MISAMIS NEWS DIGEST

Mayor Ando, gilugwayan ang community quarantine

2020-03-31T19:21:00.005-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY—Sugod karong adlawa, Abril 1, moinat pa ug katorse ka adlaw ang community quarantine (CQ), mao kini hukom ni Mayor Ando Oaminal.

Gianunsiyo ni Oaminal ang iyang executive order kagahapon kabahin niini.

Didto sa bag-o niyang EO, gibutang sa mayor ang paglugway usab sa mga dili angay buhaton ug asa kutob lamang ang buhaton nga maoy unod sa nahaunang mga executive orders nga iyang gipagawas.

Kini tanan maoy paglantaw sa corona virus nga dili makasulod sa dakbayan. Pareha ra gihapon ang nakalatid, dugang sa mayor, striktohon lang pagpatuman ug kinahanglan tumanon sa tanan.

Hangtod karong adlawa, kamulo pa ang pagpanghatag sa mga relief goods sa tanang household sa siyudad.

Sa iyang facebook post, gibutyag sa mayor nga niadtong Sabado, miabot 15 na ka barangay ang nalibot pagpanghatag sa mga BHW ug iyang mga tawo sa hilit nga mga barangay ug kabukirang bahin. Karong adlawa, nabantayan sila nga anaa na Brgy. Lam-an.

Sa impormasyong nakuha, ang relief goods gilangkoban sa 10 kilos sa bugas, 10 ka canned sardines ug one-half kilo nga bihon.

Personal kini nga itunol sa mga kabalayan sa tagsa-tagsa ka putos ug dawaton sa pultahan lamang aron malikayan ang panagtapok ug ma-obserba ang social distancing.

Ang pagpanghatag sa mga relief goods apil ang hiniusang tampo nila ni Gov. Philip Tan ug 2^nd District Rep. Henry Oaminal.

“Magtinabangay kita, ang pagpang hatag sa relief goods kinahanglan kada household and makadawat. Walay pili, dili kada pamilya,” matod ni Oaminal.

Kung ang household wala makadawat, mao na ang panahon nga pahibaloon ang executive assistant ni Oaminal nga si Rino Karlo Lim. Dili pwede ang moreklamo daan unya wala pa diay nalista.

“Hulaton nato mahuman ug wala ba gyud naapil. Kung on-going pa, ayaw sa mo pag message. Hulata nga maapil ang inyong barangay sa lista nga na-declare nga nahuman na. Kung nakadawat na mo, ayaw na usab pag message,” pagpatin-aw niya.

“Kining atong krisis karon, dili ta mag malamposon kung dili kita magkahiusa. Undang na sa pag-pangdaot kay wala kitay maabot. Undang na ta sa pag-pangaway, kay ang virus dili nato diha mapatay, dugang sulti ni Oaminal.

“Kung nag kulang man gani pagpanglista, hinaot sabton nato ni. Tabangan nato ma-insakto ug sundon nato ang saktong mga pamaagi. Mag-ampo kita nga giyahan ug protektahan kanunay,” panapos niya. ( M. MEDINA via DEXTER MANUGAS)

Stay in your homes until help arrive, mayor asks residents

2020-03-31T18:01:00.001-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY-Mayor Ando Oaminal has asked residents to support his policy and stop arguing with him.

Yesterday, he boosted hopes of many by making clear the receipt of relief goods from the city.

It's for every household, not every family. There are other group of people living together in one house or family. This is obvious.

Just wait for your turn to receive as the mayor has organized everything, starting from those really in need.

Don't complain to me if you are not yet given, Oaminal suggested.

"Dili ta magmalampuson kung dili ta maghiusa," he said in a post in facebook.

"Mag-ampo kita nga (giyahan) ug protekhan," he added. (M.MEDINA)

2 PUIs confirned positive in Zambosur

2020-03-30T03:12:00.003-07:00

PAGADIAN CITY—Here’s what everyone in the province is anticipating nervously. Governor Victor Yu has confirmed today, March 30, that they have two persons under investigation (PUI) who are positive at last.

Yu said the two PUIs have symptoms for COVID-19. One is a 52-year-old man from Labangan, who had gone from Taguig and Zamboanga cities. The other is a 62-year-old woman who went to Manila and arrived here early March.

Dr. Anatalio Cagampang, Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center (ZSMC) chief of hospital said the elderly man from Labangan is presently confined there since March 17.

The man exhibited cough, sore throat, fever and colds, sure COVID-19 symptoms after his arrival at the hospital and had been placed in ZSMC’s isolation area.

The woman PUI who came from Manila complained of having cough, sore throat and colds to them last March 19.

Cagampang said the two PUI patients are both physically able and not severe as the province immediately deployed a team to conduct contact tracing for persons who may have been exposed to the two transmitter of the disease.

The governor said that these two positive cases in the province will not incite the Zamboanga del Sur Task Force COVID-19 into action and order a lockdown in the province for now.

Yu said he will just order the intensification of security patrols along the borders of the province on instances of people from other places from entering.

Latest update from Zamboanga del Sur listed a total of 6 PUI patients confined in hospitals for a total of 74 PUIs; with 1 PUI discharged. A total of 4,079 are persons under monitoring (PUMs) and 923 PUMs have completed their 14-day quarantine. (m.medina)

Isay says her love for Clarin overwhelms her

2019-04-21T19:27:00.002-07:00

By Michael Medina

Chief Editor

Misamis News Digest

Clarin, Misoc—Running for mayor may be tough but it is easy getting there if you have the inspiration to win; bolstered by your love and dedication to serve the people, Marisa “Isay” Long Villa said.

“Gusto ko mag-promote ug peace and order, kanang adunay kalinaw, pakighiusa ug pakigsandurot sa tanan regardless of political colors,” she said in an interview.

“Ang butang nga naka patukmod nako nga modagan kini ang gugma nako sa lungsod,” she added.

