Aurora town mayor in trouble for humiliating cops

By Manny Galvez

BALER, Aurora – This town’s mayor and a councilor, who are facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman along with eight others, are under fire anew for allegedly hurling invectives at police officers.

Four officers of the municipal police accused Mayor Nelianto Bihasa and Councilor Meinardo Tropicales of badmouthing them in public on Sunday.

The officers, led by Police Officer 3 Bernie dela Rosa, said Bihasa and Tropicales called them dumb, fools and pulis patola (clumsy or inefficient) during an incident in Barangay Buhangin.

Records showed Dela Rosa, along with Police Officers 2 Jeoffrey Bolante, Israel Doringo and Dennis Gutierrez responded to a brawl in the village.

When they arrived in the area, Bihasa reportedly yelled and drove them away while calling them dumb.

The lawmen said Bihasa was apparently drunk. 

Tropicales reportedly called them “mga pulis patola.”

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent DaniloFlorentino vowed to investigate the incident.

“I will look into the matter to see what really happened,” Florentino said. 

Bihasa, Tropicales and eight other councilors are facing charges for malversation.

The charges stemmed from using the funds of the Sangguniang Bayan to pay for the salaries of job order workers.

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Aurora mayor, councilors face raps for fund misuse

By Manny Galvez

BALER, Aurora – This town’s mayor and nine councilors are facing graft charges for allegedly misusing municipal funds.

Charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for Luzon were Mayor Nelianto Bihasa and Councilors Pedro Valenzuela, DaniloOng, Gina Ritual, Reynaldo Mapindan, Gina Agapito, Ramir Duaso, Meinrado Tropicales, Noel Go and Felipe Friginal.

Also included in the charge sheet were municipal human resource officer Curie Bernardino and budget officer Francisco Reopta.

The complaint was filed by Vice Mayor Karen Angara-Ularan, who said the accused violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 6713 or the Code of Ethical Conduct for Public Officials and Employees.

Ularan said the respondents took the funds of the municipal council and declared it as savings.

She said the money was also used to pay for the salaries of job order workers.

Ularan said before taking the funds, Bihasa wrote the municipal council on Oct. 15, 2014 asking approval for a supplemental budget to augment the funds of the municipal government and pay the workers.

The vice mayor refused as the funds would be taken without consulting her, the administrative head of the Sangguniang Bayan.

Due to Ularan’s objection, Bihasa reportedly did not sign and vetoed the ordinance. The councilors agreed to stay the veto and voted to remove Ularan’s objection.

The vice mayor said the veto, having been stayed, showed there was no approved ordinance.

On Nov. 21 of the same year, Ularan requested Bihasa to release the funds for her office. She said it took a month before the mayor approved her request.

She said she found out that the money had been taken out.

“Mayor Bihasa, the SB members alone or as a collegial body cannot declare any budget under the office of the vice mayor as savings or use it to pay for job orders,” she said adding there was realignment, diversion and misappropriation of funds.

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Former mayoral bet shot dead

By Manny Galvez

CABANATUAN CITY – A former mayoral candidate in Dingalan, Aurora was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding man in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija last Tuesday, police reported.

Romeo Callanta, 64, of Barangay Butas na Bato, was driving a sport utility vehicle (NXI-402) with his girlfriend Jinky Francisco, 21, on board when he was shot near a public market, according to provincial police director Senior Supt. Manuel Cornel.

Callanta was declared dead on arrival at the Doctors’ Hospital here while Francisco was unhurt in the attack.

The victim ran for mayor in 2004 but lost to Jaime Ylarde. He ran for vice mayor in 2007 and lost again to Edgar Hiram Liu.

Chief Insp. Norman Cacho, town police chief, said probers were eyeing land dispute as a possible motive for the attack.

Investigators recovered from the crime scene three bullet shells for a Cal. 45 pistol.

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UP-Aurora still without Oblation statue

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

Manny Galvez

BALER, Aurora – The University of the Philippines (UP) in this capital town still lacks the iconic Oblation, the state university’s symbol, six years since it opened.

Visitors to the UP School of Health and Sciences (UPSHS) in Barangay Reserva expressed dismay to find no statue to welcome them.

Julia Elisa Puertollano, former director of the UP Baler campus, said visitors seemed to feel incomplete without the Oblation.

The original Oblation is a masterpiece of National Artist Guillermo Tolentino and was commissioned in 1935 by Rafael Palma, the university’s first Filipino president.

It stands in front of Quezon Hall, welcoming students and visitors to the UP Diliman campus in Quezon City.

Here, no such icon welcomes students and visitors.

“The Oblation is very important. It’s UP’s symbol. Without it, the university seemed not to exist,” she said.

