed in Bangsamoro police operation
A suspect in a series of motorcycle theft, multiple murder, extortion and operation of a drug den, who has links with local terrorist groups, was killed while his companion was wounded in a shootout with policemen in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Thursday......»»
Mt. Apo closed from Mar 20-30
Mount Apo, located at the border of Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and Davao City, is temporarily closed to the public.....»»
Workforce supports new BARMM local government minister
Employees of the Bangsamoro local government ministry have assured to support the peace and development efforts of their newly-appointed minister, just the way they did for her predecessor......»»
Govt. to boost agri, fishery sectors
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday underscored the need to address the systemic issues plaguing Philippine agriculture for years due to the longstanding neglect of this sector. During his speech at the 70th anniversary of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) in Quezon City, Marcos Jr said the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk has been forgotten for decades, dating back to the inception of agricultural reform during his father and namesake's tenure. "We have a significant amount of work ahead of us because we need to fix the entire agricultural system that has been neglected for a long time, perhaps since the start of agricultural reform, during (the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s) time," Marcos Jr. said. "Now, many changes have occurred, the world has changed, and it has revolved several times. Therefore, we need to examine the needs of our farmers and fishermen to improve their lives because we often hear that we need to increase our yield, improve our harvest, and our productivity," he added. The latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that agricultural production in the country decreased by 1.3 percent during the year's second quarter. The figures unveiled by the PSA showed that the production value in agriculture and fisheries, calculated at constant 2018 prices, totaled P427.69 billion, a decline from the P433.10 billion recorded during the same period the previous year. Minimum wages for agricultural laborers in the Philippines vary by region, ranging from P306 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to P573 in the National Capital Region. These wage rates, determined by tripartite boards, differ based on the specific region. “But let's not forget that the livelihood of our farmers and fishermen should also be taken care of and improved because that is our goal for all our farmers and fishermen,” Marcos said. Marcos emphasized the pressing need for his administration to boost the agricultural sector, with more than P92 billion set aside for upcoming agri-fisheries projects next year. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture has allotted P4.73 billion to improve large-scale agriculture and fishery mechanization and modernization, aiming to decrease post-harvest losses and cost-effectively enhance farmers' yields. However, the President underlined the enormity of the task ahead and called upon the public for their support and collaboration. "So, this is a massive task. That's why we need your help because the government alone cannot do all of this. We need your diligence, we need your advice because you are the ones facing the problems in agriculture that we are going through now,” Marcos said. “Rest assured, your government is here to do everything in its power to assist our farmers in producing a bountiful harvest, catching enough fish for our fellow citizens, and selling these products at prices affordable to our people,” Marcos added. The post Govt. to boost agri, fishery sectors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mindanao police, military cooperating to ensure peaceful barangay, SK polls
Top Army officials in Mindanao assured to flex all measures needed to forestall any failure of elections in troubled towns in the Bangsamoro region and in central Mindanao......»»
PBBM assures public enough rice supply
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public over the weekend that the country had enough rice supply and that the government was closely monitoring the National Food Authority (NFA) buffer stock ahead of El Niño and other expected calamities. In his latest vlog, the Chief Executive underscored that the country's rice supply is still enough after typhoons "Egay" and "Falcon", including the Southwest Monsoon (habagat) ravaged several parts of the country and damaged the agriculture sector. For context, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday that the agriculture sector damage and losses due to inclement weather reached an estimated P2.9 billion. The latest situational data from the NDRRMC showed that the Department of Agriculture recorded billions worth of damages in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Bangsamoro Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). "We have an ample supply of rice, and there is nothing to worry about," Marcos said. "Our farmers should expect that we won't be importing if the supply here in the Philippines is sufficient. Hopefully, you won't be worried. We have rice," he added. Marcos, who also heads the Department of Agriculture (DA), said the government is ensuring that the NFA increases its buffer stock for several reasons. The Chief Executive pointed out the increasing number of disasters in the Philippines and that other Southeast Asian countries needed to increase their rice supplies ahead of El Niño, expected to occur either late this year or early 2024. He added that other countries that export rice, such as India, have begun to restrict or halt their rice exports. "All of us are preparing for the El Niño. That's why the challenge is that everyone buys things all at once," Marcos said. "We are looking for our friends. Fortunately, I have met many of them during my travels, and we are now in communication. Perhaps, we might be allowed to import from them. However, we will only do so if the supply is not sufficient," he added. The post PBBM assures public enough rice supply appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl, Malaysia expand security ties vs. radicalization
