AFP, PNP help ease tensions in Lanao del Sur

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, May 16 (PIA) --- The joint forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) assigned in the province played a vital role in minimizing election-related violence in the province.

Col. Glenn Macasero, commanding officer of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the conduct of the 2013 mid-term polls in the province on Monday has been generally peaceful.

Amid few isolated incidents, the elections in the entire province were successful and that all the municipalities in the province have not reported failure of elections, he said.

According to him, the success was due to the timely response of reaction forces in areas where tensions were reported.

The peaceful conduct of elections could also be attributed to the presence of policewomen in the polling centers.

The PNP has deployed one provisional female company to the province to assist in ensuring the safe conduct of elections.

Police Chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes, PNP Regional Director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the move was based on past experiences where some of the election-related irregularities and disturbances were initiated by female voters.

He said it would be difficult for policemen to respond to incidents involving female voters considering the culture in the province, hence, the deployment of policewomen.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Inspector Eden Agsuay, overall company commander of the provisional female company, said the 110 trained policewomen from Parang, Maguindanao were able to respond immediately and ease tensions in their assigned areas. (APB/PIA-10)

4ID deploys 5,000 soldiers for 2013 Elections

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, May 2013 -- The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division through its subordinate units deployed more or less 5,000 troops in its area in Caraga Region and Northern Mindanao during the local and national elections in 2013.

The units monitored election updates based on reports from the ground, radio, television and the internet. They also have hotlines where people reported other election related incidents which includes the delays due to PCOS machine.

On the actual day of election, people in the communities were able to cast their vote safely and freely. The Division’s full effort in securing its areas had contributed to the success of this election, COMELEC personnel and equipment were safeguarded and enemy plans were thwarted. Through the help of the people during elections in 4ID area was declared peaceful and successful.

While other soldiers were out to ensure that every Filipino in the area covered by the Division was able to practice their Right to vote, other soldiers took advantage of the chance to also exercise their Right by individually casting their votes, though others have already voted earlier through the Local Absentee Voting held last April 28-30, 2013.

Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya AFP, General Officer-In-Charge of 4ID said the 4ID with other agencies and organization have prepared for this 2013 Elections since January which has contributed to its success.

However this success cannot be owned by a single organization instead this is the success of all the Filipinos who have actively participated in this Elections, as voters, poll watchers, and candidates. The Division will continue with its mandate of securing its areas even after the polls. Troops will stay in their designated areas until electoral processes in their areas were declared over and done. The soldiers are still ready to response to any eventualities days ahead from the day election.

“We thank our partner agencies, organizations, and the people for bearing with your soldiers and understanding their situation as they perform their duties mandated by the law to secure this 2013 Election,” BGen Vizaya added. (4CMO/4ID/PIA10)

Iligan City’s midterm elections 2013 generally peaceful, says PNP Iligan chief

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, May 15 (PIA)—The midterm elections in Iligan City was generally peaceful according to a police official here.

P/SSupt. Cristeto Rey Gonzalodo, acting city director of the Philippine National Police here, said close coordination with partners like the Philippine Army-2nd Mechanized Brigade in securing the area, and the support of the Commission on Elections in the implementation of election guidelines, rules and election bans have resulted in fair and orderly here.

The police had an augmenting force of 32 policemen from the Regional Police Office 10, backed by national support unit.

"We established a police assistance center in every school where precincts have been put up as voting center in the city proper and in the hinterlands, as well," Gonzalodo said. "We also intensified the Roving Mobile Patrol and the Quick Response Teams composed of ICPO elements and the Safety Company. Stand-by reserved teams have been advised on call as the need arises."

The support of the Special Action Force composed of eight for every team, has also made our security strong, in coordination with our five (5) Police Station Precincts of the city.

During the canvassing, four (4) teams have been deployed to secure the area at the Sangguniang Panglungsod session hall, city hall.

(lvgabule/PIA10-LDN)

New elected officers proclaimed in Cagayan de Oro

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 15 (PIA) -- The City Board of Canvassers after reaching 96.94% election returns finally decided on Tuesday, May 14, night to proclaim new elected leaders here.

For City Mayor, incumbent Misamis Oriental governor Oscar S. Moreno won the race with 109,886 votes over incumbent city mayor Vicente Y. Emano with 92, 033 and other candidates namely Elmer B. Francisco with 582, Jasper F. Uy 479, Jerremiah J. Agbong 259, Suipicio B. Illana 234 and Laurence Edgardo A. Del Puerto 191.

The slot for 1st district representative here went to incumbent barangay Carmen chair Rolando A. Uy with 48, 026 votes against second highest rival former representative Jose Benjamin A. Benaldo with 27, 482 votes and other candidates particularly Constantino G. Jaraula with 10, 195, Alvin R. Calingin with 6,248 and Ricarte A. Nagac with 226.

Meanwhile Rufus B. Rodriguez was re-elected for the 2nd district here with 87, 071 votes against rivals Ian Mark Q. Nacaya with 18, 963, Eric P. Saarenas 335 and Leodegario A. Lagrimas 216.

For vice-mayor, incumbent vice-mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas was re-elected in the city against contenders Edgar S. Cabanlas, Ofelio Z. Sabud and Ramil U. Sia.

Atty. Palmer P. Palamine, city election officer and acting chairman of the city board of election canvassers here checked and re-checked transmitted election returns from all barangays before making such proclamation.

According to him, the remaining four compact flash (CF) cards that could not be read in the canvassing and consolidation system (CCS) because of technical malfunction could not and will not affect the result.

However, he assured everyone and parties involved that they will continue to manually audit them and finish counting today.

He reiterated Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Resolution 9700, wherein municipal, city, provincial, district and regional boards of canvassers may proclaim winning candidates on the basis of the last “grouped canvass report” generated by the CCS even if not all results are received, provided that the standing of candidates will not be affected by the results not yet transmitted to and received by the CCS without prejudice and ranking of the winning candidates.

City councilors will be proclaimed later as soon as they finish manual audit and ranking, according to Atty. Palamine. (JMOR/PIA10)

  

DOST 10 scholars now in summer classes

By Teresita S. Baluyos

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 15 (PIA) -- Incoming DOST scholars from Region 10 are undergoing summer classes beginning May 6 up to June 1.

The 30-day program is being held at Mindanao University of Science and Technology this city and at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City.

This Summer Orientation and Enrichment Program (SOEP) is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of DOST scholars in English, Mathematics and Physics. It also aims to prepare them in their adjustment to college life and to imbue in them the proper study habits and other techniques that will lead to their success.

The refresher course focuses in four areas -- Basic English (Grammar, Usage and Technical Writing), College Mathematics (Algebra, Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry), Physics, and Psycho-social Skills Development.

A corresponding allowance is to be given to the scholars for the summer program.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) gives out about 4,000 college science scholarship slots every year for those who wish to pursue careers in science and technology.

For this year, Region 10 has 149 new scholars added to the existing scholars who are now enrolled in DOST-accredited colleges and universities all over the Philippines. For more information email or call Tess Superioridad Baluyos at tsuperioridad.dost@yahoo.com / 09277559972. (Teresita S. Baluyos/DOST/JMOR/PIA10)