The UPSHS was put up in 2008 at P154 million, financed jointly by the Department of Health and the provincial government.

It offers medical courses to address the lack of health professionals in the rural areas.

Puertollano said the Oblation is included under the Phase 2 of the construction at P25 million. She said this phase suffered numerous failed biddings because the contractors find the amount alloted for the project too small. 

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SC asked: Rule on legality of Aurora eco-zone

BAGUIO CITY – The Supreme Court was asked Tuesday to come out with a final ruling on the legality of laws creating the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Free Port (Apeco).

Militant groups called on the high court to resolve their petition filed in October 2011 questioning the constitutionality of Republic Act 9490 or the Aurora Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Act of 2007 and its amendatory law – Republic Act 10083 or the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Free Port Act of 2010.

Petitioners including Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakayang Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), Anak pawis partylist, Panlalawigang Alyansa ng mga Magbubukidsa Aurora (Pamana) argued that Apeco has cost the government P2 billion but had remained unattractive to locators.

They also called the court’s attention to the decision of the government to spend P220 million for the construction of a three-story hotel with 50 world-class rooms for local and foreign tourists.

The groups lamented that the SC has been “quite slow in resolving the issue, which is a matter of life and death to thousands of farmers, fisherfolks and indigenous peoples.”

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POLICE ROUNDUP

Ilocos Norte jail warden suspended

SAN NICOLAS, Ilocos Norte -- The provincial legal office of Ilocos Norte has slapped a 30-day preventive suspension against provincial jail warden Dario Estavillo and a jail guard for the unauthorized temporary release of an inmate who beat up a dried fish vendor in this town last Feb. 18.

Lawyer Jayson Pereira said the suspension would prevent Estavillo and jail guard Michael Hernandez from influencing the investigation into the release of inmate Darwin Manuel, who figured in the incident while escorted by Hernandez.


P135 million marijuana destroyed in Cordillera

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet - More than P135 million worth of marijuana have been destroyed in the Cordillera in less than two months.

Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong, regional police director bared this saying from January to February police operatives and narcotics agents burned marijuana plantations in the Cordillera.

Magalong said successful operations against illegal were due to support of local government units and communities.

For the past several decades, the Cordillera has been pinpointed by law enforcement agencies as the major source of marijuana being circulated in most parts of the country.


Drug suspect / gun-for-hire arrested

BATAC, CITY, Ilocos Norte -- A suspected drug pusher who reportedly doubles as a gun-for-hire here, was arrested Feb. 24, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency -Region 1 reported.

Jose Amos Agdigos, 49, was ranked seventh most wanted by PDEA in the Ilocos region.

He was allegedly caught selling a packet of shabu to anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Billoca, Batac.

Twenty-two sachets of shabu, several handguns and grenades, a cell phone and marked money worth P71,900 were seized from the suspect. -- Teddy Molina


2 Vizcaya gov’t workers nabbedin buy-bust

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya –Two government employees here were arrested in separate buy-bust operations last week, reports from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said.

Jerome Serquina, 37, planning officer of the provincial government, and Melvin Aquino, driver of the Solano municipal hall were arrested in an entrapment operation in Bambang town’s Barangay Santo Domingo last Feb. 21, a day after Aquino was arrested in Solano town.

Seized from Serquina were a sachet of shabu and P1,500 marked money while six sachets with .20 grams each of shabu were confiscated from Aquino.

Aquino, who is said to be the son of former town council secretary Manny Aquino, who is running for councilor, andSerquina, were subjects of weeklong surveillance operations.

Solano town Mayor Philip Dacayo had put up a P50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of municipal workers involved in illegal drugs.

Dacayo also ordered a random drug test for all town employees. – Charlie Lagasca


Slay suspect in handcuffs jumps off bus in La Union

BACNOTAN, La Union – A murder suspect in handcuffs managed to escape from his police escorts by jumping off from a window of a passenger bus here Feb. 22, authorities said.

The inmate, Ronald Gambol, was being brought to a court hearing in Candon, Ilocos Sur, escorted by three policemen on a passenger bus, when he escaped, said Senior Insp. Christian Alquisa, Bacnotan police chief.

Police gave no further details of the escape.


Man wanted for rape in MP arrested

PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- A man wanted for rape was nabbed here Feb. 24, 2013 by a team of the provincial police office.
Senior Supt. William Viteño, provincial police director identified the suspect as NeolDampagMadanom, 41, married, tricycle driver and resident of Barangay Bugallon Norte, Ramon, Isabela.

A warrant of arrest was earlier issued by Judge Joseph Patnaan of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 35 Bontoc Mountain Province for his arrest.

