Tuguegarao vice mayor, 5 cops charged with murder

By Charlie Lagasca

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- The vice mayor of Tuguegarao City, the capital of Cagayan province, and five policemen have been charged with multiple murder before the Office of the Ombudsman for the killing of five suspected guns-for-hire last May. 

The Commission on Human Rights-Cagayan Valley, which assisted the victims’ families in filing the case, identified among those charged as Vice Mayor Danilo Baccay and Senior Supt. Alexander Rafael, Abra police director.

           

Also included in the complaint sheet of five counts of murder, grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority as well as incriminating an innocent person are four Cagayan policemen identified only as John Does.

           

“The John Does, who are (Rafael’s) former subordinates, are allegedly assigned at the Regional Intelligence Unit (at the) police regional office (in) Tuguegarao City,” said the CHR, adding that they served as Rafael’s escorts when the killing took place.

           

The CHR said its findings show there was a probable cause to indict the suspects in the killing of Leonard Apolonio, Daniel Villamor, NomerBiendima, Isabelo Bernal and Michael Bermudez, all from Abra, who police had tagged as members of a gun-for-hire group.

           

Baccay was linked to the killing after he was found to own one of the firearms found in the crime scene.

           

In earlier reports, he admitted owning the gun but claimed that he had lost it.

           

Earlier, the regional police based in Tuguegarao City said the killing was the result of a legitimate shootout with Rafael’s group along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay San Lorenzo, Lallo town last May 1.

           

Rafael claimed then that the slain suspects aboard a Toyota Corona had tailed them while they were on their way to his hometown in Cagayan from Ilocos Sur.

           

His group, he said, was only forced to fire back at the suspects after they refused to stop when they were flagged down.

           

The CHR, however, said, “There is no argument as to the fact that the victims were killed by police Senior Superintendent Alexander Rafael and four unidentified police officers from the Intelligence Division of Police Regional Office No. 02.”

           

“From the number of gunshots found in the (victims’) vehicle, one cannot help but describe it as overkill... The (victims’) vehicle was surrounded by the police involved, who then indiscriminately fired upon said vehicle,” the CHR said in its report.

           

The CHR said the victims could be even “part of the convoy of no less than respondent police director Alexander Rafael.”

           

The CHR conducted its own investigation after the victims’ families expressed suspicion that the incident was a case of rubout and not a legitimate shootout, as the police claimed.

           

Earlier, Chief Supt. Rodrigo de Gracia, Cagayan Valley police director, said one of the slain suspects was earlier apprehended by the Abra police and supposedly confessed their supposed illegal activities in Cagayan, including a plot to assassinate several prominent politicians in the province.

Read more...

Coast Guard locating 8 missing fishermen

VIGAN CITY  — The Philippine Coast Guard is still searching for  eight fishermen who have been missing in West Philippine Sea after sailing from Infanta, Pangasinan, last July 17.

Lt. Vladimir Gaspar, duty officer of the Operation’s Division of the PCG’s Northwestern Luzon, identified seven of the eight fishermen who went missing as Billy Rellano, Gary Alcala, Benjamin Alcala, Juanito Lebios, Filjune Palosa, Pempe Florez and Allan Rada.

All of them are residents of Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cato, Infanta.

           

Gaspar said Barangay Cato Barangay Chairman Charlito Maniago reported that the eight fishermen have not returned since July 17.

           

Gaspar clarified that the fishermen have not been officially listed as missing since fishermen are normally out at sea for seven to 15 days.

           

“However, we dispatched immediately our rescue team aboard the boat "Habagat" upon learning the information to monitor the location of these fishermen for possible rescue operation if necessary,” he said.

           

Gaspar said that intensified rescue operations are continuing for two missing fishermen from Bolinao, Pangasinan.

           

Gaspar identified the missing fishermen as Rogelio Canayon, 35; and Levi Caballero, 23; both residents of Barangay Victory, Bolinao.

           

The two were with four other fishermen: Paron Caampued Sr., 40, and his son Paron Caampued Jr.; Teodorico Caampued, 60, and his nephew Robinson Cezo, 50, who were in three motorized boats and who headed out to sea on July 20 despite gale warnings raised by the weather agency and Coast Guard beacuse Tropical Storm “Ferdie.

           

ParonCaampued Sr. and his son were rescued by a passing oil tanker last week while TeodricoCaampued and Cezo were rescued by lawmen at the shoreline of Barangay Pantoc, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

Read more...

