Cult leader arrested for gun cache

A 42-year old man claiming to be a leader of a religious group in the City of Mati, was arrested by the police authorities Friday morning in Barangay Mamali.

Arrested suspect is identified as Cornelio Galon III, a resident of Purok 12, Barangay Mamali, and is said to be the leader of the Lemuria Tribes Divine Governance Inc. and president of Galon Clan the Royal Blood Descendant of Israel, Inc.

CIDG Davao Oriental Provincial Field Unit led by Police Major Julius Jemimez together with elements of SWAT DOPPO, PIB DOPPO, DOPMFC, PDEA and Mati PNP under the overall supervision of P/Maj. Bimbo Aying implemented a Search Warrant issued by RTC Judge ANGELITA A. ALFONSO-TUMANDA for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), Republic Act No. 9516 ( Codifying the Laws in Illegal/Unlawful Possession, Manufacture, Dealing in, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives or Instruments used in the Manufacture of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives, & imposing stiffer penalties for certain violation thereof & for other purposes) and BP # 6 (An act reducing the Penalty for illegal Possession of Bladed, pointed or blunt weapons) under SW # 154-154-2019.

Recovered from the suspect’s possession were:

1) One unit cal. 38 w/ SN# S.369807 w/o make;

2) One unit improvised cal.38 revolver without SN# and make

3) one unit cal. 45 NORINCO w/ SN# 1001749

4) one unit 12 gauge shotgun without make;

5) one unit HPRFL cal. 7. 62 with defaced

make;

6) 3 pcs magazine for cal. 45;

7) 18 pcs cal. 38 ammo;

8) 40 pcs cal 30 carbine ammo;

9) 25 pcs cal. 45 live ammo;

10) 8pcs M14 (cal 7.62) Magazine;

11) 1 pc guage shotgun magazine;

12) 85 pcs cal 7.62 ammo;

13) 1 pcs cartridge container;

14)17 pcs 12 guage shtgn ammo;

15) 1 pc cal 50 ammo;

16) 4pcs M79 ammo;

17)18 pcs deadly bladed weapon of different sizes;

18) 16 pcs wooden holster of bladed weapon

19) 3pcs magazine carbine;

20) 30 pcs cal 5.56 ammo

Galon is now temporarily detained at the Mati Police station.

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Bong Go attends opening of 44th Malasakit Center in CDO, vows to continue efforts to improving the country’s healthcare system

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go was sentimental as he joined local executives and hospital administration and staff in the opening of the 44th Malasakit Center on Wednesday, October 9, at JR Borja Memorial Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City.

“It feels just like yesterday when the very first Malasakit Center opened in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City in February 2018, when I was still Special Assistant to the President,” the senator shared.

The Malasakit Center at JR Borja Memorial Hospital is the second center in the city and the 13th in Mindanao.

Go, who also just came from another opening of the Malasakit Center in Iligan City, shared his reason and motivation in making this program a reality more than a year ago.

The senator, who is pushing for the institutionalization of the Malasakit Center through the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 (Senate Bill 1076), said that the Malasakit Center started because of the experiences they encountered with then mayor and now, President Rodrigo Duterte, in Davao City.

“Nag-ugat ang proyektong ito sa karanasan namin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte noong mayor pa siya ng Davao City. Halos araw-araw, may humihingi sa amin ng tulong upang maipagamot ang kanilang kapamilyang maysakit,” Go said.

He explained that the condition of poor and indigent Filipinos lining up at the offices of local officials so they could ask assistance must be addressed. Processing of applications is usually slow and the assisting agencies are often scattered in separate locations. Go explained that from this situation came the need to establish the Malasakit Center which puts representatives of concerned agencies under one roof and expedites the process of giving medical assistance.

“Nakakaawa po ang mga kababayan natin, lalo na’t pera naman nila ang ginagastos ng gobyerno. Dapat lang na maibalik sa kanila ito,” Go lamented. “Kaya nang maging Pangulo si Mayor, itong Malasakit Center ang iminungkahi ko sa kaniya bilang prayoridad. Dito sa Malasakit Center, isang pila na lang ang gagawin ng mga pasyente o representative nila, at isang form na lang din ang kailangang i-fill out.”

Representatives of the different agencies, such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) are present in each Malasakit Center, making it more convenient for Filipinos to access medical assistance from the government. PhilHealth representatives are also present to assist patients in their concerns regarding billing and health benefit packages.

Moreover, the senator also assured that more Malasakit Centers will be opened soon and that the government “have so much more to do to provide Filipinos, especially the poor, the medical care and financial assistance that they need.”

As the chair on the Senate Committee on Health, the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 which Go filed, has already received support from fellow senators. Even President Duterte himself has also showed his support to the program by citing it in his recent State of the Nation Address.