Villa said that growing up in her hometown has guaranteed what she is today, with the many of the same familiar faces from her childhood and what she’s been up to, even without the benefit of being luxurious.

“Kining lumad ta nga nagpuyo sa usa ka lugar, nailhan nato halos tanang tawo, atoang mga kadugo, halos tanan paryente hinungdan nga masud-ong nato ang ilang kahimtang,” Villa stressed.

“Atong nasuroy ang Clarin sukad sa gamay pa ta, dula-dula sa mga suuk-suuk nga lugar ug dili malikayan nga makalantaw dili lang sa atong kaugalingon kondili sa uban usab.”

She clarified that this didn’t stunt her emotional maturity as she sees now is the time to actually “grow up” and be responsible.

“Moabot atong panahon ba nga mohamtong atong edad, mag-expand sad ang panglantaw nato sa kinabuhi nga kinahanglan kita mo-share sa atong kahibalo ngadto sa mga tawo kay atoa silang gihigugma,” she said.

“Hatagan nato sila ug good governance, not only made possible through infrastuctures kondili mga nindot nga projects nga anaay impact sa kada pamilya,” she outlines her blueprint.

Villa shared a decent civil society’s basic needs include safe water, food, medical care, environmental conservation and education and all these is what a new governance in her town must meet.

“Wala man nagkulang ang gobyerno karon but the implementation must reach all sector of the general public, especially those who need it most,” she ended.

ZPPI re-elects new execs to comply with SEC law

2019-03-28T20:10:00.005-07:00

By Michael Medina

THE PHILIPPINE PREVIEW

The Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian Press Club Inc. (ZPPI) recently elected its new set of officers in a special meeting held at Hotel Guillermo last March 23, Saturday.

In a press statement sent to The Philippine Preview, the ZPPI disclosed the election of Joan Guangco (Radyo Bagting) as the new president while Don Sherwin Lu (Pagadian Times) is the vice president.

Other elected officers are Leah Agonoy (Philippine Daily Inquirer) as secretary; Charnyl Albaracin (Hardline Publications) as treasurer; Manny Maulana (InfoLink) as auditor and Jay Apales (One TV Philippines) as PIO.

The members of the Board of Directors are Analiza Lu (Pagadian Times), Tony Bagalando (DXWO Radyo Bisdak), Aude Hampong (GMA-7), Leo Santillan (One TV Philippines), Gideon Corgue (Philippine Information Agency) and Efren Superal (STV).

In her message, Guangco urged fellow media members to forge unity, support the organization and take the lead in enhanced and honest reporting despite the diversity efforts and individual relationships among the group.

She likewise said ZPPI must use its capability in enhancing social consistency and refrain from inciting hatred, explaining the impact of the media on social solidarity is to promote ethical responsibility among practitioners by directing their efforts towards positive uses and make constructive criticisms among fellow members in times of challenges.

In a message, Albarracin also said he is grateful for the initiatives of Remai Alejado, former ZPPI president and founding chair, for the determination to address ZPPI’s concern on the supposedly extended term of the serving president which has already ended last December 2018, citing the group’s by-laws,

In another message to this paper, Alejado said she wanted help ZPPI actions together so that the group can file its reports with the SEC.

Under the law, all registered stock and non-stock corporations, foundations, associations, non-government and religious organizations and other entities are required by the SEC to submit on a regular or special basis. The SEC will penalize those who fail to file promptly.

To date, ZPPI has more or less 60 active members.

Imee Marcos bats for 60-40 IRA sharing

2019-01-13T19:46:00.001-08:00

Pagadian City-- Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said she is supporting the implementation of the exact 60-40 sharing of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

She noted that at present, local government units (LGUs) are only given 16 percent IRA share which is only based by the national government on the collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, she said.

The IRA is an LGU’s share of revenues from the national government in which provinces, independent cities, component cities, municipalities, and barangays each get a separate allotment.

Section 284 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines (RA 7160) sets up the formula for the distribution of the allotment.

Under the code, the allotment will be based upon the type of government they are and a formula centered upon their land area and population.

All or nearly all of the revenue that a local government has to spend comes from their IRA, though some local governments also have additional local sources of revenue such as property taxes and government fees.

For municipalities, the IRA accounts for 90% of total revenues. Since cities have more sources of local revenues, their IRA ranges from 50% to 70% of their total budget.

The IRA is automatically released to each local government unit and may not be held back by the national government for any reason.

Marcos shared the same concern of his brother, and then Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who declared the prevailing concern of the country’s LGUs over their limited options in empowering them to get through with autonomy.

Both Marcos siblings have long reiterated the most common complaint shared to them by the barangays,

It was known that 1,200 LGUs shared the P20 billion-allocation before for the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP), GPBP, but 1,600 now share it. CHARNYL ALBARRACIN. HARDLINE NEWS

Taiwanese cops collar Ardot

2018-05-25T20:57:00.003-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY--Almost a year of hiding from authorities for drug trafficking, resigned Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog was finally arrested in Pingtung County, Taiwan Wednesday, May 23, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed yesterday.

PNP spokesman, C/Supt. John Bulalacao told mediamen that Parojinog’s arrest came after a joint cooperation was made between the PNP and its counterpart in Taiwan.

Parojinog was arrested in a raid by Taiwanese police at his rented house in Donggang, near evening following a tipoff.

Intelligence reports from Interpol revealed that the councilor entered Taiwan using illegal documents and sought refuge in the fishing village of Donggang .

Information from Taiwanese police also said they have been tracking Parojinog for illegal entry since April and located his hideout via his smartphone.

This city's police office has since reported that Ardot had gone into hiding as early as January, last year, months before the raids were made on their houses.

The PNP added that Ardot is being investigated and wanted for illegal possession of high-powered firearms he allegedly kept and was recently seized by policemen in a raid inside his mrop security agency office and Dottie's Inn business located here.