BCDA welcomes Baguio court order for John Hay leseee to post P736 bond

BAGUIO CITY -- The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) welcomed the decision of the Baguio regional trial court (RTC) ordering the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) to post a P736-million bond to put in effect the writ of preliminary injunction filed by the John Hay lessee.

           

With the order, the court rejected the P31-million offer made by CJHDevCo to prevent a government takeover of its leased properties in Camp John Hay, and upheld the original amount of the bond to protect government’s interest.

           

In a statement, BCDA president and CEO ArnelPaciano Casanova said the court order simply confirmed the validity of the arbitration clause in the contract and directs both parties to observe this, and never touched on the merits of the case.

           

“The arbitration clause in our contract does not in any way impinge upon or prevent the BCDA from exercising its rights,” Casanova said.

           

He added there is nothing in the court order that says the BCDA cannot exercise its remedies under the contract and existing laws.

           

But CJHDevCo yesterday asked the BCDA to comply with the court order to submit itself to arbitration and abandon its plan to take over the Camp John Hay.

           

Lawyer Manuel Ubarra Jr., CJHDevCo spokesman, said the BCDA, being a state-run firm, must comply with the court order on arbitration to settle all the disputes on the developer’s lease payment involving the development of the 247-hectare former American rest and recreation hub.     

           

CJHDevCo also questioned the reported bid of the BCDA to collect payments from locators and sub-lessees in its 247-hectare leased property.

Read more...

Towns dispute Philex tax; each wants 100% share

By Dexter A. See 

TUBA, Benguet – This town and that of nearby Itogon are now engaged in a dispute on where millions of taxes of a mining firm should be remitted.

           

This has prompted Philex Mining Corp. to deposi  around P29 million in escrow to convince municipal officials of Tuba and Itogon to immediately settle their  boundary conflict and avail of benefits of contested business taxes be paid by the company.

           

 Engineer Libby Ricafort, Philex vice president for operations and resident manager, said the P29 million escrow account represented business taxes supposed to be paid by the firm to whichever local government exclusive of export taxes for 2011 alone.

            

“We want to settle whatever are our obligations with our host and neighboring communities in a bid to boost our desire  to sustain our image as an international mining company,” Ricafort said.

           

She added municipal officials of Itogon and Tuba were informed about the escrow account which could be withdrawn anytime provided that there will be a clear cut agreement among the contending parties.

           

 According to Ricafort, contested business taxes will be deposited in the escrow account opened by the mining company until both municipalities decide how they will share the business taxes considering that part of Philex’s operations are also located in Itogon.

            

However, lawyer Eduardo Aratas, Philex’s legal division chief, said the business taxes being contested by the two municipalities prior to 2011 are still being reviewed by the company’s legal experts to determine the validity of the hundreds of millions of pesos imposed by the two local governments on the current mining operations.

           

 Earlier, Tuba and Itogon officials agreed to a 50-50 split on the business taxes supposed to be paid by the mining company covering its operations being claimed by the two municipalities.

           

“We are still in the process of assessing and evaluating the legal basis of the claims of the two local governments on the previous business taxes they have levied on our mining operations,” Aratas said.

           

He added they are now caught in the middle of the fight considering that both Tuba and Itogon already came out with their separate stands on the matter, each demanding a 100 percent remittance by the mining company of its business tax due to either of the local governments.

           

 Philex has been operating its Padcal mine over the past 54 years and has a projected mine life until year 2020.

            

“Both local governments must decisively act on how they will share the business taxes that we have already placed and will be placing in the escrow account so that they will be able to generate more funds to implement their development projects and enhance the delivery of the basic services to their constituents,” Aratas said.

           

He noted accumulated business taxes being claimed by the two municipalities are separate from the corporate social responsibility and social development management projects being funded by the company and implemented in the different host and neighboring communities of the company every year.

           

 Barangays Camp 3 in Tuba and Ampucao in Itogon are claiming parts of the areas of operation of Philex Mining Corporation are located within their respective areas of jurisdiction, thus, they deserve a share from the taxes being paid by the company to the local governments.

Read more...

Solon: Sona points good but how about poor IPs?

By Aiza Liza P. Namingit

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat has expressed disappointment that President Aquino did not mention Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in his third State of the Nation Address on July 23 but despite this, he said, there were many good points in the President’s speech.

