by admin | Mar 5, 2017 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita, Police Reports
TAGBILARAN CITY, February 28 (PIA)–The past month may have seen a lull in the local anti-drugs war, but now, expect some change.
If the suspension of police in anti-drug operations dealt a huge setback in the anti drug war, the undermanned Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the lead role, and the army being thrown into the task they were not trained for, arrests which then happened daily, ebbed.
Both the military and the PDEA are not equipped to wrestle the immensity of the beast that the drug problem has mutated, a Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) member commented at the February 2016 drug war accomplishment.
Last Tuesday however, two teams of nine squads from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed the 77 days 496 hours of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) along with 46 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The full 72 hours training course equips the AFP with 18 men some serious capability to handle a variety of crisis situations in urban warfare, counter-terrorism, urban assault, hostage taking, close quarter combat and a menu of aggressive breaches of closed structures, said PNP Deputy regional Director for Administration PCSupt. Franklin Moises Mabanag.
Coming in as keynote speaker and guest in the possibly first in the country joint training for AFP and the PNP, General Mabanag hailed Bohol for the rare convergence of police and army and assured that the PNP still has some more skills for the trained group which has just been enthroned to the ranks of the police elites.
All belonging to Class 32-2016, Class Pinagsanib is actually a team of 63 men and a woman survivor of the converged PNP and AFP men and women from the initial 72 who showed at the start of the training in November of last year.
But when police SWAT have been feared for their strategic planning and offensives, this batch may have an ace in its sleeves.
Two of the top three performing graduates come from the AFP ranks.
Army 2Lts Giovanni Payumo and Michael Imperial took the top and the third spot among the 64 graduates who have successfully racked up points in theory, physical fitness and psychological strength tests to be rated the top among elites.
And another thing, from the ranks of the Army SWAT team is the batch’s fire-arms proficiency expert: Corporal Kurt Agapito, who received a Certificate of Proficiency.
The three from the 18 officers and men of the AFP would now be leading their teams in keeping up with the presidential mandate to lead anti-drug operations in Bohol.
47IB Commander Colonel Jose Dodgie Belloga, in fact reported at the PPOC that they would have to commit their two squads for the anti-drug operations.
“We are deploying 2 army squads graduating from the SWAT course to support the campaign against drugs,” Col Belloga said. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
Do not be deceived by the new SWAT members. They may be looking weak and fragile but behind that innocent smile is a core so tough you would rather not mess with them. 64 new SWAT members graduated to complement Bohol’s drug drive. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Mar 4, 2017 | Features, Headlines, Kontra Droga, Kontra Terorismo, Local News / Bohol Balita, Police Reports
AFTER THE TRAGEDY that hit the Province of Bohol which left everyone stunned, the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) is sending the message that Boholanos can now feel safer.
This is because just last Tuesday, sixty-two members of the Philippine National Police and of the Armed Forces of the Philippines gladly participated in the graduation rites as new members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Class “Pinagsanib” group after an exhaustive and rigid two-month special training.
The number started out with sixty-four trainees, but then, of the three women who have initially enlisted, two dropped out which then left a sole woman survivor who eventually graduated with sixty-one men in uniform.
The SWAT graduation ceremonies at the BPPO grounds commenced with a simulation of an actual combat situation where SWAT know-how and special mind tactics were deployed right before the very eyes of the guests.
The adrenaline rush was upped even more when three explosions were witnessed by everyone and the graduating class exhibited more special tactics, not only to please the audience, but more so, to show what would happen to offenders when they cross paths with Bohol’s latest SWAT corps.
Participants and guests were warmly greeted by Bohol PNP Chief Felipe Natividad, with Guest of Honor, PCSupt. Franklin Moises R. Mabanag, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, PRO-7; and Provincial Administrator Alfonso “Ae” R. Damalerio, in lieu of Gov. Edgar M. Chatto.
The Bohol SWAT Team is a composite group of the PNP and AFP, a clear innovation of the 302nd Achievers Brigade, the 47th Infantry Brigade, BPPO, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), and the Provincial Government of Bohol under the helm of Gov. Edgar M. Chatto.
Provincial Administrator Damalerio proudly informed everyone that “this innovation is the very first in the country, and for the next step, we are now planning on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training.”
EOD performs, supervises, and manages explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations; and locates, identifies, disarms, neutralizes, recovers, and disposes of hazardous explosives; conventional, chemical, biological, incendiary, and nuclear ordnance; and criminal or terrorist devices.
Other guests during the SWAT graduation ceremonies were Colonel Arnulfo Matanguihan, Commander of the 302nd Brigade of the Philippine Army, LTC Jose Dodjie Belloga Jr., Battalion Commander of the 47th IB of the Philippine Army, Superintendent Renato Dugan of PRO-7 and Tagbilaran City PNP Chief Col. Nicomedes Olaivar. (JLV/PGBh/EDCom)
by admin | Mar 3, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines, National News
San Fernando, La Union – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 1 rolled out the new convergence program that would promote economic growth and infrastructure development in the region.
The Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade or ROLL IT Program aims to further the growth of investments and other economic activities in the country through more road projects leading to manufacturing and economic zones.
5
Launched in November 2016, the two government agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the ROLL IT project implementation on road connectivity for industry and trade development. Under the agreement, DTI will identify areas where industry sectors need road facilities and connectivity.
The ROLL IT Convergence Program will be one of the strong platforms of the promise of a Golden Age of Infrastructure for the Philippines, through a target of national infrastructure budget of 7% of Gross Domestic Product, roughly equivalent to around P8.2 trillion.
Present during the ROLL IT launching were representatives from the Board of Investments (BOI), supporting non-government organizations (NGOs), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) Project. A total of 21 project proposals to be enrolled in the program were submitted to USAID-COMPETE for evaluation. Most of proposals concern the conduct rehabilitation and construction of access roads from manufacturing sites to marketing areas.
The ROLL IT Program will further fuel the recent high growth of domestic investments as well as the surge in foreign direct investments of the country, through more road projects funded within 2016-2022.
The ROLL IT program’s goal is to prioritize infrastructure development in the country. It will leverage on the success and experiences of the DOT-DPWH Convergence Program or the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) that lead to the upgrading of roads leading to tourist destinations.
The initiative of DTI and DPWH is intended to contribute in delivering accelerated infrastructure development and inclusive economic growth.
Through better road infrastructure connecting the industries, industrial and regional development strategy can be realized and will further facilitate balanced development, dispersal of industries away from urban areas towards the rural areas, creating more job and income opportunities to more Filipinos.
by admin | Mar 3, 2017 | DTI Updates, Headlines
The 31st High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) convened on February 15-16 in Manila, gathering high-ranking ASEAN trade officials to discuss the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025.
HLTF-EI Chairperson and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam Dato Lim Jock Hoi said that ASEAN needs to remain strong and united as the region navigates and charts its course ahead “collectively as ASEAN.”
Representing the Philippines, Undersecretary for Industry Development and Managing Head of the Board of Investment Ceferino Rodolfo laid down the Philippine priority deliverables for 2017, highlighting the country’s agenda on inclusiveness and innovation with a focus on increasing trade and investments, integrating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy, and developing an innovation-driven economy.
“Inclusiveness should be intrinsic to the ASEAN agenda. The AEC Blueprint 2025 development framework will be most effective if it results from inclusive and open multi-stakeholder participation, one that is informed by the perspectives of people, especially the marginalized,” Undersecretary Rodolfo said.
The Philippines is taking the lead in seeking new policy interventions that are practical from the MSME perspective. These are expected to contribute towards helping MSMEs harness the opportunities presented by open and increasingly integrated markets. These initiatives range from free trade and trade facilitation, trade in services, investment, connectivity, and innovation:
Maximizing the benefits of free trade agreements (Self-Certification for MSMEs, and Substantial Conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership [RCEP]);
Fostering a more facilitative and transparent trade in services regime and harnessing the contribution and global competitiveness of the ASEAN services sector (Conclusion of the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement);
Strengthening the investment linkages between MSMEs and Multinational Enterprises or MNEs (FAST Action Agenda on Investment, Inclusive Business, Women and Youth Entrepreneurship);
Enhancing intra-regional connectivity and bolstering socio-economic growth in the regions (Launch of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung route of the ASEAN Roll-on Roll-of Network);
Supporting an ecosystem of entrepreneurship based on technology and innovation (ASEAN Declaration on Innovation); and
Introducing more systematic and robust method for AEC compliance monitoring (ASEAN Trade Facilitation Indicators, Review Mechanism for AEC).
Said priorities are in line with the Duterte Administration’s 10-point socio-economic agenda. In particular, these will leverage the global competitiveness of the Philippines’ services sector in order to generate jobs and growth, as well as bring development to the South through rural and value chain development.
The Philippines also delivered to HLTF-EI the collective statement of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF) Philippines National Organizing Committee, reflecting the people’s aspirations for an ASEAN that asserts peace and security, human rights, democratization, and broad-based economic, social and ecological justice.
Undersecretary Rodolfo highlighted the potential of civil society organizations as strategic and responsible partners in the process of ASEAN community-building, given their knowledge and reach at the grassroots level and cohesive international network.
Recommendations of the 31st LTF-EI will be the focus of discussions at the 23rd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat and Related Meetings to be held on March 8-10 in Manila.
Composed of Trade Vice Ministers from the ten ASEAN Member States (AMS), the HLTF-EI functions as an advisory body to the economic ministers of the AMS, ensuring that all 10 AMS are on-track and on-time with the plans and programs intended to realize regional economic integration and achieve the vision of an AEC.
The AEC Blueprint was crafted to further advance ASEAN economic integration, envisioning a community characterized by the following: a) a highly integrated and cohesive economy; b) a competitive, innovative, and dynamic ASEAN; c) enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation; d) a resilient, inclusive, and people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN; and e) a global ASEAN.
ASEAN economies are expected to hold up reasonably well amidst the slowing of global growth, and the uncertain and shifting geo-political and economic landscape.
