Pagpapalit ng pinuno ng 31st IB, PA ginanap kahapon

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Mayo 23 (PIA) – Pinangunahan ni 903^rd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Joselito E. Kakilala ang pagpapalit ng bagong pinuno ng 31^st Infantry Batallion ng Philippine Army, alas-dyes ng umaga kahapon, sa Battallion Headquarters, Brgy. Rangas, Juban, Sorsogon.

Pinalitan ni Lt. Col. Beerjenson N. Aquino si dating Commanding Officer Col. Teody T. Toribio na nagsilbi rin ng isang taon at anim na buwan bilang pinuno ng 31^st IB.

Si Lt. Col. Aquino ay dating Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, G1 sa Camp Elias Angeles sa bayan ng Pili, Camarines Sur na nanungkulan naman doon ng halos isang taon. Pumalit sa kanya si Lt. Col. Buenaventura L. Zulueta na kasalukuyang hepe ng Provost Marshall Division ng 9^th Infantry Division.

Bago tuluyang palitan si Col. Toribio, binigyan ito ng parangal bilang pagkilala sa kanyang mga nagawa sa loob ng kanyang panunungkulan sa batalyon. Kabilang na dito ang matagumpay na pagkakakubkob ng kuta ng mga rebeldeng New People’s Army (NPA) sa bayan ng Donsol, Sorsogon kung saan tatlong NPA ang napaslang at ilang mga armas at kagamitan din ng rebeldeng grupo ang nakumpiska.

Sa panayam ng PIA kay Col Toribio, sinabi nitong positibo siyang maipagpapatuloy ng bagong pinuno ng 31^st IB ang nasimulan nilang mga aktibidad, proyekto at programang nagresulta sa zero human rights violation at zero tactical offense sa panig ng mga kasundaluhan, at mas mapayapang komunidad dahilan upang umangat ang kanilang ekonomiya. Aniya, sa tamang taktika at istratehiyang pangkapayapaan, tataas ang turismo at maiaangat ang kalagayan ng pamumuhay ng mga Sorsoganon. “Naniniwalaakong alternate economic hub ng Albay ang lalawigan ng Sorsogon,” dagdag pa ni Col. Toribio.

Mensahe umano niya sa hahalili sa kanya na alagaan ang mga kasundaluhan, gawin anuman ang naaayon sa batas, panatilihin ang pagpapahalaga sa karapatang pantao, pag-ibayuhin ang serbisyo publiko at huwag sayangin ang lahat ng nasimulan na, lalo na ang naibalik na tiwala ng mamamayan at magandang imahe ng mga kasundaluhan. Naniniwala umano siyang possible ito sapagkat napagtulungan na nilang gawing matatag ang batalyon.

Panawagan din nya sa publiko na sana’y patuloy na tulungan ang 31^st IB nang sa gayon ay mawakasan na ang karahasan at insurhensiya nang sa gayon ay tuluyan nang makamit ang minimithiing kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng bawat isa.

Bilang tugon ay nangako naman si Lt. Col. Aquino na gagawin nya ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya upang mabigyan ng tamang serbisyo ang mga taga-Sorsogon. Makakaasa umano ang mga Sorsoganon na ipagpapatuloy niya anuman ang naumpisahang programa ni Col. Toribio lalo na ang paglulunsad ng mga aktibidad pangkapayapaan at pang-kaunlaran, at yaong may kaugnayan sa civil military operation na mayroong malaking pakinabang sa mga Sorsoganon. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Mga nagkakasalang pulis, dapat gabayan kaysa parusahan ayon kay PNP Bicol RD Guinto

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Mayo 22 (PIA) – Hindi parusa kundi rehabilitasyon para sa mga nagkakasalang pulis.

Ito ang mariing sinabi ni Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Clarence V. Guinto sa ginawang parangal sa mga nasugatan at nakaligtas na kasapi ng Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT)Team ng Sorsogon City Police Station sa naganap na pagpapasabog ng improvised landmine at ambush noong ika-10 ng Mayo sa Brgy. Bato, Distrito ng Bacon, Lungsod ng Sorsogon.

