HPG receives P256K worth of helmets with integrated communication system in Zamboanga…

 

Members of the Ghost Riders Zamboanga led by Kaiser Olaso and Osbert Malinao turnover to the Philippine National Police Regional Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Zamboanga Peninsula 16 helmet units equipped with integrated communication system to boost their patrol and escort operations in the region. (RP)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Regional Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Zamboanga Peninsula received Wednesday P256,000 worth of full-face helmet units equipped with integrated communication systems from a local riders’ club on Wednesday to enhance patrol and escort operations in the region.

The donation was made by Ghost Rider Zamboanga, a group of big-bike enthusiasts composed of businessmen and private contractors based in the city. The group turned over 16 units of helmets with built-in communication gadgets to HPG regional deputy chief Lt. Col. Dexter Diones during a simple ceremony.

Osbert Malinao, the club’s promotions executive, said the donation was intended to support HPG personnel who help ensure road safety.

“We have prepared today the handover of 16 helmets with communication equipment to the HPG, our partners on the road who help protect us every day,” Malinao said.

Ghost Rider Zamboanga head Kaiser Olaso said the group decided to provide the equipment after observing communication difficulties among HPG personnel during a recent riding event.

Olaso said some police escorts lost their route during a fun ride because they were unable to communicate with one another, highlighting the need for integrated communication equipment.

Olaso said the members, including Lamitan City Vice Mayor Hagen Furigay, have contributed for the purchase of the helmet units and integrated communication equipment that were donated to the HPG.

“With the donation of helmets integrated with communication gadgets, we believe this will boost the situational awareness of HPG escort personnel and provide safer escort operations,” he said.

According to Olaso, the communication system has an operational range of about one kilometer between users and can accommodate multiple users within the network.

He added that the riders’ club is also considering donating jackets to HPG personnel to help protect them from prolonged exposure to sun and rain while performing their duties.

“We hope our little contribution will help boost the operations of our HPG partners in securing the roads and ensuring the safety of riders,” Olaso said.

Diones expressed the HPG Regional Office’s appreciation for the donation, saying the equipment would enhance the group’s operational capability in carrying out its road safety mission. (RP)

Lamitan bares schedule for 43rd Lami-Lamihan Festival

LAMITAN CITY, Basilan — The city government has released the schedule of activities for the 43rd Lami-Lamihan Festival, the 19th City Founding Anniversary, and the 90th Parochial Fiesta in honor of St. Peter the Apostle, with festivities set from June 12 to 30.

Carrying the theme “Future Woven,” the month-long celebration will feature cultural, religious, tourism and sports activities highlighting the heritage and traditions of the Yakan people.

The festivities will open on June 12 with activities marking the 128th Philippine Independence Day, including a community flag-raising ceremony, citywide clean-up and tree-growing activities, and the Mayor Oric Furigay Basketball Tournament Battle of the Champions.

Among the major events are the city's 19th founding anniversary on June 18, the opening of the Tourism Trade Fair and Gallery Walk, the Miss Lamitan 2026 Coronation Night, the Grand Festival Parade and Float Competition, and various cultural presentations showcasing Yakan traditions.

The Street Dance Competition and Showdown Presentation, considered one of the festival's centerpiece events, is scheduled on June 27.

Sports competitions lined up during the celebration include the 2nd Lamitan Shoot Fest, a half marathon, an amateur boxing tournament and a national motocross competition.

Religious activities honoring St. Peter the Apostle will also be held throughout the celebration, including floral offerings and other faith-based observances connected to the city's 90th Parochial Fiesta.

City officials said the annual festival is expected to draw thousands of visitors and contribute to local tourism and economic activity while promoting cultural awareness and preserving Yakan heritage.

