Student’s brutal slay shocks Baguio; PNP mum on probe

Stabbed 40 times; school execs want protection 

BAGUIO CITY – Regional police authorities have made it top priority to solve the killing of a minor male student of Pines City National High School here who was stabbed 40 times by still unidentified persons here Tuesday at 5:55 a.m. along Labsan St., the latest heinous crime in this summer capital.

Police are still mum on the probe saying they are still investigating but said the 16-year-old victim, resident of Purok 2 Sunnyside Fairview, Tacay Road was walking to school passing through a shortcut when he was attacked by assailants.

Police interviewed a witness near the crime scene who said she saw a minor wearing dark jacket with black pants and backpack who passed by and glanced at her twice before he hurriedly walked down towards the barangay hall.

Later, she heard her sister-in-law shouting a male person was dead. The witness saw the victim lying with blood oozing from different parts of his body.

Barangay officials were informed of the incident and sought assistance from authorities.

SPO2 Anthony Todyog Jr. and PO2 Marcos Sapao reportedly responded to the distress call by the barangay.

Scene of the crime operatives team led by Senior Insp. Alex Cariño also responded and found a close-circuit television owned by Barangay Labsan.

Police got the CCTV footage, studied it, but no motives or theories have been released by police as of press time.
          Meanwhile, personnel of City Emergency Management System responded and brought the victim to Baguio General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physician Haywood Fernando, who confirmed the boy suffered 40 stab wounds on his body which caused his instant death.   

At press time, the cadaver of the victim lay in state here  at La Funeraria Paz, Naguilian Road.

This, as a PCNHS official sought support from police and barangay officials in their area for protection of their students.

PCNHS Administrative officer Rowena Dumaguin said letters to the barangay and the police were being drafted following the student’s death.

Dumaguin said stress debriefing was administered to close friends of the murdered student as well as classmates close to him, but assistance might be sought with Social Welfare officials as the school has one guidance counselor.

Damaguin said students has been warned on using the shortcut which is notorious for petty crimes and is not the first time a murder was committed in the area.

This, as Grade 10 adviser Michael Aboc went to BGHMC and accompanied the victim’s family to the funeral parlor.

“Wala akong masabi sa kanya, palabiro yun, matalino yung bata,” Aboc said.

He added the victim was sometimes absent due to health conditions. “Sakitin yung bata, kaya kung mag-aabsent siya apektado ang pag-aaral niya, kaya sinabihan ko ang nanay niya na huwag ng mag-absent.”

Aboc who turned emotional said his student was a good boy, not getting himself into trouble and has a penchant to wear sweaters or jackets and always wore his eyeglasses.

Like most students, he loved playing computer games. “Magaling siyang magcompose ng mga songs at magaling siyang maggitara,” he said.

“Hahanapin namin ang pumatay sa kanya, hindi kami titigil. Yung administrative officer namin ay tumutulong at nagpapatuloy kaming mag-investigate para mahuli kung sino ang pumatay.” 

Dumaguin meanwhile described the boy to have average grades and no record for bad behavior in the school.

Dumaguin said the school is now pooling funds to help the family of the victim for funeral and burial expenses.

‘Doctor’ steals baby in Benguet General hospital

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Police are still looking for a woman who pretended to be a doctor and stole a baby here at the Benguet General Hospital Tuesday around 4:15 p.m.

The woman reportedly identified her as Dr. Ramos and told the baby’s father she would check the baby but  ran away with the toddler named John Miller Vicente.

According to the father Jose Antonio Vicente Jr, 41, resident of Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet, the unidentified female went to the charity ward and identified herself as Dr. Ramos.

The suspect said she would weigh the baby, carried out the toddler but did not come back.

CCTV footages were taken from the hospital for investigation.

Following this, police and BeGH hospital authorities urged mothers who just gave birth to be careful in entrusting their babies to people they didn’t know or the incident could happen again.

At the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, around 7 km away from here, cases of babies being snatched  some years back forced hospital authorities to heighten security.     

50th IBPA hit for sex abuses camping in Kalinga schools

‘Peace talks disrespected’ 

By Alma B. Sinumlag

LUBUAGAN, Kalinga – Elements of the Philippine Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion were urged by local folks here and militant groups to leave the town and other parts of the province for sex abuses, encamping in schools and “disrespecting peace talks.” 

