Chiz to US: pay P58-M reef penalty in cash, not kind

By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
April 25, 2013

PASAY CITY – The United States government should pay up in cash on the P58 million penalty imposed on the US Navy vessel that ran aground and caused damage in the World Heritage site Tubbataha Reef while at the same time called on the government to reject US suggestions to settle its obligations in kind.

“I insist that the US government pays up in cash, the suggestion that they would settle their obligations through donations or aid loans are not acceptable. They should follow what the Philippine law required for the incident,” he said.

“Even if the return from the offer to pay in kind would be bigger than the actual fine, it remains unacceptable since what is provided in the law should be followed,” Escudero said.

Agreeing to the US government suggestion that it provide aid instead of paying a fine is equivalent to accepting that the USS Guardian should not be held accountable for the destruction it caused on Tubbataha Reef, according to Escudero.

“The law already imposed an inequitably small fine compared to the damage caused on the reef and it would not help in protecting the resource if the government allows to waive the fine in favor of other considerations being offered by the US government,” Escudero said.

“Increasing the penalty on the damage to the country’s protected resources would be part of my agenda in the next Congress,” he added.

Last January 17, the US Navy minesweeper ran aground at the Tubbataha Reef supposedly on its way to Indonesia after a port call at Subic Bay. The US Navy took two months to dismantle and extricate the military vessel from the reef.

Escudero said it is not about the amount that the country will get from the United States but it is all about following the law. It is all about the principle of respect between two allies, he said.

“I don’t buy the alibi given by the US Navy that the compass of the vessel failed to function and it lost its way when it rammed the reef, even Christopher Columbus used only a compass in discovering the New World. How can a modern American war vessel be sailing aimlessly?,” Escudero said.

Escudero said the penalty imposed on the US Navy vessel should also be the same for Chinese fishing vessel that also rammed the reef recently.

“The penalty imposed on vessels that cause destruction to the country’s protected areas should, however, be increased since the fine under the current law is too small compared to the actual damage caused,” Escudero said.

Escudero noted that the government had already installed improved radar capabilities in the area to detect any intruding vessels in the Tubbataha Reef area.

Two more gun ban violators nabbed in EV

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
April 23, 2013

Camp Sec. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte – With barely three weeks before the elections, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) arrested two more persons for gun ban violations in Southern Leyte on Friday night.

PRO8 Director Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria identified the suspects as Joel Famor y Tabar alias Jojo, 44, married and a resident of Brgy. Gakat, Libagon, Southern Leyte and Renato Dagaas y Cupan alias Nato, 40, married and a resident of Brgy Maac, Sogod, also in Southern Leyte who were arrested for carrying high-powered firearms.

“The accomplishments in implementing the gun ban is an indication that the security plan we have laid out in coordination with the different government agencies is adequate for the purpose of ensuring secured and fair elections,” Soria said.

This brings to 104 the arrested gun ban violators in Eastern Visayas since the start of election period on January 13 this year with 85 firearms of assorted calibers confiscated and 86 cases filed in different courts throughout the region.

Soria informed that at around 10:30 PM on Friday, Brgy. Chairman Roberto Cabelin of Brgy. Himakilo, Bontoc, Southern Leyte personally reported to Bontoc Municipal Police Station about the presence of two men carrying long firearms at the vicinity of Sitio Tabunok in Brgy Guinsangan.

A police team led by PInsp. Richel Collado immediately proceeded to the area to check the veracity of the report which resulted to the apprehension of the suspects.

Recovered from the two were one Colt caliber 5.56 mm M4A1 assault rifle more popularly known as “baby armalite” bearing serial number 3399617 loaded with a magazine with ten live ammunitions and one caliber 7.62 mm improvised M14 rifle with Chinese markings loaded with one magazine with ten live ammunitions.

“An investigation is underway on the possible connections of the suspects to some politicians or criminal groups in the area,” Soria added.

Suspects and the confiscated firearms were brought to Bontoc police station for proper disposition while a case for violation Presidential Decree number 1866 as amended by Republic Act 8294 in relation to COMELEC Resolution Number 9561-A is being prepared for filing in court against them, he averred.