Aniya, isa sa mga naging patakaran niya nang maging Regional Director siya ay ang pagbibigay parangal sa mga nararapat na bigyan nito, subalit kung gaano siya kabilis sa pagbibigay ng parangal ay ganun din sya kabilis sa pagbibigay ng disiplina sa mga nagkakasala o nalilihis ng landas na pulis.

Subalit sinabi nito na sa kanyang pagdisiplina sa mga tauhang kabilang sa kanyang hanay, dalawa ang sinusunod niyang disiplina, yaong tinatawag na punitive at administrative.

Ipinaliwanag niya na ang punitive discipline ay maaring mangahulugan ng paglilipat sa nagkasala o nalihis ang landas na pulis sa mas mabigat na tungkulin o assignment. Aniya, may karapatan ang nakakataas na opisyal na ilipat ang sinumang kasapi ng National Police Force saan mang panig ng bansa.

Sa disiplinang administratibo, maaari umanong masuspindi o matanggal sa serbisyo ang sinumang pulis na nagkasala. Subalit para umano sa kanya, hangga’t maaari ay ayaw niyang magsuspindi o magtanggal ng pulis sa serbisyo bilang parusa sapagkat hindi lamang ang pulis ang mapaparusahan kundi ang kanyang buong pamilya at mga nakadepende sa kanya. Aniya, mas gugustuhin niyang bigyan ito ng counseling at iba pang kaukulang aksyong magsasalba dito mula sa pagkasuspindi o pagkakatanggal tulad halimbawa ng pagbibigay sa mga ito ng espesyal na pagsasanay at seminar.

Ikinatuwa din ni PCSupt Guinto na sa Sorsogon, kakaunti lamang ang mga naitalang pasaway na pulis. Mas marami aniya ang nagbigay ng serbisyong totoo at marami din ang nagtaya ng buhay upang makamit ang mapayapa at matagumpay na eleksyon.

Binigyang komendasyon din ni PCSupt Guinto ang lahat ng mga naroroong kapulisan sa pamumuno ni Sorsogon Police Provincial Director Police Senior Superintendent Ramon S. Ranara na napakahusay na pagganap ng kanilang tungkulin noong nakaraang halaln. Pinasalamatan na rin niya ang civil society group na nakiisa at sumuporta sa kanilang mithiing makamit ang payapang halalan. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

BFP Sorsogon City joins DepEd’s “Oplan Brigada Eskwela 2013”

SORSOGON CITY, May 21 (PIA) – In line with the approaching school year 2013-2014, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Sorsogon City spearheaded by SInsp Walter Badong Marcial, the City Fire Marshal, will conduct massive fire safety inspections to all public schools and establishments being utilized as dormitories/boarding houses.

“We are anticipating the influx of students in different schools as well as those students who will be staying in their boarding houses, and to ensure their safety and abate the possible hazards in their respective areas, our fire safety inspectors has started conducting this week massive fire safety inspection to all public schools and boarding houses within the city to ensure compliance with the fire safety requirements,” said SInsp Marcial.

He further added that he has instructed his personnel to coordinate with the different barangays and the Department of Education (Deped) to make sure that this will be properly implemented in time of their Brigada Eskwela.

“Oplan balik Eskwela” is one of the annual programs of the government being supported by the BFP to ensure the smooth opening of the classes and avert any untoward incident and other similar eventualities.

Furthermore, Sinsp Marcial said that the BFP is mandated to promote public safety through the intensification of fire safety campaign and stringent implementation of RA 9514 also known as the Fire Code of the Philippines.

In case of fire incidents or other related emergency situation, the BFP can be reached at their hotline nos. 421-6320;211-7996/ 0907-2927-215;0907-2927-266. (MGECorral, BFP/BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Kasapi ng SWAT na nakaligtas sa ambush pinarangalan

Iginawad ni PNP Bicol RD Guinto ang parangal sa tatlong pulis.

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Mayo 21 (PIA) – Pinarangalan kanina ang tatlong kasapi ng grupo ng Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) ng Sorsogon City Police Station na nakaligtas sa naganap na ambush noong ika-10 ng Mayo sa distrito ng Bacon, Lungsod ng Sorsogon.

Matatandaang pinasabugan ng improvised landmine ang grupo ng SWAT Team alas-kwatro kwarenta y singko ng hapon sa Brgy. Bato, Bacon District, Sorsogon City habang nagsasagawa ang mga ito ng checkpoint at roving security sa lugar dalawang araw bago ang halaln.

