Sarangani's Lemlunay Resort

A caretaker of the Lemlunay Resort in Kamanga village in Sarangani’s Maasim town cleans a pool on Thursday, October 7, 2010. Lemlunay offers a majestic view and abundant marine wildlife. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

Suspects in Sarangani mayor’s ambush try ordered released

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines - The Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Sarangani has ordered Friday the release of five arrested suspects who were earlier implicated in the alleged April 25 ambush try of Mayor Enrique Yap Jr in Glan town, The Manila Times reported Sunday.

Fiscal Kayugenn Mato Kuda Jr has directed the local police to release suspects Freddie Merndez, Ronald Elorde, Alfredo Macabacyao, Jimmy Mier and Renante Bangka, all of this city, after finding out that the arrest has been done illegally.

Kuda Jr stressed the release order after ruling it out that the arrest of the suspects was unlawfully executed, contrary to the provisions of Section 5, Rule 113 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure.

Kuda said the suspects were arrested without actually committing the act complained of or immediately thereafter.

Police earlier charged the suspects with violation of the election gun ban after they were allegedly caught with an M-16 Armalite rifle and a cal.-45 pistol inside their Toyota service van vehicle.

Defense lawyer Orlado Salatandre Jr during preliminary examination of the evidence and case at hand, opined that the process of the arrest was inadmissible.

“The arrest was made before the policemen went through the van, where they found the rifle under a seat and the pistol in one of the boots of the suspects. Under the law, a warrantless arrest may only be resorted to if the suspects were caught in actual possession of the firearms after a body search,” Salantedra told reporters, adding that the arresting policemen have even failed to cite in their affidavits, that they saw the suspects inside the van when they got hold of the firearms.

When asked during some clarificatory questions raised by the defense, Police Insp. Jude Marklon del Carmen, Glan police station chief, said he did not mention it in his sworn statement to make his affidavit short and simple.

Reports stressed del Carmen led the raid after Yap reported that the suspects had tried to waylay his convoy following a political a rally of the Lakas-Kampi CMD-Sarro held in Sitio Tamparan, Barangay Pangyan, Glan town.

Salatandre said the arresting officers could even be held civilly, administratively and criminally liable. He said his clients also wanted to file charges against the apprehending officers before the Ombudsman due to unlawful arrest, illegal search and arbitrary detention. (Isagani Palma)

Blast hits Sarangani governor's convoy

Sarangani Governor Rene Miguel Dominguez. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / April 26, 2010) – An improvised bomb exploded Monday at a convoy carrying a provincial governor in the southern Philippines.

The bomb exploded between the car of Sarangani governor Miguel Rene Dominguez and his aides while traveling to the town of Glan on his way to meet former defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr who is now running in next month’s presidential polls.

It was unclear who planted the bomb, but Dominguez said he was not hurt in the explosion. “I am okay,” he said.

The blast occurred hours after security forces arrested four people for carrying illegal weapons in the town, whose mayor Enrique Yap, was the target of an assassination attempt.

The four men - Jimmy Mier, Alfredo Macabayao, Fredie Mendes and Ronald
Elorde – were arrested after they flagged down Yap’s vehicle. The mayor sped off after seeing the armed men and sought police help.

Police and military seized an M16 rifle and a .45-caliber pistol from the men who were in two vans during a chase. It was unknown whether the four suspects are followers of rival candidates or not. (Mindanao Examiner)

Huge Public Support Greets Sarangani Re-electionist Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez

In Sarangani’s Maitum town, re-electionist Governor Miguel Rene “Migs” Dominguez meets former mayor and provincial board member Juanito “Tatang” Purisima, who is among the thousands of supporters who attended the Sarangani Reformation and Reconciliation Organization and Lakas-Kampi-CMD proclamation rally Monday, April 4, 2010. Dominguez also spoke to party supporters and community leaders and also led the evacuation and restoration of peace in the communities of Maitum and Maasim towns during disaster and social disturbances in the past with the assistance of former Defense Secretary and presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

Sarangani boasts water sports; attracts tourists

Visitors in Sarangani province's Maitum town enjoy white water tubing at New La Union on Monday, January 11, 2010. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano has donated vests, helmets, and socks worth P138,000 to boost tourism in Sarangani in the southern Philippines. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

New resort to open in Sarangani province

Bamboo-finished cottages queue at Isla Jardin Del Mar in Sarangani province in Mindanao. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

SARANGANI, Philippines – Christmas season has ended, and just as the summer wind heats up, beach goers and summer beach sports enthusiasts will surely find this fascinating place that lies in the celebrated Sarangani Bay.

Pinkish, white sand pebbled shoreline and crystal clear seawater is a soul-absorbing view Isla Jardin Del Mar offers right away.

