MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

DOJ, media groups set meet on political killings

BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Justice, the National Press Club and the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club will hold a dialogue on press rights Monday at the University of Baguio.

The DOJ’s Task Force Against Political Violence and Extra-Judicial Killings (TF 211) will hold the dialogue cum seminar with the NPC and the BCBC and titled: “At the end of the day, the Bottomline is Justice for All.”

A joint effort with UB, the dialogue will be held at 2 PM at the FGB Hall of the school which can hold at least 400 persons with DOJ under Secretary Ricardo Blancaflor and task force chairman as the lead convenor and BCBC president Pigeon Lobien.

The dialogue is also expected benefit students especially those taking journalism. This, following an incident wherein People’s Tonight reporter Cesear Reyes was detained in Baguio by police for four nights without even providing his basic rights like a counsel. He was also detained for 18 hours without a case filed against him.

Reyes was later charged with illegal possession of firearms and grave threats but the former was quashed by the prosecutor but the latter has yet to be decided on. The arraignment was earlier set Oct. 6 but moved to Nov. 11.

Reyes, on the other hand, filed cases of abuse of authority, among others, against the investigating officers, particularly Insp. Joseph del Castillo, head of the community police office 4.

TF 211 chair Blancaflor signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Press Club, Angeles University Foundation and Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila early this year to assist TF211 in the monitoring of cases involving political violence and media killings.

Task Force 211 reported as of this month, the NPC and TF211 (Task Force USIG of the PNP are expected to join them join them) were able to put up an action center at the NPC building in Intramuros with a 2hour hotline wherein media practioners can report any harassment or death threats made against them.

Upon the filing of report, NPC together with TF211 will coordinate with the proper law enforcement agency in the investigation and filing of charges at the Department of Justice. TF211 was able to solve three cases involving the killing of media practitioners in a span of less than two months.

The NPC and TF 211 will be here Sunday for the BCBC 50th anniversary celebration and are expected to join the torch parade late afternoon.


Baguio model citizens honored in proper rites

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio Elderly Assembly (BEA) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) conferred the prestigious Gintong Tala Achievers Award to 12 exceptional senior citizens here in the city who are models of exemplary senior citizens and source of inspiration.

The award rites ushered the month-long celebration of BEA Octoberfest 2008 in consonance with Presidential Proclamation no. 470 S-1994 Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio Resolution no. 054 S-2003 and strengthened by the BEA Covenant of Unity of 2003. The special program honoring the awardees was held at the Baguio Convention Center on Oct.5.

Senate President Manuel Villar, Jr., was earlier invited as principal guest together with City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr., Congressman Mauricio Domogan and Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas.

The Gintong Tala awardees were Rodolfo Daludao, Sr., for religious and spiritual service, Isaias Barongan, government service – executive branch; Councilor Galo Weygan, government service – legislative branch; Judge Heillia Phillips, government service – judiciary; Dr. Ruperta Vergara, education; Dr. Julie Camdas-Cabato, medicine; Carmelita Mondiguing, tourism and culture; Joseph Catacutan, military service; Joey and Donna Rufino, business and trade; Henedino “Jimmy” Lozano, journalism; Constance Damian, social-civic service; and Tony Candelaria, sports.

Former city councilor and BEA executive chairman Nars Padilla said the honorees were cited primarily for their leadership excellence, highly meritorious deeds made possible through their respective profession or vocation which contributed in distinct manners to the growth and development of the community in particular and the country at large.

The calendar of events in Octoberfest 2008 include the following: Oct. 11 – Palaro and photo exhibit entitled “BEA Through The Year,” Oct. 18 – Free Medical-Dental Outreach Mission; Oct. 22 – BEA Pista sa Nayon climaxed with the “Putongan” of Lola Lakambinis and cultural show and finally on Oct. 28 – “Dalawang Puso, Isang Pag-ibig,” Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversary renewal of vows for Baguio Elderly Couples at the Baguio Convention Center.

BEA composed of Benevolent Association of Retired Persons (BARP) Foundation headed by Professor Federico Balanag, Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Association by Engr. Leopoldo Escano, Philippine Government Retired Employees Association, Baguio, by Eduardino Damatac and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines-CAR and the Baguio District led by Gualterio Adalim and (Ret.) Col. Napoleon Gojo, respectively. Only recently the USFIP Northern Luzon Chapter under Comdr. Robert Bellasi affiliated with the BEA. CSWDO officer Betty Fangasan is BEA’s adviser.