Friday, April 1, 2022

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/


Japan donates medical equipment to Barmm, Zamboanga Peninsula

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 04:05 AM PDT

THE government of Japan, through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), donated medical equipment Friday, April 1, to the Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-Barmm) and Department of Health-Zamboanga Peninsula.The medical equipment received by MOH-Barmm include two units of sea ambulance worth P6.5 million, 18 vaccine carriers, six units Genexpert testing machines, 24,000 antigen testing kits, and 18 units of solar direct-drive vaccine refrigerators, while the DOH-Zamboanga Peninsula gets three cold chain vehicles.The medical equipment are intended for the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.Kazuhiko Koshikawa, ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, and Troy Dooley, IOM-Philippines officer-in-charge, led the turnover of the medical equipment to the recipients Friday, April 1, in Zamboanga City."It is our first time to provide sea ambulances. When I see the vessels this morning, I was gratified to know these vessels will greatly contribute to transportation of emergency cases," Koshikawa said.While years of underdevelopment and conflict have left Barmm less prepared for health emergencies than the other parts of the country, communities in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi have disproportionately limited access to health, including coronavirus testing, vaccination and treatment due to its geographical remoteness and security concerns."The assistance comes at a very opportune time as the government boosts its efforts to recover from the pandemic and strengthen its Covid-19 vaccination program across the country," Dooley said."We believe that the provided equipment will contribute to ensuring that no one, including the vulnerable populations such as migrants, returnees, and the Internally Displace Persons, are not left behind in these critical services," he added.Barmm Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim expressed his gratitude to the government of Japan and IOM for donating medical equipment intended for the three island provinces."The global pandemic came at one of our most important political phases -- the transition period. I hope that the key medical equipment will be of use of dear brothers and sisters in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi," Ebrahim said in an audio-visual message.As Barmm government aspires to fulfill its mandate by 2025 regional election, the IOM and Japanese government strongly hope that the assistance will help reduce the Covid-19 induced constraints and challenges in achieving lasting peace and development."Japan firmly believes that peace is the foundation for happiness. It is the hope of the government of Japan and Japanese people that the people living in Mindanao will be able to enjoy peaceful and fulfilled lives," Koshikawa said."To achieve this goal, Japan commits to continuously supporting the Mindanao peace process and the implement of various development projects," Koshikawa added.With funding of more than $2.7 million from the Japanese government, the IOM has been conducting series of health and emergency preparedness interventions to support the region's Covid-19 prevention and response. (SunStar Zamboanga)

Muslims in Zamboanga City ready for Ramadan observance

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 04:05 AM PDT

THE Darul-Iftah has declared April 1 as the day for the moon sighting ritual, a prelude to the holy month of Ramadan.The Darul Iftah is the highest religious council of Muslims of Zamboanga Peninsula and Zamboanga City.Sheikh Wahid Amil, Grand Mufti and Darul Iftah spokesperson, said in a statement that a committee from the Ulama will scan the western horizon to search for the tip of the crescent moon with the "naked eye" during the moon sighting ritual.Should the moon be sighted, the Grand Mufti of the region will declare the following day as the first day of Ramadan.But Amil said that if the moon was not sighted due to weather disturbance and other natural phenomenon, the Ramadan period will commence on April 3 without any announcement from religious authorities.Professor Ali Yacub, an Islamic scholar, said the Muslim communities in the villages of Baliwasan, Campo Islam, San Jose Gusu, Taluksangay, Rio Hondo, the eight island villages of Zamboanga City, are eagerly waiting the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.Yacub said Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam. It lasts the longest and is cherished by Muslim all over the world.Yacub said that in Ramadan, there is an air calm and serenity where people leave behind the sins of the past and "try to do good that God Almighty expects of us, a turning over a new leaf, it brings a chance to begin again."He said the spirit of Ramadan is not just the mechanical act of abstaining from food and other desires, but it is also "a great time to reconnect with God, with ourselves, the community around us.""In reaching back to those basics, we find the true purpose of fasting and of this beautiful and holy month (the Muslims) so eagerly await," he said.Meanwhile, Amil exhorted the Muslim "to feel the pain of those brothers and sisters who live in poverty and cannot afford even the very basic human needs." (SunStar Zamboanga)

Sibugay cops seize more smuggled cigarettes

Posted: 01 Apr 2022 04:04 AM PDT

POLICEMEN have arrested three persons and seized another shipment of smuggled cigarettes in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, an official said Friday, April 1.Police Colonel Albert Larubis, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, said the smuggled cigarettes were intercepted around 5:35 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in Bulaan village, Buug.Larubis identified those arrested as Benhar Arasa, 43, Mahadi Kadil, 31, and Ottoh Apas, 66.Larubis said the policemen were conducting checkpoint operation when they flagged down a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) driven by Arasa, a resident of Rio Hondo village, Zamboanga City.Upon inspection, Larubis said the SUV was found to be loaded with some P210,000 worth of undocumented cigarettes.He said the Arasa and his two companions failed to show documents to prove legality of the cigarettes' transport.He said Arasa and his two companions and the confiscated items were placed under the temporary custody of the 1st Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Mobile Force Company.The confiscation Thursday, March 31, of smuggled cigarettes was the third this week in Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay.The first was on Sunday, March 27, and the second was on Tuesday, March 29. (SunStar Zamboanga)

