Anti-drug ops intensified in Misamis province

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 14, 2010) – Philippine authorities have intensified its operation in the hinterlands of Misamis Oriental following the discovery of a marijuana field in the town of Jasaan.

Anti-drug agents, backed by soldiers and police commandos, have swooped down on the plantation after its discovery this week, but there had been no arrest during the operation.

It was unknown whether the illegal plantation was ran by rebels or syndicates, but authorities feared drug money were being used to finance the drug trade or the purchase of weapons.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said it has intensified its operation in the province.

Just recently, government troops also raided a marijuana plantation in Agusan del Sur’s La Paz town and destroyed thousands of fully-grown plants.

Marijuana is illegal in the Philippines and mere possession of the plant constitutes a criminal offense. (With a report from Becky de Asis)

Cholera Claims 2 Lives, 500 Infected In Southern RP

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 18, 2008) – An outbreak of cholera had killed two people and infected more than 500 others in the southern Philippines, health officials said Tuesday.

Officials blamed cholera for the outbreak of the epidemic that hit at least 8 villages in the town of Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental province.

Town mayor Paulino Emano has confirmed that two had died from the disease and hundreds more infected in the villages of Mohon, Sihayon, Baluarte, Sta Cruz, Sugbongcogon, Bogoac and Casinglot.

Health authorities have began a series of test of water samples in the villages. Other reports said many of those infected sourced their water from springs. The victims had been rushed to hospital since Sunday after they complained of stomach pains and diarrhea and other symptoms related to cholera. (Mindanao Examiner)

Two Ships Collide Off Southern Philippines

MISAMIS ORIENTAL, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / 05 Sept) – A cargo and passenger ship collided at dawn Wednesday off the southern Philippine province of Misamis Oriental, maritime officials said.

Officials said there were no casualties in the collision between the cargo ship, LCT Sarah and the Asia Hong Kong ferry.

“No one was killed or hurt in the accident,” said Galileo Garcia, spokesman for the Maritime Industry Authority.

“It was an early morning accident. We are still waiting reports from the captains of the vessels about the collision,” Garcia said.

But the collision tore a hole on the left of the cargo ship, its captain Edgardo Paniquit, said. “The damage (to the ship) is big,” he said, adding, the vessel was towed to a shipyard in the province for repair.

The cargo ship was on its way to Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental province from Manila to deliver 40 containers of fertilizers when it collided with the Cebu-based ferry, owned by Trans Asia Shipping Lines. Paniquit said the ferry was sailing right on the path of the cargo ship.

“We tried to maneuver away from the ferry, but it’s too late. They hit us on the side. The ferry went straight to our route,” he said. Veronica Akot, of the Asia Hong Kong ferry, said they are still awaiting formal reports from the ship’s captain Sigundino Ladera.

She said the ship was not damaged by the collision and continued its trip to Tagbilaran City in Bohol province. The ferry was carrying 600 passengers and crew, she said.

The Coast Guard is still investigating the collision. (Ben Balce)

Armas Nasamsam Mula Sa NPA Sa Mindanao!

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 30 May) – Philippine troops clashed Wednesday with communist insurgents in the outskirts of Gingoog City in the southern province of Misamis Oriental, officials said.

The fighting erupted in the village of Kalipay at around 8.15 a.m., Major Samuel Sagun, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said.

He said there were no military casualties. It was unknown if there were gunmen killed or injured in the clash. He said patrolling troops clashed with about a dozen members of the New People’s Army.

“The fighting lasted about ten minutes,” Sagun told the Mindanao Examiner.He said troops recovered two automatic rifles and munitions left behind by retreating gunmen.

Other officials said a suspect in the killing of a government soldier also surrendered in Davao del Sur’s Don Marcelino town. The man, Nestor Cawa, brother of a notorious bandit leader Danny Cawa, turned himself in to the Philippine Army.

Cawa was chief suspect in the murder of Corporal Reynaldo Tubongbanua, of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion. Officials did not say when the soldier was killed. (With a report from Juley Reyes)

Senior NPA Leader, Wife Nabbed In Southern Philippines

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 26 May) – Philippine authorities captured a senior leader of the New People’s Army rebels and his wife in the southern province of Misamis Oriental.

Security officials said the duo - Mar Lopez, also known as "Ka Mebel and Ka Bobit" and Lolita Gambota - were being interrogated on Saturday at an army base in the province.

Lopez is also the secretary of the SECOM 1, Front Committee 4-B of the Communist Party of the Philippines-Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC); while his wife is said to be a finance officer.

The two were nabbed late Friday in the hinterland village of Napaliran in Balingasag town after troops tracked them down.

There was no immediate statement from the CPP or the NPA, its armed wing, which has been fighting the past three decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the Philippines. (With reports from Romy Bwaga and Merlyn Manos)