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
