Zamboanga News Forum

Mayor Celso Lobregat and religious leaders of Zamboanga meet in City Hall Friday afternoon to discuss ways and means on how to help resolve the peace and order situation in the Mampang, Arena Blanco and Talon-Talon area. – Joey Bautista

Via Zamboanga Times

Mayor Celso Lobregat gives instructions to City Health Officer Rodelin Agbulos and City Engineer Luis Despalo (partly hidden) concerning the repair and rehabilitation work set to be done on the Talon-Talon Lying-in clinic following an inspection of the facility. ? Rolly Carpio

Via Zamboanga Times

District 2 Congressman Erbie A. Fabian and wife Dinggay yesterday played Santa Claus to orphans, elders and street children at the three government social centers in the city.
Fabian and Dinggay brought assorted Christmas gifts consisting of toys and bags to poor children at the DSWD Talon-Talon Reception and Study Center for Children, and also spent precious moments with them chatting and singing Christmas carols.

The congressman and wife also gave gifts to the staff of the said center, citing them for their efforts and dedication in taking good care of the less fortunate children who are mostly orphans and abandoned children.Conie Amalul, OIC of the said DWSD-run social center, expressed gratitude to Fabian saying that the gifts and show of concern of the congressman had surely brought joy and happiness to the children.?We?re grateful to Congressman Fabian for sharing time and blessings with the children here,? she emphasized.Thereafter, the congressman and party proceeded to the DSWD Home for the Elderly at Talon-Talon where snacks, assorted gifts and clothes were given to the 44 elders presently housed there.To compensate the concern and generosity of the congressman and his wife, the elders sung Christmas songs.?We?re all very happy to Congressman Fabian for visiting us this Christmas. We also appreciate all the gifts from him,? said one old woman, who has been staying at the social center for several months now.At the city-government-run social development center in Sta. Barbara, Fabian also distributed assorted gifts, and toys to the street children.?We?re happy to be here with the orphans and street children and the old people at the different social centers. Christmas is a time for sharing especially so if we do it with our brothers and sisters who have less in life,? Fabian stressed.The congressman also stressed that it is also brings him joy and fulfillment whenever he has the opportunity to help and share kindness with his less-fortunate constituents. ? Jemuel E. Mojica  

Via Zamboanga Times

The long arm of the law has finally caught with a local toughie who was blamed for several gunslayings in Zamboanga City.

Alih Omar Amping y Islani alias Omar Lakni y Islani, 27, of Talon-Talon was nabbed in Baliwasan Seaside last Thursday night by operatives of the Zamboanga City Mobile Group led by Chief Insp. Rodrigo Maramo under the direct supervision of City Police Director Sr. Supt. Amador Corpus.Amping, an ?asset? of the military, was arrested on the strength of a warrant for murder with case number 20042 issued by Judge Jesus Carbon of the Regional Trial Court Branch 16 dated September 16 2003 with no bail bond recommended and less serious physical injury with bail bond of P 6,000.The military disowned Omar Amping as an ?asset? stressing that he could have been only using the name of the Armed Forces for his illegal activities.A military source said that Amping was also the subject of manhunt by military operatives.Corpus said the arrest of Amping took place around 8 p.m., at the Ben Go Wharf, Baliwasan Seaside.The police director disclosed that Amping was taken to the City Police Office for tactical interrogation and was later detained pending his turnover to the court for commitment order to the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center.Aside from the two warrants, Amping has several other arrest warrants for murder, homicide and frustrated murder.Amping?s name had been linked in the several shootings in the areas of responsibility of Tetuan Police Station.He was also tagged as the alleged gunman behind the killing of some policemen few years ago.Corpus commended the ZCMG under Maramo for ?a job well done.?The arrest of Amping is considered as a big accomplishment for the police under Corpus since he had been the subject of manhunt for so long a time.His cousin, Jeffrey, a marine soldier, was gunned down several years ago in Putik in what was believed as gangland assassination. ? Dan Toribio Jr.

