BONGABON, Nueva Ecija – Five out of seven Communist Terrorist Group personalities belonging to the members of the Komiteng Rehiyong Gitnang Luzon who were killed in an armed encounter with the soldiers of 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion, Philippine Army in Barangay Malbang, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija yesterday, June 26.   As of 11:00 in the morning today, June 27, the five were identified as Hilario Guiuo alias ‘Berting’, Acting Secretary of KRGL, and Commander, Regional Operational Command; Harold Sarenas Meñosa alias ‘Luzon’, Commander, Pltn Silangan Gitnang Luzon; Pepito Trinidad Bautista alias ‘Dylan’ Team Leader, Sqd Tersera, Pltn Silangan Gitnang Luzon; Reynan Mendoza alias ‘Mel’, and Archie Anceta alias ‘Joel’. The authorities are trying to identify the remaining two (2) personalities who also died during the encounter. During the encounter, soldiers recovered 10 high-powered firearms, one low-powered firearm, subversive documents, and personal belongings from the encounter site. Meanwhile, upon the troops’ continuous search in the area this morning, they found three more female cadavers and four (4) firearms. Two of them were identified as Andrie Dela Cruz alias ‘Lay/Rowen/Lunti’, Political Instructor of Platun Silangan Gitnang Luzon; and Azase Galang alias ‘Cha’; while the other female was yet to be identified by the authorities. These female casualties were found a few meters away from the exit route. Troops’ believed that they were abandoned by their comrades when they withdrew from the encounter site. Brigadier General Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte PA, Commander, 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade, commended the Victorious Battalion for their victory against the CTG in Nueva Ecija and for their commitment to preserve the peace and security in the area. “We would like to express our sympathy to the bereaved families of those who died and I am saddened that they reached to this point. Hindi nagkukulang ang gobyerno sa panawagan na sumuko na at magbagong buhay. Handa ang gobyernong tanggapin ang may gustong yakapin ang kapayapaan para makapiling ang kanilang pamilya. Nawa’y magsilbi itong aral sa mga natitirang CTG na ipinaglalaban ang kanilang huwad na ideolohiya. Tama na po, bumaba na kayo,” BGen. Pasamonte said. As of this writing, all casualties were brought to the nearest funeral homes in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija to give them proper burial and later to be turned over to their respective families.   BGen. Pasamonte then reiterates his call to the remaining members of the CTG to surrender and give peace a chance.

By Rachel Magday PGLU Nueva Vizcaya   BAYOMBONG,Nueva Vizcaya — “A very stable peace and order will spell a vibrant economy,” declared Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito during a recent dialogue and meeting held with representatives from universities, colleges, secondary and vocational schools.   The event was an offshoot of a resolution passed during a recent tripartite meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), and the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The primary focus of the dialogue was to devise strategies to prevent the recruitment activities of Communist terrorist groups, which often target schools and students. Governor Gambito stressed the importance of a collaborative approach between the government and educational institutions to safeguard the youth and maintain peace and order within the province. “Educational institutions play a crucial role in shaping the minds of our youth. It is imperative that we work together to ensure their safety and prevent any form of radicalization or recruitment by these groups,” said Governor Gambito.   The meeting brought together key stakeholders from various educational sectors, fostering a united front against the threats posed by Communist terrorist groups. Discussions centered around creating awareness programs, enhancing security measures within school premises, and promoting values that counter extremist ideologies. The resolution passed during the tripartite meeting underscores the province’s dedication to maintaining peace and order as a foundation for economic prosperity. By addressing the root causes of recruitment and strengthening community resilience, the provincial government aims to create a secure environment conducive to economic development. Governor Gambito also highlighted that ever since the province was declared an insurgency-free province, numerous local and foreign investors have approached his office to signify their interest in doing business in Nueva Vizcaya.   