Dist. 1 Rep. Beng Climaco distributes goodies to children at a Pasonanca day care center during a Rotary Club Christmas treat for children.

Strong as ever, the triumvirate Mayor Celso Lobregat and Congressional Representatives Beng Climaco and Erbie Fabian seal their bond anew, as shown in this photo taken after the Rizal Day celebration Dec. 30 at the Rizal Park fronting City Hall. — Joey Bautista

Three people were killed, including a local government official, in two separate attacks Tuesday morning in Lanao del Sur, a police official said.
The first attack occurred along Narciso Ramos highway in Malabang town at 4:30 a.m. where a certain Farouk Edris, 61, was killed, according to Superintendent Seigfredo Ramos Jr., spokesman for the police regional office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Two elite Navy commandos died and another was wounded following an amphibious raid against combined Abu Sayyaf terrorists and rogue Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels at the shorelines of Mohammad Ajul town in Basilan on Tuesday night.
Reports identified the casualties as Lt. (junior grade)) Christopher Pantaleon and Petty Officer 3 Almario Manalili. Wounded was Seaman First Class Reynand Sumalinog. All are assigned with the Naval Special Operations Group (NavSog).
The clash occurred around 7 p.m. Tuesday at the shorelines of Kandiis village in Mohammad Adjul against an undetermined number of combined Abu Sayyaf and MILF rebels, according to Rear Admiral Alex Pama, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and Task Force Trillium.

Authorities slammed the newest violation of yuletide truce by the NPA terrorists who at the eve of Christmas abducted a crimewatch volunteer in Mati City.
Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza, commander of the army’s 10th Infantry Division deplored what he call the deceptive and sly methods of NPA terrorists in declaring a ceasefire with the government and yet conduct atrocities against the people and the state.
“These terrorists are not true to their words. Their violation of their own declaration of ceasefire has proven once again that they cannot be trusted and that they are insincere in keeping the peace,” Holganza said.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila cautioned the public not to buy  fireworks which do not bear the PS (Philippine Standard) mark.
Secretary Favila issued the warning in a statement issued on December 29, in a bid to remind and make the people aware and to minimize fireworks-related accidents during the New Year revelry.

For exerting all efforts to ensure peace and security in Zamboanga, law enforcement agencies specifically the police and the military as well as the tanods, civilian volunteer            organizations and other force multipliers heaped praises from District I Congresswoman Beng Climaco.

For alleged negligence relative to the November 23 jailbreak, Basilan provincil jail warden Jumaril Sali has been relieved while investigation continues to determine the cause of the jailbreak involving 31high-risk criminals.
Atty. Abdulhussin Abdurahman “Boy” Atalad of the Provincial Legal Office has assumed as jail warden officer-in-charge upon request by Basilan Lady Governor Jum Akbar.

A 62-year-old farmer was killed after he was struck with a piece of wood by his neighbor in Sitio Upper Tamion, Vitali, last Saturday afternoon.
The victim, Carmelo Alvarez y Napolereyes, single, was killed by Wilsam Jocomilla y Luna, 30, married.

The city government has set activities in commemoration of the 6th death anniversary of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, the city’s 6th and only woman mayor and mother of Mayor Celso Lobregat, on Saturday, January 2.
The commemorative activities will kick off with a mass at 3 p.m. on Saturday followed by a motorcade to the Jardin Maria Clara in Pasonanca where a floral offering and a simple program will follow.

Two more escapees in the November 23, 2009 jailbreak at the Basilan Provincial Jail surrendered to the First Marine Brigade under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Eugene Clemen at Camp Luis R. Biel in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) assured Mayor Celso Lobregat the conduct of a meaningful and credible consultation concerning the peace process in the city in January, as she expressed regrets over the failure of a similar activity conducted by the government panel here from Dec. 15-16.
In an electronic mail sent to Mayor Lobregat on December 29, 2009, OPAPP Secretary Annabelle Abaya said she will be pleased to provide OPAPP’s resources in conducting the consultation that the Zamboanga chief executive intends to sponsor next month.

The Nacionalista Party strongly condemned on Wednesday the assassination attempt on another partymate, claiming politics was behind the two incidents.
“The Nacionalista Party is shocked and appalled by the assassination attempt on another candidate of our party,” said the party spokesman and senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla in a statement.

The Nacionalista Party strongly condemned on Wednesday the assassination attempt on another partymate, claiming politics was behind the two incidents.
“The Nacionalista Party is shocked and appalled by the assassination attempt on another candidate of our party,” said the party spokesman and senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla in a statement.

Three people were killed, including a local government official, in two separate attacks Tuesday morning in Lanao del Sur, a police official said.
The first attack occurred along Narciso Ramos highway in Malabang town at 4:30 a.m. where a certain Farouk Edris, 61, was killed, according to Superintendent Seigfredo Ramos Jr., spokesman for the police regional office in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.