“There was no mention of the government’s agenda for IPs, or even just a specific program. Clearly, I still have to work on educating government officials on the IP worldview, their situation and the rights that we are fighting for,” said Baguilat, who also chairs the House committee on national cultural communities.

“Also, Malacanang does not seem to know about the human rights situation. It is getting worse, and a number of the victims are either IPs or civil society leaders fighting for IP rights,” added Baguilat.

He, however, said there were many good points raised by President Aquino in his SONA, particularly his mention of the need for responsible parenthood, and his directive for Congress to pass a new mining law that would raise revenues and protect the environment.

Baguilat has put forward an “alternative minerals management bill” that seeks to amend the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 to make it more equitable to the people who will be directly affected by the mining projects.

He was also heartened by the renewed thrust to grow the agriculture and tourism sectors, which are high on his development agenda for Ifugao, which was cited for its efforts to preserve the world-famous rice terraces.

Recently, the Ifugao Rice Terraces was removed from the list of endangered World Heritage Sites by Unesco because of multi-sectoral efforts to preserve the centuries-old, hand-carved rice terraces.

“I am glad that Ifugao was cited in the report on tourism. If President Aquino can accomplish the promise of 10 million tourist arrivals and then rice self-sufficiency by the end of his term, this would democratize the growth that he is talking about because agriculture and tourism growth is more inclusive,” he said.

“We are willing to help President Aquino meet his goals in tourism, agriculture and education through the budget process,” added Baguilat. 

Read more...

Firm cuts power to Ecija town

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija -- Subsidiary of Lopez-led power producer First Gen Corp. has stopped supplying electricity to a power distribution firm of this town.

The disconnection resulted from the municipal government’s non-payment of more than P80 million in electricity bills since 2008, the company said.

In a statement, First Gen Hydro Power Corp. (FGHPC), which owns and operates the 132-megawatt (MW) Pantabangan-Masiway hydroelectric complex, said it cut off the power supply to Pantabangan Municipal Electric Services (PAMES) on Monday afternoon.

The FGHPC said PAMES failed anew to honor its obligations under the terms of a restructuring agreement last March 16 to settle more than P80 million in debts.

The amount represents the unpaid power bills of PAMES since 2008.

“We have been negotiating with PAMES since they ran first into arrears in 2007,” First Gen vice president Dennis Gonzales said in a text message.

“We have continued supplying to them despite their continuing non-payment, and the expiry of the power supply contract since December 2008, primarily out of concern for the residents of Pantabangan and other PAMES consumers,” he added.

Read more...

Ilagan cityhood campaign on

By Charlie Lagasca 

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– The campaign for the cityhood of Ilagan, Isabela’s capital town, officially Friday. 

If it succeeds in its cityhood bid in the Aug. 11 plebiscite, Ilagan will become Cagayan Valley’s fourth city after Santiago City and Cauayan City, also both in Isabela; and Tuguegarao City, the capital of Cagayan. 

           

Earlier, a gun ban was imposed throughout Ilagan, one of the country’s biggest towns in terms of land area, from July 11 to Aug. 16, under Commission on Elections Resolution 9495. 

           

Ilagan Mayor Jose Marie Diaz said this time they are confident that their constituents will rally behind the cityhood of Ilagan, whose first attempt in 1988 was frustrated as residents feared increases in taxes and prices of commodities.

           

The town leadership assured residents that tax hikes would not be imposed for five years once the cityhood bid succeeds.

           

“We do not want our constituents to be immediately burdened by new taxes once we become a city,” said Diaz, who looms to become the first mayor of Ilagan as a city.

           

The town’s cityhood bid earlier got further boost after the provincial leadership led by Gov. Faustino Dy III and Vice Gov. Rodito Albano, expressed all-out support for the town’s conversion into a city.

Read more...

John Hay developer denies delaying rental payment to BCDA

BAGUIO CITY -- A developer of Camp John Hay here insisted on its P8.5-billion offer of lease rental payment to the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), denying claims it was delaying payment of its obligations.

           

The Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) took exception to the statement of BCDA president Arnel Paciano Casanova that the offer was a mere attempt to delay payment of its P3-billion rental dues.

           

CJHDevCo spokesman and lawyer Manuel Ubarra Jr. said the BCDA head’s interpretation of their offer was “erroneous” and only “proved the undeserved prejudice and discrimination of the Board of BCDA against CJHDevCo.”

