MORE NEWS, PAMPANGA

Transport strikes nearly paralyze Central Luzon

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – A transport group reported that Central Luzon, except Nueva Ecija and Aurora, were almost totally paralyzed by a transport strike timed July 28 with the President’s state-of-the-nation address.

Despite heavy rains that flooded parts of Angeles City, President Arroyo’s cabalens marched through the city’s streets in a rally protesting “worst poverty” under the Arroyo administration.

“We had never been this poor nor had life been th
is difficult,” said Jay Tolentino, chairman of the Angeles City People’s Alliance. Rolando Catanghal, spokesperson of the Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators sa Pilipinas (STOP) in Central Luzon, told The Star that as of noontime yesterday, 90 percent of public utility vehicles in Bataan and Zambales were garaged.

He also said that 90 percent of PUVs also did not ply their regular routes in Pangasinan, which is part of the Ilocos region.

This was confirmed by Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Errol Pan who estimated that from 70 to 90 percent of PUVs in his region participated in the transport strike which he described as “devoid of politics”.

“They (PUV operators and drivers) just wanted to manifest their hardships amid the rise in cost of fuel,” he said in an interview.

However, the planned transport strike in Bulacan fizzled out yesterday with the intervention of key political leaders.

Tony Mariano, one of the leaders of the Bulacan Jeepney Transport Association said the protest was called off after Gov. Joselito Mendoza talked with transport leader Danilo Ignacio.

Other transport leaders like June Medina confirmed the same, but Ignacio was nowhere to be found and have not returned calls and text messages to his cellular phones.

“Nakahihinayang, matagal din naming pinlano ito, pero di naman natuloy,” said Mariano who also was besieged by questions from his fellow drivers on what happened.

He said that after meeting with members of the media, on July 26, Ignacio went to meet some police officers and later Mendoza.

“Hindi naming alam kung ano ang napag-usapan, basta nakatanggap na lang kami ng text message sa kanya,” Mariano said.

Ignacio’s alleged text message which was received by Mariano reads,” Biyahe tayo bukas. Nakakahiya kay Gob. nasabay kay Gloria.” – DC


Task force formed to hunt Koreans’ killers
By George Trillo

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Task Force Beak was formed by police to go after the killers of three Korean nationals who were allegedly raped and stabbed dead on Juily 27 in their residence at Iram Resettlement area in Barangay Cabalan, Olongapo City.
Senior Supt. Abelardo Villacorta, Olongapo City police director, said the task force is now investigating one of the suspects (name withheld) who was allegedly responsible in the killing of the three foreigners.

“Hopefully we will solve the case soonest,” said Villacorta.

That day, Chang Suk, 54; his daughter, Yo Sun, 35; and Sun’s daughter Hanuel Beak, 10; were found dead inside their bedroom with stab wounds on their heads.

Yo Sun and her daughter were allegedly raped by the suspects before they were killed. Both of them were naked when found by policemen.

Villacorta said initial investigation showed the suspects entered through the backdoor of the victims’ house by removing the air-conditioning unit which was covered only by plywood.

Once inside, the suspects immediately proceeded to the bedroom of the victims, he said.

The suspects took undetermined cash from the bedroom of the victims before they escaped to unknown direction.


P1.2-M reward set for ADD leader’s killer

SAN SIMON, Pampanga -- The reward money put up by sympathizers, friends and supporters of Ang Dating Daan leader Marcos Mataro who was brutally murdered in broad daylight at the North Luzon Expressway has been raised to P1.2 million.

In a statement, ADD members said they have to raise the reward as they appeal anew for a speedy resolution of the case.

Mataro, who hosted UNTV DX-Men, was shot by two armed men near the San Simon, Pampanga NLEX exit.

The suspects reportedly boarded a bus after their getaway motorcycle got stalled.

Police probers traced the ownership of the motorcycle to a certain Nickson Icao, who in turn lent the motorcycle to one Felizardo Lumaghan.

The Philippine National Police’s Task Group Mataro in Region 3 has launched a manhunt against the killers. Nestor Etolle Icao and Lumaghan reportedly failed to attend the preliminary hearing of the case before assistant prosecutor Felizardo de Guzman on July 15. – George Trillo

Former Pampanga town mayor shot dead in car CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – A former mayor of Apalit, Pampanga was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding men along the national highway in Calumpit, Bulacan Thursday afternoon.

Senior Supt.Allen Bantolo, Bulacan police director, said Tirso Lacanilao, a former three-term mayor of Apalit town, was on his way home on board a Mitsubishi Galant driven by Armando de Moral when he was ambushed in Barangay Poblacion.

Lacanilao sustained gunshot wounds in the head. His driver, who was unhurt, rushed him to the San Cruz Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police recovered several spent 9-mm shells at the ambush scene. Three years ago, Lacanilao’s son was also gunned down while on his way home in Apalit. – George Trillo