Yuletide truce encourages rebels to go back to government fold

With the declaration of the Suspension of Offensive Military Operations (SOMO) by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, some members of the New People’s Army have successfully returned to the folds of the law.
According to the AFP, an NPA leader together with 8 of his troops recently surrendered to Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Umano. The rebels also turned-in high caliber firearms including an M60 machine gun.
Meanwhile, some rebels were foiled by their own comrades and failed to surrender to the government.

In Occidental Mindoro, some NPA members were recently on their way for a pre-arranged surrender to Lt. Col. Roger Percol, commander of the 80th Infantry Battalion when other members of the rebel group fired government forces.

Despite this incident, the AFP continues to observe the ceasefire agreement during the holidays. However the AFP shall remain prepared to address any untoward or violent incident that might be perpetrated by lawless group. (PIA-NCR/jeg)

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80 new day care centers in Occidental Mindoro to be constructed January

SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro, Dec. 28 (PIA) -- Eighty (80) new day care centers are to be constructed beginning January next year in all barangays in San Jose, this was announced by Mayor Jose T. Villarosa of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro recently.

According to Mayor Villarosa, this is in line with his administration’s policy of strengthening the educational system of his municipality, particularly the primary education sector.

Villarosa believes that giving a child a conducive learning atmosphere on his first year in school will help a child develop a good outlook on education.

Villarosa also announced that old and dilapidated school buildings in San Jose’s 38 barangays will be undergoing major renovation starting next year and construction of additional classrooms are also in the pipeline to arrest the growing classroom shortage in the province.

The mayor believes that a good education is an initial step out of poverty. Thus, the municipal government is doing everything to provide every San Josenos quality education. (PIA)

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Oriental Mindoro barangays affected by floods

Over a thousand families have been affected by floods which hit 13 barangays in Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro on Friday.

Mayor Angie Casubuan said several of these barangays were inundated in man-deep waters.

The flooding started when waters overflowed from a watershed in the mountains of Naujan. It coincided with the high tide when the sea water level rose 1.9 meters in Barangay San Antonio.

Thirty families have left their homes for evacuation centers in barangays Santiago and San Carlos. Naujan’s gymnasium has also been opened to accommodate other evacuees.

Rescue operations by the military and police, meanwhile, were still ongoing, as of press time.

Some families, however, opted to remain in their homes. From a report by Sarita Kare, ABS-CBN Batangas

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