The Philippines and Malaysia remain committed to upholding their long-standing defense relations by exploring partnerships to prevent possible radicalization in the country, the Department of National Defense said Friday. This came, after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. met with Malaysia Ambassador Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, earlier this week at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. In a statement on Friday, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro and Castelino renewed the close defense ties between the Philippines and Malaysia—as implemented under the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation. “And reflected by personal ties between the two heads of state, marked by their reciprocal visits to the Philippines and Malaysia in March and July 2023, respectively,” Andolong added. Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining cooperation under trilateral and multilateral platforms. According to Andolong, Teodoro expressed his appreciation to the Malaysian government for its contributions to the Mindanao peace process. The defense chief likewise recognized Malaysia for partaking as the Third-Party Facilitator in the Bangsamoro peace process and sending military personnel from its Malaysian Armed Forces to become part of the International Monitoring Team, facilitating peace and order in the southern part of the Philippines. Andolong cited the experiences and expertise of Malaysia in Islamic education which he described could be also beneficial to the services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He added Teodoro proposed to boost educational cooperation between the Philippines and Malaysia to enhance the Arabic and Islamic literacy of the AFP Chaplain Service with the Military Religious Corps of Malaysia “to prevent possible radicalization and misinterpretation of the Qur’an and Hadith.” Meanwhile, Castelino assured Malaysia's continuous support for just and lasting peace in Mindanao and welcomed the proposal to improve Islamic literacy in the Philippines as a way to counter regional terrorism and violent extremism. The post Phl, Malaysia expand security ties vs. radicalization appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Survey showing more Pinoys suffer from hunger validates Food Stamp Program — DSWD
The Second Quarter 2023 Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showing more Filipinos suffer from involuntary hunger is a validation of the national government’s Food Stamp Program (FSP), a Department of Social Welfare and Development official said Friday, 4 August. DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez during DSWD’s Facebook livestream said this was addressed when they recently launched in Tondo, Manila, one of the FSP’s pilot areas. “The SWS findings that more Filipinos suffer from involuntary hunger during the 2nd quarter is a validation that the Marcos administration is on the right track in implementing the Food Stamp Program, with the DSWD as lead agency,” Lopez said. “The pilot implementation from July to December of 2023 will initially cover 3,000 families. The target beneficiaries are those families whose income does not go beyond P8,000 a month,” Lopez pointed out. The survey defined involuntary hunger as “being hungry and not having anything to eat.” Moderate hunger, meanwhile, refers to being involuntarily hungry “only once” or “a few times” in the last three months. Severe hunger refers to a condition that persons go through “often” or “always.” While involuntary hunger rose by 5 points in the National Capital Region (NCR) and increased by another 2.6 points in areas adjacent to the NCR, the involuntary hunger rate hardly changed in the Visayas, with hunger record decreasing by 5.4 points in Mindanao, according to the SWS survey from June 28 to July 1. Lopez said about one million food-poor families are expected to benefit from the “Walang Gutom 2027 Food Stamp program”, a DSWD flagship program that intends to provide food augmentation to families experiencing involuntary hunger due to extreme poverty. “The FSP involves providing cash-based assistance in the form of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that will be loaded with specific cash amount for purchasing a select list of commodities from registered local retailers. This aims to empower the poor to let them choose what food they want to eat based on the list provided by DSWD,” Lopez explained while stressing that “Strictly no liquor or any alcohol is allowed.” Ultimately, the Food Stamp Program aims to properly address the gaps and assist households in attaining the recommended energy needs to perform their daily tasks and routines that directly and indirectly contribute to human capitalization and nation building. The FSP will be conducted in five (5) pilot sites with "different geopolitical characteristics." These include the selected cities and municipalities in NCR, Caraga Region and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The pilot sites are geographically isolated regions, urban poor settings, calamity-stricken areas, and rural poor areas. “The FSP beneficiaries will be given tap cards which will be loaded with food credits amounting to P3,000 a month. The tap cards could be used by the food-poor families to purchase