Pinaniniwalaang grupo ng mga rebeldeng New People’s Army (NPA) ang nasa likod ng nasabing ambush.

Mismong si Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Clarence V. Guinto ang naggawad ng parangal sa isang simpleng seremonya kaninang alas-otso ng umaga sa loob ng Camp Salvador Escudero, Sr., Sorsogon City.

Ang mga magigiting na kapulisan na pinarangalan at nakarating sa awarding ceremony ay sina PO3 Joey M. Vallespin, PO2 Jeric A. Elquiero at PO2 Rodel DL Dioquino habang nasa bakasyon pa at nagpapagaling pa rin sina PCInsp Juancho B. ibis at PO2 Ruel G. Guel.

Maliban sa medalya, nakatanggap din ng tig-lilimang libong piso ang limang SWAT members dahilan sa katapangang ipinakita ng mga ito.

Sa naging mensahe ni RD Guinto, pinuri nito ang ipinakitang katapangan at katatagan ng loob ng mga kasapi ng SWAT dahilan upang walang buhay na mabuwis lalo na sa panig ng pamahalaan.

Pinasalamatan din niya ang lahat ng mga kapulisan sa ipinakitang pagtutulungan ng mga ito dahilan upang makamit ang mapayapang halalan hindi lamang sa lalawigan ng Sorsogon kundi sa buong rehiyon partikular sa lalawigan ng Masbate.

Isa umano itong indikasyon na sa pagsasanib pwersa ng mga awtoridad at mamayan, hindi imposibleng makamit ang kapayapaan at kaayusan ng bawat komunidad. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

“Diskwento Caravan – Balik Eskwela Edition” inilunsad ng DTI

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Mayo 21 (PIA) – Halos dalawang linggo na lamang ang natititira bago ang pasukan kung kaya’t abala na naman ang mga mag-aaral at magulang sa pagbili ng mga kagamitan bilang paghahanda sa pagbubukas ng mga paaralan.

Kaugnay nito, muli na namang nakaalalay ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) upang matulungan ang mga mag-aaral at magulang sa kanilang mga gastusin sa kagamitan sa pag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng kanilang “Diskwento Caravan – Balik Eskwela Ediiton”.

Ayon kay DTI Sorsogon Information Officer Senen Malaya, inilunsad ng DTI ang isang pambansang proyektong tinagurian nilang “Diskwento Caravan” nang sa gayon ay matulungan ang mga kunsumidor na makabili ng mga kagamitan at produkto sa mas mababang halaga nang hindi nasasakripisyo ang kalidad nito.

Aniya, para sa lalawigan ng Sorsogon, ang “Diskwento Caravan – Balik Eskwela Edition” ay isasagawa sa pakikipagtulungan sa Department of Educatio (DepEd) kasabay ng pagsasagawa nito ng “Brigada Eskwela”, sa Sorsogon Consumers Association at sa iba-ibang mga establisimyentong nangakong makikilahok dito tulad ng Centro Department Store, Duka Variety Store; Goodluck Commercial; at Jeanee’s Supermarket.

Kabilang sa mga ibebenta sa may diskwentong halaga ay mga kagamitang tulad ng kwaderno, papel, lapis, pambura, pangtasa, bag, sapatos at uniporme, mga pambaon at iba pa.

Ang dalawang araw na aktibidad ay gagawin simula sa Miyerkules, ika-22 ng Mayo hanggang sa Huwebes, Mayo 23, 2013 sa Distrito ng Bacon, Lungsod ng Sorsogon.

Sa Mayo 22, 2013, gagawin ang “Diskwento Caravan – Balik Eskwela” alas otso hanggang alas-onse y medya ng umaga sa Bonga Integrated High School; ala-una hanggang alas-kwatro y medya ng hapon sa Rawis National High School; at sa Mayo 23, 2013,gagawin naman ito alas-otso hanggang alas-onse y medya ng umaga sa Gatbo Integrated High School; habang ala-una hanggang alas-kwatro y medya naman ng hapon sa L. Martinez Memorial High School.

