Local News

KORONADAL CITY – Unidentified gunmen riding tandem on a motorbike shot
dead an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR-12) regional office here Monday, police said.

Supt. Barney Condes, Koronadal City police director, identified the
victim as Forester Noel Dungca, 54,DENR-12regional program coordinator. He died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds at the back of his
head and body.

Police have launched a manhunt.

KORONADAL CITY -- Police here arrested a woman believed to be the No. 10 most wanted person in illegal drug trade of Norala, South Cotabato and a big time illegal drug pusher of Tampakan, South Cotabato were arrested in separate police operation over the weekend.Jennifer Villanueva, 36 of Barangay Poblacion, Norala was arrested during police operation on Purok Mercado Rizal, according to Chief Inspector Dennis Madriaga, Norala police chief.Madriaga said Villanueva sells illegal drugs in her roadside home and her clients were drivers and helpers of cargo trucks stopping over in Norala.

COTABATO CITY -- A very worried father has brought his illegal drug dependent 16-year-old daughter to police and village officials here, afraid she might end up dead as the police intensified the drive against persons engaged in illegal drug activities through Oplan Double Barrel. Samad, a resident of Barangay Poblacion Mother in Cotabato City, said on Saturday he was glad he convinced his daughter to voluntarily surrender” to the police.Samad said he was afraid his daughter might be salvaged (slang for killed) because of the government’s relentless drive against illegal drugs.

PARANG, Maguindanao -- Six persons involved in illegal drug activities here have been arrested by joint police and military personnel on Friday, the police in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PNP-ARMM) today said.Police agents backed by elements of the 37th Infantry Battalion, implemented anti-illegal drugs campaign dubbed as DOUBLE BARREL” andarrested Majed Baulo,Isidro Villaries Jr,Datukon Dalao, Papa Baulom,Nestor Mariga and Abdulla Laduka.Items seized includeandsix big heat sealed plastic sachet and 62 small heat sealed sachet containing white crystalline substance believe to b

KORONADAL CITY - For refusing to surrender and trading shots with lawmen, a man suspected of carnapping a brand newToyota D4D was killed Friday night, police here said.Supt. Barney Condes, Koronadal City police director, identified the suspect as Francis Patricio of Sto Nino, South Cotabato.Condes said Patricio was also involved in robbery hold-up and illegal drug pushing. Investigation showed that Patricio rented the van (MDR-704) on June 26 from Alexander Borja, also a resident of Sto Nino.

BANGA, South Cotabato -- For ignoring calls for suspected illegal drug pushers and couriers, a couple was arrested here at dawn today. Another man who roam around a remote village in nearby Surallah town while pushing illegal drugs was also arrested. Chief Inspector Marvin Duadua, Banga town police chief, said the couple, Allan Castrodes, 30, and Cecilia dela Pena, 36, were urged earlier to surrender and avail of the government's rehabilitation program. Despite the calls, the couple continued their business of pushing prohibited substance.

MANILA -- The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has found probable cause to charge former Norala, South Cotabato Mayor Romeo Januto with violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act , in connection with the highly irregular procurement of P1.8-million worth of fertilizer in 2005.Likewise charged are municipal accountant Grace Mediana, municipal treasurer Carlos Bengil and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman Dominador Escucha, Jr.

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao– A new set of 144 soldiers of Kampilan Division stood with pride during their graduation ceremony at the 6th Division Training School in BarangaySemba, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao this morning. The new soldiers are members of Candidate Soldiers HUNTER” Class 392-2015 that underwent a rigid Basic Military Training and Jungle Warfare Mountain Operations Course.

KIDAPAWAN CITY -– At least 117 self-proclaimed users and couriers of illegal drugs surfaced and yielded voluntarily to different police stations in North Cotabato, since Tuesday.

DAVAO CITY -- President Benigno Aquino III conferred on Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair Luwalhati Antonino the Order of Lakandula, one of the highest honors granted by the Republic of the Philippines to individuals who have demonstrated dedication to the welfare of society.”Antonino was given the rank of Gold Cross Bayani together with 23 other cabinet secretaries of President Benignoo Aquino during a ceremony on June 23 at Malacañang Palace.The Order of Lakandula is awarded for political and civic merit in memory of Lakandula’s dedication to the responsibilities of leadership