While the core of the discussions on the International Human Rights Day held in Western Uma of this town was human rights violations committed by state security forces, elements of the 50thIB reportedly roamed the program area after encamping at the elementary school, day care center, and barangay hall.

Following this, delegates who came from different parts of the region made a petition urging the 5th IB to leave the town and other areas where they are allegedly harassing civilians.   

Earlier, villagers of Western Uma registered their clamor for soldiers’ pull out from their community.

For more than one year of encampment, several human rights violations committed by the said unit have been documented by residents.

They submitted a petition to headquarters of the 50th IBPA but this was reportedly ignored. Instead, harassment continued.

The villagers mentioned during the activity that those who were brave to reveal the violations were further intimidated, threatened, and harassed.

Whenever the villagers tell the soldiers to move out of the community, the soldiers would tell them that they will only move out if the government tells them to.

It was reiterated during the International Human Rights Day activity attended by more than 400 delegates from the province that encampment inside the community was a violation of peoples’ collective rights.

The presence of the soldiers endangered the civilian population, they said. 

The delegates condemned the multiple human rights violations including sexual harassment against villagers of Western Uma.

They said it was not only the village experiencing military encampment but Balbalan and Pinukpuk towns.

In the declaration of the delegates, it was stated, “Ti panagkampo ti AFP nga awan pulos pammakada ken ti panangiyaleng-aleng iti posisyon ti umili ket nalawag a panagtagibassit ken pananglabsing iti karbegan mi iti bukod a pangngeddeng” (The military encampment without the peoples’ consent and the AFP’s discredit of the communities’ clamor for pull out is an outright discrimination and violation of our right to self-determination).

Kennedy Bangibang, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant on Cordillera Affairs for the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and NDFP raised the concern on the AFP’s disrespect on the ongoing peace talks.

As he shared updates on the peace talks, he admonished the soldiers who were occupying the elementary school, day care center and the barangay hall.

He demanded them to go back to their barracks if the AFP has respect on peace negotiations.

Bangibang told the community that he will relay the situation among the peace panel during the 3rd round of talks in Rome, Italy on January next year.

Rogyn Beyao, secretary general of Innabuyog Kalinga slammed the use of the schools as military camps. Beyao cited R.A. 7610 otherwise known as “Schools are Zones of Peace” and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child that protects the rights of children to life and education.

While the activity was ongoing, elements of the 50th IBPA roamed around, taking pictures of delegates, instilling fear especially among villagers, delegates said.

Town folks said they suspected soldiers were trying to sabotage the community activity by holding an unscheduled symposium on Dec. 9 which was supposedly a preparation of the venue of the International Human Rights Day celebration.

They even used a dental mission to divert the attention of the delegates, they said.

Jude Baggo of Cordillera Peoples Alliance said, it was ironic that every time people celebrate the day for human rights, violations are escalating.

“We should be celebrating the respect of human rights but the situation always calls for condemnation,” Baggo said. 

Thieves take P.4-M gold, cash, phones, gun in Itogon heist

ITOGON, Benguet – Gold nuggets worth P145,000, cash of P154,000 and personal items like cellphones and tablets valued at P100,000 and a shotgun were forcibly taken from a gold-buying station here Tuesday by three men.

Police said the incident happened at Riverside Virac on complaint of Michael Naboje Binwag, 26, in charge of gold processing ball mill, and Joyce Pasyalen Dopyao, 21, gold buyer, both residents of said place. 

Investigation disclosed around 2 a.m. that day, Binwag awoke when a man knocked on his door saying he wanted to sell gold.

Binwag then accompanied said person to the house of Dopyao and left them with two other companions of the suspect.

Later, two of the suspects followed Binwag at the gold processing room and suddenly choked and tied him with masking tape, while the other suspect declared a hold-up against Dopyao also tying her with masking tape.

Asside from the 108 grams of gold and cash, the thieves also took an      1 I-Phone model 5s owned by Dopyao worth P9,000 and  Samsung key pad  owned by certain Annie Dopyao worth P1,000.

Thieves also took a Cherry mobile phon owned by certain Limuel Dopyao worth P3,000, Star mobile owned by a certain Jerick Binwag worth P2,000, Samsung tablet owned by Kimuel Dopyao worth P14,000 and a shotgun placed inside the cabinet of Elvis Dopyao.