“As the people’s voice now in the Senate, I am making sure that this program will continue regardless of who will be seated in Malacañang. I sponsored and defended a Senate bill institutionalizing Malasakit Centers to complement the Universal Health Care Act,” Go said.

The senator explained further that a Malasakit Center only houses the representatives of different concerned government agencies and the funding allocated for medical assistance will still be processed and assessed by each agency, not the Malasakit Center itself. 

“Kung magbibigay ng tulong ang PhilHealth, kanilang pera ‘yan, sila ang bahala. Gaya na rin sa ibang ahensya, sila ang bahala sa perang ibibigay nila at hindi makikialam ang Malasakit Center kung magkano ang kanilang ibibigay na tulong,” Go explained. 

Go added that concerns regarding funding for the proposed Malasakit Center Act of 2019 have already been clarified during the Senate deliberations and a counterpart bill in the House of Representatives has also already passed the committee level.

“Basta importante, di na kailangan lumabas ang pasyente dito (sa ospital) para manghingi ng tulong. Maawa tayo sa mga pasyente. ‘Yan ang purpose ng Malasakit Center. Tulungan natin ang ating mga pasyente, tayo ang pumunta sa kanila dahil unang-una gobyerno tayo, tayo ang dapat na lalapit. Pera nila ito, binabalik lang sa kanila,” the senator said.

In light with the congestion problems in government hospitals especially in Mindanao, Go explained that DOH-run hospitals are under the management of the health department led by Secretary Francisco Duque III. However, as the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, he will coordinate with DOH regarding this problem to find solutions for this issue right away.

Go added that once the Malasakit Center Act of 2019 passes into law, the 72 DOH-run hospitals around the country will be prioritized to establish their own Malasakit Center. In other public hospitals, Go said that they will set criteria before putting up a Malasakit Center to make sure that it will be fully operational and sustainable. 

Moreover, Go has also filed bills that seek to improve other aspects of health care in the country. One of which will require LGUs to appoint at least three barangay health workers in every barangay, institutionalization of an emergency medical services system, formulating an advanced nursing education program, expanding the coverage of the mandatory basic immunization program and the establishment of a drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation center in every province.

“Of course, I will file more bills as the need arises and as I continue to serve as your Senator,” Go vowed as he also thanked the Duterte administration and all who has helped in making the Malasakit Center a reality for every Filipino.
 
“Magkaisa at magtulungan po tayo upang lalong mapaglingkuran ang mga Pilipino. Ituloy po natin ang pagbabago!” Go ended.

Bong Go encourages whistleblowers to come out and tell the truth

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said on Tuesday evening, October 8, during his visit to the victims of a fire incident in Bago Bantay, Quezon City, that whistleblowers are welcome to testify in the Senate.

“We encourage all whistleblowers. Magsalita kayo. Kung gusto niyong tulungan ang Pilipinas na magbago, sabihin ninyo ang totoo, 100 percent, walang dagdag, walang kulang,” Go said in an ambush interview.

“Alam niyo, ’pag nagsasalita diyan sa Senado, you are under oath, so most likely walang nagsisinungaling diyan. Kita niyo ang mga medyo nagsisinungaling pina-contempt at pinakulong. Once you speak in front of the Blue Ribbon Committee, inaasahan namin na totoo lahat ng sinasabi mo,” he added.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, of which Go is a member, is set to resume its investigation on “ninja cops,” or police officers who are allegedly involved in the sale of seized illegal drugs, on October 9.

The Senator said that corrupt officers must be removed from the Philippine National Police (PNP). “Para sa akin, ihiwalay nga po ang bulok para hindi po mahawa ang karamihan.”

He also expressed his continued support for the PNP. “I respect the PNP, at full support po kami sa PNP. In fact, lahat ng operations nila, kapag duty-connected po, andito po kami para sumuporta sa inyo kapag nagka-kaso po kayo.”

During the fire visit, Go distributed financial assistance and grocery packs to 24 families whose houses were razed to the ground by a fire that broke out on Negros Street in Barangay Sto. Cristo on September 28.

He also told the victims that he would provide for the uniforms and school supplies of the children and the fares of those who want to relocate back to their provinces.

The families, comprising 103 individuals, received housing materials assistance from the National Housing Authority (NHA) and additional help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP).

Go also joined a “boodle fight” with members of the local tricycle operators and drivers’ association.

During the ambush interview, Go also shared that he has lost count of his days in office when asked how he would describe his first 100 days as a senator.

“One hundred days na pala? Hindi ko alam na 100 days na po. Para sa akin, araw-araw po trabaho, araw-araw serbisyo. Kahit po sa panaginip, puro trabaho pa rin. Kaya hindi ko po napapansin na 100 days na kami. Hindi ko na po binibilang. Ang importante po ay makapagserbisyo tayo sa ating kapwa Pilipino,” he said.

He mentioned that one of the bills that he has filed in the Senate seeks to provide free legal assistance to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and PNP personnel “in line of duty or duty connected.”

