RSOTG nets 456 guns in Nueva Ecija

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- The Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG), a team to oversee preparations for the safe and free (SAFE) midterm elections on May, has netted 456 assorted firearms through conduct of checkpoint operations, implementation of search warrants and knocking on doors of gun owners in the province, a ranking police official said on Wednesday. Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario, RSOTG head, said the anti-loose firearms operations will continue even as there is no private armed group in its list yet. "All private armed groups in Nueva Ecija have been previously delisted," Rosario said. Of the figure, 50 firearms, involving high-powered and low-powered were confiscated through checkpoints and Oplan Bakal; nine were recovered in armed encounters and service of search warrants; 388 (103 high powered and 285 low-powered) were voluntarily surrendered and nine were confiscated through Comelec gun ban. Rosario asked the public to inform the team of any politicians that employ security agents or personnel since all police escorts have been recalled. "Let us all work together to show the real Nueva Ecija which is peaceful," he said. This as the Regional Police Office (RPO) replaced on Tuesday Senior Supt. Walter Castillejos as director of the provincial police. He was replaced by Senior Supt. Crisaldo Nieves in a brief ceremony held in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija. Castillejos who served for only seven months here will be brought to Camp Olivas. Nieves urged his men to serve without fear or favor. (PNA)

DOT considering potentials of Fort Magsaysay as tourism destination

FORT RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, Jan. 21 (PNA)-- The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) of the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently conducted a visit here to look into the potentials of this vast military camp as one of the tourist destinations in the province. Brig. Gen. Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr., commander of the 7th Infantry Division, said the recent visit of the TIEZA/DOT technical working group was highlighted with a briefing about the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation area (FMMR). With a vast area covering the FMMR, the 7th Infantry Division has come up with an idea of making it as one of the tourist destinations here due to its natural features and strategic location. The FMMR was created by virtue of Presidential Proclamation Number 237 signed on December 19, 1955 with a total land area of 44,970 hectares. It is composed of the Cantonment area, training circuit, Kalinga sa Kawal off-based housing for military personnel, jathropa plantation, National Training Center (Balikatan area), and the Libingan ng mga Bayani. During the briefing, proposed projects and activities were discussed like wall climbing, trekking/hiking, downhill mountain biking, camping, motocross riding, 4x4 off-road driving, zip-line, and horse-back riding. Other activities proposed on the coastal areas of Dingalan, Aurora as part of the FMMR include kayaking, scuba diving, wind surfing, jet-skiing, para-sailing, and beach volley ball, among others. During the ocular inspection of the proposed site for an eco-tourism park, it has been noted that FMMR has the potential to be an ideal tourist destination due to its vast area and natural terrain features that include mountainous areas, natural lakes, and coastal areas. The camp can be used for educational tour, sports activities like golf, mountain trekking, swimming, running and leisure walk. ”We will see the death of insurgency and the birth of peace, prosperity and development in Regions I and III”, Catapang said. “We will also make the 7th Infantry Division as one of the tourist destinations here in Nueva Ecija,” he added. Fort Magsaysay, the home of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, has a vast land area known for its eco-friendly environment. It has an amazing variety of flora and fauna enveloped by rainforest and trees. (PNA)