Itogon police found fingerprints of two persons in the area.

SAF 44 kin’s case against Aquino brass await ruling

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — A court here is set to rule on a civil suit filed by the family of a slain Special Action Force commando against former Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima, former SAF chief Director Getulio Napeñas and three other Philippine Army generals. 

Purisima, Napeñas and Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, who at that time was commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, who was area commander of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command, and Col. Gener Del Rosario, brigade commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, were asked to pay P12 million for the death of Senior Insp. Getnad Tabdi during the botched Mamasapano operation.

The case filed last year was submitted for resolution Nov. 3.

Judge Danilo Camacho of Branch 62 of the Regional Trial Court, La Trinidad, said both parties through their lawyers have agreed to submit  pending motions and incidents pertaining to the case for resolution.

The next hearing for the case was set on Feb. 16, 2017.

Lhea Tabdi, wife of the slain SAF officer, and parents Edna and Garcia Tabdi, Jr. filed a civil case asking for P11,368,500 for compensatory damages.  

This was supposed to be the income that Tabdi would have earned if he was not killed during the Mamasapano operation. 

Tabdi, at the time of his death, was receiving a monthly salary of P44,730.

The complainants also demanded P500,000 moral damages, P200,000  exemplary damages and for respondents to pay their lawyer’s fee.

Tabdi’s wife and parents said in their complaint that they have lost not only a husband and a son but also a “material provider.”

“The death of PSI Tabdi caused sleepless nights to plaintiffs, anguish, anxieties and mental torture for which plaintiffs should be paid moral damages,” the complaint said.

 “To set an example to other public officials to act on matters that need their assistance, exemplary damages should ascribe as adjudged against the defendants,” it added.

 The Tabdi family accused Purisima of failure to ensure artillery support for the Mamasapano operation arrived on time.

They also accused Napeñas of negligence for reporting and receiving orders from Purisima who was at the time suspended.

Armed Forces officials were blamed for not providing aid to SAF troopers at the Mamasapano operations.

Tabdi was among the 44 SAF commandos who died in the botched operation on Jan. 25, 2015.

‘Illegal acts’ lead to Nueva Ecija police chief’s relief

By Manny Galvez

CABANATUAN CITY – Nueva Ecija police chief Senior Supt. Manuel Cornel has been relieved from his post over alleged illegal activities.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, said Cornel was placed on floating status at the regional police headquarters at Camp Olivas.

Senior Supt. Antonio Yarra took over the post vacated by Cornel on Dec. 10 and held his first command conference Tuesday.

Aquino said Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa ordered Cornel’s relief amid reports linking the former provincial police chief to illegal activities. He did not elaborate.

Asked for comment, Cornel said: “I myself don’t know the reasons why I was relieved.”

A source said Cornel could be a victim of a demolition job, noting that he was credited for the successful campaign against criminality and illegal drugs, including the surrender of 21,541 suspected drug users and pushers in Nueva Ecija.

At least 668 of the 731 barangays affected by illegal drugs in the province had also been declared drug-free.

UC, Kings College top criminology licensure exams

LUZON universities bested other schools nationwide in topping licensure examinations for criminologists conducted Oct. 28 to 30.

As per Professional Regulation Commission Resolution No. 2010-547 series of 2010, the top performing school was University of the Cordilleras which got 95.16 percent passing rate or a total of 59 passing out of 62 examinees.

UC was followed by King’s College of the Philippines Inc. in Benguet with 88.57 percent or 62 passing out of 70 examinees.

Third was Tarlac State University with 88.46 percent or 46 passing out of 52 examinees.

Fourth was Ifugao State University-Lamut at 83.33% or 130 passing out of 156 examinees.

Fifth was Data Center College of the Philippines-Laoag City with 80.28%passing rate or 57 passing out of 71 examinees.

The PRC and Professional Regulatory Board of Criminology released these results after tests were given in 16 testing centers nationwide.

Nationwide, 10,901 out of 34,768 examinees (31.35%) passed the examination. The results of examination with respect to three examinees were withheld pending final determination of their liabilities under the rules and regulations governing licensure examination.

Pursuant to PRC Resolution No. 2004-223 dated July 19, 2004, results of examinations are final and request for reconsideration of failing grades is not allowed.