Abu Sayyaf leader, 10 followers surrender

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 04:11 AM PDT

A LEADER of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and 10 followers have surrendered to government authorities to live a peaceful life in Basilan province, the military reported.Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, identified the ASG sub-leader who surrendered as Abdullah Indanan alias Abu Guro.Indanan and his 10 followers surrendered to Brigadier General Domingo Gobway, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Basilan commander, at noontime Tuesday, March 29, in Serongon village, Hadji Mohammad Ajul."The surrender was facilitated by our troops in collaboration with Hadji Samad of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Ceasefire Committee and Cessation of Hostilities (MILF CCCH) and other MILF leaders and members," Gobway said.The ASG surrenderers turned over 11 high-powered firearms that include seven M-16 Armalite rifles, including one with attached M-203 grenade launcher, one M1 Carbine rifle, two M-16 Baby Armalite rifles, and one M4 rifle.Indanan surrendered four days after Basilan-based ASG leader Radzmil Jannatul alias Abu Khubayb was killed on March 25 in Sitio Center, Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan.Jannatul was killed in a 15-minute clash with government troops on March 25 in Sitio Center, Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip.Rosario commended the troops for these successes and attributed them to the unwavering support of the local government units, partners, and stakeholders of the military in Basilan province. (SunStar Zamboanga)

'Tabak' unveils new facilities

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 04:10 AM PDT

THE Army's 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division (ID) has unveiled three newly constructed and renovated facilities Thursday, March 31, at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an.Captain Mary Jephte Mañebog, 1ID information officer, said the three projects included the Senior Officers Quarters (SOQ), the Tabak Spa, and the Division Special Service Office (DSSO).Mañebog said the SOQ will serve as an additional billeting facility intended for the senior officers assigned at Camp Sang-an and other visitors of the command.Camp Sang-an is the home of the 1ID headquarters in Upper Pulacan village, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.Mañebog said the Tabak Spa will accommodate 1ID personnel and visitors who want to relax and avail themselves of the different services it offers.She said the renovation of the Tabak Spa and the DSSO started last October 2021 and was completed in January this year.Reverend Fr. Ramil Ganub, the Lantian Parish Priest, facilitated the blessing of facilities.The 1ID is the premier command of the Philippine Army. (SunStar Zamboanga)

Peace advocates denounce NPA atrocities

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 04:10 AM PDT

PEACE loving residents and local officials have joined the simultaneous peace rallies denouncing the atrocities of the New People's Army (NPA) in the province of Sultan Kudarat.The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) said the peace rallies were held simultaneously on Tuesday, March 29, in the villages of Sabanal and Hinalaan, Kalamansig town, and Dumolol, Tibuhol, Batang Baglas, and Midol villages in Palimbang municipality.Former NPA rebels and Lumads have joined the rallies, as well as military troops under the 4th Civil Relations Group led by Major Andrew Linao and 37th Infantry Battalion headed by Lieutenant Colonel Allen Van Estrera.Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Central commander, commended the troops who assured the successful conduct of the simultaneous peace rallies."We are doing this to encourage more people to support us in our quest for indestructible peace in the province of Sultan Kudarat," Uy said."We also would like to express our condemnation of the inhumane attacks of the communist terrorist group that has ruined the lives of the peace-loving people of Mindanao for 53 years," Uy added.Highlights of the rallies were the burning of NPA flags and a peace march wherein people conveyed their messages through the placards they brought along with them."We all aim for genuine peace in our respective communities. We will be able to achieve this if we will continue to unite and let our calling for peace be heard," said Lieutenant General Alfredo Rosario Jr., Westmincom chief. (SunStar Zamboanga)

2 nabbed in anti-drug operations

Posted: 31 Mar 2022 04:08 AM PDT

TWO people were arrested on separate anti-drug operations in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, a top police official announced Thursday, March 31.Police Colonel Albert Larubis, Zamboanga Sibugay police director, identified the arrested suspects as Muadz Chiong Dalmasa alias Tokay, 26, and Esmael Capeng Adjedan, 33.Larubis said Dalmasa, a motor taxi driver, was arrested in an anti-drug operation around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, in Purok 3, Baluno village, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.Seized from the suspect were some P2,244 worth of shabu, P500 marked money and a belt bag, according to Larubis.He said Adjedan was arrested in another anti-drug operation around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, in Purok Peñarose Poblacion village, Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.Seized from Adjedan were P1,836 worth of shabu and P500 marked money and a motorcycle.He said the suspects were detained while charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against them. (SunStar Zamboanga)

No comments:

Post a Comment

End of Summer Sale ☀️😎

20% OFF Inside!🤯 ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏...