Velarmino takes over 101st BDE 1ID PA

By PJTremedal, BND MisOcc-CIB/OCM

Piñan, Zamboanga Del Norte- The Army’s 101^st Brigade based in Piñan, Zamboanga de Norte has its new Brigade Commander as the former Chief of Staff of the 1^st Infantry TABAL Division Philippine Army takes over the command of newly promoted Brigadier General Rolando Amarille.

Colonel Jet Velarmino(GSC)PA, PMA Class 82 and the former Chief of Staff of the Army’s 1^st Division takes BGeneral Amarille’s place as the new 101^st Brigade Commander of the 1^st Infantry “TABAK” Division, PA.

As a gentleman and an officer, Col Jet Velarmino started his career as a fresh lieutenant and become Battalion Commander of the 10^th Infantry Battalion and grow up as an experience and responsible chief of staff of the Army’s first Division based in Camp Cesar L. Sang-an, Pulacan Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.

A bemedalled officer, Col Velarmino excels not only as officer of the Armed Forces but a professional and civic leader in his own right and a true friend of his co-officers and subordinates.

As the new 101^st Brigade Commander he did not excuse himself caring for fallen comrades like what happen lately to a young Private First Class Darius Tormis,PA that belongs to the 55^th Infantry Battalion and a native of Bukidnon who was killed in an ambush late this week after an NPA group hit the soldier’s convoy during an operation with a land mine somewhere in Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

A native of Pagadian City, Col Jet Velarmino sees to it that the body of the young soldier will be brought home to his bereaved family, not because he was the brigade commander but acts as a father whose brave son was killed in action in promoting peace in his area of responsibility.

As a friend of the LGU’s the new Brigade Commander will visit Governor Hermie Ramiro of Misamis Occidental to pay his courtesy and also, to give thanks to Oroquieta City Mayor Jason P. Almonte who granted assistance and supported the transfer of the 55^th Infantry Battalion in Burgos, Oroquieta City from Calamba, MisOcc.

Meanwhile, BGen Rolando Amarille is now the Assistant Division Commander of the 1^st Infantry ”TABAK” Division, the premier army unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

CPP-NPA WMRPC SC “Sendong” Secretary Killed

by PJTremedal, BNDMisOCC-CIB/OCM

Lopez Jeana, Misamis Occidental – The Western Mindanao Revolutionary Party Committee of the CPP-NPA operating in the hinterlands of the Mt. Malindang Ranges suffered another loss when a certain Robert Anchez A.k.a. Commander Stanley, Secretary of the Sub Committee “Sendong” was killed in an encounter with the "A" Coy of the Army’s 10^th INF Battalion under OPCON of the 55th INF Battalion under Col. Jose Randolf SinoCruz last May 13, 2011 at Barangay Mabas, Lopez Jeana this province.

In a report received from Col. Jet Velarmino newly installed Brigade Commander of the 101^st Army Brigade based in Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte confirmed that Commander Stanley was killed during the encounter between his group and the 1^st Platoon, Alpha Coy of the 10^th IB under 1Lt Palafox.

Stanley and his group was responsible in killing a young Private First Class Darius Tormis,PA of the 55^th Infantry Battalion while conducting an operation, the Army man was killed in an ambush and hit by a landmine that was place along the route, by Stanley ‘s group accordingly.

Furthermore, the Army Platoon that encountered the SC Sendong Secretary/Commander “Stanley” recovered an M-16 Rifle and two (2) claymore mines and the dead body of Robert Anchez a.k.a. “Stanley” and now lies at the Gamalinda Funeral Homes in Oroquieta City.

As of press time an unidentified woman who said to be his wife claim the body from the branch manager of the funeral, however, until this writing ,the woman did not come back to bring home the dead body of the SC Sendong Secretary/Commander.

Meantime, Army’s 5^th IB, 55^th IB and the 10^th IB are still in operations in the Zamboanga del Sur-Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental hinterlands specifically in the Mount Malindang Ranges where the CPP-NPA WMRPC FC and SC’s are in hiding.

NCR Tops Palaro 2011

By PJTremedal,BNDMisOCC-CIB/OCM

Dapitan City – The National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCR) tops the games and events of the 5 day Palarong Pambansa 2011 hosted by the Shrine Capital of the country, Dapitan City.

In the final result of the Palarong Pambansa, NCR top at 572.7 garnered points both from the elementary and secondary levels with 285.5 and 287.2 respectively. NCR athletes who came from and urban community were at its best compared to other delegation in equipments, practice, and even food.

With the official tally of the final results by points Chaired by DeoGracias B. Genito Jr, of the On-Line results ,Information and Communication Committee, Adela A Brazal, Chairman of the Games Results Validation, Records and Documentation Committee and Rose Ligaya C. Domingo, Deputy Secretary General, of the Technical management and Administration. NCR Region netted the top rank, and it is followed by another strong contigent from the Visayas Region.

Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Region VI) comes in second to NCR with 479.5 points gained from the elementary and secondary games with 239.5 and 240 points respectively. Comes in third place is Region IV-B or the southern tagalong Region with 430.5 points.

Other delegations who played sportsmanly as this year’s theme Enshrining School Sports did not only come to visit the host city for the first time but to play with their hard-earned training from DepED low budgeted sports development program.

The Final finishers’ of the Palaro are: Region VII with 333.5 points-4th place, Region X with 169 points-5th place, Region XII with 146.16 points-6th place, Region II with 141 points-7th place, Region XI with 139.75 points-8th place, Region IV-B with 100.5 points-9th place, Region IX with 79.91 points-10th place, CAR with 66.75 points-11th place, Region I with 59.5 points-12th place, Region V with 51.75 points-13th place, Region II with 26 points-14th place, CARAGA with 15.5 points-15th place, Region VIII with 8 points-16th place and the last is ARMM with 3 point-17th place.

Meanwhile, Palarong Pambansa Executive chair, former congressman Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos said that at all cost amidst problems and complaints’ the palaro must be successful even with financial constraints.

“We had formed working committees of able and understanding chairmans and members that move heaven and earthe just to be successful, and this proves that dapitan is not only a haven for sportsman but for leaders” he said.

Dapitan City as host of the Palarong Pambansa 2011 (May 8-14,2011) welcomed the seventeen delegations with Hudyaka ZaNorte 2011, as it opened last may 6 to commemorate the Zamboanga del Norte’s 59th founding year.

With its famous Dakak Resort, Dampa (Dapitan Aquamarine park) and other tourism potentials and destination athletes, coaches, officials, visit and stay was a memorable one to the Shrine Capital of the country and the next tourism destination of the 22st century.

BINAY OPENS 2011 PALARONG PAMBANSA

Governor Rolando Yebes of ZaNorte together with his excellency Vice President Jejomar Binay, DepED Secretary Armin Luistro, City Mayor Dominadro Jalosjos of Dapitan City as they raise their balloons to mark the Palarong Pambansa 2011 opened. The Palarong Pambansa will run from May 8-14, 2011 at the Shrine Capital of the Philippines, Dapitan City.

By OVP Media and PJTremedal

Dapitan City, ZaNorte - Vice President Jejomar C. Binay urged participants of the 2011 Palarong Pambansa to stand united in order to inspire change in ourcountry.

“Sa paglalaro ninyo, tangan ninyo hindi lamang ang bandila ng inyongmga rehiyon kundi ang imahen ng kabataang atletang Pilipino. Angparaan ng paglaro ninyo sa Palarong Pambansa ay maglalarawan hindilamang ng inyong sariling pagkatao kundi pati na rin ng bagong pag-asana umuusbong sa ating bansa,” the Vice President said in his speech during the opening of the Palaro at the Jose Rizal State University Sports Complex in Dapitan Sunday.

Binay also stressed the importance of the youth’s role in preserving our environment. According to him, youth athletes are in the perfect position to inspire others to care for mother earth.

“Lahat tayo ay may obligasyon sa Maykapal na pangalagaan ang ating kapaligiran. Higit sa tungkulin ng pambansang pamahalaan, o ng mga pamahalaang local, lahat ng mamamayan, mapabata man o matanda, ay may dapat gampanan sa pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan,” he said.

Binay also urged the participants of the Palarong Pambansa to become role models and said the task of saving the environment becomes easiei if everyone is involved.
“Kaya naman umaasa ako na sa palarong ito, nawa’y matutunan ninyong magbigay-pakundangan sa kapakanan ng ating daigdig. Maging maalam, makialam at umaksyon. Ipakita ninyo na ang mga kabataang atleta ay hindi lamang mahusay sa palakasan kundi may taospusong pagkalinga rin sa kalikasan,” he added.

