MORE NEWS

Benguet village folk reject mining exploration project
BY DEXTER A SEE.
BOKOD, Benguet – Residents of a village in this fifth-class municipality are denouncing a mining exploration project in their area, saying they were not consulted about it.

In a petition, hundreds of residents of Bobok-Bisal expressed their strong opposition to a memorandum of agreement entered into between the municipal government of Bokod and Magellan Metals Inc. for the conduct of a mine exploration in their village.

They said no consultation was done by the company with affected communities before the agreement was signed, thereby compromising their rights over their ancestral lands.

The agreement, they said, was signed by municipal government officials without the presence of the multi-sect oral groups, which include the women, elders, farmers, and youth organizations.

Petitioners said they were apprehensive the exploration would deprive them of their water needs, noting that the proposed site is the source of potable water and irrigation for residents of the barangay.

Earlier, local officials allayed fears of the residents, saying that the exploration would determine only the mineral potentials of the area and that there is no guarantee that the proponents would push through with their project.

Recent mining explorations had troubled several indigenous communities in Benguet, causing strong opposition by the affected cultural minorities.

In the past, thousands of residents of Kibungan vehemently rejected a planned mineral exploration to be conducted by the Al Magan Mining Corp. for fear of losing their ancestral claims over their properties. They also feared massive pollution of the river systems.

Benguet is considered as one of the mineral-rich areas in the country but indigenous communities have already learned their lessons.

Thousands of people lost their lands by virtue of the entry of multi-national mining companies and because of the massive pollution it caused to the river systems in the province.

At present, the mining companies that are still conducting mining activities in Benguet include the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company in Mankayan, Benguet, the Philex Mining Corporation in Tuba and Itogon towns and the Benguet Corp. (BC), which is still implementing a contract for its mineral claims in Acupan, Itogon.

Witnesses in slay of Indon priest fear for their lives
BY DEXTER A. SEE
TABUK, Kalinga – Witnesses in the murder of an Indonesian priest in Kalinga are reluctant to give their testimonies to policemen for fear of reprisal by the gunmen who are now being hunted by lawmen.

The police filed last week a murder case against the four suspects in the murder Fr. Franciscus Madhu.

Three of the suspects were identified by police as Nestor Wailan, Joel Awinga, and Acmor Bongawen.

The fourth suspect was identified as “John Doe” in the case filed with the Kalinga provincial prosecutor’s office.

In Camp Dangwa, Benguet, Chief Supt. Raul Gonzales, regional police director said Kalinga policemen raided the suspects’ lairs at Sitio Dugnac, Lubuagan, Kalinga a few days ago, but they were not able to arrest them.

Police have sought the help of the vicariate of Kalinga and Apayao headed by Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr. and Fr. Jerry Gudmalin as well as Lubuagan (Kalinga) Mayor Johnny Dickpus to locate the suspects.

Gonzales said they are trying to convince more witnesses to appear before the investigators and give testimonies to establish a solid case against the suspects.

The suspects have been positively identified as the assailants of Madhu.

Witnesses said they saw the Indonesian priest engage in an altercation with the suspects shortly before the victim was short with an M-16 Armalite rifle in the Mabungtot Primary School where the priest was scheduled to celebrate mass.

Policemen who responded to the crime scene found six M-16 bullet shells.

The assailants appeared to be under the influence of liquor when they committed the crime, the witnesses said.

Madhu, assistant parish priest at the St. Paul church of Kalinga, died on the spot of bullet wounds.

Meanwhile, police are Kalinga provincial police director Severino del Pilar who is supervising the manhunt pledged a “no-letup” in operations until the culprits are put behind bars.

All exit points to Bontoc, Mt. Province and Tabuk were plugged by participating teams of the composite command tasked to hunt the suspects.

Dalog brands rival’s moves ‘pure, simple political harassment’
BY BERLIN TOYOKAN
BONTOC, Mountain Province – “Political harassment, pure and simple,” said Gov. Maximo Dalog here in response to media’s queries regarding three alleged charges filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman by former Tadian mayor Harry Dominguez, one of his opponents in the province’s gubernatorial race.

Dalog said had Dominguez bothered to check pertinent records he would have found that all the alleged irregularities he was complaining against were done above board in compliance to standard official processes.

“Naturally we expect a lot of damaging accusations against candidates vying for the various elective posts but it is our hope that local candidates and their followers would raise their campaign operations to a higher level and avoid smear tactics and character assassination,” he said.
The charges filed by Dominguez against Dalog reportedly cited alleged anomalies in the transaction of a P60 million loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines, the purchase of an Izuzu Trooper service vehicle for the Office of the Governor and the procurement of a Mitsubishi van to be used as an ambulance.

Dalog said the P60 million borrowed from the LBP was a joint-loan by the provincial government and the Bontoc municipal government.

