Courtesy Call

Mayor Reynaldo Uy earlier today received Lt Col William Peñafiel, the Commanding Officer of the 34th IB of the Philippine Army. Col Peñafiel was accompanied by 1Lt Rodrigo Latonio (34th IB Bravo Company Commander), 1Lt Randy Eloreta and 1Lt Wilson Ocampo during the courtesy call.

They discussed a good number of issues, among which is the citation for Lt Latonio for his help in the pursue of bandits which lately terrorized the people in Barangay Migara.

Mayor Reynaldo Uy with Lt Col William Peñafiel.

Mayor Uy with 1Lt Rodrigo Latonio

Mayor Uy presides over an emergency CPOC meeting

Mayor Reynaldo Uy with Vice Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and DILG City Director Valente Bajet.

Mayor Reynaldo Uy presided over an emergency City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting this morning. On the agenda was the shooting incident in Barangay Migara last Sunday July18, 2010.

Newly-installed Calbayog Chief of Police, Senior Superintendent Nestor Valenzuela gave a spot report on the incident.

On or about 11:00 pm of July 18, 2010 at Brgy. Migara, Calbayog City, particularly inside the house of Rose Sofronio, joint operation of PCP II and Calbayog City Police Station, PNP personnel led by P1 Rolando Diaz, chief PCP II together with SPO2 Roberto Labian and PO3 Bebiano Caber were about to serve the warrant of arrest on (one) Lito Abajo (legal age, single and resident of Brgy. Migara) for murder in Criminal Cases No. 5086. 6291 and 6386. Therein said Lito Abajo while armed with M-16 armalite rifle suddenly opened fire to the arresting officers resulting in PO3 Joseph Justiniano Sagadal sustaining gunshot wound on his left hand which resulted to his two fingers being amputated. The suspect managed to evade arrest. PO3 Joseph Justiniano was rushed to the St. Camillus Hospital for medication. elements of Calbayog City Police Station led by P1 Rolando Diaz, together with SPO2 Roberto Labian, SPO1 Nilo Martija, PO3 Nemesio Terado, PO3 Bebiano Caber, PO3 Charles Coprada, PO2 Rodelio Catamora, PO2 Jose Jay Senario and PO1 Allan Labrague conducted joint manhunt operation for the possible arrest of the suspect. Recovered inside the house of Rose Sofronio were one (1) unit caliber 38 with five (5) live ammos inside the cylinder, no marking and no serial number, one (1) piece short magazine and one (1) piece long magazine of M-16 armalite rifle, one hundred twenty-five (125) pieces live ammos of M-16 armalite rifle, eighteen (18) pieces empty shells of M-16 armalite rifle."

As of this writing suspect Lito Abajo is still at-large.

Upon the instruction of the CPOC Chair, details on how to settle the issue and other related matters discussed during the emergency CPOC meeting were "off the record".

Calbayog COP SSupt Nestor Valenzuela as he gave his report.

Pulong-pulong sa Gasdo

Mayor Mel Sarmieno visited Barangay Gasdo last week. He was on hand for a medical and dental mission conducted by the City Health Office; and the Grand Pulong-Pulong with the residents of Gasdo. With the City Mayor was Col Francis Cabugon, CO of the 20th IB of the Philippine Army.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento delivering his message

Col Francis Cabugon of the 20th IB

Medical mission in Gasdo

The LGU through the City Health Office, in coordination with the 20 IB of the Philippine Army recently conducted a Medical and Dental Mission in Barangay Gasdo, an interior barangay in the northern part of Calbayog District.

On hand with the personnel from the City Health office were Mayor Mel Sarmiento and Col Francis Cabugon, Commanding Officer of the 20th IB based in Tinambacan.

140 patients availed of the medical services while 15 patients availed of the dental services.

Barangay Gasdo is located on the northern part of Calbayog. Estimated to be 52 kilometers from the city proper, it can be reached via a 12-hour hike. It has a land area of 188.9429 hectares, 99.22% of which is classified as agricultural with Abaca and Coconut as its main products. The main source of drinking water is the Pamomonan spring. As of 2008, Gasdo has a population of 459, distributed in 34 households and a voting population of 203.

Here are some pictures taken during the recent mission:

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with Col Francis Cabugon.

Mayor Sarmiento meets with Security Cluster

Mayor Mel Sarmiento in a huddle with some Security Cluster members before the meeting. With Mayor Sarmiento are (l-r) with Maj Jose Lim of the 20th IB and PInsp Karlou Caesar Camposano and PInsp Vicente Bullecer, Jr. from the Police Regional Mobile Group (PRMG).

Mayor Mel Sarmiento met with the Security Cluster earlier today. On top of the agenda in the said meeting is the update on the investigations being made by the PNP on the reported shooting incidents in Calbayog.

Also discussed was the coordination to be made between the PNP and the Philippine Army and their respective tasks to maintain peace and order in the city. As reported earlier, the police troops from the PRMG will be conducting checkpoints in Calbayog. The Philippine Army through the 34th ID will conduct propelactic patrols in some barangays in Calbayog District particularly in the Upper and Lower Happy Valley areas, while the 20th IB will go on with its operations in the Tinambacan and Oquendo Districts.

As per report made by Calbayog PNP Chief PSupt Lito Bigoy, (as of July 22, 2009) the number of shooting incidents reported was at 27; and most of these incidents are results of personal grudges. As of today's meeting, the status of the cases are as follows:

• 9 cases filed in court
• One case was amicably settled (Affidavit of Desistance)
• One case with the suspect found dead
• 12 pending investigation
• 4 cases for filing

Courtesy Call by the 34th IB Officers

Mayor Mel Sarmiento today received Col Dionesio Miguel and 1Lt Jelynne Unabia, Commanding Officer and S-7 Civil Military Operations Officer, respectively, of the 34th IB of the Philippine Army.

Among the many concerns that they discussed in today's courtesy call was the details on the propelactic patrol which the 34th IB will be conducting in some barangays in Calbayog District. The activity is part of the effort to augment the local police force in maintaining peace and order in the area. It should be noted that lately peace and security has become an issue with the series of killings in various barangays in Cabayog.

Courtesy Call

Mayor Mel Sarmiento yesterday received 2Lt Freddielino A. Lomboy and TSgt Oscar A. Roca of the Philippine Army. They paid the City Mayor a courtesy call after being assigned to the 20th IB which is based in Tinambacan.

Courtesy Call

Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento today received Lt. Col. Francis Cabangon (INFS PA), the new Commanding Officer of the 20th IB, 8ID of the Philippine Army which is based in Barangay Pilar.

Lt. Col. Cabangon assumed his post on February 3, 2009. With him during the courtesy call was Lt. Brendo Maglasang, former CO of the 20th IB.

Mayor Mel Sarmiento with (r) Lt. Col. Francis Cabangon and (l) Lt. Brendo Maglasang.