The arrest of Madanom was the result of the operation of personnel of the 2nd platoon of Mountain Province Provincial Public Safety Company based in Paracelis led by Insp. Richard P. Soliven.

Shabu pusher arrested in Baguio

An alleged drug pusher was arrested with three sachets of shabu in a recent buy-bust operation at Lower Kitma, Bakakeng Central, Baguio City.

Police identified the suspect as Jeffrey Damian y Pamitan alias “Jepoy”, 29, single, college undergraduate, cook or bartender, native of Baguio City and resident of Lower Kitma, Bakakeng Central, Baguio City.

The medium-sized, heat-sealed, transparent, plastic sachets containing a total of exactly .07 grams of shabu were exchanged by Damian for two thousand pesos to an agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Cordillera Administrative Region who acted as poseur-buyer.

A criminal case for illegal drugs was filed against Damian.

He been previously charged for grave threats.

2 holdups noted in Kalinga; 2men nabbed in Ifugao
By Vivencia D. Bulayungan
Police arrested two men last week in Ifugao for violence against women and children even as two road holdups were reported in Pinukpuk, Kalinga last week.

Insp. Christian Salonga, Lagawe police chief, led the arrest of a 54-year- old man for violation of Republic Act 9262 or Anti-violence Against Women and their Children Act.

The same team arrested another wanted person also for violation of RA 9262.

The arrests were made by virtue of warrants of arrest issued by Judge Ester Flor of Regional Trial Court Branch 14.

Salonga said both suspects were brought to Kiangan MPS for documentation prior presentation at the issuing court.

“We just received the warrant of arrest the same day when we conducted the arrest,” Salonga said adding that this will dispel the wrong notion of the public that policemen notify wanted persons so they will have the opportunity to hide.

In another development, the two cases of hold-up in a week prompted officials of Pinukpuk, Kalinga to convene its Municipal Peace and Order Council to address the problem.

Based on the reports of Pinukpuk police, there seemed to be a similar “modus operandi” by the suspects who held-up a sari-sari store owned by a certain Elsie Bowat in Barangay Apatan last January 31 and the group, who barged into the St. Mary’s Catholic convent in Barangay Allaguia last Feb. 3.

In both incidents, substantial amounts of cash and valuables were taken from the victims.

Because of their “modus operandi” the police tagged the group as “masking tape gang” since they use masking tape to hogtie and cover the mouths of their victims.

Municipal Mayor Irving Dasayon has called for all barangay chairmen, village leaders and concerned people to attend the MPOC to thresh-out steps to solve the problem.

Minor nabbed for selling marijuana
SAN GABRIEL, La Union -- A 16-year-old boy was arrested by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for selling a brick of marijuana fruiting tops in La Union.

A PDEA press statement said the minor was caught red-handed selling the illegal drug weighing around 2 kg worth P100,000 to PDEA operatives under regional director JeoffreyTacio and San Gabriel police here in the corner of Apusen and Laoeng Streets, Poblacion on Feb. 22.

The boy, a resident of SitioSiwsiwan, Barangay Amontoc, San Gabriel, was eportedly engaged in the voluminous sale and delivery of dried marijuana fruiting tops in La Union.

The suspect shall remain under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the time being.

Although he is a minor, he will be criminally liable under Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, if the court finds that he acted with discernment in selling the marijuana brick.

Cacdac said that based on the consolidated data of the Agency, from 2003 to 2012, a total of 1,044 minors, aged seven to 17, were arrested for violation of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PDEA nabs 'drug trafficker' in Ilocos Norte operation
BATAC CITY, Ilocos Norte – Am alleged illegal drug trafficker, who also allegedly ran a gun-for-hire operation, was arrested by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency - Region 1.

Forty-nine-year old Jose Amos Agdigos was caught selling a packet of shabu to anti-narcotics agents here at Barangay Billoca last Feb. 23.

After he was caught by joint PDEA and Region 1 policemen who tailed him for several months, 22 sachets of shabu, several handguns and grenades were also seized in his house at Barangay Rayuray in Ilocos Norte.

The P3,500 marked money used in the entrapment operation, another P68,400 and Agdigos's phone - allegedly used in the illegal drug trade - were also seized from the suspect.

Bismark Bengwayan, spokesperson of the PDEA-Region 1 said Agdigos “was not only the main source of shabu in Batac City but also maintains a gun-for-hire group and into gunrunning.

Agdigos is facing charges of selling and possession of illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms.


12 hurt in 9-vehicle smashup on NLEX
By George Trillo

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – At least 12 people sustained injuries in a nine-vehicle smashup along a stretch of the North Luzon Expressway in San Fernando, Pampanga past noon on Feb. 22.

