US Army Courtesy Call

KIAMBA, Sarangani (January 6, 2010) – U.S Army Captain Wayne Walker (second from left), the newly- installed Civil Action Team (CAT-712) leader, listens as Mayor Rom Falgui gives briefing during the team’s courtesy call Monday, January 4. Also listening are Mariz Emnace (center) from Sarangani Provincial Planning and Development Office and Sergeant First Class Jay Hedgepeth, CAT-712 team sergeant. CAT-712 has now pipelined water system projects for barangay Suli and Nalus. Just recently, the team also funded the construction of Falel-Tamadang farm road which is now near completion. (KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Rowdy Embolodi)

Army Discovered Ammo Arsenal In Maguindanao

AMPATUAN, Maguindanao- On the 11th day after the Maguindanao Massacre, Arms cache was discovered buried at the open lot near Poblacion, Shariff Aguak , Maguindanao thru the joint effort of AFP and PNP.

Initial report states that high-powered Firearms and thousands of ammunitions suspected to be among those being kept by the Ampatuans were discovered and retrieved in two (2) shallow pits covered by piles of gravel at Barrio Tres, Poblacion, Sharif Aguak, Maguindanao late afternoon of Dec 3, 2009. 601st Bde Cmdr led by Col Leo Cresente Ferrer, together with 73rd IB led by LTC Edgardo De Leon under the 10th Infantry Division and Intel groups collaborated in an operation that led to the retrieval of two (2) anti tank bazookas, four (4) 60mm mortar, two (2) 81mm mortar, one (1) 90 recoilless rifle (bazooka), three (3)m60 machine gun, one (1)57rr (baby bazooka), one (1) barret rifle, two (2) BAR, one (1) cal 50 HMG, one (1)9mm pistol, seven (7)45 pistol, one (1) ultimax, one (1) bushmaster, one (1) HK 11 and hundreds of thousands of ammunitions for M16 still in boxes marked Arms Corporation of the Philippines with date of manufacture stamped October 2008.

The items from the discovered arms cache prove the proliferation of loose firearms and ammunitions in Maguindanao. As of press time, military and PNP troops are still scouring the area.

Community Outreach and Peace-building

MAITUM, Sarangani (November 23, 2009) – Lt. Philmer Fernandez, commanding officer of Charlie Company, 73rd Infantry Battalion, talks before barangay officials and villagers of barangay Maguling during the Community Outreach and Peace Building “Pulong-Pulong” organized by the 73rd IB on November 18. The municipal government represented by Councilor Kubli Kusin and department heads actively participated during the activity as villagers poured out their concerns about basic services. Many concerns were immediately given solutions. (MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE/Afren de Guzman)

PNP Chief

KIAMBA, Sarangani (October 24, 2009) – “Like Mayor Falgui, we share a common vision for peace” says Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Ame Versoza, guest of honor and speaker during the inauguration of the Regional Maritime Office 12 Boathouse building at barangay Poblacion Friday, October 23. (KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Abner P. Arzaga)

Sarangani Kalinaw Program

MANILA (October 9, 2009) – Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez answers questions of the 13 panelists during the final presentation and interview Wednesday, October 7, at the Ateneo De Manila University auditorium. Sarangani Kalinaw (Peace) Program won as one of the 14 finalists competing against 122 other local government units for the Galing Pook 2009 Award. Sitting in front is Kalinaw Program manager Jocelyn Lambac-Kanda. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Gandhi Kinjiyo)