Subalit nilinaw ni Malaya na hidi nila nililimithan ang “Diskwento Caravan” sa mga nabanggit lamang na barangay kundi bukas umano ito sa mga katabing mga barangay at sa sinumang interesadong makabili ng mga kagamitan sa murang halaga. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Kabalikat Civicom Bacon Chapter, nakatakdang magsagawa ng Fun Run at Fun Walk para sa Kalikasan

Ni: FB Tumalad

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Mayo 19 (PIA) – Nakatakdang magsagawa ng Fun Run, Fun Walk ang Kabalikat Civicom Bacon Chapter bukas, Mayo 21, 2013 , alas singko ng umaga na sisimulan sa Sorsogon State College, Lungsod ng Sorsogon.

Ang Fun Run at Fun Walk  ay naisakatuparan sa pamamagitan ng pangulo nito na si Ruel Atutubo kabilang na ang 30 aktibong kasapi ng  Kabalikat.

Para sa kapakanan ng mga susunod pang henerasyon, layunin  nilang maitaas pa ang antas ng kamalayan ng publiko sa tamang pangangalaga ng ating likas na yamang dagat .

Inaasahang lalahukan ang sama-samang mithiing ito ng sektor ng mga propesyunal, akademya, kinatawan ng mga Non-Government Organization at ng iba pang sektor ng komunidad.

Ang kabalikat  Civicom Bacon Chapter ay  palaging nakaantabay sa anumang oras upang umalalay sa mga panahong may kalamidad, sakuna at krimen ng walang hinihinging kapalit.

Sa halagang P250 na registration fee ay mayroon nang libreng singlet at sertipiko Bukod sa singlet ay may P1,000  ibibigay sa unang makakarating sa Bacon East Central School kung saan naroroon ang finish line na may distansyang walong kilometrong layo.

Ang pangalawang makararating sa finish line ay makakatanggap ng P500 habang P250 naman sa 3rd placer. Hindi rin uuwing luhaan ang ika-apat hanggang ika-sampung makakarating sa finish line sapagkat bibigyan din ang mga ito ng tig-P100.

Ang unang makakarating naman sa 5 kilometrong finish line ay makakatanggap ng P500; P300 para sa 2nd placer at P200 para sa 3rd placer.

Ayon kay Atutubo, ang nasabing aktibidad ay  hindi nakatuon sa anumang halaga subalit sa pamamagitan nito ay maipapakita ng bawat isa na sila  ay nais makatulong  sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay panahon at ambag upang malabanan ang patuloy na pang–aabuso at pagkasira ng ating likas na yaman. (FB Tumalad, PIA Sorsogon)

Comelec released results of May 2013 poll winners in Sorsogon

Ang mga bagong halal na Bokal sa unang distrito ng Sorsogon.

 By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, May 20 (PIA) – Election fever has toned-down in Sorsogon as the Commission on Election (Comelec) Provincial Board of Canvassers released on Friday, May 17, 2013, the official winners of the May 13, 2013 for the provincial level.

Provincial Board of Canvassers officially proclaimed the victors at exactly 2:55AM starting with the newly elected Sorsogon First District Representative Mrs. Evelina Escudero who got 87,904 votes. Escudero popularly known as “Nanay Evie” is the wife of former Congressman Salvador H. Escudero III and the mother of Senator Francis Escudero.

Incumbent 2^nd District Congressman Deogracias Ramos, Jr. remains undefeated with a landslide vote of 102,000 against his nearest opponent Guillermo De Castro who got 41,265 votes.

For Governor, Sorsogon incumbent Governor Raul R. Lee took the lead with a total of 123,232 votes against his tough rival, incumbent Board Member Mark Eric Dioneda who got 118,889 votes, a difference of 4,343 votes.

Incumbent Vice-Governor Antonio Escudero won the same position with a total of 133,745 against his lone opponent incumbent Board Member Vladimir Frivaldo who got 86,903 votes.

Proclaimed winners as Provincial Board Members for the First District are Krunimar Escudero, incumbent Board Members Rebecca Aquino and Eric Franco Ravanilla, Roland Anonuevo and Everesto Relativo.

For 2^nd District Provincial Board Member, winners are incumbent Board Member Renato Guban, incumbent Bulusan Mayor Michael Guysayko, Arze Glipo, incumbent Board Members Bernard Hao and Angel Escandor.