In Baguio, 2,224 out of 5,295 (42%) examinees successfully passed the examination conducted in Baguio and Rosales, Pangasinan.

POLICE ROUNDUP

 Cordillera awarded best Luzon, nationwide RLECC

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Police Regional Office Cordillera bagged two awards as Best Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee in Luzon and nationwide during Philippine National Police command conference at Camp Crame Dec. 10.

The award was received by Cordillera police director Chief Supt. Elmo Francisco Oco Sarona from NALECC chairman and PNP Director General Ronald De La Rosa.

The awards were cited as result of hard work and successful impact programs, projects and activities from July 15, 2015 to July 15, 2016. The RLECC is composed of government agencies and partners from the private sector with a role of formulating law enforcement policies that are currently being implemented, providing inputs and recommendations and enabling the passage of important legislations affecting the country's peace and order, its economy and environment.

PRO-COR also garnered a high percentage accomplishment of 171 percent rate surpassing the target in accounting drug personalities during  implementation of Campaign Plan: Double Barrel Alpha from Oct. 26 to Dec. 7.

PNP community relations chief honored in retirement  

CAMP BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet –  In recognition to the service and in appreciation of his contributions to the PNP, director for police community relations Wilfredo D. Franco, who belongs to Philippine Military Academy Sandigan Class 82 was given full retirement honors here for compulsory retirement. He rendered 38 years service in PNP and left his post Thursday. 

As Relations director, he implemented police community relations  programs by fostering awareness, forging partnership and information operations management. He led a PNP-wide effort to enhance individual and unit capability on information operations, information operation management, and police community relations among all police personnel and PNP units.

During the program, he received Medalya ng Katapatan sa Paglilingkod for exceptional performance of major responsibilities. 

In his speech, Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario, PNP Chief Directorial Staff cited Franco for his professionalism, dedication, integrity and loyalty to the service.

Sarona: Cops firing guns will be arrested

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Regional police director Chief Supt. Elmo Francis Sarona said police officers who illegally fire his firearms will be arrested and appropriate charges will be filed against them. 

This, as Sarona said in compliance with the pronouncement of PNP Director General Ronald De La Rosa to stop traditional muzzle taping of firearms during Yuletide Season, Police Regional Office Cordillera will not require its personnel to muzzle tape their firearms.

“The pronouncement of the PNP Chief shows he has the thrust and confidence over his men. He strongly believes police officers are professional and disciplined enough not to illegally discharge their firearms during this yuletide celebration, nevertheless, Police Regional Office Cordillera instructed all commanders on the ground to be extra vigilant in manning their men for if they illegally discharge their firearm, the PNP will not tolerate but file appropriate charges against them,” a PRO press statement said.

Hedcor man falls down cliff; dies

BAKUN, Benguet – A Hedcor employee stationed at its substation here was killed Tuesday when he accidentally fell down a 400-meter cliff while helping his uncle moor a cable cage fastened on the tramline.   

A police report said the accident happened around 10:30 a.m. at Beyeng, Sinacbat naming the victim as Marvin Buscol Tudas, 44 of this place.

Tirso Singbala Eslaba, uncle of the victim told police at that time, he was with Copis Tauli Atoling at Dumliing, Sinacbat, Bakun, Benguet to haul sand and the victim was about to go home from work when his uncle requested help in pushing the metal cage of the cable cage

Atoling, was at the truck a few meters away, to control the cage.

When they pushed the cage, the victim accidentally slipped on the loose soil. As a result, he lost his balance and fell down the cliff.

Atoling claimed the incident wasan accident because he was at the truck watching the two pushing the cage at the time of the incident.

Clemente Contada who was on duty at Hedcor’s duty Sub-Station Tender said  the cadaver was brought by his relatives and neighbors to  his residence at Beyeng.

Man shot in drinking spree

TUBA, Benguet – A man was nearly killed here when shot by another in a party where both were dirnking liquor. A police report said the incident happened Wednesday around 4:30 p.m. here at Baterya, Labney, LubasAnsagan.

The victim was identified as Merson Dino Tayab, 32, farmer while the suspect was named as Jerry Bugnay Carpio, 50.

