Workbooks from UnionBank

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 2, 2010) – UnionBank Learning System “As A Filipino” workbooks are piled up by soldiers from the 11th Mechanized Infantry inside the Sarangani Agricultural Company, Inc. warehouse Thursday, September 2. Ferried from Manila through a navy ship, the 17,220 student workbooks will provide 1:1 student-workbook ratio for Sarangani’s Grade II pupils. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sports supplies

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 1, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon’s representative Asma Akmad (left) delivers sports supplies to GKK President Alejandro Garcira (right) of the Provincial Jail together with representatives of Marian Priest Movement in celebration of their patronal fiesta on August 26. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-bon Quiño)

Maghrib Prayer

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 1, 2010) – Board Members Virgilio Tobias (6th from right) and Abdulracman Pangolima (2nd from left) lead the congregational Maghrib Prayer together with Mindanao State University Chancellor Atty. Abdulracman Canakan (2nd from right), Captain Iqbal of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) (3rd from left), Capitol employees and guests in celebration of 2nd Grand Iftar or breaking of the fast at the Provincial Capitol Tuesday, August 31. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

MATH AND SCIENCE MAKE ME NERVOUS? NO WAY!

These students at Elisa P. Bernardo Memorial Elementary School in Tacurong City discover the beauty of mathematics and science in the pages of reference books acquired for their school library through a partnership between their parent-teacher association (PTA) and USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program. Approximately 168,000 students from more than 228 schools in Region 12 alone have benefited from mini libraries, home economics centers, science laboratories and other education aids provided through their PTAs’ fundraising efforts. The PTA funds were matched peso-for-peso by the GEM Program through its Education Matching Grant Project (EMGP). GEM is being implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority. GEM

Atrocities in Agusan del Sur Deprived the Community of Economic Development

August 25, 2010
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Butuan -A series of combat operations has been launched by the Philippine Army in Veruela, Agusan del Sur following the incidents of atrocities in Brgy La Fortuna, Veruela at 1:45 early dawn of August 24.

Elements of Charlie Company, 26IB, Phil Army encountered undetermined number of CT’s believed to be members of FC-3 SMRC at forested area of Sitio Tagmanoro, Brgy Sayon, Sta. Josefa, Agusan, del Sur at 7:30AM on August 25, 2010.

CT’s scattered and fled towards boundary of Veruela and Monkayo, Comval Province after a 25 minutes firefight with no reported casualties.

The PNP is now looking into the possibilities that the same CT’s killed Liangga Chief of Police, Inspector Christopher Mazo in a legitimate operation at Sitio Danao, Brgy Buhian, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on August 21, 2010.

The combat operations launched today is an offshoot of the reported NPA attack by members of FC-3-SMRC to the newly established command post at Brgy La Fortuna in the municipality of Veruela about 100 meters away from the headquarters at 1:45 early dawn yesterday.

In a report from the headquarters of 4th Civil Military Operation (Masaligan) Batallion, 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division of the Philippine Army based in Camp Ediberto Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City, its Commanding Officer Major Gen Victor Felix disclosed that the firefight ensued for about 15 minutes which resulted to the death of five enlisted personnel namely: CPL Basir Limpasan, PFC Roger Espineli, Pvt Rowel Antonio, Pvt Elrico Orcijola and Pvt Sim Bunzalan, while PFC  Cesar Sadjail was wounded and immediately brought to the D.O Plaza Memorial Hospital in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Fleeing CT’s were able to take some firearms that include a K3 and two M16 rifle.

MGen. Victor Felix said that Brgy La Fortuna is considered as the center of gravity of the local terrorist operating in the area and the source of the much-needed logistical and financial support aside from enjoying the mass-base support provided by the residents.

“This affirms the fact that the peace and development efforts implemented and completed by 26th Infantry Battalion in 12 communities surrounding La Fortuna has been very effective, now the terrorists are trying to win back the mass support they have been enjoying for so long through terror tactics and even to the extent of trying to petition the establishment of Charlie Company Command Post in the area,” said MGen. Felix.

The 4ID felt for the affected communities that even without military action, still NPA’s sow terror thereby depriving the people their chances for economic development.

“It is our wish for the NPA rebels to heed the government’s call for peace, we believe that no one should get hurt regardless of whose groups they belong to, for we are all Filipinos,” said Major General Felix.

The 4ID Commanding Officer likewise sent his sympathy to families of those gallant heroes who died in the encounter and said, “As the father of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division family, I deeply mourn for the death of five of my family members, rest assured that the dignity of your deaths, my sons, will not come to naught for this incident will only make our resolve stronger to achieve lasting peace in the area”.