In Sorsogon City, the Board of Canvassers also proclaimed on May 17, 2013 the newly elected officials with former Governor Sally Lee as the new City Mayor who got 33,895 votes against her lone opponent, incumbent City Mayor Leovic Dioneda with 32, 692 votes, a difference of 1,203 votes. Sally Lee was the first Sorsogon City Mayor and served the City for two terms from 2001-2007 before she ran and won as Governor of Sorsogon in 2007.

For City vice-mayor, incumbent City Councilor Ma. Charo Dichoso won the vice-mayoralty race with 23,282 votes taking an edge of 2,074 votes against nearest opponent former City Mayor Edmundo Atutubo.

Proclaimed as Sangguniang Panlungsod winners for Bacon District are incumbent City Councilors Inigo Destacamento and Roque Divina, Emmanuel Diolata and Hilario Dioneda; for East District, winners are incumbent City Councilor Florencio Jamisola, Jr., Atty. Joven Laura, Mary Ellen Jamisola and Ralph Walter Lubiano; and for West District, winners are incumbent City Councilors Aldin Ayo and Rogelio Jebulan, Sr., Dave Duran and incumbent City Councilor Pedro Alindogan.

Meanwhile, it can be noted that canvassing for the provincial level was four times reset after Bulan town and Sorsogon City failed to transmit the election returns.

Chairman of the Provincial Board of Canvassers and Election Supervisor Atty. Calixto Aquino, Jr. said that the Compact Flash (CF) Cards including the back-up cards of Precinct Counting Optical Scan (PCOS) Machines for Brgys. Balete and Sampaloc in Sorsogon City and Brgy. Beguin in Bulan town have malfunctioned causing the non-transmittal of over-all results from the two areas.

Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) have to wait for the replacement of CF cards from Manila before they are able to continue with the Sorsogon City and Bulan Municipal Canvassing. The slow delivery of the new CF cards also added to the delay of transmission.

Following the receipt of CF cards on May 16, 2013, Sorsogon City transmitted the election returns to the Provincial Board of Canvassers at 10:15 PM of the same date while Bulan was able to transmit 15 minutes past midnight.

Earlier on, thirteen municipalities have already proclaimed their respective newly elected mayors as follows: Barcelona – incumbent Mayor Manuel Fortes, Jr.; Bulusan – incumbent City Councilor Domingo Halum; Casiguran – incumbent Mayor Ma. Ester Hamor; Castilla – unopposed incumbent Mayor Olive Bermillo; Donsol – Josephine Alcantara, daughter of former re-electionist Mayor Jerome Alcantara who died before election; Gubat – Roderick Co; Irosin – incumbent Mayor Eduardo Ong, Jr; Juban – Antonio Alindogan; Magallanes – incumbent Vice-Mayor Augusto Manuel Ragrario; Matnog – incumbent Mayor Emilio Ubaldo; Pilar – incumbent Mayor Dennis Sy-Reyes; Pto. Diaz – incumbent Board Member Benito Doma; and Sta. Magdalena – incumbent Mayor Alejandro Gamos. Bulan was the last municipality to proclaim its new elected officials with incumbent Vice Mayor Marnelli Robles as the new mayor.

Election Supervisor Atty. Calixto Aquino, Jr. meanwhile, calls on everyone, now that election is over, to forget politics, live a normal life and support those who won the race prioritizing what is best for the community towards a more productive and developed province of Sorsogon. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

2013 Election turns out generally peaceful in Sorsogon and Masbate

By: Bennie A. Recebido

         

SORSOGON CITY, May 20 (PIA) – The overwhelming deployment of government troops in the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate resulted to favorable secured provisions in the area making it generally peaceful. This was the over-all assessment of the 903^rd Brigade of the May 13, 2013 polls having no reports of election violence.

903^rd Brigade Spokesperson Capt. Mardjorie Paimela P. Panesa said the Brigade under the supervision of Colonel Joselito E Kakilala sent over a thousand of soldiers in his area of operations to ensure safe elections.

The soldiers in full-election duty composed the Task Unit “Rodeo” led by Colonel Samuel Felipe in Masbate with two sub-units: Task Sub-unit “Samaritan” of the 9^th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Julian Pacatan and Task Sub-unit “Steadfast” of the 80^th Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Ted Dumosmog; while the Task Sub-unit “Charge” of the 31^st Infantry Battalion covers Sorsogon. The Task Group Bicol of the 9^th Infantry Division also sent teams to the two provinces for monitoring of election situation.

