2 new battalion
commanders installed in 8ID
By DPAO, 8ID PA
January 24, 2016
CAMP GENERAL VICENTE
LUKBAN, Catbalogan City, Samar – Maj. Gen. Jet B. Velarmino,
Commander 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army
presided the joint change of command ceremony of 14th and 20th
Infantry Battalions on January 21, 2016 at the 8ID Multi-Purpose hall.
The newly installed
commander of 14th Infantry (Avenger) Battalion is Lt Col. Ronie T
Ebarita INF (GSC) PA replacing Lt. Col. Peter B Burgonio INF (GSC) PA
who will assume as division staff.
Lt. Col. Ebarita was
previously assigned in Camp Lapu Lapu in Cebu City, a well-rounded
military officer which led numerous peace-building efforts in Central
Visayas Region.
He earned his Bachelor’s
Degree in Elementary Education in Tanjay, Negros Occidental and Master
of Public Management in Development Academy of the Philippines in
Ortigas Center, Pasig City as well as Command and General Staff Course
in Armed Forces of the Philippines, Command and General Staff College
in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The newly installed
commander of 20th Infantry (We Lead) Battalion is Lt. Col. Hilarion G.
Palma INF (GSC) PA replacing Lt. Col. Miguel E. Ceballos INF (GSC) PA
who will assume also as division staff.
Lt. Col. Palma was
previously assigned in General Headquarters Support Command Armed
Forces of the Philippines in the National Capital Region. He is a
service oriented and dynamic military officer which led numerous
developmental initiatives in Luzon.
He earned his Bachelor of
Science in Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City and masteral
degree in Public Management Program Major in Development and Security
in Development Academy of the Philippines in Ortigas Center, Pasig
City.
Both newly installed
commanders earned numerous significant awards from civilian and
government sectors, as well as decorations for their excellent
achievements that contributed much to the attainment of our vision of
a World Class Army that is a source of National Pride by 2028.
NMP is up to a good
start in 2016: 247 trainees as of January 15
Press Release
January 22, 2016
TACLOBAN CITY – The
National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), a government maritime training
and research agency located at Brgy. Cabalawan, Tacloban City,
accommodated as of January 15, 2016 a total of 247 maritime trainees
who are either aspirants to become seafarers, active seafarers or
maritime instructors and assessors.
Out of the total, 204 (83%)
took the Basic Courses such as Basic Training (BT), Proficiency in
Survival Craft and Rescue Boat other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSCRB),
Basic Training Refresher (BTR), Basic Training Updating (BTU) and
Safety Training for Boat Captain and Marine Diesel Mechanic. The
remaining 43 (17%) enrolled in the Ratings Forming Part of Engineering
Watch (RFPEW), Medical Emergency First Aid (MEFA) and Training Course
for Instructors (IMO Model Course 6.09) modules.
As of 15 January, 165 (67%)
have finished their trainings while the other 82 (33%) will finish on
22 January 2016.
This is a well-grounded
start for the agency since full-swing in training operations started
last July 2015 only. It is expected that the number of enrollees will
accelerate in the next few months with the opening of more Standards
of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)
courses.
In the interim, NMP is
addressing the observations raised by the Maritime Industry Authority
(MARINA) in connection with its application for accreditation of
additional 5 courses namely: Refresher Training for PSCRB, Refresher
Training for Advanced Firefighting (AFF), Refresher Training for
Personal Survival Technique (PST) and Fire Prevention and Firefighting
(FPFF), Updating Training for Personal Safety and Social
Responsibility (PSSR) and General Operator’s Course for Global
Maritime Distress Signal System (GOC for GMDSS).
In its effort to contribute
in providing employment to Filipinos especially the seafarers, NMP
continues to upgrade its facilities and provide quality maritime
trainings required pursuant to the Standards of Training,
Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.
The NMP encourages those
interested to avail of its maritime training programs to visit the NMP
facebook page (facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) and website
www.nmp.gov.ph where all related information on NMP trainings are
available.
Cops arrest 3
suspects in robbery-hold up in Dolores, Eastern Samar
By RPCRD, Police Regional
Office 8
January 22, 2016
CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON,
Campetic, Palo, Leyte – PCSupt. Jose Erwin T. Villacorte lauds the
local police in Dolores, Eastern Samar, for apprehending suspects in a
robbery hold-up incident at Brgy. Bonghon, Dolores, yesterday.