The councilor's arrested cohorts tipped off authorities on his whereabouts, also said Police C/Insp. Jovie Espenido.

As of press time, there is no definite date yet when Parojinog would be deported from Taiwan.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has offered a bounty of P5 million for Ardot's arrest, welcomed the councilor's arrest as a good news and assured Ozamiznons that Parojinog will be tried in due process for the charges leveled against him.

When he became president, Duterte tagged the Parojinogs as key players of illegal drug activities in Ozamiz City and nearby areas.

As for Espenido, Ardot’s arrest was a sort of help from above. He said in one newspaper interview that with the councilor now in detention, he felt a finishing point of his worry about Ozamiz. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Cops arrest Lapad, et al in La Union; Ardot escapes dragnet in Bukidnon

2018-04-23T01:14:00.001-07:00

(PHOTO COURTESY BY INQUIRER)

OZAMIZ CITY— Reports from Pangasinan police confirmed their arrest on the identified aunt of the late Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., her husband and their son last April 19.

The said report mentioned that they have in detention Councilor Rizalina “Peque” Francisco, husband Manuelito alias “Maning” or “Lapad” and son, June alias “Omboy”, ex-chieftain of San Roque, after they were stopped at a checkpoint along a Diversion Road in the village of Brgy. Bangcusay, San Fernando City.

Police C/Supt. Romulo Sapitula, Ilocos police regional director, said the Franciscos were on their way back to Metro Manila with six other people in a rented Toyota Innova when they were stopped.

According to the PNP, the Francisco couple was facing cases for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Maning was marked as one of the organizer and planner of the dreaded Parojinog-Kuratong Baleleng Group which had been linked to cases of robbery, extortion, drug trafficking and contract killing.

Another briefer stated that Francisco and his gang is known for its complex and advanced carnapping schemes in which expensive cars are stolen and released to the blackmarket.

Earlier, television reports have said the Franciscos fled to Metro Manila and were allegedly in hiding after a police raid in their house where guns and explosives were recovered.

A PNP report released last year said the Franciscos transferred from one place to another knowing they were being hunted by the police.

A warrant of arrest against the Franciscos was issued by Presiding Judge Edmundo P. Pintac RTC 10th Judicial Region Br. 15, Ozamiz City, here, last Feb. 6 for violation of RA 9516.

The suspects are now detained at the San Fernando Police Station and will be turned-over to the Regional Trial Court, here.

In related news, an arrested village chief of Kinawe, Libona, Bukidnon town, is suspected to have coddled Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog who has gone into hiding after the death of his brother and is now declared wanted by police.

SPO4 Noel Oclarit, CIDG-Northern Mindanao chief investigator, said they arrested Cherry Barros and 18 others last Saturday.

A joint team of police and military operatives served a search warrant for Barros but were fired upon as they were about to enter the Barros compound located in Zone 3, Kinawe.

A firefight ensued that lasted for almost an hour and only when they ran out of bullets that the armed men surrendered to the authorities.

Three soldiers were wounded in the confrontation, while 19 individuals were apprehended along with various types of firearms and ammunition confiscated at the crime scene.

Cherry’s husband, Tarcisio and a still unidentified person were said to have escaped following the firefight as operatives continued their pursuit of the suspects who got away.

Oclarit said the two persons who escaped during the raid were possibly hit and wounded owing to a trail of blood responding agents saw on a pavement.

A Bombo Radyo report dated April 21 has recognized the unidentified person as Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog, basing its report from CIDG Cagayan de Oro Team head Supt. Melgar Devaras who assessed a tip that Parojinog had been staying at the Barros compound, though they could not verify yet if he was one among those who managed to elude arrest.

It can be recalled that the former councilor was included in the most wanted posters put up in this city last year by a group of concerned citizens. The Department of Justice has also placed him under the immigration lookout bulletin.

He has a previous P1-million bounty for his arrest. But in September, last year, President Rodrigo Duterte offered a P5-million bounty for the capture of Parojinog and even encouraged soldiers to go to the mountains and hunt for him when they’re off duty.

Meanwhile, the CIDG said they have established the connection between Parojinog and Barros’ group as true and definite since most of the suspects they arrested have corroborated they are members of the Kuratong Baleleng and have, in fact, come from Ozamiz. (BY MICHAEL MEDINA)

DSWD lauds Ozamiz in 2018 PaNata Ko Sa Bayan Awards

2018-03-14T21:21:00.003-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY--The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently handed over its recognition to its various partners and stakeholders who have helped them in providing programs and services through the “Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan (PaNata Ko sa Bayan) Awards.”

The awarding was held during the 67th founding anniversary of DSWD last March 8 at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City headed by Development (DSWD) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Emmanuel A. Leyco.

Different awards were given like the “Salamat Po Awards,” “GAPAS Awards,” “Gawad Serbisyo” and “Gawad Ulat,” among others.

In a report from the City Mayor’s office, it announced Acting Mayor Irene E. Luansing as one of the awardees in the Gawad Good Convergence Initiative for the local government's Pantawid Kolehiyo Program.

Luansing was bestowed the award for her support in the college tuition of 86 scholars who are children of 4Ps beneficiary families.

“This signifies her strong resolve to make education access a key long-term strategy in addressing poverty,” the press release from her office said.

Fifteen other throughout the country vied for the award but only five made it to the final mark with Ozamiz City on top of the list, the press release further said.

It was also known that the previous administration has left the said program unfunded for unknown reasons, as the press release stated, which Luansing readily took action when she became mayor.

DSWD’s Leyco expressed his gratefulness in his speech for all the help given to the Department in pertinence to its mission, vision and goal to serve the Filipino people or every Filipino people in need.

“Now more than ever, we must all unite to ensure that we are able to provide our beneficiaries and the rest of the Filipino people prompt and compassionate service that has no room for corruption,” he added. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Ozamiz PNP seize P112 million shabu from various operations

2017-12-07T01:38:00.001-08:00

OZAmiz city—City Police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido arrested anew three drug suspects after conducting a real-time serving of search warrants, Dec. 6, Wednesday evening.

