Recovery of Tugboat Hijacked by Indonesian Pirates

Butuan (February 27, 2010) – Elements of Loreto Municipal Police Station on Thursday at 2:41 in the afternoon recovered one tug boat, named “Roxy 1” (registered in Singapore and originally named Aspa) with vertical exhaust painted with fine letters, in the vicinity of Barangay Panamaon, Loreto, Dinagat Island.

In a report furnished by Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan to the Director for Operations in Camp Crame, said vessel was reportedly hijacked in high seas by Indonesian pirates last February 6 off Pulao Tioman in Malaysia and allegedly sold to certain Mr. Tan.

Said tugboat was docked at Barangay Panamaon guarded by one Amado Bernades aka “Mado”, 33 years old, a resident of Sitio Marayag, Barangay Panamaon and one Jonathan Conor aka “Than” , 19 years old of Navarro Street, Barangay Sabang, Surigao City.

Both are workers of Century Peak Mining Company situated at said barangay.

On February 17, 11 of the tugboat’s 12 crew members were rescued by the Malaysian Navy off the Adraiser Reef, in Malaysia and they recounted that on February 6, the 296-ton tugboat named Aspa was boarded by eight unidentified men clad in dark-colored clothes armed with rifles and parangs (knives) who immediately blindfolded all crews and locked them up inside the cabins.

On February 10, at around 9 in the evening they were set adrift on a life raft.

The vessel and subject persons are now under custody of Loreto Municipal Police station for further investigation. (striker_jem)

Student leader

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 26, 2010) – Jonathan Nuyda, president of 3rd year class from Kling National High School, speaks with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon on behalf of the students during their 42nd Foundation Anniversary Thursday, February 25, at the gymnasium of Kling National High School. (Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Kling foundation

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 26, 2010) – “Failure is always equal to success” says Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (guest speaker) to students on their 42nd Foundation Anniversary at Kling National High School gymnasium Thursday, February 25. (Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mild Quakes Hit Butuan and some Parts of Mindanao

Butuan (February 27, 2010) – Earthquakes jolted several areas in Mindanao early morning today after a 6.0 magnitude was recorded to have hit General Santos and Koronadal City, while Mati, Davao Oriental had a 5.5 magnitude quake yesterday.

Today, a magnitude 3.3 earthquake was felt in Butuan at 3:35 early dawn.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) latest earthquake information revealed, the epicentre which was tectonic in origin was located 30 kilometers northeast of Butuan City and had a depth of 11 kilometers.

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in Butuan and Cabadbaran City and no damage has been reported.

Meanwhile, a magnitude 5.3 quake rocked General Santos City at 12:18 am today with the epicenter recorded at 76 kilometers southeast of General Santos City and 140 kilometers south of Davao

The quake was tectonic and was felt at Intensity 4 in General Santos City. (striker_jem)

Provincial outreach

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 26, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon expresses his thanks to the Reach International Health Care during a provincial outreach program at barangay Kamanga, Maasim on Thursday, February 25. (Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)