a select list of food commodities from DSWD-accredited local retailers,” the DSWD spokesperson pointed out. Lopez explained that the tap cards will not be loaded with money but will instead be loaded with food equivalent based on the recommendation of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), which helped craft the program that limits the “baskets of goods” to 50 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 20 percent fats. “The program will also be conditional and have a work component. This means that those who will sign up would be required to seek employment in order to continue receiving the FSP benefits,” the DSWD spokesperson said. Lopez also assured that the DSWD will continuously measure and monitor the beneficiaries in the regions that it has identified throughout the implementation of the Food Stamp Program. “DSWD hopes that through the Food Stamp Program, the country will be able to combat hunger and achieve food security towards the realization of a zero hunger Philippines,” the DSWD official said. The post Survey showing more Pinoys suffer from hunger validates Food Stamp Program — DSWD appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘U.N.I.T.Y’, Brawner’s priorities as AFP chief
Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Friday officially took over the helm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, focusing his leadership on five priorities aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for national unity. Brawner, speaking at the Change of Command and retirement ceremony in honor of outgoing AFP chief of staff, Gen. Andres Centino, at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, laid down the priorities of his leadership. “As I take the helm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, allow me to articulate the five areas where I wish to focus our efforts — for these focus areas I would like to keep in line with the President’s call for national unity,” Brawner said. Using the acronym UNITY, Brawner said the AFP will focus on the areas of unification, normalization, internal security operations, territorial defense, and youth. Under unification, Brawner said the military will provide leverage to inter-agency coordination, links, and alliances to continue the whole-of-nation approach in addressing pressing security concerns. Under normalization, the AFP will give special attention to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, particularly in the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters as stipulated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law. For internal security operations, Brawner said the military will focus on the total annihilation of the remaining local terrorist and communist terror groups in the country. “We have to sustain the dividends of peace by making sure there will be no resurgence of insurgency and terrorism in our country,” he added. On territorial defense, the AFP will heed the President’s pronouncement of “not giving an inch of Philippine territory,” Brawner said, adding that “the AFP will endeavor to modernize its personnel, equipment, facilities, processes, and systems so as to enable it to be a lethal and competent fighting force capable of defending our territory from external aggression.” Cyber warfare, he said, will be included on the military’s priority list in its modernization program, which is in its third phase or Horizon 3. For the youth, Brawner expressed his full support for the revival of the Reserve Officers Training Corps or ROTC, saying the military will push for the proper and relevant conduct of the program. “This will coincide with our efforts to develop our reserve force,” he added. “The AFP will do its share in developing our youth, the future leaders and citizens of our nation to be responsible and patriotic defenders of our national identity as a people and of our territorial integrity,” he said. BBM lauds new chief President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who graced the change of command rites, urged the AFP to continue working towards an agile and prepared force and to strengthen its external defense capabilities. In his speech, Marcos told the AFP to work with national government agencies and civilian stakeholders to form an archipelagic consciousness among Filipinos. “I have faith that under the supervision of General Brawner, the Armed Forces will continue to ensure the security of Filipinos and our country’s national sovereignty amidst the challenges ahead,” he said. “Together, let us protect the interests of our people and help them fulfill their goals for themselves, their families, their communities, and our nation,” he added. The President assured that his administration is “firm in reinforcing this noble pursuit of modernizing the AFP.” Centino awarded During the ceremony, the Department of National Defense presented Centino with the Legion of Honor Award with the rank of Chief Commander. Centino has been appointed by Marcos the Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea. In his speech, Marcos lauded Centino for his “exemplary service and resolute commitment” to the nation’s peace, order, and security. “Under your supervision, the AFP has made significant strides in reducing the presence and capabilities of communists and local terrorist groups,” the President said. “You have also strengthened our external defense capabilities and helped to promote archipelagic consciousness among Filipinos.” The President then urged Brawner to recalibrate the AFP’s internal security operations so that public services could be delivered to geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities. “I know that under your supervision, we will have a safer and more secure nation where more rebels will return to the fold of the law and decide to be productive citizens,” Marcos