In a report, Senior Supt. R’WinPagkalinawan, Pampanga police director, identified the injured as RitsmondCastelo, Clarie Amor Laciste, Karen Pineda, Allan Lagat, Clarinjda May Laciste, Elvira Pineda, NichaColangco, Daniel Reyes, Celia Gregorio, Felicisma Reyes, Jun Haber, and William Chua.

They were brought to the Makabali Hospital and San Fernandino Hospital, both in the City of San Fernando.

The accident, according to Pagkalinawan, occurred at around 12:30 p.m. Friday along Km 60+NB in Barangay San Jose, San Fernando and involved a Honda Civic (with license plate SFJ-730), Toyota Camry (FTC-885), Ford Everest (AEU-2188), Hyundai Getz (ZPA-951), Kia Sportage (ZJU-883), two Mitsubishi Monteros (XJA-251 and RMU-102), a Yutung Bataan Transit bus (TXU-683), and another Mitsubishi car (PUQ-283), all cruising southbound.


Man nabbed for rape of nieces
CAMP RAVINA, Aurora– Police recently arrested a 27-year-old man accused of raping his three nieces and getting one of them pregnant.

Senior Insp. Victor Morales, station commander, said Rolando Margate, a resident of Barangay 4, Maria Aurora town, was arrested in Barangay Real in San Luis town.

Margate’s alleged victims were aged 11, 10 and six.
A medical examination on the eldest victim showed that she is pregnant. -- MG

One dead, eight hurt in Ilocos Sur road accident

SANTA LUCIA -- - A drunk driver lost control of his Isuzu Forward truck, sideswiped a van, killing one and hurting eight others here in Barangay Anglileng Feb. 17.

Gladyz Yaris, 20, from Samara, Aringay town in La Union was killed while 31-year-old Ely Ibasa Ibasa; Gelyn Aiza Ibasa, 26; Ylanie Salche Ibasa; SyhyshyIbasa, 8; Rabrap Ibasa,2; all passengers of the Mercedes Benz van were hurt.

The driver of the truck Nelson Paa, 38 and his passengers Aronie Carmelo, 25 and RonelCalso, 19 were also hurt.
Police said the impact of the truck on the van was so strong, causing the smaller vehicle to ram a warehouse owned by Alberto Hernaez.

Pangasinan, La Union ‘drug trail’ busted

DAGUPAN CITY – Seventeen illegal drug pushers and users were recently arrested here by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and police elements.

Latest to be nabbed was a certain Richard Cayabyabwho was caught in the act of selling shabu together with Maricris Ballesteros and Mary Ann Cayabyab evening of Feb. 20 here at SitioTondaligan, Bonuan Guesset.Both women were reportedly openly offering their bodies for sex to covert agents in pot session areas.

A police report said the open flesh trade was used in enticing and maintaining drug clients.

Police reportedly searched the area and found two women sniffing shabu and who were being used as prostitutes by the group.
On the same date separate teams from PDEA RO1 and Rosario police apprehended a 14-year- old boy who was selling shabuat Barangay Alipang, Rosario La Union.

The alleged minor admitted he came from Tondaligan, Bonuan, Dagupan City and was paid to deliver the drugs.

“The trail of illegal drugs points out to one source;Sitio Tondaligan, Bonuan Guesset of Dagupan City as several houses in the area are being used as drug dens,” a PDEA press statement said.

Drug densreportedly yielded sachets of shabu, worth P 1,720,000, several firearms and bullets while 17 drug peddlers and users were arrested.

The “shabu trail” now may lead to several more apprehensions as sources and landing points reaching as far as Ilocos Norte and Baguio Ciy are being identified.

PDEA regional director Jeoffrey C.Tacio said.

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Angara backs out of gob race;clarifies

BALER, Aurora – Sen. Edgardo Angara has clarified that he did not back out of the gubernatorial race in this province because he was afraid of losing.

“If I went on with my gubernatorial bid, I would surely win. But to rule as a good governor, I have to stay in Aurora and will be tied up here and would be unable to fulfill my international commitments,” Angara told a media briefing.

Angara was reacting to speculation in social media networks that he was afraid of losing the elections to Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras.

Members of Aurora Family Community, a vocal critic of the Angaras, said the senator is making his international commitments as a “convenient excuse” to back out of the race.

At least 60 percent of the voting population in the province are Ilocanos and consider Noveras as their favorite son.       

Angara said he could be an absentee governor if he wins the election because he would busy as vice president for Asia and the Pacific of the Centrist Democratic International.

The senator also cited his role in the Angara Center for Law and Economics, an international advisory board composed of international economists and political scientists.