As a result of the hot
pursuit operations, the three suspects were arrested and identified as
Ronilo Rivera, Benjamin Bagas, of legal age, both residents of Brgy
Taboc, Borongan, Eastern Samar and the reported mastermind Rolito
Amongo y Cillo, 36 years old, married and a resident of Brgy Balud 2,
Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
PCSupt. Villacorte added
that robbery incident happened at about 7:00 A.M. of January 21, 2016
at Brgy. Bonghon, Dolores, Eastern Samar victimizing Geraldine Rufin,
24, resident of Merida, Leyte; Raymar Cuyos, 25, resident of Ormoc
City, both employees of Binabaye Multipurpose Cooperative (BMPC) and
Janet Bula y Ballan, 32 years old, single, DSWD employee and a
resident of Brgy Balud 2, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
Initial investigation
disclosed that while victims were on their way to the Municipality of
Maslog, Eastern Samar, on board a motorized Banca, when the suspects
armed with Cal. 45 pistol, on board another boat blocked their way and
declared hold-up. The robbers carted away a total amount of P1,204,300.00 which was supposedly to be distributed to the 4P’s (Pantawid
Pampamilyang Pilipino Program) recipients of Maslog.
The initial arrest of two
suspects was the result of the pursuit operations by the Joint
elements of Maslog and Dolores Police Stations that also resulted to
subsequent arrest of the mastermind. The suspects were positively
identified by the victims at Dolores MPS and pointed to Amongo as
mastermind.
Recovered from the suspects
were one (1) Honda TMX 155 with no plate number; one (1) Motorized
Banca; one (1) .45 cal pistol; one (1) magazine assembly loaded with
six (6) live ammos of .45 cal; two (2) cellphones; and cash amounting
to P654,000.00.
Criminal Case of Robbery,
illegal possession of firearms and violation of COMELEC gun ban are
now being prepared against the suspects.
The Acting Regional Director
lauded the accomplishment of PNP Dolores and Maslog. He said, their
immediate action manifest their deep sense of commitment to put
criminals behind bars.
Likewise, the PNP encourages
the public to immediately report any relevant information to police
patrolling on the streets, to the nearest police stations and through
the social media (Twitter - @Pro8Pcrd or Facebook Page –
ruperto_kangleon) or through the following: Dial 117 or text 2920;
RPCRD 09173238683/09088146421; RTOC 09173114794/09478907155 and
Isumbong Mo Kay Tsip 09178475757.
Chiz asks MILF:
Help secure NGCP towers to avert poll failure in Mindanao
By Office of Senator Chiz
Escudero
January 21, 2016
PASAY CITY – The Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should play an active role to ensure
the coming May elections will push through in Mindanao by helping
secure the transmission towers of the National Grid Corp. of the
Philippines (NGCP) that have been the subject of at least 17 bomb
attacks since last year.
“There can be no better time
for the MILF to show good faith and sincerity than now when the BBL (Bangsamoro
Basic Law) is under consideration in the legislature,” said Sen.
Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the leading vice-presidential candidate in
the May polls.
Escudero said that while the
NGCP has issued urgent appeals to the military, police and local
residents to help secure its towers, the MILF should take it upon
itself to be involved in the security since most of the bombed
transmission towers are located in its bailiwick, particularly the
provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
“These are the areas where
the MILF has presence and wields some form of authority. Surely, they
will be in a position to secure the NGCP towers,” Escudero explained.
As of last week, at least 17
NGCP towers have already been bombed by unidentified suspects,
although many residents have blamed the renegade Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) for most of the attacks.
Escudero said the BIFF
involvement is an issue that could be contained by the MILF since many
of its officials and members have relatives and friends aligned with
the group.
“Baka pwedeng arburin na
lang ng MILF sa BIFF ‘yung mga NGCP towers ‘wag lang maputol ang
kuryente at maantala ang eleksyon sa Mayo,” Escudero said.
At the same time, Escudero
said the MILF could also be “instrumental in settling, negotiating for
and mediating land claims and zonal problems which have kept the NGCP
from throwing a more reliable blanket security around its towers.”
“With its formidable and
respected position in Muslim society, the MILF could also intervene in
these matters to assure the uninterrupted and efficient operation of
the NGCP which will tantamount to peace, order and development in that
part of Mindanao,” he averred.
The NGCP and President
Aquino himself have lamented that land claims, zonal problems and
unreasonable land owners have stood in the way of the power
transmission firm’s objective to provide constant power to Mindanao.
“The MILF holds the key to
solving these problems. And should the BBL come into fruition, the
MILF leaders should start considering themselves as partners in
progress, especially in the power industry,” Escudero said.
Stormtroopers hold
donning of ranks to newly promoted officers
By DPAO, 8ID PA
January 20, 2016
CAMP VICENTE LUKBAN, Catbalogan City – To
acknowledge the achievement of the newly promoted officers and
eligible personnel, the Division Commander of the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers)
Division represented by the Assistant Division Commander, dons the
ranks and pins the Personnel Readiness Badge of concerned personnel
during the Flag Raising Ceremony, Monday.
Col. Cesar M. Idio INF (GSC) PA, donned the rank of Colonel to Lt.
Col. Rey Anthony M. Tumaliuan GSC (INF) PA and to Lt. Col. Rodrigo M.
Ilustrisimo GSC (INF) PA.
Col. Idio also administered the pinning of Personnel Readiness Badge
to all deserving personnel. He congratulated all the officers and
enlisted men and wished them all the very best in their respective
endeavors.