said. The DND lauded the appointment of Brawner as it expressed confidence he is an “excellent choice” to lead the country’s crucial internal and external security operations. “We are confident that Lt. Gen Brawner will continue to exemplify excellence, innovation, and professionalism as he leads the AFP,” it said in a statement on Friday. Brawner still heads Army Meanwhile, Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the Army is expecting a movement in the leadership of the organization after its commanding general, Brawner, was named AFP chief of staff. He said Brawner will remain as concurrent Army Commanding General while awaiting Marcos’ next appointee. “In the absence of any orders, he is still considered the commanding general of the Philippine Army. You can perform two functions, wear two hats at the same time,” Trinidad said. @tribunephl_Lade @tribunephl_tiz The post ‘U.N.I.T.Y’, Brawner’s priorities as AFP chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Peaceful BSK polls ensured
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Top police and military officials participated recently in the Regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee meeting centering on the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled on 30 October this year. Joint Task Force-Sulu commander Maj. Gen. Ignatius N. Patrimonio on Monday disclosed that the JPSCC meeting — held at Bigkis-Lahi, Camp BGen Salipada K Pendatun, Parang, Maguindanao on 30 June — centered their discussion on issues of social concern, security, environment and preparations for the 2023 upcoming BSKE. The JPSCC also discussed updates on the security situation in their respective area of responsibility in the meeting jointly presided over by Patrimonio and Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao director Pol. Brig Gen. Allan Nobleza. “Let us reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the security and integrity of the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections,” said Patrimonio. “We must sort diligently to prevent any acts of violence in our areas of responsibility about the forthcoming polls,” he added. Patrimonio stressed that it is essential that law enforcement agencies and security forces act by the rule of law, respect human rights and protect the rights of every individual. “By working together, sharing expertise and fostering cooperation, we can create an environment that upholds the principles of democracy, promotes peace and safeguard the will of the people,” the JTF-Sulu commander said. “We assured that JTF-Sulu will continue to deliver excellent services to prevent conflict and promotes sustainable peace,” he added. Patrimonio also cited their operational accomplishments, and developmental projects including the different strategies and approaches the JTF-S is adopting in ending Local Armed Conflict. To recall, Sulu province was known to have the most peaceful and orderly elections in the history of the province during the 9 May 2022 national and local elections. The post Peaceful BSK polls ensured appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Troops on high alert vs DI-Maute group
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities reported on Wednesday that police and military units in Lanao del Sur continue to remain on high alert level status after the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-inspired Dawlah-Islamiya-Maute Group threatened to launch a “Marawi-like siege” in Marogong and nearby municipalities in the province. Police Regional Office for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao director P/Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza assured that the police and military security forces are doubling their efforts to prevent an attack from the ISIS-Inspired DI-Maute Group. Nobleza said the DI-Maute Group threatened on Thursday a “Marawi-like siege” in Marogong, Lanao del Sur, that led to the mass evacuation of residents of the municipality to a more safe town in the province. He added that the PRO-BAR has deployed a combat-ready platoon of policemen from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and two teams from the Lanao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company. The military, on the other hand, deployed soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion to complement the deployment of PNP personnel in Marogong town. All adjacent municipal police stations of Marogong town were also placed on high alert and the reactionary standby forces from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company are ready as reinforcement forces for any eventuality, Nobleza added. On Sunday, Nobleza visited Marogong and had a meeting with Marogong Mayor Nasif Maruhom, Vice Mayor Haroun Maruhom, the commander of Bravo Company of the 32nd IB, and the 24 barangay chairmen of Marogong. Local government officials and barangay officials raised serious concerns about the present security situation in their locality and cited in particular the Poblacion proper, the center of business and convergence area as the primary target of the DI-Maute Group Nobleza also reported that residents of the town who evacuated to nearby municipalities for fear of possible attack have slowly returned to their homes after the PRO-BAR, AFP, local officials and leaders undertake joint peace and security measures in the town. The PRO-BAR director reiterated that the PNP’s primary interest is to ensure the security and safety of the people of Marogong, adding that they are concerned about the security and safety of the people of the town and have deployed additional troops to oversee the peace and order in the area. The post Troops on high alert vs DI-Maute group appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BIFF bomb maker falls