 While drinking, the suspect reportedly aired an old grudge to the victim but it was ignored by the latter. Suddenly, the suspect brought out a Cal. 45 from his sling bag and aimed it to the victim but the latter grabbed it causing the firearm to accidentally explode hitting the victim’s forehead.

Another gunshot was heard hitting another unidentified person that prompted relatives of the victim to disarm the suspect until he loosened the firearm and they advised him to go home.  

 The victim was rushed by his relatives to Pozorrubio Community Hospital located at Talogtog, Pozorrubio, Pangasinan for treatment due to  wound on his forehead but was later sent home.

The suspect voluntarily surrendered to the responding Tuba police. The firearm was turned over by the victim’s relatives to the police station. 

Female thief hits storeowner’s head with hammer; takes P5K

MANKAYAN, Benguet – A female thief repeated hit the head with a hammer of a store owner here, forcibly got her P5,000 cash then fled. Police said the incident which happened Wednesday around 3 a.m. at the store of victim was reported by a certain Victoria Codim-o.

Accordingly, said incident transpired at about 3 a.m. inside a sari-sari store at Back Street, Poblacion owned by victim Imelda Labeda Socte, 68, of Buguias town.

 Investigation disclosed arund that time, the female knocked at the victim’s sari-sari store and requested to stay inside while waiting for her husband.

The victim opened the door and the female suspect wearing black maong pants, shoes, and jacket, suddenly grabbed a hammer upon entry and repeatedly hit the head of the victim.

The suspect then demanded money, and the victim handed P5,000.00 to the suspect before she became unconscious. After regaining her consciousness, she called her sister-in-law Victoria Codim-o for help and reported the incident to town police who brought the victim to Infirmary Clinic in Poblacion. However, she was referred to Luteran Hospital in Buguias, Benguet for further treatment.

Former village chief shot dead

BANGUED, Abra  – A former barangay chairwoman was gunned down here Dec. 11.

Evelyn Andres Vista of Barangay Pulot in Lagayan town was selling barbeque in front of her house when motorcycle-riding men fired at her at around 7:22 p.m.

Police have launched a manhunt for Regie, Joel and Leonard, all surnamed Donato, and a certain Pambong whom witnesses have identified as the assailants.

Five bullet shells for a caliber .45 pistol were recovered at the scene.  

Police said the incident transpired 11 around 7:30 p.m. at Barangay Pulot wherein the victim was peddling her barbeque when the suspects arrived on board a motorcycle and without apparent reason fired at the victim several times.

As a result, the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds in her body and was immediately rushed to Abra Provincial Hospital by responding personnel of Lagayan police but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician while the suspects fled towards northern direction of Pulot after the incident. 

6 persons nabbed for various crimes

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Six persons were nabbed Tuesday for various crimes in Cordillera.

Cops arrested Laurence Camid-eng Siano, 26, security guard, in a buy-bust operation at East Quirino Hill, Baguio. Also arrested in the house were Eljene Floyd Shontogan Fadlen, 35; Ridge Caligtan Alciso, 26, and a 17-year-old male, all residents of La Trinidad, Benguet who were caught sniffing shabu.

Confiscated from their possession were eight sachets of shabu and eight bullets for Cal. 45.

 In Abra, cops nabbed Florendo Balmaceda Timbreza Sr., 64 in his residence in Barangay Lubluba, Dolores, Abra Tuesday early morning.

 Judge Raphiel Alzate, presiding judge, of RTC Branch 58, Bucay, Abra issued search warrant that led to confiscation of a shotgun and Cal. 22 rifle.

Another suspect for illegal drugs and illegal possession of deadly weapon was nabbed along Legarda Road, Baguio City morning of Dec. 16.

Police arrested Mark Jason Dela Cruz Manansala, 29, for possessing a fan knife. When he noticed the approaching policemen, he ran and a brief chase ensued until he was arrested. As a result, a fan knife and two sachets containing shabu were seized from him.

77-year-old widow dragged, thrown by man               

SADANGA, Mountain Province – A 77-year-old widow was manhandled by a man here Monday around 9 a.m. at Sitio Fevennag, Barangay Sacasacan. Police identified the victim as Maria “Vayandak” F. Fayyokan. She was reportedly dragged and thrown by Rogelio “Tabareng” P. Tao-ey, laborer.

