The City Police Office''s Pre-Charge Section is investigating the complaint of a businessman against seven policemen for alleged abduction and extortion.

Rasido Wadjad, married, who is engaged in the buy and sell of used clothing in Sulu and a resident of Villa Margarita, San Roque went to the City Police Office together with his wife Ruayda to file a complaint against seven policemen of the Zamboanga City Mobile Group.

The City Police Office and the Task Force Zamboanga will further strengthen the implementation of the gun ban in the city following the recent holdup and shooting incidents that occurred in the city.

More mobile and stationary checkpoints will be established by police and the military in various strategic areas and major thoroughfares in the city in order to be able to check and apprehend unauthorized persons who are carrying firearms.

Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal has directed Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director Supt. Ramon M. Ochotorena and Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Roseller Arieta to intensify their security measures in their respective areas of responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of the people.

Caringal issued his directive during his recent command visit at the two provinces.

A more systematic way of distributing relief goods to the fire victims of Camino Nuevo interior was firmed up last Wednesday evening after Mayor Celso L. Lobregat met with all sectors of the city, that included the barangay chairmen of Camino Nuevo, Canelar and Zone I.

The City Coordinating Center was established to receive all food and cash donations. The Center will oversee the distribution of relief goods to avoid duplication, Lobregat said.

The Tetuan police released yesterday a cartographic sketch of the gunman who shot and killed a female public school teacher in Guiwan last Tuesday morning.

A police report said that Romeo Basilio, live-in partner of slain Sheryl Balagan, gave the description of the triggerman to the police. Basilio witnessed the killing of his common-law wife.

Vice Mayor Beng Climaco has re-emphasized the need for the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) and the Engineer''s Office (CEO) to undertake measures and ensure that hydrants and standpipes are visibly and strategically installed in city streets.

The vice mayor noted that some hydrants earlier set up by the water firm has disappeared or could not be located due to road widening or construction projects.

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Zamcelco) is currently conducting necessary preparations for the holding of its regular district elections for year 2006.

Zamcelco General Manager Reinerio R. Ramos disclosed that the

The military has launched a manhunt operation for an Abu Sayyaf terrorist tagged as responsible for the bomb attack that killed five people and wounded 13 others in Jolo, Sulu last Monday.

The investigation findings of the Task Force Comet headed by Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo showed that Ismun Sahirun, also known as "Young Hunter", was the perpetrator of the Sulu Consumers Cooperative Building bombing last March 27.

Terror strikes again and this time right in the heart of the Muslim dominated community. By latest count nine persons had died and more than 20 others were badly injured.

As in most recent terrorists attacks the Jolo victims were mostly innocent Muslim civilians. This despicable act of extremists and diabolical Al Qaeda clones, namely the Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf bands, reaffirms the fact that terrorists do neither distinguish tribal distinctions nor respect for one''s religion. They strike where there is opportunity. The higher the death toll the more they delight in frenzy. The excruciating the pain the louder they cheer. Murder is their way of life and the anguish of their victims is their celebration.

We have seen in the last two weeks or so concrete evidence that people will admire whom they wish to, contrary to any evidence that might be presented.

Slobodan Milosevic died while undergoing trial in the UN''s International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague. He had been indicted for various crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, violations of the Geneva convention) related to the war among the ethnic groups shortly after Yugoslavia broke up. Milosevic was indicted for either command responsibility or for giving direct orders for the mass killings of those belonging to the enemy of the Serbs.

The 5th Women Congress was successful, attended by women in local government service and women organizations. It culminated in the awarding of "Distinguished Zamboangueñas" who excelled in their individual field of endeavors last 28th of March, at the Celebrity Hall of Grand Astoria Hotel.

Still feeling sick, I braved myself to attend the 5th Congress, and I''m glad I did ''coz I had the opportunity to hear the speeches of our two most respectable high officials of our beloved Zamboanga, Cong. Erbie Fabian and Mayor Celso L. Lobregat, who both admitted that without us women, they wouldn''t be standing in our midst.

Due to the stringent requirements being imposed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the issuance of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) Accreditation and the implementation of the EU (European Union) standard relative to the BFAD''s (Bureau of Food and Drug) issuance of CPR (Certificate of Product Registration) prompted some local canning manufacturers to migrate to as well as to transfer their factories to other countries, the Fish Sector reported.

This is one of the critical issues raised during the plenary of the Pre-Export Congress yesterday at the Garden Orchid Hotel.

Who says that Zamboanga City will not be part of the MILF Bangsamoro Homeland? Last Monday, March 27, 2006, consultation on the peace process in Mindanao was held headed by Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process. The government panel during the peace process forum held at the City Coliseum presented their insights with highlighted views having in mind the government effort to put an end to the conflict between the MILF.

Prof. Rodil of the Peace Process group, pointed out some focal points on major agreements for peace in Mindanao which include among others, that both panels will acknowledge the unique history and identity of the Bangsamoro people, recognize and protect the Bangsamoro rights to their land and natural resources, ensure the Bangsamoro direct participation in socio-economic development efforts within their ancestral domain and to explore workable formula for genuine Bangsamoro self-governance.

Zamboanga City vs. Metro Manila

Unending clotheslines surround the playground but the children are unmindful as they enjoy the slides. A derelict building now serves as a modest guesthouse for several families. Some women prepare their meals using charcoal stoves. The decorated stage announces a kindergarten graduation, but the huge ambulance in front and its loud speaker were attention-grabbing that the poor stage is barely recognizable.

This is the scenario at Zamboanga East and West Central Schools, almost a week after the conflagration at Camino Nuevo.