The Vice President also reminded the participants of Palaro that sports is not just about being better than others. He said that the true spirit of an athlete is about bettering oneself to go as far asyour limits, and then taking it one step further.

“You endure and overcome the pain, the inconvenience, the frustration and the failures, in order to exceed what you are now, and approach what you can truly be,” Binay said.

The Palarong Pambansa is an annual event that showcases our nation’s best student-athletes. Seventeen events will feature in this year's Palaro, with divisions for boys and girls in the elementary and high school levels.

Meanwhile, Former Congressman Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos, Executive Committee Chairman of the 2011 Palarong Pambansa assured all delegates, officials and coaches of the seventeen regional delegation that at all cost , Dapitan will be a good host.

With his Technical Working Group headed by Engr. Aly Marlo Dagtin, Dapitan City will be on every back to be serve the gueast and visitors especially the athletes that they will have a good stay in the Shrine Capital of the country.

On its opening day a skydiving exhibition was shown compliments of the Philippine Army paratroopers led by Col. Eliglen Villaflor to show how ready Dapitan is amidst a heavy downpour, the Seventeen regional delegations march with pride along the city streets and meet by Dapitanons.

As they entered the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Grandstand the regional delegates came with pride as they show and wave their region’s flag, in colorful uniforms theDepED region,s namely: Region I, Region II, Region III, Region IV-A, Region IV-B, Region V, Region VI, Region VII, Region VIII, Region IX (the Host Region), NCR, CARAGA, ARMM and Cordillerra Autonomous Region enjoyed the opening they.

In the program, movie Star Richard Gomez make the crowd more happy as he introduces every guest and visitors to include, DepED Secretary Armin Luistro and the officials of Zamboanga del Norte, Congressman Jhon Jalosjos of Zamboanga Sibugay, Governor Rolando Yebes, Governor Khalid dimaporo of lanao del Norte, Governor Hermie Ramiro of Misamis Occidental, Governor Bong Plaza of Agusan Norte,Governor Rommel jalosjos of Zamboanga Sibugay, City Mayor Dominador Jalosjos(Host City mayor) and other dignitaries to include his Excellency Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The Palarong Pambansa 2011 opening rites ended with a fireworks display.

Aim for “Oro”- CM Almonte

by PJTremedal,BNDMisOCC-CIB/OCM

Oroquieta City – Aim for “Oro” is the message of City Mayor Jason Paredes Almonte to the 325 delegation of Team Oroquieta in the upcoming Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association Meet at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod Lanao del Norte from February 2-6 this year.

Almonte who supported the City Division Athletes and Coaches together with the local officials thru the Special Education Fund of the City Government will be sending 325 team delegation to include 217 athletes from the elementary and high school level.

The NMRAA 2011 will be hosted by the Lanao del Norte Provincial Government under Governor Khalid Q. Dimaporo administration who bid for this year Palarong Pampook. As agreed by the Regional DepED Office under Regional Director Dr. Luz S. Almeda of DepED 1-, the venue for the athletes billeting will be distributed to different schools of Lanao del Norte that is nearer to the Mindanao Civic Center.

To recall, in 2006, Tubod also hosted the Palarong Pambansa 2006.

Meanwhile, Team Oroquieta who is also a record holder in some events, cannot join some events due to equipments and quality athletes like in Boxing,Swimming,Taekwando, Gymnastics however, according to Mr. Prescillano Gemina, Team Oroquieta Athletic Manager this will not hamper the enthusiasm of Team Oroquieta in aiming for the “oro”. “Oro” is the Spanish name for Gold.

More or less 1-M was the amount given by the City School Board thru the Special Education Fund which the City Government has initiated in supporting the City Schools Division.

Civil society, gov’t link to mobilize public support on peace process

Manila, Jan. 28 – In light of the upcoming peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) next month, civil society and government organizations have been undertaking collaborative efforts to mobilize public support on the peace process.

In a project working paper on peace constituency building, Prof. Jennifer Santiago Oreta of the Ateneo de Manila University – Department of Political Science said that the resumption of the talks is “a golden opportunity to finally put an end to the violent conflicts that have ‘hostaged’ the country’s development for so long”

“It is within this frame that a peace constituency building project is envisioned,” she stated.