The police operations came barely two days after President Rodrigo Duterte brought the Philippine National Police (PNP) to support the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the government’s war on illegal drugs and almost two months after he barred them from joining the campaign following the deaths of teenage suspects.

Those arrested were identified by police as Melodin Malingin, Gaudencio Malingin, known supporters of the Parojinogs in the city.

The PNP seized eight kilos of shabu, eight plastic bags and a rolled aluminum foil from the Malingins residence and another two kilos of shabu in two plastic bags, one unit steel vault, one airsoft rifle, and one long magazine from the house of Maychell Parojinog Gumapac.

Espenido was quoted from an interview as saying the shabu that were discovered were the old supply which the Parojinogs kept.

He added that a total of 86 kilos were gathered by police intelligence information since last year coming from Cebu City transported by sea.

The police chief also revealed that a certain Butch Merino, a former driver and bodyguard of detained Vice Mayor Princess Nova Parojinog, was arrested earlier at a checkpoint, yielding some P8 million worth of illegal drugs, a firearm and two magazines.

Police said Merino has identified his supplier as a certain Melden Rabarez who was also arrested in an entrapment operation along with Roselyn Walohan.

Rabarez and Walohan, at the time of their arrest, surrendered P27 million cash and a kilogram of shabu intended for a distributor in Lanao.

The PNP has given the names of the Malingins, Gumapac, Manuelito Francisco, Rizalina Francisco, June Francisco, Ricardo Parojinog and Christopher Parojinog as either supporters and relatives of the slain Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr.

Seized from the house of Franciscos were one M4 Boost Master, three short M16 magazine, one bandoler, 90 pieces live ammunition of M16, two rifle grenade launchers, three live ammunition of M203 and 20 empty cartridges of M16.

Meanwhile, recovered from the house of the Parojinogs were one M16 rifle, one steel short magazine, 19 live ammunition of 5.56 caliber and one hand grenade.

Espenido told reporters that because the Parojinogs were already not in power in Ozamiz, they are now having difficulties to earn money and sell their illegal drugs.

He likewise said he received information that Nova Parojinog still has an involvement on the alleged drug transactions even if she is detained at the PNP Custodial Center as somebody would contact her about the shabu dealings here.

In Duterte’s recent order, the PNP can join anti-drug raids but have to coordinate their actions with the PDEA, which will continue to lead the campaign. (MICHAEL MEDINA Misamis News Digest)

Police digs another mass grave in Capucao

2017-08-07T18:21:00.003-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY—This time around, police members of the City PNP Office uncovered suspected human bones in an alleged Parojinog mass grave in Brgy. Capucao C, a hinterland village which is 3 kilometers west from the city proper.

This information was obtained yesterday, Aug. 7, by The Philippine Preview, which quoted police as saying they have dug up bones, clothing, and personal items in the alleged mass grave in a hole measuring 15 feet deep.

Informants have tipped police about the location of the alleged mass grave where the enemies of the Parojinog family were buried under huge trees about 300 meters away from the barangay road.

Police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido said the items will be sent to forensics experts for investigation, and will be used for case build-up against the “Martilyo gang” and the Parojinogs.

According to the PNP, the mass grave was allegedly used by members of the "Martilyo gang," which has been linked to the Parojinogs.

The excavation team discovered clothes of four suspected dead bodies in the site along with personal belongings and a rope.

This week, city police said they will excavate all alleged mass grave used by the Parojinogs as burial site for their alleged business and political opponents.

Their first shot in Cogon only revealed sacks of animal bones and garbage but Espenido said he will not give up for he believed that the mass graves in Ozamiz really existed.

Espenido added they planned to excavate the demolished old house of the mayor in Bagakay, rumored as another mass grave and an old hideout of the members of the Parojinog syndicate.

As this developed, a source told The Philippine Preview the suspected bones might have been rebels buried during the Kuratong Baleleng days of the late Octavio “Ongkoy” Parojinog Sr., which organized by the military to go after the communist New People’s Army in Mindanao in 1986. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Vigilant Ozamiznons hold prayer rally

2017-08-06T17:40:00.004-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY— More than 300 residents of this city gathered yesterday, Aug. 6, 7:00 in the morning in front of the City Hall and held a prayer rally calling for sustained unity and change.

The original venue of the community prayer held a week after the bloody raid which killed Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., his wife and 14 of their relatives and supporters was supposedly listed inside the Cotta Shrine but a notice was given that it is being moved to the City Hall by Saturday afternoon.

The prayer rally was joined by different religious groups, some of whom carried banners expressing support for the police and military and thanking them with the words “Justice has been served.”

Others in attendance told Misamis News Digest their presence is a manifestation of support to Police Chief Sr/Insp. Jovie Espenido and his men who led the biggest and most successful anti-drug raid in the history of the said city.

The rare scene was led by Pastor Nathaniel Dinoro, who expressed his pleasure to the downfall of the Parojinogs, a practice that is extremely dangerous during the past years.

Dinoro left the city after losing a seat in the council during the 2013 polls and after receiving threats for publicly speaking his views against the Parojinog family.

In his message, Dinoro said: "Ang away ania na karon diri sa Ozamiz So it is time for us to hold hands and fight against the evil of our society," quoting the great Irish political philosopher Edmund Burke who said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Of the locals standing and crowding outdoor who wore white t-shirts are some of the members of the so-called ‘Barog Ozamiz,’ an anti-Parojinog public discussion group in Facebook.

“Nagpasalamat sila na pwede na silang magpahayag kung ano ang tama. Noon puro daw cla ‘yes, yes’ dahil natatakot silang patayin o mamatay,” a member told Misamis News Digest.