Forecasts from the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund place the region as the most dynamic part of the world with strong economic outlook for 2017 at 4.6% to 4.9% of GDP growth rate, vis-à-vis the 3.4% projected for the growth global GDP. The Philippines leads the region with a growth forecast of 6.8% for 2017
by admin | Mar 1, 2017 | Headlines, Police Reports
TAGBILARAN CITY, February 28 (PIA)–Camp Dagohoy has categorically denied the claims rounding up social media sites claiming alarm on attempts of kidnapping of school children.
Bohol Police Camp Dagohoy, through Police Superintendent Vincent Paul Dumaguing said there is no such reports reaching Camp Dagohoy.
At the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) Meeting February 28, the Camp Dagohoy Spokesperson said they are collecting filed reports every 6 AM and 6 PM, and there has been no such thing indicated in reports from police stations in the town.
Earlier, reports citing police authorities advising the public about the alleged activities of a group roaming around Bohol onboard a van to kidnap children along roads seeped through the social media.
At least a local paper also had the report printed.
The news reports cited incidents in Sikatuna, Sierra Bullones, Valencia, Tubigon and Cortes.
In a radio interview, Cortes police officer 1 Gregorio Pacot shared that two brothers: 7 and 11 were allegedly walking along the national highway in Loreto, when a black van suddenly blocked their path.
As to reports, a bonnet-clad man stepped out of the van and allegedly tried to take the children.
According to the Cortes cop, the kids’ parents narrated that the children ran away and escaped, and the alleged kidnappers did not pursue the fleeing children.
Also in the report was another case that purportedly happened in Tubigon town, which also accordingly pushed local authorities to dispatch army and police authorities to secure their barangays.
At the same meeting, a member of the PPOC privately tried to get a confirmation about another text message of similar child kidnapping alarm in Antequera.
Minutes later however, by confirmation of Antequera police authorities and the Department of Education, the message turned out to be a false alarm.
The reported missing kid was proven to have hidden himself out of a game. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
PNP Camp Dogohoy spokesperson PCInspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing denies there are cases of kidnapping in Bohol, and added that they should know because they collect updates from police stations every 6 AM and PM. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Mar 1, 2017 | Headlines, Kita ug ang Gobernador, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, March 1 (PIA)–Take it from the logs, there have been far fewer crimes in Bohol when the anti-drug drive floored it in 2016 compared to the same stretch in 2017.
In a report which the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bohol delivered before the Provincial Peace and Order Council assembled at the People’s Mansion Conference Hall February 28, Bohol police Camp Dagohoy spokesperson PSInspector Vincent Paul Dumaguing revealed that total crimes in the first 53 days of 2016 was 187 incidents higher than the same period in 2017.
Within the first 53 days of 2017, Camp Dagohoy police headquarters registered an average monthly crime rate of 37 from 42 last year, or 6 cases variance.
For average monthly index crime rates, Camp Dagohoy also noted similar down trend of 13 from 17 recorded in 2016 and or 4 cases variance, Inspector Dumaguing pointed out.
As to crime solution efficiency, Bohol police pegged a 45%, solving 528 of 1185 crimes in January to February 2016.
In 2017, the crime busters noted a 51% crime solution efficiency solving 511 of 998 crimes in the beginning days of 2017.
According to Camp Dagohoy Chief PSSUpt Felipe Natividad, police would consider a crime solved when they have identified the suspect, filed appropriate charges and has arrested the culprit or suspect.
And as to its crime clearance efficiency, in 2016, Bohol police lumped a 51% in 2016, a record which improved in 2017 with 60% by clearing 598 of 998 crimes recorded.
Cleared crimes are those which police have identified the suspects, and a case has been filed relative to the accusations of a crime, Col. Natividad added.
Inspector Dumaguing showed that in January to February 22, 2016, total crimes in Bohol reached 1,185.
By the same period of 2017, or from January to last week, crimes decreased by 15.78 %, which redounds to 187 less incidents.
Citing data from the Provincial Investigation Detection and Management Bureau, Inspector Dumaguing showed the index crimes data which details 114 cases less in 2017 at only 363 incidents recorded. This is a 23.9% percent down trend.
For non-index crimes, police statisticians noted 73 cases less, or a 10.31 % decrease from 708 to 635 cases.
And as to crimes against person, only physical injuries and homicide showed significant increases in 2017 with 35 incidents more from 94 in 2016 to 129 and from 2 to 4 in 2o17 respectively.
The rest, like murder and rape decreased: 9 incidents less for rape and 7 incidents less for murder.
And as to crimes against property, except for cattle rustling which showed 6 cases over none in 2016, robbery, theft and carnapping each enjoyed 16 less, 102 less and 22 less cases for robbery, theft and carnapping.
Except for other non index crimes which showed a significant increase of 29 cases increase in 2017, crimes against special laws and traffic related incidents registered huge down trends.
Crimes against special laws registered 23 incidents less in 2017 while traffic related incidents scored highest with 90 cases less this year. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
Crimes are going down despite an anti drug drive which several people ascribe to killings and abuses, police data at the PPOC showed. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