Oreta, who is the lead convener of Ateneo’s Working Group on Security Sector Reform and one of the project organizers, stressed that this convergent initiative of the government and civil society sector aims to engage the people to act and commit themselves for peace through various modes of participation; and make known to the wider public that there is a broad constituency supporting the peace agenda.

“These positive interventions will not only mainstream the peace agenda as a national concern; it can also add pressure to the peace panels on both sides (the government and the MILF and the CPP/NPA/NDF) to sit down and put an end to the decades-long issue that has imperiled the country for so long,” she said.

Oreta related that several activities have been lined up to encourage participation of stakeholders.

These include reading of pastoral message on Feb. 6 in Catholic churches calling on the faithful to support the peace agenda; “Bells for Peace/Prayer for Peace,” a nationwide synchronized ringing of church bells at exactly 1:00 p.m. on Feb. 6; “Light Up for Peace,” a candle lighting activity on Feb. 8 to symbolically show the public’s support for peace; “Signature Campaign on Peace Wall” on Feb. 14; and “Peace Walk/Rally” that will coincide with the EDSA revolution anniversary on Feb. 25, among others.

Non-government organizations involved in the peace constituency building project are the Philippine Coalition on International Criminal Court (PCICC), Sulong CARHRIHL, Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI), Institute for International Dialogue (IID), Libertas, Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), Confederation of Student Governments of the Philippines, People Power Volunteers for Reform, among others.

Participating government agencies include the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Government of the Philippines-Monitoring Committee on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).(OPPAP Media Bureau)

EastMinCom reminds troops to protect every citizen

Major General Arthur I Tabaquero AFP of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) reminded the troops in Sultan Kudarat that the government Armed Forces are there to protect every citizen. MGen Tabaquero said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the EastMinCom will give its full support to the 1^st Marine Brigade and all of its sub-units. (1MBde/PIA9-BST)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Major General Arthur I Tabaquero AFP of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) reminded the troops in Sultan Kudarat that the government Armed Forces are there to protect every citizen.

In a press statement, MGen Tabaquero said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the EastMinCom will give its full support to the 1^st Marine Brigade and all of its sub-units.

“The Marine Brigade was deployed in Sultan Kudarat with the objective of providing protection to every citizen resides in the area of responsibility (AOR) of the 1^st Marine Brigade. On our part, we need to make a move so that the people will feel our presence, they will feel that they are protected and not neglected”, MGen Tabaquero said.

He also emphasized to the troops that the job the soldiers are doing is for the people, for the stability of peace in the place, but admits that there are instances when “we can’t serve all the Filipinos, especially in areas where there are no military bases.”

“With this new military base in Sultan Kudarat, we are hopeful that we will meet the people’s concerns and we will be able to provide them protection twenty four-seven. The troops 1^st Marine Brigade will be there for the people,” MGen Tabaquero added.

The troops of 1^st Marine Brigade (1MBde) and Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT-1) based in Lebak and Kalamansig, both in Sultan Kudarat Province welcome the team of Major General Arthur I. Tabaquero AFP during his visit on Wednesday (January 26).

In a meeting, Marine Commanders, Colonel Alexander F Balutan PN (M)(GSC) of the 1^st MBde and Lt.Colonel Edwin E Amadar PN (M) of MBLT-1 reported to MGen Tabaquero about the status of their troops and equipment.

MGen Tabaquero also spent time to all enlisted personnel during the “talk to the men” period.

Colonel Balutan disclosed that the 1^st Marine Brigade was formerly based in Basilan Province and was transferred to Lebak, Sultan Kudarat last November 24, 2011. He revealed that upon arrival, the troops made several adjustments in their military approach since majority of the populace are Christians.

“We are also very cautious in our actions because we are just starting to interact with the people in the area,” he said.

He also reported that the 1MBde will have several civil military operations (CMO) projects which will commence this February 2011. This is a joint activity by the 1^st Marine Brigade and various stakeholders such as the local government units (LGUs), NGOs, LGAs the visiting US Forces from Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines.

“We are thankful that we are supported by various stakeholders and the people of Sultan Kudarat,” Colonel Balutan said. (1MBde/PIA9-BST/rvc)