“Not to count on my national commitments and my local commitments, it would really tie me down and I think it is unfair for the people of Aurora... I think that is not the style I pursued in my public life. If I have a responsibility I assume, I would do it singularly unobstructed by any undertaking except to do it in my work,” he said.

He said he is confident that Baler Mayor Arthur Angara, who substituted for him, will win the election.

“He (Arthur) is the head of the Mayor’s League in Aurora who has been, I think, an outstanding mayor of Baler. He is an achiever,” Angara said.  

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Aurora ecozone workers hit church-backed group

BALER, Aurora – Some 1,000 workers of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) went on a 120-kilometer march from the ecozone’s site in Casiguran town to this capital town to dramatize their protest against a Church-backed group of 120 farmers who opposed the project.

The placard-bearing workers – composed of farmers, fisherfolks and indigenous peoples – traveled through rough terrains and dirt roads on 10 vehicles up to the provincial capitol grounds in Barangay Buhangin.

They disputed claims by anti-Apeco groups that the project will drive them out of their homes.

The pro-Apeco groups were led by Conchita Descarga, president of the Samahang Katutubong Dumagat sa Aurora; her sister, Nora Gutierrez; and Dumagat chieftains led by Joel Guerra.

Apeco president and chief executive officer Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. and deputy administrator Kent Avestruz joined the protesters at the capitol.

President Aquino earlier ordered an investigation into the operations of Apeco following a dialogue at the Ateneo de Manila University with 120 farmers. The farmers had just finished an 18-day, 350-kilometer protest march from Casiguran to Manila to demand the repeal of the law creating Apeco and for its funding be scrapped.

The Senate has approved a P353-million budget for Apeco next year. Apeco was created under Republic Act 9490 authored by Sen. Edgardo Angara and amended under RA 10083 sponsored by Angara’s son, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo.

Groups opposing the project cited lack of consultation with affected residents, massive displacement and economic dislocation by banning fishing in the area. They said the development of the ecozone had encroached into their ancestral lands and led to the seizure of large tracts of prime agricultural lands.

Sarmiento said anti-Apeco groups have been peddling lies to stop the project to the extent of “fooling and deceiving the President” with misinformation and black propaganda.

He noted that consultations with affected sectors started in the 1990s when the project was still being conceptualized.

“For every law passed by Congress, there are public hearings. The residents of Casiguran were consulted and heard when the bill on Apeco was being deliberated upon. Even President Aquino admitted he participated in the debates,” he said.

Sarmiento also denied allegations of land grabbing, displacement of tribal folks and the fishing ban.

On claims that the project is a waste of taxpayers’ money, Sarmiento said the ecozone is in fact generating unprecedented benefits to local people.

“In fact, we have employed a thousand people, half of whom in the construction sector,” he said, adding that additional jobs will be generated in a seaweeds project.

“By 2014, we expect to generate 3,000 jobs so no taxpayers’ money will be wasted,” he said. -- MG

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Group urges Aurora folks to junk Angaras' poll bids

A group opposing the controversial Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Apeco) on Monday appealed to voters and people of Aurora province to reject the electoral bids of the Angaras running for various elective posts in the May 2013 elections.

"We highly recommend to the people of Aurora the wholesale rejection of Angara dynasty in  the May 2013 elections. Their rejection at the electoral box-office next year is one way of achieving justice," Pamalakaya vice chairperson Salvador France said.

France said Aurora residents should junk the senatorial ambition of Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, the plan of Sen. Edgardo Angara to run for governor, and the political plan of Aurora governor Bella Angara Castillo to run for the lone district of the province.

Angara-Castillo is expected to run and replace her nephew as congressional district representative, France added.

"The rejection of the Angara clan is also the rejection of the Public Private Partnership inspired  free port zone project authored by President Benigno Aquino III,"he said. 

Last week, Pamalakaya members sent away "letters locked inside plastic bottles" containing demands to Malacanang, and two of these demands press President Aquino to scrap the Apeco project and veto the  P353-million budget approved by Congress for the freeport zone in 2013.

"We hope these messages containing the collective sentiment of the people in Aurora will reach President Aquino," they said.

The group said the Apeco project will detrimental to the livelihood and environment and natural resources once implemented.

Pamalakaya claimed the project will affect the stretch of land bordering the shorelines of saltwater fishing of Aurora and from the Southern tip of the peninsula of San Ildefonso going to Casiguran Bay to the opposite shore of the Casiguran.

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Indigenous folk given 25 years to stay in lands: P-Noy orders review of Aurora eco-zone project

President Aquino on Tuesday gave farmers, fisherfolks and indigenous people affected by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport  Authority another 25 years to remain in their lands.

The decision was reached during a heated dialog held at the Ateneo de Manila University.

The President also ordered a review of the contested project even as he asked affected residents to “keep an open mind” on the possible benefits of APECO to the province.

