Surigao City — Mayor Ernesto “Nitoy” Matugas recently assured members of the media that drug tests will soon be conducted on officers and members of the Surigao City Police Office as a way to check various reports on the use of illegal substance by some “men in uniform”.

“I’ll direct Supt. Jonathan Trojello to immediately schedule the conduct of drug tests on city cops so that we will eventually know who are the drug users among them,” Matugas said during a press conference he called on April 4 inside his office.

He said he will support the filing of appropriate cases against policemen who will be found positive for drug use.

“Since I assumed as Mayor, I always give priority on our campaign against illegal drugs proliferation. We already gained headway with the arrests of several drug lords particularly the no. 1, 2 and 5. I have also caused the transfer of several policemen suspected as protectors of some drug personalities. Now, I’ll see to it that our city police force will soon undergo the drug tests,” Matugas disclosed.

The mayor made the assurance in response to the report made by Manila Standard Today correspondent Jun Lira that some city policemen were ‘shabu users’ and protectors of some drug lords and drug pushers.

“Once a PNP member will be found positive for drug use, the PNP, “muto proprio”, can initiate administrative proceedings or file an administrative case against him,” Lira said.

During the conference, Matugas expressed satisfaction on the performance of Supt. Jonathan Trojello, city police chief, in their relentless anti-illegal drugs operations.

The press conference was attended by DxKS Manager Jun Galeon, DxKS production chief Jun Clerigo, DxRS Manager Gay Dolfo-Tiu, DxRS production chief Jojo Ferol, DxSN production chief Dodong Bernadez, Agusan-Surigao Enquirer managing editor Roel Catoto, broadcasters Lito Gibertas, Jun Custodio, Boy “Power” Portuguese and columnist Tony Villareal.

SARANGANI BAY (April 29, 2012) – In this file photo, a swimmer dives towards the finish line in barangay Tango, Glan after more than three hours of racing in the open sea from barangay Tinoto, Maasim. At the background is Mt. Matutum. Some 50 swimmers are set to join “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” on May 18. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

GUMASA, Sarangani (April 29, 2012) – Ten teams will vie for the top honors and cash prizes during the “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” otherwise known through the years as Swim-Across-the-Bay, the opening salvo of the May 18-19 Sarangani Bay Festival (SarBay Fest).

For the 15-kilometer swim across Sarangani Bay, there shall be a mass start at 5am from Kamanga Beach, Maasim to Reycon Beach in Tango, Glan on May 18.

“Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” is open to all swimmers (amateur and professionals) with minimum age of 14. A group of five swimmers comprises a team.

The registration fee of P2,000 per team covers boat rental and gasoline. Deadline for registration is on May 4, 5pm, at the office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office at the Capitol in Alabel (look for Nemrad Butil (083) 5082267, 09163232397 or 09306534953).

The first three teams to reach the finish line at Reycon Beach in Tango, Glan shall be declared winners with the 1st prize of P50,000, 2nd prize – P35,000, and 3rd prize – 25,000, all with medals and trophies. All finishers shall be awarded with the medal of “Invaders” and consolation cash prize of P6,000 each team.

“Ten teams are sure to compete for the 15-kilometer swim,” said organizer Nemrad Butil.

Butil disclosed the Gensan Torpedoes are deploying three teams, Koronadal City has two teams, while some teams are composed of local swimmers from Tinoto and Kamanga, Maasim.

“University varsity swimmers from Manila and Davao are also joining the teams of Koronadal and Gensan,” Butil said. “This year a team from a Manila triathlon club might join.”

Butil said the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, Philippine National Police–Maritime, Red Cross, and teams from provincial and municipal government offices shall assist as perimeter boat marshals.

During its debut on May 18, 2006, only three teams out of six finished the swim across Sarangani Bay.

The Dadiangas Torpedoes team of General Santos City (official time – 04:05:18 hours) won by just two minutes over MJ Powerpines of Maasim (04:07:12 hours). The Maasim Swimming Team clocked in with 4:57:26 for 3rd place.

“This is the longest open ocean marathon swimming competition in the country and probably in Asia,” said then swim manager Giuseppe Chew.

That time, a team was composed of 10 relay swimmers.

“I really enjoyed it,” said swimming athlete Ergel Arcinas. “It was hard on our part since the water was salty and the bay has a strong current. We are used to swimming in the pool.”

The swimmers were guided by Course Marker Boats fitted with Global Positioning System receivers to get the exact position of the shortest line from start to finish.

Each team started with a lead swimmer closely followed by an escort boat where other team members wait for their turn.

When a swimmer gets tired, another dives, making a tag for the exchange to be official and in order to continue to race.

