MINDANAO DAILY The Purveyor of Truth, Justice and Development
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Volume IX, No. 088
www.mindanaodailynews.com
Sat-Sun, Aug 31-Sept 1, 2019
1923
P15.00
PH’s 2nd missile frigate launch set in November By PRIAM NEPOMUCENO
MANILA -- The Philippine Navy’s (PN) second missile frigate, the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), will be formally launched in November. “Our second frigate will be launched on either the first or second week of November. By that time, the first frigate (BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) will be finished (fitting its equipment),” said Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad during an interview
with reporters at the PN headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila Wednesday. The launching ceremonies will take place at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. The BRP Jose Rizal, the country’s first missile frigate, was launched at the same facility last May 23. The first missile frigate is expected to be delivered to the PN by April 2020 while the BRP Antonio Luna is scheduled for September of the same year.
The Philippines and HHI signed a PHP16-billion contract for two missilearmed frigates with another PHP2 billion set aside for its weapon systems and munition. The steel-cutting for BRP Jose Rizal took place in April 1, 2018 while the same ceremony for BRP Antonio Luna transpired on November the same year. This event officially signified the start of the actual construction of the frigates. Meanwhile, the keel-laying ceremony
Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
Normin bus required to adopt safety protocols See LAUNCH, page 11
By GERRY LEE GORIT Correspondent
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- To deter terrorist attacks on the commuting public, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has now required bus companies operating in Northern Mindanao to adopt safety protocols. Designating safety officers in terminals was one of the measures bus owners have adopted in compliance with the OTS directive. Among the bus companies who have complied with the OTS-required protocols are Rural Transit Mindanao Incorporated (RTMI) and Pabama Transport and Tours Corporation. RTMI operations manager Jay Galindo said they have assigned safety officers in major terminals in areas where they operate. Some of the safety officer’s function, Galindo Donald Rey Ellarina (left) shows one of his coasters who joined the civic-military parade held on Tuesday. The parade See ADOPT, page 11
is one of the core events of the fiesta celebration of Cagayan de Oro City held Aug. 27-28.
photo by gerry lee gorit
6ID chief honors 2 soldiers hurt in Maguindanao blast By EDWIN FERNANDEZ
DURING a brief visit inside the camp infirmary here Thursday, Major Gen. Diosdado Carreon, 6ID commander and head of Joint Task Force Central, pinned Wounded Personnel Medals (WPMs) to Sgt. Archie Dema-ala and Pfc. Narciso Monreal, both of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion based in Datu Saudi Ampatuan in this province. They were injured when a powerful roadside bomb went off in Barangay Bakat, Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao on August 20 while they were conducting a foot patrol operation against outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). See HONORS, page 11