“Though there were some election-related incidents and violations noted a day before election, our men together with other security officers did it well to apprehend negative elements even before they can do evil deeds that may affect the peaceful conduct of elections,” said Panesa.

Brigade’s report said that eight apprehensions were reported prior to Election Day. On May 12, 2013, at about 5:30 am, joint elements of Regional Intelligence Division (RID) led by PSInsp Jimmy Medina Pintor; Provincial Intelligence Branch-Sorsogon PPO; 96MICo, 9ID, PA; 5RCPSB, Charlie Company; and Castilla Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by PSupt El Cid Talay Roldan implemented Search Warrant Nr 2013-43 and 44 issued by Hon Judge Amy Ana L De Villa-Rosero, Executive Judge, RTC, Ligao City dated May 10, 2013 against Ramir Navas Y Latagan, legal age, businessman, and resident of Sitio Misalay, Brgy Macalaya, Castilla, Sorsogon for Violation of PD 1866 as amended by RA 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms).

The search and seizure operation for firearms yielded negative result however, incidental to a lawful search, the group recovered and seized the following items: 878 pcs of sample ballots with one hundred peso bill each amounting to 87,000 and 17 pcs lists of prospective recipients. The search was conducted in the presence of Brgy Councilor Christopher Luna and Brgy Chairman Recto Enovejas of said barangays.

At about 9:20AM of the same date, combined elements of Aroroy MPS led by PCI Perfecto M Loviña Jr; ACOP, PIDMB, Masbate PPO led by SPO1 Reynaldo C Baile; 9IB, 9ID, PA led by Cpl Elmer M Echaluce; and RSOTG Masbate responded to an information from Brgy Captain Emilio Sarco of  Brgy Sawang, Aroroy, Masbate that Cipriano Escurel y Cantoria, who was then staying at shanty house located within the vicinity of said Barangay was in possession of firearms concealed in his jacket.  Confiscated from his possession and custody were one (1) Caliber 357 revolver marked “Smith and Wesson” with Serial Number  880044; two (2) ammunition for said caliber and two (2) ammunition for Caliber .38 with no pertinent document to posses the same from the competent authority.

At about 1:50 in the afternoon, combined elements of PNP & AFP led by Police Inspector Joenel Moratalla conducted checkpoint at Brgy Guinbawahan, Balud, Masbate inspected and recovered firearms, pin guns and singe shot 12 gauge from a person named Dodoy Arroyo.

Meanwhile, joint elements of 9IB, 9ID, PA and RSOTG Masbate led by PI Joel C Moratalla, flagged down a colored black Bajaj motorcycle driven by unidentified driver who managed to escape, but the team apprehended the back rider, Yulo Arroyo y Palmares, 32 years old, married and a resident of Brgy Poblacion, Balud, Masbate.  Tucked in the waist of the suspect were one (1) improvised (pin gun) loaded with one (1) live ammunition for caliber 9mm and one (1) improvised homemade shotgun loaded with one (1) live ammunition for twelve (12) gauge shotgun with no pertinent document from authorities to posses the same.

At about 1:55 in the afternoon, joint elements of RSOTG Masbate led by PSupt Eliseo Tanding and Balud MPS led by PI Reynaldo Balindan, OIC, while on their way to Brgy Bongcanaway, Balud to respond for police assistance as requested by Welma Aguilles, had a temporary stop along the road of Brgy. Guinbanhawan, Balud Masbate, when a DT Yamaha motorcycle driven by Elvin Ramos y Macuha, 39 years old, single with Edvin Cos y Son as back rider, accidentally bumped the second patrol car (marked RLD) of the convoy, hitting its front left door. Upon verification of the driver by PI Balindun, Elvin Ramos was caught having in his possession, control and custody one (1) caliber .38 revolver tucked on his waist, marked “Smith and Wesson” without serial number with six (6) live ammunition inside the cylinder, nine (9) pieces live ammunition, one (1) spent shell for same caliber.