Via Zamboanga Today

Three amateur boxers of the Datu-Puti Boxing Club won during Congressman Erbie Fabian?s latest Golpe-Golpe na Barangay held in Lamisahan last Saturday.
ABAP President Arsenio ?Rawhide? Nuevo disclosed that the winning of the three amateur boxers can be attributed to the support given by Police Regional Office-9 under Chief Supt. Angelo Sunglao.

District 2 Congressman Fabian is in close coordination with Nuevo in discovering new young boxers to carry the name of Zamboanga City in the boxing world.The three Datu-Puti Boxing Club victorious boxers were Asher Bada, Alnasher Bada and Randy Amodia.Bada defeated Geno Mendoza of the Universidad de Zamboanga in the 24 kilograms division. Alnasher won over Vincent Autida in the 50 kilograms division and Amodia  clobbered Anthony Lorenzo of Canelar in the 50 kilograms Bantamweight division.Other winners were Marco Fernando of Talon-Talon against Renzo Damasuli of Mampang in the 24 kilograms division; Reneboy Ferraren of Talon-Talon beat Jayboy Mendoza of the Universidad de Zamboanga in the 28 kilograms division; Romer Dagoy of the Universidad de Zamboanga defeated Phillip Niel Basea of Tugbungan in the 32 kilograms division; Jayson Basina of the Universidad de Zamboanga won over Gilbert Arada of Mampang in the 35 kilograms division; Jaynil Vargas of Mampang defeated Bruce Apostol of the Universidad de Zamboanga in the Powder weight division; Jomar Carpio won over Ralph Apostol of the Universidad de Zamboanga in the Flyweight division; Eumir Marcial of the Universidad de Zamboanga defeated Jonel Ollando in the Powder weight division; Kenneth Rebarbas of the Universidad de Zamboanga won over Romeo Catan in the Flyweight division; Joel Vintial of the Universidad de Zamboanga won versus Jestoni Autida of the Alavar Stable in the Bantam weight division.Fabian joined the residents and officials of Lamisahan in watching the amateur boxing.The barangay council led by Chairman Eddie Ramillano expressed gratitude to Fabian and Nuevo in bringing the Golpe-Golpe na Barangay to their place.Fabian was very happy to see the people enjoying the 12 bouts who displayed their talents in the ring.  Businessman Jun Alavar, one of the supporters of the local boxing, was also present during the event.Nuevo also hopes that there will be more people who will support the amateur boxing.

Via Zamboanga Times

An overheated oil refinery machine of Philippine Industrial Development Corporation (PHIDCO) caused alarm to the local residents of Baliwsan Seaside Wednesday night for emitting thick smoke.

Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Zamboanga City Fire Station (ZCFS) responded at the scene and immediately contained the fire from possible escalation. BFP reports showed that a fire broke out at one of the structures of the copra dust machine located inside the PHIDCO compound.Fire and Arson Investigators of ZCFS disclosed that the cause of the conflagration was due to the by-pass copra cake which was overloaded resulting to the overheat of the machine. Further investigation revealed that the machine operator, Ricardo Alfonso, averred that the electric motor of the conveyor that will take back the copra cake to the cooker was worn out days before the incident which probably started the fire.The fire investigators estimated the total damage of the incident at about P10,000.Meanwhile, 3 stalls occupied by Zamboanga New Slippers Association located inside the bagsakan center at Governor Camins Avenue were partially burned. Police report identified the owner and occupants of the stalls as Erning Taro, of Estrada Compound, Barangay Mampang; Hadji Jaala Albani of Barangay Talon-Talon and Radzmia Tagli of Barangay Tumaga, veterans extension, all of this city. Report disclosed that the ZAMCELCO electric post inside the stall of Albani suddenly sparked and burned the electrical wire of the stall then immediately spread out towards the adjacent stalls. Firefighters hurriedly rushed to the fire scene to contain the  fire.No person was reportedly injured during the fire incident.