Subsequent to the ceremony
was the warm welcome and formal introduction of newly assigned
officers to the unit, namely: Lt. Col. Rodrigo A. Ecleto INF (GSC) PA,
Lt. Col Roberto B. Sarmiento INF (GSC) PA, Maj. Charlie L. Saclot
(INF) PA, Capt. Veil Reagan B. Menil, Capt. Dennis M. Tafalia, and 2nd
Lieutenant Russel U. Borres.
The newly assigned officers
will beef up the Stormtroopers personnel and operational capabilities
as it continues to uphold its mandate of winning peace in Eastern
Visayas.
Japanese engineers
and technicians return to NMP
Press Release
January 20, 2016
TACLOBAN CITY –
Japanese marine systems engineers and technicians from the Terasaki
Electric Co., Ltd. return to the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP),
at Brgy. Cabalawan, Tacloban City, on January 11, 2015 to continue the
commissioning of the Engine Room Simulator (ERS), an equipment vital
in the conduct of the Ratings Forming Part of Engineering Watch (RFPEW)
maritime training.
The technical team is
composed of Takuya Mitsushio, Masayoshi Jeda and Hiromo Katayama who
are currently testing and commissioning the equipment to ensure the
functionality in accordance to its design.
It can be recalled that the
simulator was among those equipment damaged last November 8, 2013. The
replacement of the simulator is part of the assistance by the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the implementation of the
NMP’s Programme for Rehabilitation and Recovery from Super-typhoon
Yolanda.
Among the important features
of the upgraded simulator is its capability to provide assessment
grades without human intervention which is a requirement of the
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), according to Engr. Ponciano V.
Trinidad, NMP Maritime Training Specialist IV.
The upgraded simulator will
enhance the delivery of quality trainings. More particularly, it will
provide trainees with hands-on experience in watch-keeping duties in a
more realistic engine room setting. Likewise, it will be an important
technology for other advanced simulator-based trainings that the NMP
intends to offer within the first semester this year.
In its effort to contribute
in providing employment to Filipinos especially the seafarers, NMP
continues to upgrade its facilities and provide quality maritime
trainings required pursuant to the Standards of Training,
Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.
The NMP encourages those
interested to avail of its maritime training programs to visit the NMP
facebook page (facebook.com/nmptrainingcenter) and website
www.nmp.gov.ph where all related information on NMP trainings are
available.
Samar I boosted
93.96% completion on CY 2015 infra projects
By ARDEL S. MALANOG, DPWH
Samar I
January 20, 2015
CALBAYOG CITY – DPWH
Samar I closed CY 2015 with 93.96% actual completion on all
infrastructure projects under General Appropriation Act (GAA).
Posted and verified to
record on December 31, 2015, Samar I concluded the year with an 8.96%
mark over the physical target of 85% on all GAA infrastructure
projects for CY 2015.
Rehabilitation,
reconstruction and upgrading of damaged paved national roads,
construction of diversion roads, bridges and local infrastructures,
roads widening, off-carriage improvement and construction and
maintenance of flood mitigation structures and drainage systems are
among the projects under GAA that were completed in CY 2015. Said
projects have a total programmed amount of P1,425,572,500.
As for projects with
external funding under the Convergence Program, Samar I closed the CY
2015 at 54.05% accomplishment. These projects which include the
construction of classrooms, access roads leading to Calbayog Airport,
Calbayog City as well as the repair and maintenance of national
buildings have an approximate programmed amount of P624,651,000.
Consistent to the assurance
given during the press conference held last November 2015, District
Engineer Virgilio C. Eduarte will continue to monitor and supervise
the remaining projects under CY 2015 with the assistance of the
assigned project engineers.
Romulo urges
universities, colleges to set up crime prevention units in campuses
By Office of Cong. Roman T. Romulo
January 20, 2016
QUEZON CITY – Pasig Rep.
Roman Romulo today called on university authorities to set up
dedicated units that will address the safety and security of students
in campuses throughout the country.
"Security and safety issues, by their very nature, are urgent concerns
that should be quickly addressed by university authorities with the
assistance of the police," he said.
"If there is unease in campuses because of crime or threats of
violence, these will disrupt the academic life of students and
teachers," said Romulo, who chairs the House Committee on Higher and
Technical Education.
He cited the recent case of an 18-year old UP Diliman freshman who was
supposed to pay his tuition but went missing last week.
Romulo lauded UP authorities for quickly acting on the report filed by
parents of the missing student but pointed out the need to prevent
such incidents from happening.
"We need to be proactive, to come up with measures that will
discourage criminal elements from victimizing students and other
members of the academic community in campus and in the areas around
these institutions of learning," he said.
Romulo is the principal sponsor of House Bill 3898, the Campus Safety
and Security Act, which is now on third reading in the House of
Representatives.
The bill requires all public and private Higher Educational
Institutions (HEIs) to create a crime prevention committee to "promote
the safety and security of all students, from external and internal
threats, such as theft, robbery, rape and other forms of violence."