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The military on Monday reported the arrest of an individual believed to be the improvised explosive device maker of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters-Karialan Faction at the vicinity of the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Barangay Rosary Heights 10, Cotabato City. 90th Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. Rowel Gavilanes disclosed that state forces arrested the suspect near the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City on Friday. Gavilanes identified the suspect as Kuntong Basilan, alias Tong Basilan, and Michael Basilan, who is facing two counts of double murder, multiple frustrated murders and an arson filed against him in the local court. Alias Tong Basilan is a known IED-making expert of the BIFF-Karialan Faction, a confidante of the late Ameril Umbra Kato and triggerman of Kumander Paradise, and Gavilanes added that he is also involved in some violence against government security forces and civilians of Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte. “Based on our information, the suspect was involved in a gun-for-hire, harassment and landmine attack on a military installation in Sitio Risingan, Dungguan, Aleosan, Cotabato; burning of civilian properties in Sitio Poypoyon, Dungguan and Bagolibas, Aleosan and Baliki, Midsayap, Cotabato in 2008, and a series of shooting incidents targeting the PNP and AFP in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte in 2019 to 2020,” Gavilanes said. He assured the people of Central and South Central Mindanao that the AFP and PNP would continue to work to eliminate threats to peace and maintain order in their locality. The operation against the suspects was jointly conducted by soldiers of the 90th IB, 34th IB, PNP-Special Action Force and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Maguindanao Provincial Field Unit. Basilan is currently in the custody of the CIDG-Maguindanao for appropriate disposition. The post BIFF bomb maker falls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cotabato City bombing try foiled
COTABATO CITY — Military and police bomb experts safely deactivated at dawn Thursday two improvised explosive devices left near the main gate of the Husky Bus passenger terminal here. Cotabato City Police director Col. Querubin Manalang Jr. disclosed that the plastic bag containing the powerful IED and a secondary bomb inserted in another plastic container were found at about 3:40 a.m. by one of the utility personnel at the terminal. Manalang said one IED was made of flash powder and cut concrete nails as shrapnel with a mobile phone as the blasting mechanism. The bomb disposal units also deactivated the secondary bomb, fashioned from a rocket-propelled grenade, with a mobile phone as the triggering device, found near the terminal’s concrete fence along the national highway in Barangay Rosary Heights 10. In an interview, Manalang said the planting of the IEDs could be part of the terrorist group’s extortion activities against Husky Bus. The bombing attempt came while Cotabato City was hosting the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association Meet 2023. Manalang, however, assured the BARMMAA delegates from Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and the Geographic Area in North Cotabato that the security sector is doing its best to prevent a similar incident. To recall, a brand-new double-decker Husky Bus unit of the General Santos City-based Biocrest Multi-Purpose Cooperative on 17 April was bombed at the Isulan bus terminal in Sultan Kudarat province, leaving six persons injured. A secondary bomb was found on the second deck of the bus. No one has claimed responsibility for the Isulan bus bombing incident, but police have blamed the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group and its ally, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, as those behind the attack, with extortion as the primary motive. The post Cotabato City bombing try foiled appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MILF reassures commitment to 9-year-old Bangsamoro peace pact
KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews / 28 March) – The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has assured anew the Philippine Government of its commitment to the provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on […].....»»
BTA vows to pass election code by end of 2022: Galvez
MANILA - The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has vowed to pass the election code before 2022 ends, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Wednesday.This, as BTA Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim assured completion of the remaining priority codes stated in Republic Act (.....»»
DOH OIC visits BARMM, lauds vax program
COTABATO CITY - Department of Health (DOH) Officer in Charge Maria Rosario S. Vergeire assured health officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) of her support for the region's vaccination campaign and other health programs."I told Chief Minister Ebrahim that t.....»»
‘Congress to extend Bangsamoro transition’
Congress is expected to extend the term of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority for three years, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao chief minister Ahod Ebrahim assured his constituents......»»
Government in control of Maguindanao – PNP
Government security forces remain in control of the situation in Maguindanao despite recent attacks by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has assured the public......»»
Bangsamoro labor blocs, private employers support war on COVID-19
Private companies in the Bangsamoro region have manifested support to the war on COVID-19 and assured to ensure safety of employees from the disease through corporate initiatives......»»