Negros Scout Rangers
sent off to Zamboanga
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday pulled out the Army’s elite 1st Scout Ranger Battalion from Negros island, to augment government troops locked in a standoff  with members of the Moro National Liberation Front  in Zamboanga .

Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, who led the send-off ceremony of the 500-strong 1st Scout Ranger Battalion at the Bacolod-Silay airport,  said the sudden departure of the unit  was  “very very unexpected”, considering they are in the midst  of anti-insurgency operations in central Negros.

Lt. Col. Oriel Pangcog, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, said his troops are still in combat and clearing operations in the hinterlands of Guihulngan City, after  a recent encounter with about 20 rebels, when he was informed Monday to consolidate his troops for deployment in Zamboanga.

4 Neg.Occ. solons
back pork abolition
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental and Bacolod City congressmen yesterday aired mixed views on the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the release of the remaining Priority Development Assistance Funds of lawmakers for 2013 and the Malampaya funds.

Four said they support President Benigno Aquino’s call for the abolition of the PDAF, while three others had mixed views on the matter.

Rep. Evelio Leonardia (Bacolod) and Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) said they signed a manifesto supporting the position of the House leadership and the President’s call for the abolition of the pork barrel, and the need to promote transparency and accountability in government.

Protests in
Bacolod set Friday
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

Protests against the pork-barrel fund are set in Bacolod City Friday.

Tipon Negrosanon-Pork Barrel Untaton, a convergence of concerned Negrenses calling for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, commonly known as pork barrel, is staging a rally at the Bacolod Public Plaza 3 p.m. Friday.

Progressive organizations will also march down the streets from Rizal Park to the Welcome Rotonda of Bacolod City to call for the eradication of the controversial PDAF on Friday.