           

“If he (Casanova) bothered to listen first to the proposal, it contained an offer of payment of P150 million upon the approval in writing of the proposal and another P350 million in the next 12 months. That’s a total of P500 million for the government and the city of Baguio if only BCDA bothered to listen first to the proposal,” he told reporters in Manila.

           

Ubarra said the BCDA was making a big issue out of the rental payments as an excuse to cancel its lease agreement with CJHDevCo.

           

“BCDA wants to remove CJHDevCo even before the expiration of the lease period and either runs by itself the businesses established by the blood and sweat of officers and employees of CJHDevCo or award it to another entity. Any way you look at it, public good is not served,” Ubarra said.

           

The developer’s offer was made last May when BCDA chairman FelicitoPayumo expressed willingness to accept the offer and even invited the developer’s representatives to present the proposal to the BCDA board. 

Read more...

Reward up to P2.5 M for Dutch missionary’s killers

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga  – The reward for information that could lead to the arrest of the killers of Dutch missionary Wilhemus JJ Lutz Geertman has been raised to P2.5 million. 

Senior Supt. Edgardo Tinio, Pampanga police provincial director, said four more businessmen in this province have offered P500,000 each for the early solution of Geertman’s case. 

           

Tinio said a businessman offered the initial P500,000 reward lastweek. 

           

“We hope that informants would be interested in P2.5 million,” he said.

           

The Special Investigation Task Group Geertman is still hunting down one of the killers positively identified by a witness. 

           

The witness said the gunman also pointed a handgun at him before fleeing. 

           

Geertman was gunned down near the Alay Bahay Inc. office at the L & S Subdivision in Barangay Telebastaga in San Fernando town last July 3. 

           

The victim, together with two companions, had just withdrawn P1.2 million from a bank in Angeles when gunned down.  

Read more...

Livestock, poultry raisers back DA

By Freddie G. Lazaro

VIGAN CITY — Livestock raisers from Region 1 have expressed full support to the move of the Department of Agriculture to exclude their products as “bargaining chip” in negotiating with the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the three-year extension of the country’s quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice import.

Swine Development Council convenor and Abono Party-list group’s chairman Rosendo So stressed that the inclusion of the livestock and poultry products as bargaining chip for the QR’s negotiation for extension on rice import would probably make a too low tariff on their products which would be detrimental to the industry.

According to So, the livestock and poultry sectors represent 25 percent of the country’s agriculture, with a combined production value of P320 billion annually.

In the past, the livestock and poultry sectors were used as bargaining chips by the government in negotiating for an extension on the quantitative restriction on rice in which tariff on livestock and poultry products were made too low causing the increase on importation of meat products in the local markets. Livelihood, jobs and government revenues were lost because of the low tariff on the livestock and poultry products.

This time, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has assured that the interest of the local livestock and poultry producers will not be sacrificed when the Philippines renegotiates for the extension of the qualitative restriction on rice.

“We expressed our utmost thanks to our Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on his verbal assurance that the livestock and poultry sectors will not be used as bargaining chips in the renegotiation for another extension on the quantitative restriction for rice,” So said.

“We extend our hand of support in your quest to uplift the lives of the people in the agricultural sector,” So added. .

The Philippines is currently in talks with the WTO for the extension on limits on the importation of rice, which have been enjoyed by country since June 2006.

Read more...

PNP chief tells men:Talk with gun holders

BANGUED, Abra – Philippine National Police chief Director-General Nicanor A. Bartolome ordered regional, provincial, city and municipal police officials to reassess their strategies in curbing proliferation of loose firearms in their areas and adapt a diplomatic way of convincing illegal gun holders to surrender their firearms for peaceful and orderly elections in May 2013.

Bartolome, together with Director Samuel B. Diciano of the Directorate for Operations and Chief Supt. Generoso  Cerbo, Jr., witnessed the successful turnover of around 40 licensed firearms and 10 unlicensed guns by 16 incumbent and former Abra provincial, municipal and barangays officials during simple turnover ceremonies held at the Abra provincial police office grounds here a few days ago.

“We are lucky that the system we adapted in Abra was successful. It is just the beginning of our long journey towards convincing people to turnover their firearms, licensed or unlicensed to the police in order to achieve peace in certain conflict areas,” Bartolome told the media.