Isla Jardin Del Mar is a Spanish name which means “ Island Garden of the Sea”. The resort queues farthest among the scores of other resorts emerging in Gumasa white sand beaches. It is set to open on January 23.

“Our family enjoyed the beach for 20 years privately,” said Charlemagne Tan-Delfino, the resort’s manager. “It took us two years of planning to get help from the barangay to provide us the road right of way. With the help of Governor Miguel Dominguez and Mayor Yoyong Yap , it becomes a reality.”

Charlemagne is the daughter of SAFII Group of Company’s President and CEO, Marfenio Tan, a fishing magnate in General Santos City and owner of the resort hotel in Sarangani - Isla Parilla in Alabel and Sydney Hotel - in General Santos City.

Isla Jardin Del Mar is a 34-hectare land area. The management decided to have its 15 hectares for site development for the resort. In an aerial view, Isla Jardin looks like a peninsula connected to a small island through the years, with the cottages and a restaurant floating over two separate white sand bars.

The pinkish white shoreline stretches and curves 750 meters, which gives the beachfront an impression as if the resort is a small island.

Just at the other side of the road is a lagoon. “There will be crabs and a fish pond in the future so we can do fishing,” Delfino disclosed. It is a breathtaking view of a small lake and the Sarangani Bay atop the hills which serve as the boundary for Isla Jardin Del Mar.

“We have mountain trekking beginner’s trail for 30 minutes both sides of the resort where you can see the spectacular Gumasa coastal view,” Delfino said. Two standard volleyball courts are also under construction.

About 25 meters from shoreline is the “garden” of corals 300 meters wide. “Our guests will surely enjoy the coral reef and colorful coral fish.”

Isla Jardin Del Mar is three kilometers from the main road.

This year, the resort epitomizes summer fun for the many. Yet for now, the Island Garden of the Sea is a hideaway for the busy few and the soul searching.(Russtum G. Pelima)

Pearl of Sarangani Province

Six lovely ladies who will vie for the title of Pearl of Sarangani in a photo call at Bocay-il falls. The pageant is one of the highlights of Munato Festival 2009 with coronation night set on November 26. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

Indonesia frees 31 jailed Filipino fishermen

Mayor Enrique Yap Jr.,of Glan town in Sarangani province in the southern Philippines, welcomes Saturday, August 22, 2009 the 31 jailed Filipino fishermen freed by Indonesia. (Photo by Bobby Saya-ang)

SARANGANI, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 24, 2009) – Jakarta has repatriated 31 Filipino fishermen after pardoning them from various violations against fishing laws of Indonesia.

The Filipinos arrived in Sarangani province from Manado over the weekend, said Glan town Mayor Enrique Yap Jr., who is also the chairman of the Jose Abad Santos-Glan-Sarangani Cooperation Triangle (JAGS-CT).

In a statement, the mayor said the latest batch of freed Filipino fishermen to have been repatriated to the town of Glan brought to 403 the number of those released from Indonesian jails since 2005. The releases, he said, were facilitated by JAGS-CT.

JAGS-CT is a cluster of southern Philippines towns formed in 2003 in support to the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). It aims to increase trade, tourism and investments by enhancing cross-border linkages with the northern provinces of Indonesia.

Yap said the Indonesia released the fishermen after their wives appealed for their release. Most of the fishermen were arrested in 2008 for poaching inside Indonesian waters.

“The appeal of the fishermen’s wives prompted him to request the government of Indonesia for the fishermen’s pardon and release,” Yap said.

Yap identified the freed fishermen as Allen Aranas, Alberto Cambal, Ronilo Tagpuno, Ponciano Suralta Jr., Rocky Suralta, Jessie Suralta, Samalito Suralta, Joel Plenos, Gerry Colaste, Victoriano Sumampong, Arturo Donaire, Bobby Rivera, Bonifacio Baleroso, Mervin Lebano.

And Emoksan Diva, Jose Alfuerto, Berto Alegre, Vicente Salabsab, Noel Magbanua, Alexis Abellar, Anthony Abellar, Peter Paul Lamanilao, Jaime Tagalog, Lito Montillano, Danacio Lapis, Rene Palero, Panfilo Orio, Ranny Pilapil, Zaldy Cabilao, Armando Pilapil and Michael Enad.

Majority of them were from General Santos City and three from Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur and Sarangani.

Yap said Indonesia would release 23 more Filipino fishermen next month. (With reports from Beverly Paoyon and Geo Solmerano)

Sarangani mourns death of former Filipino leader

Philippine flags fly at half-mast Tuesday, August 4, 2009 in front of the Sarangani Provincial Capitol as it joins the nation in mourning for beloved former President Corazon Aquino, who died of colon cancer on Saturday. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

Security forces capture bomber in southern Philippines

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 30, 2009) – Security forces captured Thursday a suspected bomber tagged as behind the spate of attacks in the southern Philippines, officials said.