Investigation revealed the victim and the suspect had a heated argument wherein the suspect dragged her around 15 meters and threw her hard on the ground resulting to fractured on her right shoulder. She was brought to nearby hospital and sent home after medication. Case was referred to barangay officials as requested by the victim.   

                

Aboitiz worker nabbed for bouncing checks

BAGUIO CITY – A maintenance worker of Aboitiz Power was arrested here Monday at Bayan Park, Aurora Hill for issuance of bouncing checks. Arrested was Richard Cabalhug y Tuñacao, 47, after warrant was issued against him by Honorio C. Ebora Jr., presiding judge of municipal trial court of Pasig City for two counts of violation of Batas Pambansa  22 or bouncing checks law. Cabalhug was late turned over to the Pasig court.

                         

Divorcee nabbed for estafa, falsification

SAN QUINTIN, Abra – A 56-year-old divorcee was arrested here Monday at Barangay Tangadan for estafa and falsification of public documents. This after Charito B Gonzales, presiding judge of regional trial court, Branch 1, Bangued issued warrant for arrest setting bail of P26,000 for her temporary liberty. Tangadan is now under custody of the local Criminal Investigation Detection Group.

                         

Brother nearly kills brother over former’s live-in partner

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A case of frustrated homicide transpired here Dec. 11 around 7:30 p.m. here at Banig, Tawang wherein the victim was identified as Gilbert Domincel Cortez, 33, while the suspect was his brother named as Albert, 28, both residents of the place. 

Investigation disclosed that the suspect and his live-in partner were arguing when the victim went to pacify them. The victim boxed the suspect and heated argument ensued between them.

The suspect suddenly hit the victim with a sharp object in the right neck. The victim was rushed to the Benguet General Hospital, but he was referred to Baguio General Hospital, Baguio City where a surgical operation was conducted. Cops arrested the suspect who was detained at La Trinidad police station.

Young man stabbed in brawl outside bar

BAGUIO CITY – A brawl in front of Padis Point Bar here beside Rizal Park resulted to stabbing a a certain  Jo-Ar Ilod Baniaga, 24, farmer, of Betag, La Trinidad Benguet by suspect  Cabrera Panis, 24, helper, of Lower Dagsian, Baguio.

A police report said the incident happened Dec. 11 around 10:10 p.m. The group of the victim was having earlier a drinking session at Padis Point when a commotion at the dance floor occurred resulting to management expelling the suspect’s group from the bar. 

The cictim and his group went out where the suspect and his group waited for them.  Outside the bar, a free for all fight between the two groups ensued until suspect brought out a bladed weapon then stabbed the victim at ledft part of his body. The suspect ran away but was intercepted by concerned people and was turned over to responding policemen. Victim was brought at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment. 

Laborer stabs delivery boy

BAGUIO CITY – A stabbing incident was reported here on complaint of Marvin Bistayun Echala, 28, laborer, against his boardmate Boni De Asis Baniqued, 31, delivery boy, both residing at Cogcoga, km 3, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Police said the incident happened Dec. 11 around 5 p.m. here at Slaughter Compound, Baguio City when the victim and suspect were having a drinking session that resulted to heated argument argument between them that resulted to a fist fight.

When they were about to go home, the suspect suddenly stabbed the victim and was rushed to Pines Hospital for medical treatment while the suspect went to barangay outpost of Sto. Nino Slaughter Compound and surrendered. Cops later arrested him.

Woman ‘raped’ in Baguio hotel

BAGUIO CITY – A woman, allegedly raped at Mines View Park Hotel here at North Outlook Drive, Mines View filed a complaint with police against her co-worker for allegedly forcing himself into her on Dec. 11 around 3 a.m.

The victim told police the incident happened at No 501 attic room of the hotel where a certain Marlon De Jesus Suarez, 28, of Jolo, Duhat, Malabon City reportedly raped her.

Investigation disclosed that the victim went to the room after having drinking spree at the function hall. While she was asleep, she felt that the suspect was kissing and caressing her body, removed her clothes and raped her. Responding police arrested the suspect while the victim was brought at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for medico-legal. 

77-year-old woman hurt in Bontoc road mishap 

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A 77-year-old woman was injured when she was bumped by a pickup truck here around 2:40 p.m., Dec. 11 along the national road fronting the Sanguniang Panlalawigan Building here at Poblacion.