The Dadiangas Torpedoes received P30,000 as champion in 2006. MJ Powerpines won P7,500 while third-placer Maasim Swim Team bagged P5,000.

The 2006 swim dubbed Across-the-Bay Open Ocean Swimming Competition highlighted the 1st Sarangani Bay Festival opening day. The festival was initiated by the provincial government to showcase the richness and beauty of one of the largest bays in the country.

Swimmers per team in 2007 were reduced to five instead of 10.

In SarBay Fest 2008, the Sta. Cruz Seafoods Inc. team of Davao City bested seven other teams to rule the swim in 3:17:05 hours. The South Cotabato team ranked second place with 3:20:14 hours.

But 2007’s record by Dadiangas Torpedoes of 2:50:15.23 hours remains unbroken. Dadiangas Torpedoes did not field a team in 2008.

This year, each swimmer should observe the 2-minute swim before the relay exchange takes place, unlike in other years where swimmers can relieve anytime.

The Torpedoes again won the 2009 race. In 2010, the Dadiangas Torpedoes repeated as champion in 3:16:47 hours.

Last year, the Koronadal City Sea Lions won with 3:41:42 hours. Seven teams competed. The second prize was bagged by Philippine Army’s 73rd IB’s Tinoto Pirates (3:53:28) and Gensan Torpedos in third place (4:05:19). For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012. (Jun Ramos/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

From left: Publisher Jun Parada, Marketing and Communications Manager Rochelle Hilario of Philex Mining Corp. Head Office, Managing Editor Roel Catoto and Editorial Adviser Jun Lira during a meeting at 'The Legend Villas' located in Pioneer Avenue, Mandaluyong City, on April 21, 2012. (Photo by Rene Patangan / Philex Mines Surigao City)

Pwerteng kahimoot sa mga Surigaonong media dihang ilang nasayran nga usa diay ka ‘mahuyang’ kadtong brodkaster nga gibalitang nihimo og pagpangatake sa igsoon sa usa ka bantogang politiko. Paisog-isog lang diay kini siya aron dili mabuking nga anak sab diay siya ni Eba ug ‘type’ niya ang mga anak ni Adan nga gusto niyang mamahimong ‘Papa’.

Wala man gyud dayon mabuking o masayri ang byuti sa maong brodkaster tungod kay dili man gud siya taga-Surigao. Racket na gyud diay niya ang manigbas o mangdelihensiya ginamit ang impluwensiya sa iyang programa sa radyo tungod sa iyang mga bisyo nga moinom og alak ug beer – gawas pa sa iyang financial support sa batan-ong lalaki nga iyang ka-‘live in’ nga iyang gipaila nga pag-umangkon.

Sa kagabhion, nailhan kining brodkaster sa ngalan nga ‘Janna’. Motukar gyud ang iyang pagka-rayna kung siya hubog na ug sa mga panahong mahiuban siya sa pundok sa kababayen-an. Award-winning gyud ang byuti ni Janna niadtong December dihang nagpa-make up siya ug nagpa-lipstick ug nirampa dayon didto sa usa ka party.

Bisan sa iyang pagka-bading, dakong minyo diay kini si Janna. Adunay siyay anak apan nagbulag sila sa iyang misis tungod kay nabuking nga

Left to right: Philex Media Relations Officer Rene Patangan, Managing Editor Roel Catoto of Agusan-Surigao Enquirer, Editorial Adviser Jun Lira of Caraga Aksyon Balita, Philex Vice-President for Operations Engr. Libby Ricafort, Caraga TriMedia President Jun Parada and Community Affairs Officer Enjie Pacillos of DENR-MGB Region 13. Photo was taken on April 20, 2012 inside the Administration Bldg., Philex Compound, Camp 3, Tuba , Benguet.

mahilig siya sa itlog ug hotdog. No wonder nga sa radyo mahilig siya moimbento og mga tsismis kay usa man diay siya ka silahis!

Mao gyud nga doble ang paningkamot nga makatigbas kining bayota kay doble man gud ang iyang gisuportahan – ang kanhi niyang pamilya ug ang ‘pag-umangkon’ nga iyang ka-‘live in’ karon.

Sa pagkakaron, padayon sa iyang racket nga pagpanigbas kini si Janna. Ang dili molisit o mohatag kaniya og pahalipay sigurado gyud nga birahan niya sa iyang programa sa radyo. Kining tawhana maoy nagbuling-buling sa kadungganan sa mga taga-Surigao media.

Angayan gyud nga magbantay ang publiko ug dili magpadala sa pagpanghasi niining bayota aron masumpo ug maundang na kining iyang panguwarta.
Alang sa dugang mga impormasyon, palihug pakigkita ning magsusulat.