This influx of potential investments is a testament to the positive impact of peace and order on the province’s economic landscape. In addition, Governor Gambito informed everyone of his flagship projects, such as the “Kalsada ti Kabanbantayan,” the beautification of the provincial capitol, the promotion of renewable energy in establishments within the capitol grounds, the “Free WiFi ti Umili” initiative, and the implementation of solar-powered irrigation systems for the agriculture sector. According to Gambito, through these programs, he demonstrates his commitment to improving the livelihoods of the poor, especially those in mountainous areas. By showing that the provincial government does not neglect them, these initiatives help prevent them from being easily recruited by Communist groups.   Gambito also took pride in Nueva Vizcaya’s leading position in terms of economic growth, attributing this success to the province’s stable peace and order situation and the effective implementation of his flagship programs. The dialogue concluded with participants signing a pledge of commitment to remain vigilant against all forms of security threats to keep Nueva Vizcaya insurgency-free. This collective commitment marks a significant step towards ensuring the safety and prosperity of the province

BONGABON, Nueva Ecija – At least seven members of the Komiteng Rehiyong Gitnang Luzon of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) were killed in an armed encounter with the soldiers of the 84th Infantry (Victorious) Battalion, Philippine Army in Barangay Malbang, Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija on June 26.   The combat operations followed after the soldiers of the 84IB conducted a hot pursuit following an aerial operation held in the hinterlands of Sitio Marikit East, Barangay Abuyo, Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya last June 20. Initial information disclosed that upon clearing the area, operating troops recovered three M14 rifles, six M16 rifles, one M16 with M203 attached rifle, one low-powered firearm, subversive documents, and personal belongings from the encounter site. No casualty was recorded on the part of the operating troops, while the seven CTG personalities were yet to be identified. According to Lieutenant Colonel Jerald Reyes, Commanding Officer, 84IB, the hot pursuit operation was part of the unit’s efforts to immediately locate and run after the enemy after they spread fear among the people of Alfonso Castaneda. “Mayroon po tayong nakuhang pitong bangkay mula sa mga CTG at naka rekober po tayo ng sampung mga matataas na klase ng armas. Napigilan po natin ang kanilang planong maibalik ang kanilang impluwensiya sa komunidad gamit ang pananakot. Actually, hinabol namin ang mga ito galing Aurora to Nueva Vizcaya ngayon dito sa Nueva Ecija. Kaya naman po lubos ang aming pasalamat sa mga tao sa kanilang suporta sa mga kasundaluhan. Tinitiyak din po namin ang kaligtasan ng mamamayan ng Nueva Ecija laban sa banta ng mga teroristang grupo,” pahayag ni Reyes. Brigadier General Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte PA, Commander of the 703rd Infantry (Agila) Brigade, Philippine Army, attributed the success of the operation to the active cooperation of the peace-loving community in Pantabangan who work hand-in-hand with the security sector to preserve the peace. “The community’s active cooperation has a big impact on the results of this operation. Their full support to the Army has paved the way to more significant peace and security accomplishments in our Area of Operations. We assure you our strong commitment to the community in preserving the peace that we have been working on for years,” Pasamonte said. He then called on the members of the CTG to surrender and grab the opportunities offered by the government to live a new life.   “I am deeply saddened that our brother Filipinos died because of the trickery of the CTG. We can prevent further loss of lives if the remaining members would only join us in our mainstream society. Nandito kami handang ipagtanggol ang ating mga kababayang ang nais lamang ay kapayapaan at katiwasayan,” he added. (84th Infantry Battalion, 71D Philippine Army post)