Go also clarified the speculations on President Rodrigo Duterte’s health. “’Yung sinasabi niyo po na lumiliit ’yung mata niya, kaya nga niya binanggit, alam niyo, open po ang Pangulo sa kanyang kalusugan. It has not progressed po. Localized lang po itong myasthenia gravis. It’s just limited to his eyes.”

The Senator added, “Wala pong dapat ikabahala, at wala pong naging epekto ito sa kalusugan ng ating mahal na Pangulo.”

DavNor guv orders demolition of Tadeco gates

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In a surprising move, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib has ordered the demolition of the biosecurity gates of the Tagum Agriculture Development Corporation (Tadeco) Wednesday morning, October 9.

The move came two days after the supposed date of demolition and amidst assurance from Mindanao Development Authority chair Manny Piñol that Jubahib promised not to implement the demolition until such time the governor and the Minda chair has met and discussed the matter.

A heavy equipment along with policemen stormed and destroyed the gate of Tadeco in Barangay Tanglaw, Braulio E. Dujali.

Minda chair Manny Piñol has meanwhile arrived in the area to ease the tension.

It was learned that a court has issued a temporary restraining order against the demolition order of Gov. Jubahib but the TRO arrived too late to stop the demolition of the Tanglaw gate.

In his FB post, Sec. Piñol declared that the “problem has been resolved”.

Provincial equipment sent to demolish the barricades had been withdrawn. Gov. Edwin Jubahib agreed to diffuse the situation by heeding the request of Pres. Rody Duterte and Sen. Bong Go to settle the problem amicably. Also, local court issued a TRO,” Piñol said.

President’s landmark visit to Russia ‘fruitful’, says Go

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said during an interview that President Rodrigo Duterte’s official visit to Russia has been fruitful so far, with the government’s campaign against terrorism earning praises from his Russian counterparts who, according to the senator, are also willing to support.

“Naging maayos naman ang pagbisita ng Pangulo. First day sa pagbisita sa Russia, nagpasalamat ang ating gobyerno. Nais din ng Pangulo na paigtingin pa ang ating relasyon sa bansang Russia, lalo na po (ang) laban sa terorismo. Alam niyo naman tuluy tuloy ang terorismo sa ating bansa. Very much willing na tumulong ang Russia,” said Go.

He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Duterte in his fight against terrorism, saying, “Nag-congratulate naman si President Putin kay Pangulong Duterte sa laban natin kontra terorismo sa Pilipinas to lower level of terrorist threat. ‘Yun po ang unang unang nabanggit ni Presidente. Full support ang Russia sa ating bansa.”

With the security relations between the Philippines and Russia strengthened, Go said that he hopes this spills over to the economic sector through  groundbreaking business deals signed between Filipino and Russian companies which can generate economic opportunities for Filipinos.

“Umaasa po kami na maraming business opportunities ang maiuwi ng Pangulo para sa mas maraming trabaho para sa mga Pilipino sa bansa,” the senator said.

In the recent visit, Filipino business executives and their Russian counterparts signed several business agreements worth US$12.6 million. The scope of these deals range from business cooperation, agricultural exports, electric power and importation.

These include five memorandums of understanding that would enforce cooperation on information exchange and collaboration on business development to promote trade and investment between the two countries, and supply local tuna to four companies to serve the Russian market. 

Also included in the deals are two memorandums of intent that would explore the possibilities of cooperation in building nuclear power plants in the Philippines.

On Russia’s part of the deal, both countries signed a distributorship agreement for two Russian companies to sell watches and vehicles in the Philippines. A memorandum of agreement was also signed to promote, distribute and sell Russian technology in the Philippines.

The signings, which was done during the Philippines-Russia business forum in Moscow, were described as the beginning of stronger business ties between Russia and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Go also said that he and the President will meet with the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Russia to check on their situation. 

“Gusto rin pong bisitahin ng ating mahal na Pangulo ang ating mga kababayan dito sa Russia. Ako naman nais kong isulong ang Department of OFWs para sa ating mga kababayan para may tumututok sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” Go said who earlier filed Senate Bill No. 202, or the “Department of Overseas Filipinos Act of 2019” last July to put government agencies dealing with the OFW concerns under one executive department.

Because services and information relative to the OFWs are scattered throughout several government offices, the proposed measure aims to streamline service delivery and promote better coordination among offices concerned with OFW affairs through a unified department solely focused on OFW concerns. 

“Hindi nababayaran yung lungkot. Mahirap mapalayo sa pamilya. Pero kailangan nilang maghanapbuhay at kumita. Nais lang namin na mag-iwan ng ngiti kahit papaano sa kanila,” Go said about OFWs.

“Tutulong po tayo na maibsan nila ang kalungkutang ito sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng dekalidad na serbisyo sa kanila,” he added.