Mr. Aquino tasked the National Economic and Development Authority give him an initial assessment within the week.

“I want to know was there really no consultation, and was there no concurrence on the part of the affected residents,” he said.

He said the Commission on Audit can also look into how the budget for the project was used.

“If we find irregularities, we will hold accountable people who are responsible for this,” he said.

But the President was visibly frustrated with the repeated and insistent statements from the Casiguran-based residents who kept on harping on the need to stop the release of funds for the project.

“Wait a minute. How many times do I have to tell you? In one week there will be an assessment to be fair to all parties concerned.

Because we need to have basis for our decisions. The assessment will tell us whether to stop or push through with the project,” he said.

“You keep coming back and repeat the same questions. Finish what you have (to say). Are you done? I don’t want to repeat everything,” the President told a coordinator at one point.

Earlier, Senator Sergio Osmeña III said the government wasted public funds in spending more than P2 billion for the 12,000-hectare economic zone, which he noted was located on the typhoon belt.

“The people’s money have been wasted under the pretense of a project that has absolutely no chance of succeeding in the next 50 years,” he said.

The lawmaker said APECO is not even linked to the Luzon power grid.

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Groups urge PNoy to block P353 M budget for Apeco

Several groups on Wednesday urged President Benigno Aquino III to support Sen. Sergio Osmena III's move to block the proposed P353-million 2013 budget for the controversial Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (Apeco) project.

In a joint press statement, the militant fisherfolk group Pamalakaya, Panlalawigang Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Aurora, the umbrella Allliance Resist Apeco, Defend Aurora Movement and the Alyansang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon said President Aquino should consider the collective interest of the rural people of Aurora instead of honoring his alliance with the ruling Angara dynasty.

"All the President has to do is certify the zero-budget proposal for Apeco an urgent act of legislation which Senator Osmena has proposed," Pamalakaya Vice Chairperson Salvador France said.

France said there must be a congressional audit of the P2 billion taxpayers’ money spent for Apeco over the last six years. 

France said two major protests - Dec. 8 in Casiguran, the site of Apeco and another in Central Aurora on Dec. 10 - show the people’s strong opposition to the Apeco project, contrary to claims of Sen. Edgardo Angara, Rep. Sonny Angara and Gov. Bella Angara-Castillo that the ecozone project enjoys the full support of the people.

On Tuesday, Osmeña vowed to block the P353 million proposed budget for Apeco next year. 

Last September, various organizations in Aurora appealed to Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno to expedite the decision on the petion they filed on Oct. 10, 2011, asking the high tribunal to declare laws creating Apeco unconstitutional.

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1 slain, 2 hurt in NPA-Army clash in Aurora

By Liam Anacleto

One person was killed and two others were wounded after suspected members of the New People’s Army attacked a construction firm in Aurora on Thursday.

Army reports said suspected rebels with high-powered firearms had burned a backhoe and a dump truck owned by Palacios Constructions in barangay Villa in Ma. Aurora town at about 9 a.m.

1Lt. Tala Servidad, spokesperson of the Army’s 7th division, said the NPA rebels were believed to be extorting money from the company, which is concreting a road that connects Metro Manila to Aurora.

Responding troops from the Philippine National Police and the Army’s 48th battalion were fired upon by the rebels, resulting in a firefight.

One person was killed while two others, including a policeman, were wounded during the incident.

The identities of the fatality and the wounded persons were not immediately available.

Servidad said the burned construction equipment cost about P9 million.

Brig. Gen. Gregorio Catapang, Jr., commander of the Army’s 7th division, has ordered pursuit operations in the area.

"We condemn this terroristic attacks against construction company. This tragic incident came when peace and development in Central Luzon is on the fast lane," Catapang said. 

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‘Aurora Rising’ tagline started to boost tourism

BALER, Aurora — The province launched recently its new tagline, “Aurora Rising,” aimed at boosting its campaign to promote the numerous tourist destinations in Aurora.

Provincial Information Officer Sherylle Natividad said the tagline launching last weekend was coupled with a new brochure presentation of significant places in this province, including the historic Baler church.

Natividad said their aim is to either improve the current status of Aurora as one of the fastest rising tourist destinations in the country as cited by the recent statistics prepared by the the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The tagline and brochure, which includes four tourism thrusts – trek, revel, surf and dive, will be utilized in various tourism promotional campaigns of the province in the next three years, she said.

The local tourism office here classified the town of Baler as the “most searched” item in the Philippines in 2009 as described by Google Zeitgeist while the www.backpackingphilippines.com. categorized Baler as among the “best surfing beaches in the Philippines” in 2009.