The Lami-Lamihan Festival is one of Basilan's major cultural celebrations, showcasing the history, traditions and identity of Lamitan City and its people. (RGF)

Mayor Olaso calls for review of "Oplan Tokhang" records to monitor drug situation

 By: Sumer Ong

File photo. Mayor Khymer Olaso (R) with Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown flash sign during the former's visit at the City Hall, Zamboanga City. (RP)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Mayor Khymer Olaso has requested the local police to submit a comprehensive list of individuals registered under "Oplan Tokhang," the controversial anti-drug campaign initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte. This initiative aims to assess the current status of those previously targeted in the campaign and determine its effectiveness. "We will review the list of individuals registered in Oplan Tokhang during President Duterte's administration, but this time, our approach will be different," Olaso stated. "Every human being deserves to live, and only God or Allah has the authority to take a life," added the mayor. Olaso emphasized the importance of monitoring the current status of these individuals to understand whether the anti-drug campaign had any lasting impact. "As city mayor, I want to know the current status of that roster from the police records. We will conduct interviews and check on their situations to see if there have been any changes," he added. Olaso also mentioned plans to engage with barangay officials to discuss the matter further. "We will call the barangay chairmen for a meeting to address this serious issue. Last week, we confiscated a significant amount of illegal drugs in Zamboanga, and while my goal is to achieve a zero-drug environment, I recognize the challenges we face, especially with high-profile families involved," Olaso said. The mayor reiterated his commitment to tackling the drug problem in the city, stating: "our direction is clear, we are aiming for zero tolerance, but I understand the complexities involved in achieving this goal."

Sakayan Festival showcases cultural heritage in Isabela City

By: Roel Pareño 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan — Colorfully decorated boats filled the channel between this city and Malamawi Island on Saturday afternoon May 2, 2026 as the Sakayan Festival highlighted the diverse cultural roots of Isabela’s communities. 

The fluvial parade, featuring vessels inspired by traditional “sakayan,” capped the weeklong celebration of the city’s silver anniversary of cityhood. City Tourism Officer Claudio Ramos said the annual event continues to grow, with organizers aiming to emphasize the cultural origins of settlers who arrived in Isabela and this province from different parts of the country. 

“We want to go back to the cultural communities—who arrived here and what they brought with them,” Ramos said, noting the influence of groups such as Ilocanos, Cebuanos, and other ethnolinguistic communities.

Participants decorated their boats with symbols representing their heritage, including windmills associated with Ilocos, the “sarimanok” of the Maranao, and festival elements from Iloilo, Tausug, Sama-Badjao and its native Yakan among others.

Ramos said the Sakayan Festival is evolving into a distinct identity for the city, moving away from traditional street dancing and instead utilizing Isabela’s coastal setting.

“This is becoming a brand for Isabela. Since we are a coastal city, we are maximizing our natural setting to create something unique and exciting,” he said.

The event drew strong participation from local stakeholders, with eight groups joining this year’s parade. Organizers also worked closely with the Philippine Coast Guard and local security forces to ensure safety amid strong water currents.

Ramos described this year’s celebration as one of the largest festivals held in the city, noting increased public support and participation. 

He also reported positive economic gains, particularly from the city’s “Comida Fair,” which generated around P2.5 million in sales by its sixth day.

Tourism activity likewise picked up, with both domestic and foreign visitors attending the festivities.

“We’ve seen foreign tourists coming and inquiring about our offerings and the festival,” Ramos said, adding that accommodation capacity in the city was fully booked during the event.

City officials, led by Mayor Sitti Djalia “Dada” Turabin-Hataman, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and vowed to further enhance the festival in the coming years.

Organizers said they plan to build on this year’s success by introducing more innovative elements to make the Sakayan Festival even more vibrant and inclusive. ###

Passenger vessel runs aground due to Habagat in Zamboanga City

Once a pushover place, Isabela City is now a face of the region…

Roel Pareño 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan — Once dismissed as a pushover, this city has emerged as the “face of the region” in transparent and effective governance—earning comparisons to progressive cities like Quezon and Baguio.

In a stirring State of the City Address held Wednesday at the Isabela City Civic and Cultural Center, Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman reflected on the city’s transformation over the past six years.

“This is not just about reporting programs and projects,” the mayor said. “Today, we recognize the kind of city we’ve become—a city that has found its voice, its courage, and its place on the map of hope.”

Turabin-Hataman recounted Isabela City's journey from a place plagued by fear and division to one of peace, unity, and resilience. Once overlooked and weighed down by conflict, the city has become a symbol of hope.

Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman speaks during her State of the City Address.

"We are a city full of dreams, often denied the opportunity to realize them. We are rich in talent, compassion, and courage, yet confined by narratives we did not write and images we did not choose," she added.