Government troops preempted NPAs’ extortion activities

By 20th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
April 23, 2013

BRGY. MAGSAYSAY, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar – The troops of 20th Infantry (We Lead) Battalion, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army has preempted NPA extortion activities in the areas of Northern Samar after they have successfully driven the armed groups away from the populace in the area.

Through the relentless conduct of massive and sustained combat operations, the government troops has dislodged the presence of armed NPA bandits that was reportedly extorting money from the populace in the hinterland barangays. As a result of combat operations and with the information provided by the people, an abandoned communist terrorist’s camp was discovered by government security forces at Sitio Dakong Sapa, Buenasuerte, Victoria, Northern Samar at around 11:20 in the morning today, April 23, 2013.

Lieutenant Colonel Noel A. Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer, in his report to 803rd Brigade Commander, Colonel Rolando Malinao, said his troops were dispatched to track down the reported enemy presence in the area as reported by the residents in the barangay.

According to reports, an undetermined number of armed communist terrorists were roaming in the barangays, to enforce their Permit to Campaign and Permit to Win scheme to political candidates who are campaigning in the interior barangays and collecting money and food stuffs from the residents.

According to LTC Vestuir, the camp was discovered by the operating troops of 20IB led by 2LT Michael Eria. The camp has thirty (30) bunkers that can accommodate more or less sixty (60) communist terrorists, one (1) kitchen, one (1) comfort room, and has been abandoned by the CTs for about two weeks as they evade armed engagement with the operating troops.

Vestuir added that it is already the eight (8) NPA camps that were discovered by 20IB troops in the area of 1st district of Northern Samar for this year.

“Although we were not able to catch them, we have prevented them from staging their terroristic activities, we have driven them away from the peace-loving people, we have dislodged them from their base and we have prevented them from influencing the safe conduct of election. With the continuing support of the people, we are optimistic that it would not be long, that we could neutralize these armed terrorists. Before this would happen, we call on them to lay down their arms for them to once again live peaceful and normal lives along with their families”, LTC Vestuir concluded.

Cut discretion, red tape, to reduce graft - Chiz

By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
April 23, 2013

PASAY CITY – Equating discretion to corruption, Senator Chiz Escudero said the results of the Report Card Survey (RCS) of the Civil Service Commission showing some 150 government offices miserably mired in red tape was a testament to the deep-seated culture that breeds corrupt practices in government.

“I have always advocated that discretion equals corruption and cutting red tape is putting a stop to discretion,” Escudero said.

Based on the RCS, those who failed the efficiency test were offices of the Government Service Insurance System, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Butuan City branch), Philippine Postal Corp. (Butuan City branch), National Bureau of Investigation (ARMM and Butuan City branches), Bureau of Fire Protection (Baguio City branch) and eight branches of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The study was conducted by the CSC last year.

Escudero said red tape has been a persistent problem that hounds every administration.

“Discretion multiplies at the same rate that an official’s signature is affixed to a document, thus, reducing red tape is in itself removing invitation to corrupt practices,” he said.

“In a technologically advanced paperless world, it’s a big mystery why it is still necessary to have an average of 10 signatures on documents to transact with the government and to have the signatories decide on the fate of the person seeking to avail of government service,” Escudero lamented.

He said that while many private now transact business online, those that seek to secure permits or licenses still face the ordeal of carrying bundles of documents to be signed or initialed by up to 30 government functionaries in some cases.

Escudero cited the RCS result on 11 BOC regional offices nationwide in which only its main office in the Port of Manila earned a “good” rating.

“Discretion is involved in the evaluation and determination of what shipments to withhold or release, what cargos should undergo x-ray inspection, what items will have to be imposed additional requirements on top of the basic set of what is required under the law,” Escudero said.

“There are several areas that Customs bureau should identify where discretion is present to allow the crafting of a law to lessen it,” Escudero said.