“Wala ko ga-expect na mahitabo na nga rally. Gamay ra tuod pero mao na na ang sinugdanan sa pag tindog sa mga tawo dire against sa mga druglords. Daghan gusto mukuyog pero sama nako, naa pa gyud kahadlok. Pero sa gipakita sa mga ni attend karon, for sure daghan pod na inspire nila ug sa sunod na pagtapok, daghan na pod manguyog. Ang uban wala pod kabalo na naa diay rally nga paga himuon,” said another. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

OZAMIZ CITY: RELIGIOUS PRAYER RALLY Part 1 (PASTOR MIBATIKOS SA MAYOR)

2017-08-06T16:46:00.001-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY: RELIGIOUS PRAYER RALLY Part 2 (PASTOR GABULGAR)

2017-08-06T16:39:00.001-07:00

City PNP dig mass graves allegedly used by Parojinogs for salvage victims

2017-08-05T20:22:00.003-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY--City police discovered and dug, Aug. 4, what was thought to be a mass grave allegedly used by Parojinog family for their salvage victims but instead found an old compost pile.

PNP Ozamiz, led by Police C/Insp. Jovie Espenido with Police Senior Inspectors Dennis Tano and Shiela Acosta, hollowed out two deep holes at Purok 1 Cogon, some 5 kilometers from the city proper .

Village chairman Ludivina Macayran told reporters it is good that the excavation finally pushed through so as to end the so called unfounded information passed on as rumors among residents that the area was used as a burial place of victims of extra-judicial killings supposedly perpetrated by the mayor and his goons.

Macayran said she received complaints from residents last February who complained about a foul odor coming from the area so the council decided to cover the two big holes with a truck load of soil.

She added the residents did not see that a body was dumped in the area but only smelled the stench.

Police used a backhoe to burrow the holes where sacks of garbage were dug out along with sacks containing animal bones and feathers.

The trash and pieces of bones will be taken to Regional Lab Crime laboratory for processing, said the PNP.

Espenido also told reporters he ordered the excavation to know how true are the disclosures about this so-called clandestine mass grave in the area.

Espenido added he also wants to substantiate reports that salvage victims, who are either robbery victims who were not locals and suspected government assets, were buried at suspected dumping grounds.

As this developed, a certain “Noel” claimed that he had worked for the Parojinogs as a hitman and drug courier for 20 years stated that he chopped the bodies of the murdered enemies of the former Mayor.

Espenido disclosed that the property where the bones were found was allegedly owned by a certain Marlon Parojinog, a former kagawad who eventually resigned, and a nephew of the late mayor.

The police chief claimed that Marlon was also a member of the notorious “Martilyo Gang” victimizing big malls in Manila.

Last week, Espenido and his men dug the demolished old residence of Parojinog in Bagakay to know if the Parojinogs really buried dead bodies there.

The PNP said the old mansion is formerly a meeting place of the alleged members of the syndicate handled by the Parojinog to plan for their next crime.

It also was used as a ‘cemetery’ for their political foes and illegal drug trade competitors, information quoting Espenido said.

He added that pulling down their mansion gave him an idea that the Parojinogs were hiding something from the current administration.

The police chief ended by saying he “will not stop digging until mass graves will be found.” (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Immigration on lookout for Ardot

2017-08-04T17:00:00.002-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY-- Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr.'s brother Ricardo “Ardot” or “Patok” Parojinog is presently put on the immigration lookout while investigation into their family's alleged drug network continues.

Yesterday, August 4, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II sent the memorandum to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente to instruct all immigration officers in the country’s airports and seaports to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) for Parojinog who evaded arrest in the predawn raid here last July 30.

An ILBO will not prohibit the councilman from leaving the country but it sets up a mechanism so that authorities would be alerted if he tries.

A person subject of an ILBO can still leave the country subject to conditions and requirements including clearance from the DOJ.

"Considering the gravity of the offense/s possibly committed, there is a strong possibility that the foregoing personality may attempt to place himself beyond the reach of the legal processes of this Department by leaving the country," the DOJ said.

“We thus deem the issuance of an ILBO against the subject prudent in order to at least monitor the itineraries of the flight, travel and/or whereabouts,” the order further stated.

The DOJ said Ardot, a subject of the probe, was not at his home in Bagakay when police found several firearms and ammunition in his residence.

It added that the order was released because the city councilor is still at large since the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) the raids here Sunday.

Police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido says anyone who has knowledge on Ardot’s whereabouts may contact him at telephone numbers 088-521-2201, 0939-918-9775, 0917-548-2777, 0946-802-3894, or 911. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Autopsy report shows Parojinog positive for gunpowder

2017-08-03T23:09:00.001-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY—Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. has tested positive for gunpowder nitrate, the Philippine National Police (pnp) said, supporting police reports he fought back during the drug raid last Sunday, July 30, that left the mayor and 14 others dead.

This statement came from PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos who disseminated their findings to the media today.

The PNP Crime Laboratory Region 10’s partial report also said Parojinog sustained two gunshot wounds on his face and chest.

The said report stated that aside from the mayor, seven of the 15 fatalities during the predawn raid also yielded positive results in the paraffin test.

The PNP explained that testing positive for paraffin means that a gun near a person’s hand has been fired although it acknowledged that the result of the paraffin test is not conclusive although it will help in the investigation if the firearms recovered in the premises were used and there was a gun battle.

Of the 15 dead, families of the 7 refused autopsy for their kin, while 8 consented, of whom are the Parojinogs.

Carlos added that those with Parojinog also tested positive for traces of gunpowder found on their bodies, but only the mayor was specified in his briefing.

Carlos added Susan, Parojinog’s wife and siblings Mona and brother Octavio Jr. died of blast wounds.

The autopsy report showed that Susan sustained a gunshot wound in her left eye, with the bullet exiting the back of her head.

A certain bodyguard of Parojinog, identified as Vicente Torregoza also died due to blast injuries.