She recalled her early days in office, speaking to a community yearning for change, even as she harbored doubts. But she vowed not to lead for power or recognition—but to build a government that listens, cares, and engages its people in shaping their future.

Under her leadership, Isabela City has taken the lead in the Zamboanga Peninsula region, excelling in key sectors such as governance, peace and order, education, health, economy, and tourism.

Despite a modest budget compared to other key cities, Turabin-Hataman emphasized investing in projects that directly impacted the people.

“I see it as an investment in the people—not just in pesos. Because if you look at our budget, it’s small. But the results speak for themselves. It was the change in mindset, culture, and behavior that truly made the difference,” she explained.

She stressed that the occasion wasn’t just about presenting reports—but recognizing what Isabela City has become.

“We are no longer the Isabela that was once overlooked. We are now the brave City of Isabela—a city that has found its voice, its courage, and its place on the map of hope,” she declared.

Looking ahead to her final term, Turabin-Hataman said: “This chapter of my leadership is not about signing my name—but about signing our success. This is not the legacy of a leader, but the legacy of a community.”

A City Reclaimed

The mayor described Isabela as a city once boxed in by fear and stories told by others—but now, “a city that chose to lead. A city of peace. A city of hope.”

She noted the historic declaration of Isabela City as free from the presence and influence of the Abu Sayyaf Group—a victory more than three decades in the making.

“The world now sees us as a city of peace,” she said, crediting the tireless efforts of Governor Mujiv Hataman and many others in ending the long chapter of violence in Basilan. “This is a collective triumph—not just for Isabela, but for the entire province.”

As chairperson of the Basilan Local Amnesty Board, Turabin-Hataman led deliberations on former insurgents’ cases, helping guide them toward rehabilitation and reintegration—part of the city’s broader commitment to peace with justice.

From an initial Peace and Order budget of just P5 million in 2020, the city’s investment rose to P21.3 million by 2025—reaching a total of P77 million over six years.

That commitment earned Isabela City top honors in the 2024 Peace and Order Council (POC) Audit, and recognition with the Outstanding Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Award.

Turabin-Hataman highlighted the stability brought by peace, which helped revitalize the local economy and tourism. From 2019 to 2025, the city welcomed 1.6 million tourist visits, peaking at 513,000 in 2024. Community-based tourism models ensured growth was inclusive and sustainable.

Among the landmark achievements was the passage of People Empowerment Ordinance No. 25-808, establishing the Isabela City People’s Council (ICPC)—dramatically expanding civil society participation.

“This was never about leaving a personal legacy,” she said. “It was about building a legacy for the people—a city that refused to be left behind, and is now boldly moving forward.”

As her final term unfolds, Mayor Turabin-Hataman leaves behind a city transformed—not only in infrastructure and security, but also in spirit and identity.

“This is not the legacy of a single leader. This is the legacy of an empowered people,” she said.

—30—

Stranded guests safely return from Sta. Cruz Island Amid Rough Weather

Stranded tourists from Sta. Cruz Island arrived at the Parinan area aboard motorized banca. (Photo courtesy of City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian-Hernandez)

By: Verano Long

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A group of tourists stranded for several hours on Sta. Cruz Island due to sudden inclement weather were safely brought back to the mainland late Thursday afternoon, according to Zamboanga City Tourism Officer Ms. Sarita Hernandez.

In a statement, Ms. Hernandez expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the safe return of all guests. The delay was caused by heavy rains and strong waves, which temporarily made travel unsafe.

“We are grateful to our island staff headed by Hairal Taup, ably assisted by Usman, who handled our guests well during the wait for the weather to clear,” said Hernandez. “Despite the situation, the guests remained calm and cooperative.”

Hernandez said by past 5 p.m., with weather conditions gradually improving, the experienced boatmen — fondly called "bangkeros" — bravely navigated through the rough waters to bring the guests from Sta. Cruz Island back to the Paniran area.

"With my two eyes, I saw their journey coming back to the mainland as the boats were midway. I was closely monitoring them. The waves were no joke. But, thank God they made it," Hernandez added.

Despite the ordeal, the guests were seen smiling upon arrival and expressed appreciation to the tourism team and boat crew for their care and professionalism.

“Thank you, Lord. And thank you to our island staff, most especially to our bangkeros,” Hernandez concluded.