The loan was used to finance the construction of a commercial center at the heart of town which is a joint-project of the two local government units.

“If Dominguez is really convinced that there is an anomaly and is sincere in wanting to promote total transparency in government transactions why did he single me out? Why did he not include Bontoc mayor Alfonso Kiat-ong who was a co-signatory in the loan? And why was there no mention of the party from the LBP? If there is truly an anomaly all would be liable. The fact that he is a gubernatorial candidate the same as I forced me to conclude that he is doing all these just to further his political agenda,” he added.

In the purchase of the Izuzu Trooper and the Mitsubishi van, Dalog said both have passed all the necessary processes and all one has to do to find out is to go through the records pertaining to the purchases. He stressed that if there were anomalies then a lot of people would have been liable -- particularly people from the Finance departments.

“The fact that I, alone, again was singled out speaks volumes about the motive of the complainant,” Dalog said.

He added despite all the muckraking early in the campaign he still hopes that as the campaign heats up his opponents and other local candidates will realize the counterproductive nature of smear tactics and gradually raise the level of their campaign operations.


Villar relates life story: ‘Entrepreneurship can make people self-reliant’
TABUK, Kalinga – Relating his life experiences, reelectionist Senator Manuel Villar cited the need for the people to learn to stand on their own through entrepreneurship.

In his keynote speech at the 14th Kalinga Apayao State College commencement exercises, Villar said that one reason why the country remains poor is that the Filipinos cannot stand on their own.

“Sa aking palagay po ay maraming kadahilanan subalit isa sa mga kadahilanan na hindi nappag-uusapan ay ang kaisipan na tayong mga Pilipino ay hindi marunong magsarili, hindi kayang maging independent, hindi kayang magsarili sa larangan ng negosyo, at sa larangan ng iba’t ibang propesyon,” he said.

This is indicated by the Filipinos’ eagerness to work abroad, he said.

“We have become, in fact, a nation of employees. Halos lahat ay gusting maging empleyado.
‘Yan po ang nakakalungkot sa atin,” he said.

Using his own rag-to-riches story as an inspiration, the senator said that everyone has a potential to succeed even with a small business.
“Even if you are poor, you have a chance to uplift your economic situation,” he said, telling the graduates that this could be achieved through entrepreneurship, no matter how small. In business, there is no need for academic excellence because one needs only knowledge in simple arithmetic.

“I can tell you this, napakasarap ng feeling ng maging independent, that self-satisfaction of being on your own, of being the master of your fate, the captain of your destiny,” he added. – DS

3 killed, five hurt as Abra hostilities rise
LA PAZ, Abra -- Three were killed and five were wounded, including the municipal chief of police, in separate violent incidents that marred the province of Abra on April 6.

The first incident occurred at 6:11 p.m. in Barangay Bulbulala, La Paz, which resulted in the wounding of Senior Insp. Marlos Evasco, chief of police of the town, who was shot in the right thigh by suspect Felix Apuado Jr., the son of an incumbent barangay captain. Apuado was killed.

Investigation showed that prior to the incident, a concerned citizen reported to the police the presence of an armed man creating trouble in the area.

Evasco led a team of policemen who responded to the scene. A brief chase ensured between the armed man, who turned out to be Apuado, and the lawmen.

When the suspect was cornered, he was ordered to peacefully surrender. However, instead of heeding the policemen, Apuado fired at Evasco, hitting him in the right thigh.

This prompted the police officer to return fire, hitting the suspect who died before reaching the Abra Provincial Hospital.

The second incident occurred at around 6:15 p.m. in Poblacion, Lacub, Abra, where elements of the 401st Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army who acted as route security to withdrawing Regional Mobile Group troops were ambushed by heavily armed New People’s Army rebels.
Two soldiers were killed and four others were wounded.

Police identified the fatalities as Private First Class Eduardo Gayagoy Jr. and Private Michael Sabuero. Wounded were 2nd Lt. Holly John Godines, Corporals Luis Cabangan and Eduardo Gannaban, and Private First Class Joel Felipe.

Singsons dominating politics in Ilocos Sur
BY MAR T. SUPNAD
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – Politics in this province is still dominated by the Singson clan, and no political party or individual is capable of defeating the Singsons as long as the groups of Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, now a Team Unity senatorial candidate, and Rep. Eric D. Singson (second district) are united.

Local political observers bared this saying Chavit is the acknowledged political kingpin who has the “final say” in local politics.

Chavit’s son, Ronald, is running for congressman in the first district, and pundits said it would be a landslide victory for him in the May 14 polls.

Aside from being popular in the whole province, Ronald reportedly enjoys the support of the youth who compose the majority of the voters in the first district here.
Aside from this advantage, Ronald will get the support of the electorate because he is a son of Chavit who is popular and idolized not only in Region 1, but also in Region 2 and Cordillera Administrative Region.