He added the  strategy employed by the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera in convincing Abra politicians to surrender their guns will be replicated in other conflict areas in the country which he declined to identify pending the conduct of evaluation, validation and assessment by the PNP.

“We will be adopting varying strategies in identified election conflict areas so that we will be able to save on time and resources in pursuing individuals with unlicensed firearms who are considered threats to our peace and order campaign,” he said.

“The PNP is inclined to make next year’s elections the most peaceful and orderly political exercise in the country’s history.It is time to focus our attention to other identified election conflict areas in the different parts of the country.”

He added police officials assigned in different parts of the archipelago must be willing to innovate on strategies and systems being implemented.

“Before we will conduct aggressive police operations just to confiscate the unlicensed firearms that are scattered in various communities, we will still dialogue and consult with our local leaders in order to convince them that surrendering their licensed and unlicensed guns is still the best solution in sustaining our peace and order campaign,” Bartolome stressed.

According to him, the successful implementation of the diplomatic approach in Abra shows “there is still a chance for the province to achieve lasting peace provided  local officials and the people work together towards a common goal instead of waging war against each other.”He said the PNP will be simultaneously implementing the diplomatic approach in their areas of jurisdiction in the coming weeks so that more licensed and unlicensed guns will be surrendered before the campaign period for the May 2013 elections. 

Read more...

SM, firms help rebuild ‘dying’ Ifugao terraces

By Dexter A. See

BANAUE, Ifugao – ShoeMart (SM)  has joined the movement called Cordillera Heritage Weekend Warrior Caravan Run to restore the Banaue Rice Terraces, which was recently restored as world heritage.

SM was the latest among companies nationwide to signify intention to preserve and protect the over 2,000-year old stairway-like rice paddies from eventual extinction.

The caravan was initiated by the Philippine Tour Operators Association and photographer John Chua with Canon Philippines and other corporate entity volunteers dubbed as “weekend warriors.”

Along with the other environment conservationists, the SM team, led by SM Cares Yes Tourism committee assistant program director Nona Reyes, SM Baguio Manager Marc Janssen Pe, and SM Baguio Public Relations Manager Karren Padilla, were in Batad, Banaue, Ifugao recently to help rebuild parts of the Batad rice terraces and extend school and community works to the residents.

“The growing corporate social responsibility projects being done by various corporations in the rice terraces areas has greatly helped in awakening the Ifugao youth to work for the preservation and protection of our identified heritage sites,” Gov. Eugene Balitang said after receiving numerous commitments from multinational corporations planning to help rebuild the damaged rice terraces.

Farming tools and other equipment were turned over by the SM Prime Holdings team to the local government of Ifugao for the use of farmers in their restoration efforts.

Padilla said this is the second time that SM, through its corporate social responsibility program, joined the movement, with Chua being a long time corporate partner starting with the company’s project for people with disabilities, among other SM’s CSR programs.

In Feb. 3, SM joined Canon Phils., environment groups, the Ifugao government and residents in the launching of “Banchang” (bayahihan) in Batad.

Reyes said the partnership with the noted photographer and other individuals and groups for the preservation of heritage sites like the Banaue terraces gave them the opportunity to enhance their programs that support tourism.

“We believe heritage sites can help spur tourism,” Reyes said, adding that Ifugao has been an eco-tourism site over the past several decades and had lured the influx of tens of thousands of foreign and domestic tourists to visit the scenic and historic rice terraces in the different parts of the province.

They will be again collaborating with Philtoa which will feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Ifugao, during the 23rd Philippine Travel Mart, the largest annual tourism expo in the country on Aug. 10 to 12 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, set to boost the DOT campaign for sustainable tourism.

Earlier, the Laguna-based Toshiba Electronics Company also adopted portions of the Batad rice terraces and donated funds and farming equipment to the farmers which will be used to further improve their production of the famous “tinawon” native rice and help sustain native rice production as the major source of income of residents in the said place.

Read more...

Cordi execs urge P-Noy:Certify autonomy bill

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Cordillera leaders urged support to creation of the autonomous region through a manifesto of joint support for passage of House Bill 5595 and Senate Bill 3115 that seeks to establish an autonomous region in the Cordillera signed during the 25^th Cordillera Day celebration last July 15.