Officials said Mohammad Jaafar Maguid was captured after soldiers and policemen raided his hideout in the village of Daliao in Sarangani’s Maasim town at around 1 p.m.

“The arrested terrorist is a member of the lawless MILF group and is reportedly the mastermind of the blast in Maasim a month ago that killed one civilian and wounded 32 others,” said Captain Rose Maria Cristina Manuel, a spokeswoman for the Army’s 10th Infantry Division.

“Maguid is also being tagged as one of those who carried out the series of bombings in Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum towns that killed several civilians and wounded many others,” she added.

She said Maguid is also facing charges of murder, arson and robbery in the province.

Manuel said troops seized from Maguid one anti-tank rocket launcher, an M79 grenade launcher, a carbine rifle and magazine, a rocket-propelled grenade, a fragmentation grenade and a pair of binoculars, including materials and black powder used for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices.

She said security forces also recovered a cell phone which could be used as detonator to trigger explosion of homemade bombs, two cell phone charges, a radio transceiver and two pieces of 9-volt batteries.

Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo de Leon, who led the raid, said Maguid was a follower of wanted MILF leader Ameril Kato, who was behind a deadly attack in the province last year.

“With his arrest, the province would have relative peace and his victims will finally get justice,” he said.

Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, a regional army commander, praised the capture of Maguid and he appealed to citizens to help authorities fight terrorism by providing intelligence about lawless elements.

“The crusade against terrorism does not end here. We must unite as one nation and fight all threats to our national development. We call on our people, Muslims, Lumads (indigenous peoples) and Christians alike to join hands in making our community a safe place to live.”

“There is no better way to fight terrorism than understanding and communicating peacefully with each other. Together, let us create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sympathy so that we may journey towards lasting peace in our country,” Mapagu said.

There was no immediate statement from the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group which is fighting the past three decades for self-determination. Manila has reopened peace talks with the MILF in an effort to end the bloody hostilities in Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sarangani's Malungon town celebrates 40th year; festival attracts tourists

A Blaan “Kamlung Banwe” (defender) rides his battle horse during the Fye Kura (Best Horse) competition and students from the Malalag-Cogon High School also took part in a street dance drawing interest from thousands attending the 2nd Slang Festival, marking the 40th Foundation anniversary of Malungon town in Sarangani province in the Southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

Malungon town remains a favorite tourist destination in South RP

The town of Malungon in Sarangani province remains a favorite tourist destination in the southern Philippines. Malungon is located some 37 kilometers away from General Santos City and 43 kilometers from Alabel town, which is the seat of the Provincial Government.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

Rural road renews farmers’ faith food production in Sarangani town

A highland farmer in the village of Tuyan in Sarangani’s Malapatan town rides a motorcycle to deliver his produce at the market. Through farm-to-market road established by the Department of Agriculture - Mindanao Rural Development Program and the local governments of Sarangani Province and Malapatan, this farmer is expected to benefit from lower transport cost and minimal post-harvest losses. (Photo by Noel Provido)

SARANGANI, Philippine - One option to address food security is to maximize upland areas for food production. The upland farmers in the village of Tuyan in Sarangani’s Malapatan town had long seen the huge potentials of their farms to help in securing enough food in their town. However, they need better infrastructure for them to be productive.

“Although we have fertile lands, farmers in our barangay (village) cannot go full blast in food production because they cannot easily bring their produce to the market,” said Wahid Musa, the barangay’s chief official.

Allan Malagante, one of the farmers in locality affirmed their difficulty in transporting their produce to the markets.

“Following a very small trail, we carry our produce either by riding horses or simply on foot which usually takes several hours before we can reach the market. That is why the quality of our produce usually deteriorates resulting to cheaper price from the traders,” Malagante said.

“When I assumed as the barangay captain of Tuyan, I prioritized the establishment of farm-to-market road (FMR) which has been the clamor of my constituents for a long time. Since it would not be possible for our barangay budget to fund, we sought the help of our town officials and we are glad that they responded to our need,” Musa said.

Mayor Aida Singcoy, for her part, said the local government had seen the need to open up road network in the said barangay not only in boosting food production but also in fast tracking the delivery of basic services in the area.

Through the FMR project under the Department of Agriculture - Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP), as well as the Provincial Government of Sarangani, a road network was opened early this year and about to be completed within this month.

“Like other developing towns, there a lot of infrastructures that must be put in placed here in Malapatan. We are glad that through DA-MRDP we were able to save a least 50 percent of the construction cost which can be used in extending other needed services to my constituents,” Singcoy said.