Chavit’s younger brother, Jerry Singson, is running for Vice governor and is also a sure bet, pundits said.

Eva Singson-Medina, daughter of the late Titong Singson and niece of Chavit, is running unopposed for Mayor in Vigan.

Noting the odds, no political leader in the city dared to oppose her in the polls. Eva had been a three-term mayor of Vigan. Eva’s husband, Ferdie Medina, is the incumbent mayor of Vigan.

In the May 2004 elections, the Singson clan fielded Ferdi to run for mayor, and he easily won.

With no one opposing her in the polls, Eva has chalked up a record in Vigan politics. This is the first time that a candidate for mayor in the city is running unopposed.

Although she is already a sure winner, Eva is still busing campaigning, not for her candidacy but for her candidates for councilors.

In the province’s second district, re-electionist Rep. Eric Singson, political observers said, can easily beat his opponent. In fact, there is reportedly no need for Eric to conduct a tedious campaign.

His eldest son, re-electionist Candon City Mayor Allen Gacula Singson, is pitted against a comparatively weak opponent, political observers said.

“We are still campaigning hard for our vice mayor and councilors,” Allen said in an interview in their house in Candon City.

For the governorship of Ilocos Sur, Chavit has endorsed his vice governor, DV Savellano, who is most trusted politically ally for many years now. Savellano is also expected to win in the polls.

American teacher jailed for child abuse
BAGUIO CITY -- An American teacher was arrested and locked up in jail after he allegedly sexually abused two teenage boys, whom he had promised scholarships while in Mindanao early this year.

This developed after he reportedly brought the boys to this mountain resort city for schooling last March 6.

Senior supt. Moises Guevarra, director of the Baguio City Police Office, said the suspected pedophile is a 44-year-old a teacher from Charles City, Iowa, US.

He temporarily resides at Central Fairview here. His alleged victims were described as 15 and 18 years old, and residents of Bislig City, Surigao de Sur.

The victims narrated they traveled with the suspect from Butuan City and arrived at the Manila domestic airport last March 6.
From Manila, they came up to this city on board a Victory Liner bus and lived with him in Central Fairview until they decided to file child abuse charges against him.

They said they finally decided to file charges for alleged violations of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law after the suspect reportedly subjected them to sex abuse since they arrived in this city.

The suspect was detained in the Baguio City jail after formal charges were filed by police investigators with the city prosecutor’s office.-- Dexter See

2 bocaps held for firearms possession
BY MAR T. SUPNAD
LA PAZ, Abra – two barangay officials were arrested for possession of firearms and ammunition at Sitio Alimudong, Barangay Canan here last week.

Senior Supt. Alexander Pumecha, Abra police director, said barangay captain Aniceto Abaoag of Pangal, Danglas town and kagawad Judy Pido of Canan, La Paz, were arrested when they were caught possessing guns without Comelec permit.

Pumecha said when his men frisked the two barangay officials, they yielded guns and bullets. Confiscated from Abaoag was a Cal. 45 pistol and seven bullets. Seized from Pido were a Cal. 38 revolver and seven bullets.

Team Unity mulls support for Padaca
BY JOAN CAPUNA
ILAGAN, Isabela – The administration’s Team Unity (TU) is studying the possibility of switching its support to re-electionist Gov. Grace Padaca after former Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. who was earlier endorsed by the Malacanang, withdrew his candidacy in favor of his younger brother former Gov. Benjamin Dy.

Antonio Albano, TU deputy spokesman and scion of the still influential Albano clan of Northern Isabela, said the elder Dy’s failure to file his candidacy for governor to allow his younger brother to run for governor has changed the picture entirely in the province as far as the administration’s support is concerned.

“We will announce whom we would support next week,” he said, hinting the possibility of the TU endorsing Padaca, although she is identified with the Liberal Party faction of Sen. Franklin Drilon.

Mayor Fernando Cumicad of Gamu town, Lakas- CMD regional spokesman, said with the sudden switch of candidacy by the Dy brothers, more mayors who will earlier committed with the elder Dy had switched their support to Padaca.

The Lakas-CMD here led by Rep. Edwin Uy of the second district had from the start expressed his support for Padaca even if this meant going against the wishes of Malacanang.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats here expressed hope that the administration would eventually endorsed Padaca now that the elder Dy is no longer running.

The elder Dy, national president of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, cited health reasons for his last minute decision to withdraw from the race in favor of his younger brother Benjamin who was also a three-term governor and once served as President Arroyo’s presidential adviser for Cagayan Valley.

Albano, chairman of the Kabalikat Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) here, had been one of the TU aspirants for governor to run against Padaca, until he was persuaded not to run and just support former Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. after a series of negotiations. Albano was later appointed as TU deputy spokesman.

Albano, son of Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Rodolfo Albano Jr., is reported to have slighted or “duped” by the Dys as a result of the last minute switch of gubernatorial candidates.