           

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said majority of the governors, vice governors, mayors and vice mayors of the 76 towns, six provinces and two cities signed the manifesto which also urged President Benigno S. Aquino III to certify the said bills as urgent measures to speed up their approval.

           

“We resolutely and steadfastly believe that Autonomy provides for us the opportunity to exercise our fundamental and Constitutional right to self-determination and allow us to defend, protect, conserve and develop our patrimony and cultural heritage, in order to secure for ourselves and our posterity a region of peace and prosperity founded on truth, freedom, justice, love and human solidarity through a Regional Autonomous Government that shall ensure our human rights, our human development, economic growth and our active participation as citizens in the affairs of a united Philippine State,” the manifesto stated.

During the foundation day program held at the Baguio Convention Center, Cordillera officials led by Domogan, Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan, Apayao Rep. Eleanor Begtang and Gov. Elias Bulut Jr., Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang, Mountain Province Gov. Leonard  Mayaen, Kalinga Acting Gov. Allen Jesse Mangaoang and Tabuk City Mayor FerdinanceTubban echoed the content of the manifesto and exhorted Cordillerans to unite for the realization of the aspiration for self-rule and self-determination.

Domogan said it is high time for the Cordillera region to establish a permanent regional identity where it will have freedom to manage its people and natural resources, enjoy more financial benefits from the national government while retaining the existing benefits and powers presently being enjoyed.

The rest of the speakers conveyed their desire to achieve regional autonomy to preserve Cordillera’s unique culture and enjoy all the socio-economic and political benefits deserved by an autonomous region.  

One of the highlights of the CAR anniversary activities which centered on the theme “Looking Back with Pride, Moving Forward with Hope,” was the beating of the “unity gong” to showcase the region’s oneness in said aspiration.

The unity gong was turned over to the city officials by Apayao leaders in ceremonies last July 14.  Baguio was the last seat in the Cordillera Unity and Peace Relay ceremonies which fired off in Mt. Province last May 28 to drumbeat the call for support to autonomy in the cities and provinces comprising the CAR.  Each of the provinces and cities had their chance to host the gong during the relay with Baguio as the final destination.

Read more...

2 P’sinenses cited as top Phl soldiers

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Two natives of this province were included in the 2012 Search For The Outstanding Philippine  Soldiers (TOPS) conducted by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. and the Rotary     Club of Makati Metro.

               

Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. said Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, president of Metrobank Foundation, Inc. congratulated him following the selection of Col. Raul J. Tangco, who was born in Bayambang, and Sr. Master Sgt. Augusto D. Reyes who was born in San Quintin, as among the outstanding soldiers.

               

Tangco was selected under the Technical and Administrative Service-Corps of Professors Category.

He is the Dean of Academics of the Academic Group of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). 

Read more...

Two young commies surrender to lawmen

MALIBCONG, Abra -- Two communist rebels voluntarily surrendered to authorities without firearms on July 21 through initiative of Mayor BenidoBacuyag.

A police report identified the surrenderees as  Robert/BattilongGiawan aka “Nardo/Philip,” 22, of Putol, Mataragan, of this town and Salcedo D. DappayJr aka “Ron-Ron,” 21,of Bao-yan in Boliney town.

The report said Giawan was vice team leader of the communist youth movement in the area after he joined the group in January 2004.

Dappay was reportedly supply officer of the same group since 2010.

Both were under local communist leader Flores Baluga in the province. 

Both, now under custody of provincial police, earlier surrendered to Malibcong and provincial office 503rd Brigade of the Philippine Army , 41st Infantry Brigade and Intelligence Service of the military.

Read more...

Baguio anti-red tape monitor team created

By Julie G. Fianza 

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan last week issued Administrative Order 87, s. of 2012 for the creation of a monitoring team to implement the “Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007.”

The mayor heads the monitoring team with Vice-Mayor Daniel Farinas as Vice-Chairman and Action Officer.

Members of the team include City Engineer Leo Bernardez, Jr., City Human Resource Management Officer Dr. Estrella Bisquera, Ph.D., City Administrator Atty. Carlos Canilao, General Service Officer Romeo Concio, City building Officer Engr. Oscar Flores, Asst. City Assessor Nilda Navarro, and Asst. Alicia Onoza. Several employees of the Human Resource Office serves as secretariat.

The ARTA monitoring team shall work to determine methods for a hundred percent (100%) implementation of said anti-red tape act in the city government

The team shall conduct on-the spot monitoring of the department/offices of the local government.