Singcoy added that the provincial government through Governor Miguel Dominguez has also provided a bulk amount of their local counterpart.

MRDP program director Roger Chio said the investments on the construction of rural infrastructure form part of the government’s agenda to boost food productivity and make farming more profitable for small stakeholders.

“In implementing food security projects, DA-MRDP is mere facilitators as our local leaders are the lead implementers. We are glad that LGUs like the Province of Sarangani and Malapatan town had been our active partner in enhancing capability of our farmers in food production,” Chio said.

“With the FMR addressing the need to lower transport cost and postharvest losses, our highland farmers can are now encouraged to expand their production areas,” Musa said.

“Just recently, the provincial government has delivered 200 bags of corn seeds which is a big boost to the potential of our barangay to be one of the major corn producing areas. We are confident that more assistance will be poured in our area,” Musa said.

The establishment of the at least 8-kilometer FMR do not only benefited 6,000 residents, but also opened up other economic and social activities.

“There is already a regular motorcycle that ferries residents to the downtown area not to mention that enthusiasm among school children of going to school safely. More importantly, farmers in the areas have renewed their confidence to contribute in securing their families and community enough and affordable food,” Musa said. (Noel Provido)

Sarangani villagers march for peace

Villagers gather at the Malapatan municipal park in Sarangani province in the southern Philippines during a pace rally Sunday, June 28, 2009. Citizens say they want peace and progress and rejected violence. One person was killed and 32 others wounded in a recent grenade attack in Sarangani's Maasim town. The military has blamed Moro Islamic Liberation Front for the attack, an accusation strongly denied by the rebel group which is fighting for independence in the troubled South. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion / Text by the Mindanao Examiner)

1 killed, 32 wounded in twin grenade blasts in Mindanao

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Philippine Army presents captured NPA rebel leader in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 18, 2009) – The Philippine Army on Thursday paraded a senior communist rebel leader captured by soldiers in Mindanao.

Lieutenant Kurt Decapia, of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, said rebel leader Felix Capalla was captured on Sunday at a checkpoint in the village of Pulatana in Sarangani’s Malungon town. But his arrest was only announced by the military on Thursday in Davao City.

Capalla is vice commander for regional operations of the New People’s Army, armed wing of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines to which he is a politburo member.

Decapia said the rebel leader was in a commuter bus bound for Davao City when he was arrested at the checkpoint.

He said Capalla was behind the series of attacks against military and civilian targets in Mindanao.

Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said the capture of Capalla was a big blow to the CPP and the NPA. “This is another big blow to the CPP leadership. We will continually exert more efforts to arrest more of them and make these criminals responsible before the law for the crimes they have committed,” he said.

Mapagu urged rebels to surrender and return to the folds of the law. “We appreciate it more if the NPAs will voluntarily surrender and return to the mainstream society. We will assure our brothers, who are still in the mountains, that we will assist them to avail of the Social Integration Program of the government,” Mapagu said.

The NPA is fighting for the establishment of a Maoist state in the Philippines and peace talks with Manila had collapsed in 2004. The rebels accused the Arroyo government of reneging on a deal that would free political prisoners and stop extrajudicial killings of activists in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

B'laan natives show skills in Malong weaving

Ethnic B’laan weavers Wednesday, June 17, 2009 make a piece of cloth called “malong” the traditional way with the use of colorful threads during the 40th founding anniversary of Malapatan town which coincided with the celebration of the 4th Pakaradyan Festival which will culminate on June 21. Malong symbolizes the harmonious relationships of the Muslims, Christians and tribal people in Malapatan. Pakaradyan is a Maguindanaon term which means “thanksgiving” or “celebration.” (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

Rebels bomb power pylons in Mindanao

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 4, 2009) – Suspected Moro rebels bombed two power pylons in the southern Philippines, cutting electricity in some of parts of Mindanao, the military said Thursday.

It said Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels were behind the attacks late Wednesday in Sarangani province. There was no immediate statement from the MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for independence in the troubled region.

The military previously tagged the MILF in similar attacks in recent years.

Peace talks between the MILF and Manila collapsed last year after the government reneged on a deal that would have granted some four million Muslims a separate homeland across more than 700 areas in Mindanao.

The Supreme Court said the deal was unconstitutional. (Mindanao Examiner)

Glan town hosts Sarangani Bay Bodies

Participants of the Sarangani Bay Bodies pose during the competition night Friday, May 29, 2009 at the Coco Beach Resort in Glan town in Sarangani province. Gaydra Rama, with her Caribbean attire, wins the beauty contest. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion)

2 fishers wounded in MILF attack in South RP

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