Baler, being the capital of the province, was also tagged as the top beach destination in the entire country last year by the ABS-CBN News Online.

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7 policemen charged for beating up 2 rookie cops

BALER, Aurora– A police major and six other policemen were charged before the provincial prosecutor’s office Wednesday for beating up two rookie policemen at the provincial police headquarters last month.

Charged with serious physical injuries in relation to Republic Act 8094 or the anti-hazing law were Chief Insp. Eric Buenconsejo, PO2 Christopher Soria, and PO1s Jonnelle Valdez, Rafael Dulatre, Runjoe Ramos, Ysrael Doringo ,and Chris Evert Lloyd Querijero. They were earlier removed from their posts.

The charges were filed by PO1s Rommel Derit, 31, and KristianTenoso, 26.

Senior Supt. Benjamin Hulipas, provincial police director, reportedly filed a separate administrative case against the seven policemen Friday before the regional police office at Camp Olivas in Pampanga.

The respondents were accused by the two rookie policemen of beating them up while on training last Feb. 25, 26 and 28 at the provincial police headquarters at Camp Victor Ravina here.

Buenconsejo said told the media has not yet received a copy of the complaint.

He promised to provide a copy of his counter-affidavit “in due time.”

At the time the beatings allegedly happened, Buenconsejo was the director while Soria, Valdez, Dulatre and Ramos were members of the PNP committee that supervised the training. Doringo and Querijero were assigned to the Provincial Public Safety Company.

The two rookie policemen alleged that the beatings were “planned and deliberate” and that they were clearly singled out because their fellow trainees were not subjected to the same acts. -- MG

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Angara pushes aggie programs vs hunger

BALER, Aurora— Sen. Edgardo J. Angara said there is a need to establish mechanisms and promote national policies that give incentives for maximizing agricultural production to solve the rising poverty and hunger problems in the country.

The senator from Aurora is reacting to the latest Social Weather Station survey showing an increase in hunger incidence in the country during the last quarter of 2011.

He called on the national government to adopt and implement aggressive measures in combating hunger and reducing malnutrition by prioritizing agricultural programs which he said is the best solution for the problem.

The hunger problem, Angara said, could be solved in two ways.

First, by increasing food production to stabilize prices and prevent fluctuations in supply, and second, by raising the incomes of the rural poor who are often the casualties of hunger.

Angara also stressed that hunger gives rise to dire effects such as malnutrition, especially child malnutrition which is an obstacle to human development and national progress.

Angara said he is continuing his fight against hunger and malnutrition through the nutrition campaign he started dubbed, “OMG! (Oh My Gulay!)”which aims to encourage a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables among schoolchildren.

The campaign is in response to a World Bank report showing that the mortality rate for Filipino babies below five years old is three times higher in poor families than in rich ones. Furthermore, 3 percent of preschool children are reported malnourished, thus diminishing their skills development and hampering their learning process.

“Solving hunger and improving nutrition are key factors in eradicating poverty and fueling economic growth. It is as much an issue of economics as one of welfare, social protection and human rights,” Angara stressed.

Based on the latest SWS survey, about 22.5 percent of Filipinos (about 4.5 million families) said they experienced having nothing to eat, which is slightly higher than the 21.5 percent (about 4.1 million families) recorded in September. -- MM

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Oldie sued raping minors

BALER, Aurora – A 78-year-old man was charged before the Department of Justice here Wednesday for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl and her 11-year-old sister on two separate occasions.

Charged for violations of Republic Act 7610 filed before the provincial prosecutor’s office was Dionisio Alarcon, alias Tata Dionisio of Barangay Obligacion here.

Alarcon was accused of sexually abusing Pina and Tina (not their real names) on Feb. 20 and March 26, respectively, in a nipa hut owned by the suspect.

The elder girl said the incident took place when she went with Alarcon at the nipa hut.

She said she slept at the place when her father asked her to accompany Alarcon who was caretaker of her father’s native ducks.

She said that prior to the incident, the suspect gave her money and food and told her they would play “bahay-bahayan.”

The younger victim was accompanied by her two brothers when she went to the nipa hut where Alarcon fed them.

When the two brothers fell asleep, Alarcon sexually abused the victim.

The victim did not immediately report the incident for fear of the suspect who threatened to kill her. -- MG

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Aurora 2013 politics heats up; bets mulled

BALER, Aurora – Political leaders in this province are reportedly working out a Noveras-Angara tandem in the 2013 local elections involving the two protagonists in the 2007 vice gubernatorial race.

Political circles are abuzz here with reports that Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras is being eyed to run for governor by the Angaras with businessman Rommel Angara as his running mate even amid reports that Rommel’s uncle, outgoing Baler Mayor Arthur Angara is also eyeing the governorship.