Via Zamboanga Today

A university teacher was stabbed by two robbers who took his wallet and motorcycle along Don Alfaro St., Tetuan at dawn last Tuesday.

Police identified the victim as Allain Paragas, 29, of Talon-Talon and a college instructor at the Western Mindanao State University.Paragas was slightly wounded at the back of the body when he appeared at the Tetuan Police Station to file a complaint about the incident.Initial investigation disclosed that Paragas was on his way home shortly before 1 a.m.when he stopped at a vacant lot in front of the closed Alta Mall along Don Alfaro St. in Tetuan, to take a pee. While he was standing along the road, two men approached from behind and suddenly stabbed him without much ado.The two men took his wallet and his Honda C-70 motorcycle prompting Paragas to run away.Acting on the complaint, policemen with Paragas returned to the crime scene and recovered his motorcycle at the interior grassy part of the said place.Paragas said he did not recognize the two men as it was his first time to see them. ? Dan Toribio Jr.

Via Zamboanga Times

by Dan Toribio Jr.

A university teacher was stabbed by two robbers who took his wallet and motorcycle along Don Alfaro St., Tetuan at dawn last Tuesday. Police identified the victim as Allain Paragas, 29, of Talon-Talon and a college instructor at the Western Mindanao State University.

Paragas was slightly wounded at the back of the body when he stopped at a vacant lot in front of the closed Alta Mall along Don Alfaro St. in Tetuan, to take a pee.  While he was standing along the road, two men approached from behind and suddenly stabbed him without so much ado.The two men took his wallet and his Hondo C-70 motorcycle at the interior grassy part of the said place.Paragas said he did not recognize the two men as it was his first time to see them.  — Dan Toribio

Via Zamboanga Times

With the intention of helping acquire homes for homeless, District 2 Congressman Erbie A. Fabian has allocated P2.2 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the purchase of a lot intended for some 400 poor families of Barangay Talon-Talon, this city.

The amount will serve as the down payment for the purchase of a portion of the Ramon Evangelista property which will be used as a site for indigent beneficiaries.Ramon Evangelista Urban Poor Association President Mrs. Erlinda Concepcion was very thankful to Rep. Fabian for the said funds which would ensure a brighter future for the building of houses for their homeless members. The funds will be coursed through the National Housing Authority (NHA) for proper implementation.NHA Zamboanga Project Office Supervising Engineer Reynaldo Bulay-Og said that the project will be supervised by their office to ensure that the solon?s housing priorities will be in proper place.Engr. Bulay-Og said that Congressman Fabian?s endorsement for the purchase of the Ramon Evangelista property will truly be beneficial to the recipients.NHA supervises all the housing programs and urban poor concerns of Rep. Fabian intended to shelter the homeless constituents of District 2. ? Bhong Simbajon 

Via Zamboanga Times

With the intention of helping acquire homes for homeless, District 2 Congressman Erbie A. Fabian has allocated P2.2 million from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the purchase of a lot intended for some 400 poor families of Barangay Talon-Talon, this city.

The amount will serve as the down payment for the purchase of a portion of the Ramon Evangelista property which will be used as a site for indigent beneficiaries.Ramon Evangelista Urban Poor Association President Mrs. Erlinda Concepcion was very thankful to Rep. Fabian for the said funds which would ensure a brighter future for the building of houses for their homeless members. The funds will be coursed through the National Housing Authority (NHA) for proper implementation.NHA Zamboanga Project Office Supervising Engineer Reynaldo Bulay-Og said that the project will be supervised by their office to ensure that the solon?s housing priorities will be in proper place.Engr. Bulay-Og said that Congressman Fabian?s endorsement for the purchase of the Ramon Evangelista property will truly be beneficial to the recipients.NHA supervises all the housing programs and urban poor concerns of Rep. Fabian intended to shelter the homeless constituents of District 2. ? Bhong Simbajon

Via Zamboanga Times