Police Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) group of Region 10 who surveyed the crime scene found the grenade pin inserted in Torregoza’s finger.

This development strengthened City Police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido’s earlier claim that the grenade came from the Parojinogs' group.

The surviving Parojinogs, Vice Mayor Nova Echavez and brother Reynaldo “Dodo” Jr., are presently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

As this developed, a report quoting Espenido said that Mayor Parojinog had expressed willingness to turn himself in earlier in the raid that led to his death on Sunday, July 30.

Espenido said he repeatedly tried to convince the mayor to surrender, also confirming Parojinog as having said will surrender but eventually, when he was already with Echavez, he did not push through with it. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Palace said Duterte will not step in Ozamiz raid probe

2017-08-03T19:02:00.003-07:00

Palace said Duterte will not step in Ozamiz raid probe
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OZAMIZ CITY—Malacañang yesterday said President Rodrigo Duterte would not meddle with plans to probe last Sunday's drug raid here.
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The raid was held early dawn last July 30, where authorities claimed that a shootout ensued with the Parojinogs and their supporters.
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This information from the Palace came after Duterte said in the past that he would not allow any soldier or policeman to be investigated without his approval.
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The president, being a lawyer, knows that independent bodies like the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) have mandates to perform, said Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra.
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Speaking to reporters, Guevarra added that as a lawyer and prosecutor, Duterte knows the law, the criminal procedure and the limits of what he can do.
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He also said those allegations of unnecessary force or rubout or something like that by police; these would have to be investigated and the President need not be involved in things like this as these are police matters and they have their internal procedures pertaining to these.
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"Normal investigative procedures will have to be observed if there is any claim of some improper implementation of the search warrant," he said.
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"There is a presumption of regularity in all this. If there is anyone who will complain that something irregular happened, then an investigation will have to be done. For now, we presume regularity," Guevarra declared.
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Guevarra added: "Technically (the president) can stop the police or soldiers from attending investigations by the CHR but I don't think he would."
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Last week, Duterte was said to have told policemen and soldiers they would have to get his approval before facing investigations by the CHR, whom he accused of being "one-sided" against government forces as he challenged the commission to also investigate the rebels' atrocities against members of the security forces.
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The drug raid was held early dawn at the Parojinogs' old house in Baybay San Roque village. Police claimed that a shootout ensued after the Parojinogs and their supporters fired at law enforcers.
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Aside from the mayor, those who were killed in the raid include his wife Susan, his brother Board Member Octavio Parojinog Jr. and sister Mona.
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Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog-Echavez and brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. were arrested during the operation and is now under the police custody at Camp Crame.
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In other developments obtained by The Philippine Preview, it said that Duterte has a standing order for the police to hunt down all narco-politicians in the country and all people who supported the illegal drug trade.
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PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been quoted as saying Parojinog's death should serve as a warning to other mayors supposedly involved in the drug trade to surrender to police without putting up a fight. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Espenido tells Ozamiz raid survivor to be truthful

2017-08-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

Ozamiz City—By sheer chance, the police raids here last Sunday, July 31, that killed Mayor Aldong Parojinog and 14 others left a lone survivor who is telling what he knows about that fateful dawn when he almost encountered death.

Manila sources obtained by The Philippine Preview said a certain alias Cesar revealed through a video testimony recorded by the Parojinog family that “he saw police throwing grenades and shooting Parojinog and his wife as they were rounded up in the corner of the mayor’s residence.”

Cesar, a worker of Board Member Octavio Parojinog, was quoted as having claimed they were told to come down from upstairs to the sala inside the mayor’s house and gather together around Mayor Parojinog.

“Pagdating nina mayor doon inipon kami... ako nakadapa sa harap ni Mayor. Nagulat ako maya-maya lumabas ang mga pulis hindi ko alam ano ang dahilan, maya-maya may naghagis ng granada, tinamaan ako," Cesar said in the video.

Cesar also alleged that he said he saw police shooting Mayor Parojinog and his wife at close range.

As this developed, City Police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido said Cesar should tell the whole truth regarding his allegations about the Parojinogs being shot point-blank and blown up with grenade.

Espenido added they could not say for sure if the Parojinogs were shot at close range since it was dark when the incident happened.

“Kami nga may mga flashlight, mahirapan kami magtingin…Nahirapan nga ang police pagpasok. May usok na, brownout pa,” he said in one interview with reporters.

The police chief stated it is best to rely on the result of the SOCO report in order to know the distance, if either gun or grenade killed the mayor and the volume of fire as there was an exchange of gunfire and shooting of guns during that time.

Cesar said he survived the ordeal when he wiped up some of the mayor’s blood on his body and played dead until rescuers came at early morning hours.

The PNP Crime Laboratory has said they have completed the autopsy on the bodies of the Parojinogs. Seven out of the 15 casualties have yet to be autopsied. Thirteen of them already underwent paraffin tests.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, in an interview with Karen Davila of ABS-CBN, when asked if there is any reason to believe that police officers aren't telling us the whole story when it comes to Ozamiz raid, replied “We're still waiting for the things to unfold.”

“Right then and there and there's a possibility that it will be lost or taken away at any time. But according to the police, the house was under surveillance for quite a long time already” he said in the interview.

“We’ll find out in the few days, because I don't think there were any casualties on the part of the PNP kung nanlaban. Probably a lot of them or too many of them for the security forces of the mayor (has) been able to put a fight.”

“Kung may abuse man yung pulis, hindi pa ako nakahandang sabihin 'yon pero siguro dapat magpaliwanag pa at mag-esplika pa ang kapulisan kung ano nga ba ang nangyari, bakit nagkaganon? Hindi naman pwedeng we were met by a volley of fire and everyone is killed and nobody is killed in our side. They should I think be more detailed in their explanation,” Escudero added.