“It is the job of the Senate to improve the system through legislation to reduce the instances of red tape in Customs bureau and in any other agencies,” Escudero added.

He said that agencies should veer away from resorting to publicity campaigns in improving their image instead of actually improving the services they render.

The CSC survey was based on frontline services delivery, service quality, physical working condition, and overall client satisfaction on government offices.

DA trains East Visayas farmers on OPV corn seed production, certification

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
April 22, 2013

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte – The Department of Agriculture recently trained agricultural extension workers and twenty farmer leaders on the production and certification of Open Pollinated Variety of corn seeds in order to ensure the ready and available corn seeds in the Region.

DA-8 Regional Executive Director Antonio Gerundio said that the activity is in line with the nationwide campaign of the department to increase the production of high quality corn seeds.

The five (5) day intensive training which was held on April 8-12, 2013 at the Agricultural Training Institute, Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC 8), Baybay City, Leyte, was also part of the overall capability building efforts for local extension workers to improve their delivery of adequate and client-responsive corn extension services.

The training participants were expected to gain knowledge and skills on the OPV corn seed production such as its protocol, the different varieties, characteristics and selection techniques, and the policies, guidelines, procedures and techniques in crop production and management for certification purposes.

Resource speakers who were invited to enlighten the participants on the various topics included Mr. Uldarico C. Amihan of the Regional Seed Quality Control Services (RSQCS), Dr. Othello B. Capuno of the Visayas State University (VSU), Dr. Benito S. Andaya of BPI-NSQCS, Dr. Daniel Leslie Tan of PhilRootcrops, and DA-8 officials Mr. Fabian Aldiano, Mr. Juanito Baring, Ms Nemia Israel, Engr. Melecia Gordillo, MsNilda Robin, Mr. Arturo Bacoy and Ms Elvira Hipe, Mr. Francis Rosaroso, DA Information chief said.

After the lecture-discussion, an action planning followed to operationalize the learnings of the participants, Mr. Rosaroso said.

The participants also had a tour to the DA-8’s Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center at Babatngon, Leyte for their practicum on field inspection and rouging.

They were likewise exposed to the procedures in seed certification being conducted by the National Seed Quality Control Services laboratory.

Aside from the capability building of program partners which contributes to increasing performance of the sector, the Corn Program of the Department of Agriculture also provides support for the production of quality corn seeds and cassava seed pieces, management of technology-based production systems, provision of pre- and postharvest facilities and equipment, and strengthening of farmers’ organizations, Mr. Rosaroso added.

Corn production in the region for calendar year 2012 was 87,333 MT. This was 3.98% higher than the 2011 level of 83,992 MT, the Department of Agriculture Region 8 said.

CSC bares anti-red tape survey results

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
April 22, 2013

GOVERNMENT CENTER, Palo, Leyte – The Civil Service Commission in Eastern Visayas said that the results of the frontline service checks made by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) through the Report Card Survey (RCS) in 2012 show that of the 599 government offices surveyed, 50 offices obtained an Excellent rating.

Ms. Rosalie Taon, CSC information officer, told the Philippine Information Agency that per information gathered from the CSC Central Office, Excellent is the highest in the scale with scores from 90 to 100.

Some 150 offices failed or scored below 70; a total of 309 offices got a rating of Good, with numerical scores between 80 to 89.99; while 90 offices received an Acceptable rating with a score of 70-79.99.

Among those surveyed were government offices in Eastern Visayas, the CSC Information officer disclosed.

Of the 50 offices that were rated Excellent, 33 are branches or service offices of national government agencies, namely, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Land Registration Authority, and Land Transportation Office, while 17 offices are branches or service offices of government-owned and controlled corporations, namely, Home Development Mutual Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Social Security System.

Ms. Taon said that as lead implementer of Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007, the CSC conducts a survey among government offices to gather feedback on the effectiveness of and compliance with the anti-red tape measures of government agencies.

The Report Card Survey checks on the agency’s compliance with ARTA provisions, physical working condition, frontline service provider, service quality, and overall customer satisfaction, Ms. Taon said.

