NEWSFLASH

GENSAN MAYOR THANKS ERAP FOR SUPPORT DURING TIME OF CRISIS

Malacanang, May 4, 2000 - President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada was hailed Friday by General Santos City Mayor Adelbert Antonino for his concern and support during their time of crisis even as the local executive reported that life and business operations in the city are now back to normal.

Antonino also thanked Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other national officials who helped them recover from the terroristic attacks launched by extremist groups.

"Nagpapasalamat ako kay President Estrada, kay Vice President Arroyo at sa ibang mga secretaries na tuwawag dito at the height of our crisis na nag-offer ng help, kasama na si Sec. Lim (I'm thanking the President, the Vice President, and cabinet members, like Sec. Lim, for calling us and offering their help at the height of our crisis)," he said.

In a radio interview, Antonino also said all flights bound for General Santos City would be resumed today.

Antonino said Secretary Alfredo Lim of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) called him up at the height of the crisis when the city was rocked by a series of explosions.

He said all the banks in the city will also be opened Friday, adding that these banks were closed not because of the bombings but because this was part of their security precautions.

Antonino said major establishments in the city such as banks, shopping malls and movie houses, have been closed "to deny the rebels high-profile targets."

The mayor also reported that operations at the city’s huge fish port is now back to normal, with some 30 tons of tuna shipped Thursday.

General Santos City supplies 25 percent of the world’s tuna requirement, the bulk of which goes to Japan.

Antonino also thanked city residents for their cooperation in maintaining peace, some of them even manned checkpoints and made the rounds of the city.

"Maganda ang reaction ng ating mga mamamayan dito sa krisis o obstacle na nilagay sa atin (We found the reaction of the people here admirable in this time of crisis)," he said.