Also recovered were one (1) unit cell phone LG CEO 168 and money amounting to Four Thousand Three Hundred Pesos (Php 4,300.00) and election fliers/pamphlets with marked “Vote straight Team RJ LIM” placed inside the belt bag “Jansport” colored black and green.

At about 9:10 in the evening, team led by PINSP Alex Moral, OIC Mobo MPS, together with the joint elements of Philippine Army, 9ID led by Cpt Roel B. Burac with direct supervision of PSINP Jeffrey Fernandez, DPD, MPPO, while conducting COMELEC checkpoint at Poblacion 2, Mobo, Masbate apprehended the following persons for violation of COMELEC gun ban: Ronnie Nuñez y Etang, 42 years old, married, Brgy. Tanod and a resident of Brgy. Sawmill, Mobo, Masbate for possession of Cal. 38 revolver (Paltik) with marked Sturm Ruger and Co. Inc and without Serial Number loaded with 5 live ammo, with brown holsters; Roberto Lalaguna y Ramos, 44 y/o, married, farmer and a  resident of Brgy Sawmill, Mobo, Masbate for possession of Cal .45 pistol with Serial no. 315022 marked Kimber Yunkers USA with one magazine loaded with 8 live ammo and Anthony Garcia y Braulio, 31 y/o, married, driver and a resident of Sitio Tabuc, Bañadero, Mobo, Masbate for possession of Cal .45 pistol marked Armscor w/ Serial Number 941116 with one (1) magazine loaded with 7 live ammo.

Said persons were apprehended while on board of two (2) motorcycles, one (1) Rusi MC w/ plate no. 2841-IC driven by Anthony Garcia without driver’s license and one (1) Bajaj MC for registration driven by Arjan Verano y Cervantes, 31 y/o, married resident of Cogon, Mobo, Masbate with expired driver’s license EO3-03-030963. Subject persons failed to present any documents or exception from the COMELEC to possess firearms.

Later in the evening, at about 11:00 pm, upon receipt of information reported from a text msg, the team of Sta Magdalena MPS led by PSI Jerry Clorado Cereno, ACOP, proceeded to Brgy San Rafael, Sta Magdalena, Sorsogon. Upon arrival, the passengers of one Tamaraw FX, color maroon with plate nr UFA 247, allegedly used by the supporters of Mayoralty candidate Eddie Lozano, scampered to different directions while the driver, Romel Gamba Gallon, 29 y/o, resident of Poblacion, Sta Magdalena, Sorsogon was arrested after the recovery of one cal. 38, Smith and Wesson revolver w/o Serial Nr and loaded with six live ammo; one cal. 38, Smith and Wesson Springfield mass revolver, loaded with five live ammo; ten pcs live ammo for cal. 38 revolver; and one bladed weapon.

The visual search was conducted in the presence of Brgy Kagawad Salvador Alminana and Brgy Tanod Ramil Galan of said barangay.

All arrested persons and recovered pieces of evidence are presently in the custody of the respective MPS for proper disposition. Appropriate charges are being prepared for filing in court against the apprehended suspects.

Meanwhile, at about 9:45 AM on election day, a complaint from a certain Corazon Garrate Insua and Marilou Bilason Escudero, a Mayoralty candidate reported to Casiguran MPS that a certain Cleto Hababag, Brgy Chairman of Rizal, Casiguran, Sorsogon handed to Corazon Garrate the sample ballot with cash money amounting to P400.00 containing the list of NPC Candidates from Senator down to Municipal Councilor with serial nrs JG574840, JC013456, XM795250, AND UZ156928 with one pc of P100.00 each.

Brgy Chairman Cleto Hababag was nowhere to be found when the elements of Casiguran MPS proceeded to the house of the former. Marilou Escudero said she will file appropriate case against the suspect.

Capt. Panesa also said they have received reports coming from Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) that some Precinct Counting Optical Scan (PCOS) machines in some areas in Masbate and Sorsogon experienced technical problems, however Comelec immediately responded to it by troubleshooting and replacing malfunctioning machines.

Colonel Kakilala expressed appreciation and is grateful to his men and all those who showed commitment and support realizing a Secured And Fair Elections and achieving a generally peaceful May 2013 polls. He further assured the public that the Philippine Army will always be available to defend the country and its people against any threat, and in winning the peace that everyone has long been dreaming of. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/PA)