When asked if he is hopeful of any kind of justice and if he believes there could be police impunity in this situation the senator explained “That's what we're trying to prevent in the Senate actually, and that's we were afraid of from the beginning that if you give them so much confidence, impunity will result on the part of law enforcement officers.” (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Espenido: Ozamiz is free from danger

2017-08-02T17:38:00.003-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY—City Police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido assured residents of secure and safe surroundings, this information was coursed through members of the Misamis Occidental Media Practitioners Society (MOMPS) to help disseminate proper information.

Espenido’s announcement came about after Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has ordered the augmentation of forces in the city following Sunday's bloody predawn police raid on properties owned by the Parojinog family.

Dela Rosa said his order was “to maintain peace and order sa buong siyudad ng Ozamiz" amid reprisal rumors circulating around.

He added he has ordered the setting up of checkpoints to ensure that no group will take advantage of the situation.

The PNP hierarchy said there is information circulating that a group on board two big bancas was on its way to Ozamiz City to retaliate.

Another unverified rumor discloses that six vans coming from Zamboanga City are on its way here to retaliate and fight back the police.

“Nothing to worry about because Ozamiz City's peace and order condition is still under control,” Espenido said during a press conference inside his office yesterday evening.

The police chief added that the city is still under control and other troublesome forces are restrained and more troops are presently guarding the city proper.

He said that people should refrain from accepting as true what they read in Facebook since these are only rumors and not positive information.

Meanwhile, one Facebook community page named “Ozamiz City” has helped out lessen the residents’ fear and panic, saying the city “is not on red alert and all business establishments and schools are not closing earlier and shortening class hours.”

“Beware of false information. There are no official notices from the local government or schools to change any schedule of classes or business hours,” it added.

A Facebook post from La Salle University-Ozamiz yesterday obtained by The Philippine Preview said “we are following our regular schedule of classes.”

Espenido ended by saying residents must not to consider any unverified text messages received from anybody and to refrain from overreacting as this will only create annoyance to others. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

DILG names new Ozamiz leaders (UPDATE)

2017-08-01T23:48:00.003-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY—The the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has named new leaders of the executive and legislative branches of this city, respectively, following the rule on succession.

The DILG said Second councilor Irene Girlet Luansing is the acting mayor left vacant by incumbent Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr. who died last Sunday.

With Luansing filling the vacancy of the vice mayors’ seat is third councilor Michael Tagal as incumbent Vice Mayor Princess Nova Parojinog Echavez is in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

This information was sourced August 1 from Catalino Uy, DILG officer-in-charge. According to the DILG, Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog should have been the acting mayor but he is presently at-large and is hunted by the PNP.

This leaves Luansing and Tagal, who obtained the second and third highest number of votes, respectively, in the 2016 elections, to take over, Cuy was quoted by media.

The City Council convened yesterday to make the transition of power official.

As for Echavez, the DILG said “she is physically fit to function but is barred from assuming the post held by her father because of a court decision.”

In other developments, The Philippine Preview was informed that Jeffrey Ocang, City legal officer said, "It will be the Vice Mayor who will function as Mayor of the City."

Ocang has been quoted as saying the vice mayor was illegible for the position “because she is still under detention and she’s not yet pronounced guilty by a court of law.”

Meanwhile, a Facebook group called “Barog Ozamiz,” an anti-Parojinog public discussion group, branded Luansing’s close affiliation to the mayor’s family, being a cousin of the mayor’s wife, Susan and the aunt of Ardot’s live-in partner, Board Member Mena Abamongs Luansing.

The group believes the sympathy and loyalty to the Parojinog transcend to Girlet’s “and it goes beyond boundaries.”

“Musugot mog sa dli wala moy mahimo. Okay kayo ko ana Michael Tagal kaila kayo ko ana ilang pamilya mga ligdong na ilang pagkatawo pure nga lungon ra ang negosyo ana; ang kuyaw kana Luansing kay cousin na ni Susan Parujinog mao nay angay bantayan,” a member posted her opinion to their wall.

To recall, Mayor Parojinog, his wife Susan and 13 others died after a clash against police operatives in a simultaneous raid conducted in the houses of the Parojinogs in San Roque last July 30.

The Regional Office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office (MOPPO), Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) and Ozamiz City Police Station were simultaneously serving six search warrants against properties of the mayor and other Parojinog family members for violation of illegal possession of firearms under Republic Act 10591 when they were met with violent resistance at about 2:30 a.m.

City PNP Chief P/Insp. Jovie Espenido has presented to the media all the confiscated evidences from the raid like the several ammunitions found and the two cellophane of metamphetamine crystals or “shabu” weighing 500 grams and P1.4 million cash.

As of Monday, police released the final list of casualties: Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., wife Susan Engracia Parojinog, Board Member Octavio Jr., sister Mona, JR Millanar (a cameraman of Lumad TV Channel), a certain Enteng (a security of the mayor), Miguel del Victoria, Nestor Cabalan, Daniel Vasquez, four Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) members in San Roque, 2 unidentified (security of mayor), one unidentified (security of vice mayor), Jade Rich Manon-og, board member of Ardot Farm, and unidentified security at Sta. Cruz creek. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Ozamiz raid raises more questions than answers

2017-07-31T17:37:00.002-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY—The circumstances of the predawn police raids in this city last Sunday, which led to the deaths of 15 people including Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog raised more questions than answers.

In one television interview, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Ozamiz police should clarify why it served search warrants before dawn.

He nevertheless said it was still too early to assume that Ozamiz police abused their power in the incident.

A statement credited to Misamis Occidental PPO Chief Sr/Supt. Jaysen de Guzman earlier said that the police officers were met by a volley of gunfire as they were about to enter the Parojinogs' compound at around 2:30 in the morning.

City police Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido has also said that they conducted the raid at that early hour to minimize the risk of children or bystanders being used as human shields.

Espenido added they were only serving joint implementation of search warrants on properties of the mayor, his daughter Vice Mayor Nova Parojinog, his son Reynaldo Parojinog Jr., and four more relatives and supporters for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition when the mayor's security and supporters guarding his residence fired upon the cops.

