2 THE BIG NEWS
VOL. 6 ISSUE 30 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 26-27, 2013
3 rebel returnees decry false promises
T
hREE former rebel from the Pulang Bagani command in Paquibato, Davao City were presented to members of Davao media at the Task Force Davao headquarters, Sta, Ana wharf. The three, who surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last March 11, told members of the press that they had become disillusioned with the false promises of the New People’s Army (NPA) and had decided to return to the folfd of ther law and lead normal lives. The three surrenderees are Noel Baguio, Cory Pelayo and Dindo Baguio. Cory Pelayo, who had
been in the rebel movement for along with husband, Dindo Baguio with whom she has a son. “Ako lang gihunahuna ang kahimtang sa among anak ug gikapoy nako magtago-tago mao to nagsabot mi (Dindo) na mubalik sa sabakan sa gobyerno,” she explained. Dindo Baguio bared that when the NPA recruited them (Noel), Leoncio Pitao, called Kumander Parago, had promised to help their parents with their livelihood. “Niingon pud sila na three months ra daw mi mukuyog-kuyog sa ilaha pero tingala mi niabot naman ug tuig di nami pa-
F3 REBEL, 10
WHISPER. Team PNoy senatorial bet Cynthia Villar (right) listens to Davao City third district Rep. Isidro Ungab during yesterday’s gathering of the city’s first and third district barangay captains. Villar promised to allocate a
Campaign propa
EDGEDAVAO
considerable chunk of pork barrel to Davao City if elected. (left). Lean Daval Jr.
Vendors call for lifting of ban on ‘magic sugar’
Cabantian has the most V materials nailed to trees
By Che Palicte
By EJ Dominic Fernandez
B
A R A N G A y Cabantian in district 2 has the most number of campaign materials posted on trees, 60 percent of which are from local candidates, according to City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) Solid Waste Management Board Division chief Dolly Remojo. In the iSpeak forum
yesterday, Remojo said that, during Oplan Baklas of the Commission on Election (Comelec), Cabantian had the most campaign materials nailed on trees.” She said this after divulging the information that since the campaign period, garbage collected increased to 430 tons a day from 410 tons on ordinary days.
She said, “five to ten percent of this increase is from campaign materials, but the bulk of it comes from fruit peelings.” Cenro chief Joseph Felizarta supported Remijo’s statement, saying, “besides this campaign season, it is also durian season, which is why there are a lot of durian peels and coconut husks col-
lected contributing to the increase.” Remojo expects that there will be an increase in garbage collection for the rest of the campaign period. “The daily garbage collection will definitely increase because of Oplan Baklas as there are a lot of candidates who are not following the right poster areas.”
ENDORS of refreshing drinks at the Agdao Public Market, Davao City are calling for the lifting of the ban on neotogen or ‘magic sugar’ in the city. The Food and Drug Administration (FAD) has recently allowed the use of ‘magic sugar’ provided that its importation is legal license and all documentations on it are with the approval of the FAD. The approval revokes the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) Advisory No. 2000-05 issued August 7, 2000 which prohibits its importation, distribution and sale. During last Tuesday’s session of the City Council, Bernard Al-ag, chair of the committee on health, said that magic sugar is still not allowed in the city and penalties and sanctions
are still applied against those who violate the ordinance. Ernie Bislad, a buko juice vendor in the Agdao public market told Edge Davao that on knowing that FAD now allows the use of magic sugar, they (vendors) were delighted because it would mean better business for them. “Katong nakabalo mi sa balita nalipay mi kay barato ra gyud na nga asukal kumpara sa among ginagamit karon. Napalaw pud mi kay di man diay gihapon mi makagamit ana kay bawal sa syudad” he explained. Deborah Legaspi, supervisor of the FDA based in Davao City told Edge Davao that the decision of the FDA to finally allow applications for market authorization is based on Codex Stan-
FVENDORS CALL, 10
Gun ban violators now 172
G NEXT MALL. Construction workers assemble steel structures in one of the buildings of the Gaisano Mall project in Toril, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.
UN ban violators in the Davao region from January 13 to April 24 now number 172. Police Superintendent Marlon Pinote of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in region 11 told media yesterday at the Task Force Davao headquarters in Sta. Ana wharf, Davao City that a total of 106 firearms were confiscated, 33 of them long 73 short (handguns). “We have filed a total of 81 cases and
will make sure that all the violators will face charges,” he said. The violators were arrested Davao City, 91; Davao del Norte, 33; Davao del Sur, 19; Davao Oriental, 13; and Compostela Valley Province, 16. Pinote added that PNP 11 is strict in the implementation of the election gun ban, and that they expect the number of violators to increase, especially during the May 13 polls. (CMP)