DILASAG, Aurora – Pinangunahan ni Gov.Reynante Tolentino, kasama ang Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) at mga iba pang opisyal sa pamamahagi ng ‘social pension’ sa 485 beneficiaries sa bayan ng Dilasag, na ginanap sa LGU Sports Complex at sa Barangay Esperanza Covered Court, noong Hunyo 24.     Ang 485 beneficiaries ay kinabibilangan ng 363 senior citizens at 45 persons with disabilities (PWD), 28 solo parents, na tumanggap ng kanilang social pension para sa unang kalahating taon ng 2024. Tinanggap naman ng 23 Day Care Workers ang kanilang honorarium, samantalang sa mga senior citizens na may edad 85 hanggang 99 ay binigyan ng ‘age bonus benefit’ na bagong programa ng PSWDO mula sa  tulong at suporta ni Gov. Tolentino. Bukod dito ay nagbigay din ang gobernador mula sa kanyang sariling bulsa ng tig-₱10,000.00 sa samahan ng nasabing apat na sektor bilang dagdag tulong para sa kanilang mga pangangailangan.   Sinabi ni Ryan “Yam” Tolentino, Chief Nurse ng Aurora Memorial Hospital (AMH) at Executive Assistant ng Office of the Provincial Governor na kasamang dumalo sa nasabing aktibidad, isa raw sa mga una sa mga programa ng gobernador ang mga senior citizens. Ang ama ng lalawigan, bilang bahagi ng senior citizens group ay nauunawaan ang pakiramdaman at mga pangangailangan sa ganoong edad kung kaya lahat ng mga maaring ibigay na ayuda mula sa pamahalaang panlalawigan ay ihahatid sa kanila ng gobernador. Hinikayat din ni Yam Tolentino ang mga matatanda na gamitin at pakinabangan ang libreng laboratory tests sa AMH na bahagi ng medical assistance program ng lalawigan para sa kanila.   Ayon kay Gov. Tolentino, tuluy-tuloy ang tulong na ibibigay ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa mga mamamayan lalo na sa mga wala o limitado ang pinagkukuhanan ng kabuhayan tulad ng mga senior citizens, PWD, at mga solo parents. Patuloy din magtatrabaho ang pamunuan upang mas palawigin pa ang sakop ng ganitong mga programa at madagdagan pa ang kanilang natatanggap. Pinuri din niya ang kasipagan ng PSWDO at siniguro ang kaniyang buong suporta sa mga program nito.   Nagpaabot naman ng pasasalamat si Konsehal Leah Gorospe, bilang kinatawan ni Mayor Joe P. Gorospe, sa gobernador at kay Yam sa paglalaan ng panahon upang personal na ihatid ang ayuda sa kanilang bayan. Malaking bagay daw na hindi na kailangan pang bumiyahe ng mga benepisyaryo papuntang sentro-Aurora para kunin ang kanilang social pension. Pinasalamatan naman ni Paulino ang MSWDO ng Dilasag sa pamumuno ni Jessamin T. Llave, na nakatuwang nila sa nasabing aktibidad lalo na sa pagsisigurong mga karapat-dapat na benepisyaryo ang tatanggap.   Malugod namang tinanggap ng mga benepisyaryo gaya ni Lolo Eduardo Subang, isa sa mga senior citizens at Nanay Julieta Seradoy, isa naman sa mga solo parents ang tulong na inihatid sa kanila at magagamit nila ito nang buo para sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan. (By PG Aurora Official Page)

SAN LUIS, Aurora – Malugod na naisagawa ng iba’t ibang ahensya sa pangunguna ng Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) ang selebrasyon ng Environment Month at Arbor Day na may temang “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience” sa pamamagitan ng tree planting na isinagawa sa Barangay Diteki, San Luis Aurora, Hunyo 25.   Lumahok sa aktibidad ang iba’t-ibang kawani at kinatawan ng mga ahensya tulad ng 91st infantry sinagtala battalion Philippine Army, Philippine national Police, Bureau of Fire Protection at mga empleyado ng iba’t-ibang tanggapan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan, na pinasiwaan ni Ma. Teresa De Luna, ng ENRO at sa pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sa pamumuno naman ni Forester G.Alfredo kasama ring nakiisa ang Local Goverment Unit ng bayan ng San Luis. Ayon kay Luna, “Ang pagtatanim ng mga puno ay nakakatulong upang mapanatili ang ganda ng kalikasan at sa pamamagitan nito ay maitataguyod ang biodiversity at malabanan pabago-bagong klima gayundin ay mabawasan ang epektong kalamidad ating lalawigan. Sa pamamagitan ng aktibidad na ito ay makakatulong ang mga lumahok para sa kinabukasan ng susunod na henerasyon.”   Ipinahatid naman ni Punong Lalawigan Reynante A.Tolentino ang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga kawani ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na nakiisa at nagbigay ng oras upang bigyang halaga ang pagtatanim ng puno kasabay ng pagpapakita ng pangangalaga sa kalikasan. (By PG Aurora Official page).