Police identified the victim as Asuncion F. Pidlao, 77, of Omfeg, of Bontoc Ili who was crossing the street when accidentally bumped by dark green pick-up bearing plate number UUH 711.

The foreigner-driver of the vehicle was assisted by the official driver of the provincial capitol in rushing the victim to Bontoc General Hospital. After bringing the patient to the hospital, the foreigner-driver reportedly left and proceeded to Sagada, Mountain Province. The victim suffered contusion with abrasions on right arm resulting to her confinement at said hospital. Bontoc police radioed their Sagada counterparts to arrest the driver for investigation. 

Smart vehicle rams mountainside

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A vehicle rammed rammed a mountainside here at Sitio Amlosong, Bontoc Ili after its steering wheel locked Dec. 7 around 5:50 p.m.

Police identified the vehicle as a white L300 bearing plate number ZDE 605 driven by Aizon Kiaki Mamaril, 28 of Bontoc but at present residing at Lepanto Mines, Mankayan Benguet where he is employed as supervisor of Smart Grandville with main office at at Wilson Building Km. 4 La Trinidad Benguet.

Interview with the driver revealed they came from Baguio City going to Bontoc with two personnel of Smart running in moderate speed. They  just passed the bridge at Amlosong, when the vehicle suddenly malfunctioned and the steering could not be directed making the vehicle  encroach the other lane  and hitting the left rocky mountainside. The vehicle incurred damages with undetermined cost. The driver and passengers were not hurt and were fetched by their companion from Poblacion.

City mayor urges bocaps: Get road obstructions out

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan called on barangay officials in the city’s 128 barangays to aggressively implement the anti-road obstruction law to improve traffic congestion in most roads around the city.

The local chief executive claimed barangay officials play a key role in the successful implementation of the anti-road obstruction because they know the residents who park their vehicles along roads in their areas of jurisdiction causing traffic congestion.

Some 500 barangay officials in the city are expected to undergo the training by the traffic experts on how to implement the anti-road obstruction order and other related traffic laws that need to be strictly enforced in their barangays.

Based on Ordinance No. 07, series of 1984 or the city’s Comprehensive Traffic Ordinance, illegal parking along roads and streets in the city will be fined P150.

Under the revised sharing scheme on the implementation of the anti-road obstruction, barangays will be getting a 70 percent share from the fines collected in their areas of jurisdiction to be deposited in a trust fund to be use by barangays for their peace and order interventions while the 30 percent will remain with the coffers of the local government.

Domogan advised barangay officials to start looking for available public or private vacant lots in their places and negotiate with the owners for the use of these as temporary common parking spaces for their constituents.

Barangays are required to submit to the City Mayor their list of officials to be deputized to ensure the strict implementation of the anti-road obstruction and to guarantee that the traffic citation tickets to be issued them are properly accounted for.

The City Treasury Office will release the traffic citation tickets to the different police stations in the city from which deputized barangay officials can claim their booklets for them to start implementing the anti-road obstruction order.

Domogan called on residents to cooperate with the barangay officials relative in the implementation of the anti-road obstruction because it is one way of effectively and efficiently addressing the rampant illegal parking of vehicles along roads and for the people to be disciplined in finding parking spaces for their vehicles.

NNC: Obesity highest in Cordillera Region

BAGUIO CITY – Obesity among Filipinos is highest in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), according to the National Nutrition Council (NNC).

 Cordillerans consume 940 grams a day compared to the national average food intake of 844 grams, Rita Papey, NNC-CAR nutrition program coordinator, said, citing a recent study.

“Food intake is higher here because there’s a lot to eat,” Papey said.

 The food intake of Northern Mindanao residents is lowest at an average of 783 grams.   

Up to 50 percent of households in the Cordilleras produce their own cereal or have their own vegetable gardens or farms, Papey noted. 

She said intake of energy food is also highest in CAR at 2,500 kiloheacalories compared to 1,800 in the national level.

CAR has the lowest consumption of fish, she said. “Between meat and fish, we choose meat and other food for cultural reasons,” Papey said. 

The NNC said non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes is high in CAR because of its high obesity rate.

Papey said nutritional stunting in the region is three times higher than the national average.

The NNC said Cordillerans should eat more fish and control their diet to prevent health problems.