The monitoring team shall also compel all offices to comply with all requirements of the ARTA. A citizen’s charter should be posted, “No Noon Break and the presence of a public assistance and complaints desk.

The action officer of the team shall convene as soon as possible to act accordingly in the discharge of its functions.  

Republic Act 9485, the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007,” was enacted to improve efficiency of government service to the public. The reduction of bureaucratic red tape and prevention of graft and corruption is the main purpose of the RA.

Earlier, the Civil Service commission conducted an ARTA watch in several departments of the local government of Baguio, wherein unfavorable observations were reported. With the notations, the ARTA monitoring team was deemed a need.

The AO is expected to take effect immediately.       

Read more...

Two men nabbed for slay try on Abra town official

SAN QUINTIN, Abra – Two men who reportedly tried to assassinate a barangay captain here night of July 20 were nabbed by village watchmen and police the next day.

A police report identified the suspects as Hardy B. De La Paz 31, farmer, of Layugan, Bucay town and

 Marvin B. Lizardo, 26 of Talaytay, Palang in San Quintin town.

               

The report said the slay try was perpetrated against Reynaldo R. Batoon, village chief of Barangay Palang of this town.

               

San Quintin town police chief Insp. Gregorio Kiwalan, said he immediately alerted neighboring municipal police stations and organized barangay tanods around the area after the incident was reported to him.    

               

Investigation disclosed the victim who escaped unhurt was shot several times by unidentified suspects at that time who evaded arrest fleeing towards the direction of  Mabungtot in Langiden town.  

               

Three spent shells from a Cal.45 were recovered from the crime scene.

               

An operation was launched which resulted to the arrest of the two suspects.

               

De La Paz was positively identified by the Batoon as the same person who shot him.

               

Confiscated from De La Paz was a Cal.45 pistol with a magazine and two bullets.

               

During interrogation, De La Paz pointed to Lizardo as his contact person.

Both suspects are now under the custody of San Quintin police.

Read more...

Father hacks violent drunken son to death

By Mydz Supnad

SAN JUAN, Ilocos Sur -- Claiming he was defending his family, a father said he was forced to kill his eldest son who was drunk here at their residence in Barangay Barbar last week.             

A police report identified the victim as Jansen Jimenez, 33, while the suspect was named as Onofre Jimenez, the victim’s father.

Based on police investigation, the victim tried to hurt his father and his mother making his father hack him several time after the victim didn’t heed their pleas.

The suspect admitted he accidentally hacked his son, insisting that he was only defending himself and his family.

Newsmen learned that the victim’s family was not interested in filing a case against the suspect. 

Read more...

Kalinga MtProv Ifugao ‘rapists’ nabbed

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – Three wanted persons -- natives of Pinukpuk, Kalinga; Sagada, Mountain Province and Asipulo, Ifugao were arrested for rape last week.

  

A police report said 23 Victor Ganongan Bakidan, 29, farmer of Ammasian, Pinukpuk, Kalinga at Lenneng was arrested July 23 in Kabugao town.

               

A warrant for his arrested was earlier issued by Judge Quirino Andaya of Regional Trial Court Branch 26, Luna, Apayao for three counts of rape.

Bakidan is now under the custody of Kabugao police.

               

Another person wanted for rape was arrested in Sagada, Mountain Province by combined elements of Sagada police led by Seinor Insp. Ruben M. Labutan and Baguio cops led by Benedict K. Del-ong on July 23.

               

The suspect was identified as Antonio M. Domin-eng, 36, married of Barangay Aguid in the tourist town.

               

He was arrested inside his residence following a warrant for his arrest issued by Mia Joy C. Oallares-Cawed, presiding judge of RTC, First Judicial Region, Branch IV, Baguio City.

               

A police report said Domin-eng went into hiding after learning he was charged for rape allegedly committed in Baguio City.

               

He was detained at the Sagada police station and was due to be brought to Baguio where his case would be heard by the court.

               

In Ifugao, Asipulo town police earlier nabbed July 20 Jaypee B Lupa-e, 19, sangguiang kabataan chairman of Sitio, Puliwo, Amduntog, also for rape.

               

The suspect was arrested following a warrant issued for his arrest by RTC judge Ester PiscosoFlor for rape.               Lupa-e is now under the custody of Asipulo police.           

Read more...