Also yesterday, Liberal Party President Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan questioned the timing the warrants served and the disabling of CCTV cameras prior to the incident, referring to information quoting Espenido who said the CCTVs were "paralyzed" for the safety of their agents who accompanied the operations.

Espenido has said they were afraid someone will go after them if they are seen in the photos. That is for security reasons and that they needed to paralyze the CCTV and they did not manipulate the CCTV by deleting files.

This issue came after the arrested Vice Mayor Nova Princess Echavez said the police took with them her computer’s hard disk containing the files of footage of a CCTV installed inside and outside her house.

Echavez also accused the police raiders of planting the evidences supposedly recovered from the house.

Meanwhile, PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa has maintained the simultaneous operations by authorities that killed Mayor Parojinog and 14 others were legitimate, adding they would have lived if they did not resist search.

The police general added they wanted the Mayor Parojinog alive to answer the allegations against him, but not at the expense of the lives of police officers.

This came with the same explanation of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Roel Obusan said they followed protocol for police operations.

The authorities denied allegations the police operations were meant to wipe out the Parojinog family and their supporters.

Fifteen people including Mayor Parojinog died in a shootout during police operations here last Sunday dawn. Killed along with the mayor is his wife Susan, siblings Mona and Octavio, and 11 security personnel and supporters.

On Monday morning, Echavez and brother Reynaldo Jr. were flown to Manila for inquest before the Quezon City court that issued the warrants.

The Parojinogs were among those named by President Rodrigo Duterte as the personalities allegedly linked to illegal drugs trade. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Police raid in Parojinog’s house leaves Mayor, 6 others dead

2017-07-30T19:46:00.003-07:00

OZAMIZ CITY--Mayor Reynaldo "Aldong" O. Parojinog Sr. and his wife first lady Susan Parojinog have died as a result of a series of raids conducted by police authorities in San Roque or Lawis, this city, yesterday, July 30, 2017 at about 2:30 a.m.

The raiding team was composed of members of the Philippine National Police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who are serving six search warrants against the mayor’s family for alleged drugs and firearms.

A police report sourced by Philippine Preview said the Mayor’s group showed violent resistance and fired at the authorities prompting PNP personnel to fire back.

Radio station dxDD-AM said a total of seven persons were killed including the mayor, wife Susan; younger brother Octavio Jr., who is an incumbent board member of the second district of this province, three CVO members named Miguel del Victoria, Nestor Cabalan, and Daniel D. Vasquez. Two other persons identified by police as a certain Lydia and JR of Lumad TV, were likewise killed.

A PNP update said 12 others were killed in the raid and a policeman was also wounded in an explosion in one of the locations but is presently out of danger, the PNP said.

A Facebook page attributed to Ozamiz City said the mayor died from shrapnels of a hand grenade accidentally thrown by the mayor's security.

The said page mentioned City Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido giving a “24-hr ultimatum to HVT's to surrender illegal drugs and loose firearms, especially to some Barangay Captains in the city allegedly keeping the said items.”

The raiding team confirmed having confiscated in the Mayor's house M79 rifles, bundled cash and suspected shabu weighing one kilogram.

Espenido added the warrants served are for the illegal possession of firearms, where an M16 rifle, two hand grenades, and a .45 pistol were found inside the mayor’s house but incidentally illegal drugs were also discovered.

He added another half-kilo was found in a house Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog Echavez was staying separately that time along with several firearms.

Police also raided former Board Member and current City Councilor Ricardo “Ardot” Parojinog's House in Bagakay which resulted to the confiscation of 1 Shotgun, 3 Rocket Propelled Grenade Launchers, 2 Hand grenades, 8 M79 bullets and an M79 riffle, shabu paraphernalia aluminum foils, sealers, lighter, and metamphetamine crystals, information from the PNP told Philippine Preview, leading to the arrest of five men.

Echavez was quoted by a television report accusing the police of planting the drugs and firearms before the CIDG operatives arrived to serve the warrant.

The Parojinogs were among those named by President Rodrigo Duterte as the personalities allegedly linked to illegal drugs trade.

Television reports aired also showed Echavez asking authorities to move her to the NBI detention facility in Manila, for fear that she may be assassinated in Ozamiz City by people bent on wiping out the Parojinogs.

The PNP has warned all civilians not to flock on the raided areas to avoid hampering the investigation. (MICHAEL MEDINA)

Trans-Asia bound for Cebu conks out again

2017-04-16T18:01:00.004-07:00

One of the fleets of Trans-Asia Shipping Lines serving the Ozamiz-Cebu route experienced an engine trouble late Sunday, according to a flash report by the Mindanaoan Broadcasting Channel (MBC) posted in its Facebook page.

The boat was expected to arrive in Cebu at 5 a.m. tod
ay, Monday April 17.

MBC said, an unnamed Trans-Asia vessel suffered “a technical problem” and it's still offshore 31.5 kilometers north of this city, in the waters of Tudela.

As of press time, it was not known who the ship captain was and how many passengers were on board the vessel when its engine encountered mechanical trouble. All passengers were safe.

The same report posted by MBC added Board Member Richard Centino, Air Traffic Controller for the sea or a harbor pilot, “is now on its rescue operation” helping guide the vessel safely back to its Ozamiz port.

As of this moment, Trans-Asia management has allayed worries over the unpleasant incident and fears by the passengers and their families by saying they will take full responsibility of their needs including the breakfast of all travelers on board.

News about Trans-Asia vessels bumping into mechanical troubles has prompted the Maritime Industry Authority-7 to inspect their ships over the incidents.

COP banters with media bigwigs

2017-02-26T18:30:00.001-08:00

COP banters with media bigwigs: ACTING city police chief C/Supt. Jovie Espenido shared laughter and answered candid queries from media, Sunday Feb. 26, bearing out f...