By Chona C. Bugayong, PIMRO LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—It was a big sigh of relief for the 2,415 Job Orders (JOs) and Contract of Service (COS) employees of the provincial government after Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and PhilHealth, represented by Regional Vice President, Region 1, Dennis B. Adre, signed the Group Enrollment Program (GEP) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the Ceremonial Hall, Urduja House, here. With this, the five percent PhilHealth monthly premium deducted from the monthly salaries of JOs and COS employees will be shouldered by the provincial government. PhilHealth RO1 VP Adre commended Pangasinan for being a trailblazer in the entire Philippines. “Kasi karamihan po ng government employees in the entire country, ibinabawas lang sa mga empleyado nila ang payment of premiums. And talaga pong kakaiba ang probinsya ng Pangasinan dahil they have undertaken to pay the premiums of their JOs and COS,” Adre said. Gov. Guico earlier said that his administration values and recognizes the unselfish efforts and sacrifices of the Capitol workforce, who paved the way for the countless accomplishments of the provincial government. The move was a great way to help uplift the socio-economic status and well-being of employees and constituents as well. ‘Hopefully, tulad ng ginawa natin ngayon na nanguna tayo na nagsubsidized ng contribution, sana gawin din ng ibang probinsiya. Siyempre, you have to take care of your workers. Kapag hindi sila motivated e di buong organization niyo wala rin,’ the governor added. Beyond medical and physical examinations, cash incentives to retirees and recognition of outstanding civil service heroes were provided by the present administration, benefiting Capitol workers. Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II said, “patunay ito na malaki ang pagpapahalaga ni Governor Guico sa kalusugan ng bawat kawani ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Pangasinan.”

(By Chona C. Bugayong, Sydney Soriano, and JP De Vera/PIMRO)   LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Gov. Ramon V. Guico III, together with Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, led the awarding of quarry shares to the 13 municipalities and 28 barangays on June 21 at the Ceremonial Hall, Urduja House, here. The town of Tayug, under the leadership of Mayor Tyrone D. Agabas, received the biggest consolidated 30% share for the first quarter of 2024 alone, amounting to a huge P2,598,935.51. Next to Tayug was the municipality of Sison, headed by Mayor Danilo Uy, with a total share of P1,944,796.94 for the 4th quarter of 2023 and the 1st quarter of 2024, respectively. Other recipients were the towns of Umingan, Natividad, and Sta. Maria, San Fabian, Sto. Tomas, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Mabini, Burgos, San Jacinto, and Villasis. Meanwhile, Barangay Guzon, a component barangay of Tayug, also got the biggest consolidated 40% share on quarry, amounting to P2,808,791.12 for the 4th quarter of 2023 and P2,882,364.94 for the 1st quarter of 2024, for a total of P5,691,156.06. ‘Kami po ay natutuwa sa amin pong natanggap na award na share namin sa Quarry. Pinopropose po namin namakagawa kami ng Day Care Center, multi-purpose para sa mga senior citizens at evacuation center,’ Punong Barangay of Guzon Tedy Canaveral said. Other awardees on the barangay level include Brgy., Cauplasan, and San Vicente (Municipality of Sta. Maria); Brgy. Dungon, Agat, Cauringan, Cabaritan, Esperanza, Artacho, Tara-Tara, Pindangan, and Amagbagan (Mun. of Sison); Brgy. Lipay, Villasis, and Brgy. Colisao, San Fabian, Brgy. Amistad, Tayug, and Brgy. San Jose, San Jacinto, Brgy. San Vicente, San Manuel, Brgy. San Agustin, Sto. Tomas; Brgy. Casaratan, San Nicolas; Brgy. Barangobong, Tayug, and Brgy. Sapa Pequena, Burgos, Brgy. De Guzman, Mabini, and Brgy. Caramutan, Villasis. During the activity, the governor stated that there is no excuse not to comply with the implementation of innovative ordinances, which bear positive results. We have to impose what we need to impose, the governor said. Gov. Guico congratulated the Treasury, headed by Acting Provincial Treasurer Cristy C. Ubando, and PG-ENRO, headed by OIC Vivian U. Oamil, as well as the partner LGUs and barangays, for the efficient collection of fees, with high hopes that all these fees will be put to good use by the barangay and municipal leaders. ‘Kasama po ang ating mga SP Members, asahan niyo po na tuloy-tuloy po yung ganitong klase ng serbisyo ng mga opisyales natin dito sa probinsiya sa pamumuno ni Gov. Guico na, kung ano po ang para sa bayan at sabarangay ay siguradong matatanggap ninyo,’ Vice Gov. Lambino further added.   Sta. Maria Mayor Julius C. Ramos, Mabini Mayor Colin A. Reyes, Sison Mayor Danilo C. Uy, barangay officials, treasurers, and representatives of other towns and barangays attended the undertaking.