News Briefs: Sept. 12, 2019

Año backs call for BJMP to manage local jails

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año backed on Wednesday calls to place all provincial jails the control of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to prevent prison breaks.

He was, likewise, all for the creation of an “Alcatraz-like prison” where high-risk criminals at New Bilibid Prison would be transferred.

He noted that local jails “usually employ ill-trained and -equipped personnel, and lack adequate facilities making them prone to escapes.” —Jeannette I. Andrade

US tags Abu Sayyaf leader in terror blacklist

MANILA, Philippines — The US Department of State has included Abu Sayyaf group faction leader Hajan Sawadjaan in its list of terrorist leaders for his role in the Jan. 27 Jolo Cathedral bombing which killed scores of people.

The list tags al-Qaida-affiliated group Hurras al-Din as well as 12 leaders of previously identified organizations: Hizballah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Islamic State (IS), IS-Philippines, IS-West Africa and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, as “specially designated global terrorists.” —Jeannette I. Andrade

AFP includes Mindanao telco in military program

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines is giving a fair chance to Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. (Mislatel) to compete with other telecommunications firms, allowing the newest telco to install its facilities inside military camps.

The AFP signed in Camp Aguinaldo an agreement with Mislatel (now Dito Telecommunity).

Signatories to the deal were AFP deputy chief of staff for communications, electronics and information systems Maj. Gen. Adrian Sanchez Jr. and Dito chief administrative officer Adel Tamano.

Dito chair Dennis Uy also witnessed the signing. —Jeannette I. Andrade

Comelec to list up indigenous peoples

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will put up special satellite registrations to serve members of vulnerable sectors, particularly indigenous peoples (IP). The Comelec said that IP Registration Week will be conducted nationwide from Sept. 16-20 to ensure that the right of suffrage of the IP is not hindered by issues on accessibility. During the IP Registration Week, each province with an identified IP population will hold at least one satellite registration. —TINA G. SANTOS

FDA: Only one cigarette alternative registers

Only one company has applied to register its alternative to tobacco product, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Wednesday. Under the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2019-0007, e-cigarette manufacturers are given a three-month transitory period for them to register to ensure that their product is safe for public use. Without the registration, the FDA may seize products by Oct. 25. —JOVIC  YEE

Gringo breezes through confirmation

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan breezed through the Commission on Appointments on Wednesday, with no lawmaker questioning his capability and even attesting to his qualification for the post. San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, in endorsing Honasan’s appointment, said Honasan was a “singular individual who is extremely qualified to take this position.” —LEILA B. SALAVERRIA