Noveras, son of the Noveras patriarch, former vice governor Isaias Sr. and younger brother of ex-vice governor Isaias Jr., defeated Rommel, nephew of incumbent Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo in the 2007 race by over 1,000 votes, spoiling an Angara-Angara team at the Capitol.

Angara-Castillo is on her third and last term as provincial chief executive and is reportedly eyeing a return to Congress in 2013 with another nephew, outgoing three-term Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara running for the Senate.

The Noverases are on record as the father-and-sons with the distinction of having been voted each as vice governor of the province.

Noveras’ victory triggered the political divorce between the Angaras and their earstwhile allies, the Tangsons of San Luis town, whom the clan suspected of junking Rommel in favor of Noveras, a claim which San Luis Mayor Annabelle Tangson and her younger brother, ex-provincial board member Mariano, denied.

Asked to comment on the Noveras-Angara team-up, Noveras described it as a “good tandem.”

Noveras brushed aside the possibility of joining the Tangsons and run as their standard-bearer.

For his part, Rommel said the possibility of him teaming up with Noveras is not distinct.

“Our rivalry is nothing personal. We are very cordial with each other, something that is not plastic,” he said.

The Angaras have reportedly maintained cordial relations with Noveras because the vice governor kept his vow not to be a stumbling block to the development agenda of Angara-Castillo and the Angaras.

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Gov’t urged: Avert power crisis

BALER, Aurora — Sen. Edgardo J. Angara urged the national government to develop plans to avert a looming energy crisis in Luzon that is projected to cause rotating blackouts by 2013.

Angara, the Chair of the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering who hails from this province, said there is a pressing need for the government to speed up the development of alternative and Renewable Energy (RE) sources that can help prevent the said looming energy problem in Luzon.

The senator said that according to Professor Rowaldo del Mundo from the University of the Philippines National Engineering and Electricity Center, the Luzon grid will be unable to handle the increased power demand from growing business and industries.

He added that rotating blackouts are likely to occur in 2013.

Dr. Alan Ortiz, former president and CEO of the National Transmission Corp. has also stated there is a chance of power outages if growing power needs are not addressed.

Angara added that COMSTE has been working closely with RE developers in wind, solar, and biofuels such as algae, to create a focused approach between government and the private sector and speed up the development of RE sources and industries that can complement existing coal fired plants.

“We should be able to take advantage of collaboration with the private sector and develop more energy projects that can take advantage of the Renewable Energy Act,” Angara said.

He added alternative energy sources will help address the growing power demands while lessening the negative environmental impact that coal fired power plants have.

The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 exempts renewable energy sources from Value Added Tax (VAT), grants a seven year income tax holiday, and prioritizes the purchase, grid connection and transmission of electricity generated by companies from renewable energy sources.

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Aurora top cop fired over rising crime rate

ANGELES CITY– The police chief of Aurora province was relieved of his post following complaint of Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo that crimes peaked and illegal logging continued unabated the recent months.

Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Allan Purisima bared this saying he relieved Senior Supt. Rosvi Manulid as director of Aurora police.

Manulid occupied his post for seven months was replaced by Senior Supt. Jojo Gumban.

Angara-Castillo had wanted Senior Supt. Benjamin Hulipas to replace Manulid but Purisima said Hulipas was not in the list prepared by the police for consideration.

The governor had asked Purisima to replace Manulid amid her claims that crime rate rose and illegal logging remained unabated since he assumed post.

The governor said she herself was a victim of local criminals who took off with a power generator installed in her house in Baler.

She said the generator was returned after she gave Manulid an ultimatum of 24 hours to solve the crime.
Angara-Castillo also cited a recent day-time holdup in which a business establishment lost P1 million to culprits who have remained at large.

This, she noted, rarely happened in her province, even in the capital town of Baler.

She said that elsewhere in the province, illegal logging operations have continued unabated.

“Before, Aurora always had the lowest crime rate in Central Luzon if not in the country. That is something I want preserved,” she said.

She said worsening peace and order situation in Aurora has countered efforts of the provincial government to promote tourism in the province.

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Aurora Ecozone pushed by execs

BALER, Aurora – Popular support is gradually mounting for the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO) with governors, congressmen and economic development managers in Central Luzon and Northeastern Luzon pushing for the realization of the project which they said would produce an economic “domino effect” in their respective provinces.

The latest show of full support for the APECO has dwarfed criticisms mounted by militant groups and non-governmental organizations.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, architect of the APECO through legislative action in tandem with Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara and Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, has stressed that APECO stands unique among the 200 economic zones in the country as it was built to be thoroughly sustainable and eco-friendly, with a one megawatt solar power plant that will generate electricity to 1,000 homes.

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