It was learned that the area where most agencies failed is that of compliance with ARTA provisions which include posting of Citizen’s Charter in conspicuous areas, posting of anti-fixer signs, a manned public assistance desk, observance of no noon break policy, no hidden fees in frontline transactions, and wearing of IDs of frontline personnel.

The Civil Service Commission under the leadership of Chairman Francisco Duque III, is serious in doing its job as mandated by law, Ms. Taon said saying that the CSC does the rounds in all agencies and offices which means all branches, fields offices and satellite offices are subjected to the RCS.

The complete list of the 2012 ARTA RCS results is posted in the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph, Ms. Taon said.

PRO8: P1.15-M illegal drugs seized in anti-drug ops in EV

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
April 19, 2013

CAMP SEC. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – At least P1.15 million worth of illegal drugs was seized in the first quarter of 2013, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) said Friday, as a 32-year old jobless man was the latest addition to the list of suspected drug pushers arrested by the police in anti-illegal drugs operations in Eastern Visayas.

Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, PRO8 Regional Director ordered unit commanders to continue to hit hard to sustain the momentum in going after illegal drugs in urban centers and the countryside.

“This is a good sign that we are on the right track in sustaining a year-long war against illegal drugs,” he said.

The top police official added that 60 drug personalities were arrested by anti-illegal drug operatives in 39 police operations resulting in the confiscation of 97.61 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” and 127.26 grams of dried marijuana leaves with a total street value of P1,158,792.90.

Soria added that PRO8 had filed a total of 39 cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) on trial in different courts throughout the region.

The police regional director further informed that at around 11:30 P.M. on Tuesday, a notorious drug pusher was nabbed by operatives of Police Station 1, Ormoc City Police Office in a buy-bust operation llong Bonifacio St., District III, Ormoc City.

A police team led by PCInsp. Ibrahim Jambiran, Jr, arrested one Glenn Tidalgo y Kho, 32, single of Sitio Kalipay, Brgy Cogon, Ormoc City.

Recovered from the suspect were 4 small heat-sealed small transparent plastic sachet containing “shabu” and the P500.00 bill used as buy-bust money with serial number WX769301.

Suspect is currently detained at Ormoc CPO lock-up cell while drug charges are being prepared against him, the region’s top cop averred.

“We will conduct more police operations complemented by periodic dialogue with community leaders to obtain their support in our anti-drug campaign,” Soria added.

PRO8 captures Calbiga jail escapee

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
April 18, 2013

CAMP SEC. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) recaptured a man facing several charges who bolted out of a police lock-up cell in Samar early this year.

Wilson Cabigayan was a subject of police manhunt after escaping from his guards at the Calbiga Municipal Police Station on February 17, said Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria, PRO8 Regional Director.

“A breakthrough came when Cabigayan himself was victimized in a shooting incident in Hinabangan, an adjacent town of Calbiga also in Samar,” Soria informed.

Reports reaching PRO8 disclosed that at around 6:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 16, Cabigayan’s mother Gregoria reported to Hinabangan Municipal Police Station seeking police assistance as his son, Wilfredo, was shot by 3 unidentified persons while dancing during the vesper night dance in Brgy Dalosdosan, Hinabangan, Samar earlier at around 3:00 A.M.

The elder Cabigayan further informed that her son was being transported to a hospital in Tacloban City for medical attention due to the gunshot wounds he sustained.

Acting on the report, Hinabangan police chief PSInsp. Edwin Tolibas immediately coordinated with Calbiga police station for the arrest of the victim, knowing that Cabigayan is a fugitive facing criminal charges for Rape, Attempted Homicide and violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 6 or Illegal Possession of Bladed Weapon.

Joint elements of Hinabangan and Calbiga police stations immediately put-up a chokepoint along the national highway in Brgy. Rawis in Hinabangan as a possible route of Cabigayan and at around 6:30 A.M. he was arrested by the police upon passing in the area.

The lawmen brought the arrested escapee to a hospital of Tacloban City where he is now undergoing medication.