Halal Awareness Equips Trainers in Zamboanga Peninsula

Locals now benefit from improved access and mobility with three (3) road paving projects undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Labason and Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte.

Completed in Barangay Lapatan, Labason is a 688-meter concrete farm-to-market road which now enables a safer and shorter travel time for farmers, increasing agricultural productivity and stimulating local economic growth.

DPWH Region 9 Director Cayamombao D. Dia also reported the completion of the concrete paving of a 445-meter access road in Barangay Immaculada.

“With the upgraded roads, residents of the said barangays now experience a smoother and safer transportation going to various establishments and essential services in the area,” said Director Dia.

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DPWH Zamboanga del Norte 3rd District Engineering Office has also finished the construction of another concrete road in the municipality of Liloy.

With a length of 785 meters, the project includes grouted riprap, stone masonry and reinforced steel, which enhances the road’s durability to ensure a more comfortable travel condition for motorists passing through Barangay Panabang.

Besides portland concrete cement paving, other works on the projects involve installation of reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings as road safety measure.

The road concreting projects were implemented in the amount of P12.9 million, P9.9 million, and P11.8 million, respectively.

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“Sana ang anak ko na ang huli, huling biktima.”

This was the grieving message of Mr. Eutropio Cesista to the group National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) whose young daughter Hannah Jay was killed in a recent encounter between state forces and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Bohol.

The elder Cesista, during an interview with the media, believed his daughter was a victim of recruitment and radicalization by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

“Ang medyo may hinanakit lang ako kaunti lang doon sa sinalihan niya na pinipigilan ko pero pumilit siya, ‘yung NUPL. Pumayag ako na sumali siya dahil ang explain sa akin na lawyer daw ‘yung mga kasamahan niya kaya pumayag ako tapos sabi ko mag-ingat ka” he said.

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He had reservations about his daughter joining the organization but eventually allowed her and advised her to be cautious.

“Isa lang alam ko, member siya ng NUPL, other than that blanko ako”, he said.

Cesista admitted, though, that Hannah joining the NPA stunned the family.

“Napakasakit, walang kasing sakit ang nadarama ng tulad ng nadarama namin,” he continued.

Obviously deep in anguish, Cesista said her daughter’s educational attainment as a bar passer was everyone’s dream for him, his wife, and their eldest daughter.

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“Parang nasa tuktok na, biglang bumagsak,” he said.

Meanwhile, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Executive Director and Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. strongly criticized NUPL for the latter’s attempt to distort facts about the Bohol encounter that led to the death of the young Cesista.

As reported by various media outlets, NUPL has peddled a scenario that the terrorists were tortured and summarily executed.

On February 23, 2024, state forces from the military and police engaged a rebel group at around 6:50 a.m. in Sitio Matin-ao 2, Barangay Campagao in the town of Bilar. The soldiers and policemen went to the rebels’ hideout to serve a warrant of arrest of Domingo Jaspe Compoc alias Silong, a known leader of the New People’s Army (NPA). Compoc was wanted for a string of criminal cases like rebellion, homicide, multiple murder, and robbery and had a P2.6 million government’s bounty for his capture.

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Killed during the firefight was Police Corporal Gilbert Amper. Patrolman Gerard Rollon was wounded. On the NPA side, Compoc perished along with Parlito Segovia alyas Aldrin, Marlon Omosura alyas Darwin, a certain Juaning, and surprisingly, Hanna Jay Cesista alyas Maya/Lean.

Data showed the recovery of high-powered firearms such as an M653, R4 and M16 assault rifles and 3 cal. 45 pistols, all from the communist terrorists.

“NUPL’s unfounded accusation is not only preposterous but also a deliberate attempt to cover up one of its members as an armed NPA combatant” Torres said.

Torres then challenged the group demanding an explanation for why one of its members was involved with the NPA.

“Such disinformation being peddled by the group to the media and therefore the public not only violates the lawyer’s code of ethics and professional responsibility but also a deliberate travesty of justice,” he said.

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He reminded the group of possible legal implications of spreading disinformation, particularly by individuals or organizations entrusted with upholding the principles of justice and truth.

“We challenge NUPL to explain to the legal community, in particular, and to the Filipino people, in general, why one of its members was a communist terrorist. The burden of proof rests on them. There is no amount of disinformation and deception to obfuscate the evidence that one NUPL member died during a legitimate encounter between government troops and the NPA,” Torres said.

“Read between the lines, indeed. The radicalization and recruitment of Cesista into the NPA underwent a premeditated and arduous ideological indoctrination by communist front organizations (CFOs), Torres, referring to the statements issued by the Cesista elder, added.

He explained that continuing along the path of rebellion leads to fruitless outcomes and perpetuates conflict, whereas embracing dialogue and reconciliation offers a more promising way forward.

“Furthermore, people who continue to be involved with the NPA run a great chance of becoming involved in illegal activities and being exposed to dangerous situations that could endanger their lives. By opting for peaceful avenues of engagement and seeking solutions through lawful channels, individuals can safeguard their well-being and contribute to the overall stability of our nation”, Torres said. (PR)

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On February 23, a total of 219 individuals violated City Ordinance No. 123 (The Garbage Collection and Environmental Health Protection and Sanitation Code of 1998 for the City of Dipolog) in the month of January 2024, while approximately 139 individuals also violated City Ordinance No. 196 (The Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Dipolog City) in the same month of this year. This information was presented in the Accomplishment Report submitted by the City Health Office-Sanitation Division to the City Mayor’s Office.

These violations predominantly occurred in public areas such as the boulevard, public market, Barangay Biasong, Barangay GaLas, and Barangay Sicayab. Most of the violators of Ordinance No. 196 were aged between 19-29, ranging up to 49 individuals, while those who violated Ordinance No. 123 were mostly 40 years old and above, totaling to 87 individuals, with the majority being male.

According to the accomplishment report, out of the 219 violators of Ordinance No. 123, 116 have already paid the fine, while out of the 139 violators of Ordinance No. 196, only 16 have settled by paying the corresponding fines.

In light of these developments, the local government of the city, under the leadership of Mayor Darel Dexter Uy, continues to urge the public to consistently adhere to and comply with these ordinances to avoid penalties, ensuring the continued cleanliness and orderliness of our city.

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