Mayor orders closure of San Juan beaches after drowning cases

Victims from Baguio, Benguet 

By Aldwin Quitasol

SAN JUAN, La Union -- The mayor of this town ordered closure of beaches and halt of water activities in this seaside municipality after drowning incidents. 
    A 12-year-old boy and his nine-year-old cousin, both residents of Kibungan, Benguet, drowned while swimming on a beach in Barangay Taboc in this town on Tuesday.
Initial reports showed the victims, who have yet to be identified, were swept away by big waves.
    The boy was declared dead on arrival at the Bacnotan District Hospital.
    Rescuers were still conducting search and rescue operations for the girl at press time.
    On Dec. 27, a 19-year-old male from Baguio City drowned at a beach in Barangay Urbiztondo, also in San Juan.
    His companion went missing with no update provided yet by local police.
    In Pangasinan, Aira Mae Velasquez, 13, drowned while swimming on a beach in Barangay Nibaliw Vidal in San Fabian town.
    In his executive order 23-2023, San Juan Mayor Mayor Arturo P. Valdriz, said San Juan beaches should be closed to avoid further incidents.
    He said according to PAGASA report, the municipality is experiencing northeast monsoon or "amihan" winds which produces higher level of waves intensified by strong currents in the West Philippine Sea.
    He said the extraordinary water condition in the municipality waters poses risk to beach goers which could lead to drowning. -- With reports by Cesar Ramirez and Jun Elias

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Ilocos police boost Yuletide Season security

By Liezle Basa Inigo

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The Police Regional Office-1 (Ilocos) has ramped up security as Christmas and New Year’s Days approach.
    PRO-1 chief Police Brig. Gen. Lou Frias Evangelista inspected transportation hubs and bus terminals in San Fernando, La Union and Vigan City, Ilocos Sur to ensure peace and order for people returning home for the holidays.
    Evangelista ordered the police here to step up traffic management on major thoroughfares in the city. 
“As the holidays approach, always prioritize safety. Safety ng community at higit sa lahat ang inyong kaligtasan lalong lalo na at kayo ang nasa frontline,” he said.
    Evangelista inspected firecracker stalls in Bacnotan and Balaoan, La Union. 
    He said these security measures are embedded under the operational guidelines of “Ligtas Paskuhan 2023,” including the implementation of the law against the illegal manufacture and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
    We encourage our ‘kababayans’ to report to the nearest police stations any untoward incident or crimes that may occur in your respective localities. Magtulungan tayo para sa isang secured na Kapaskuhan!” he said

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Ex-LU Rep. Dumpit cleared of ‘pork’ raps

BAUANG, La Union -- Former La Union second district Rep. Thomas Dumpit Jr. has been cleared of graft and malversation charges filed against him in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel in 2008 amounting to P5.85 million.
    In a 179-page decision promulgated on Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan’s First Division said the prosecution panel of the Office of the Ombudsman failed to prove the guilt of Dumpit and his co-accused.
    “When the guilt of the accused is not proven beyond reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence must be favored and exoneration must be granted as a matter of right,” the first division said.
    Dumpit was acquitted of four counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and two counts each of malversation of public funds and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
    Former officials of the defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC) – deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, group managers Francisco     Figura and Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, budget officer Consuelo Lilian Espiritu and chief accountant Marivic Jover – were also cleared of the charges.
    The court also acquitted Flerida Alberto, president of the non-government organization (NGO) Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation Inc. (KKAMFI) as well as Pio Ronquillo Jr. and Fe Magtira-Ronquillo, incorporators of Aaron Foundation Philippines Inc. (AFPI).
    In filing the cases in 2017, graft probers said checks amounting to P450,000 and P5.4 million drawn from Dumpit’s PDAF were released to KKAMFI and AFPI, respectively. The ombudsman said the NGOs lacked the qualifications to implement the livelihood and agricultural projects of Dumpit for his district.

    The ombudsman said the projects were awarded to the two NGOs without public bidding.
Dumpit’s co-accused falsified disbursement vouchers and several other supporting documents to make it appear that livelihood training seminars were held and livelihood technology kits were distributed to farmer-beneficiaries, the ombudsman said.
    However, the court said the prosecution failed to establish bad faith and “manifest partiality” of the accused in choosing the two NGOs and in releasing the funds to them.
    “There was also no evidence adduced to prove that accused TRC employees took the public fund and appropriated it for their own private benefit,” the first division said.-- By Elizabeth Marcelo

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DTI to Pangasinan, La Union creatives: Partner with gov’t

By Hilda Austria 

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – An executive of the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) urged  creative industry stakeholders in Pangasinan and La Union last week to team up with government to boost the sector in the region.
    In an interview, DTI Ilocos Region assistant director Grace Lapastora said they partnered with SIKAP Creative Content Creators Association of the Philippines, Inc. to encourage regional digital content creators to closely work with the government to help them access more opportunities.
    "We want to let them know that the government is here. We recognize your worth. We recognize your contribution to the Philippine economy. Let us know what you need so that we can grow bigger. Let us collaborate," she said addressing the 70 content creators and vloggers who attended a roadshow event here.
    Lapastora said DTI, being the lead agency in the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council, is still establishing and profiling stakeholders and building up database to further serve them.
    "We already know the other members of the creative industry like the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who are into arts and crafts and those in traditional expressions. The content creators are basically the digital MSMEs," she said.
    Another roadshow will be held in Ilocos Sur and will cater to the content creators in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
    The activity is part of the implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act or Republic Act 11904, which lapsed into law on July 27 last year.

RA 11904 mandates the promotion and development of Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of creative firms, artists, artisans, creators, workers, indigenous cultural communities, content providers and other stakeholders in the creative industries. -- PNA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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B’gay councilor checks in with lady in Bauang motel; later found dead checked in with lady

BAUANG, La Union — A barangay councilman was found dead in a motel in here Monday afternoon, Nov. 13.
    Oscar Guzman, 65, of Barangay Tanquigan in San Fernando City, La Union, was declared dead on arrival at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center.
    Police said the victim and an unidentified woman checked in at the motel at around 11:30 a.m., but the woman went out of their room after 20 minutes.
    A room attendant, who checked when he saw the door of the room of the two open, saw the naked body of the barangay councilman.

    An investigation is ongoing.
 

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All Saints’ Day in Ilocos generally peaceful: PNP

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – All Saints’ Day in the Ilocos region was generally peaceful and no untoward incidents have been recorded so far, the Police Regional Office-1 said Wednesday.

    Despite this, PRO-1 remains on full alert status, said Police Brig. Gen. John C. Chua.
    Chua said they intensified augmentation of route security, traffic management and preventive patrol operations in the entire region, particularly in cemeteries, memorial parks, places of convergence, and major thoroughfares for “Undas.”
    “The observance of the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days is a yearly activity during which we anticipate heavy traffic jams in our thoroughfares and congestion in commercial centers, public markets, cemeteries, and other places of convergence. We have doubled our efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of Undas parallel to the continuous implementation of our post-election security measures,” said Chua.
    He said they have tapped the support of other government agencies, non-government organizations, and volunteer groups in providing maximum security coverage and public safety services, including motorist assistance on major highways and traffic management on routes leading to cemeteries. 
    Red teams led by senior police commissioned officers were designated to closely monitor and oversee the overall conduct of Undas security operations.
 

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2 killed in Pangasinan motorcycle accidents

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Two persons were killed in motorcycle accidents in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan before dawn on Monday, Oct. 16.
    Police identified the victims as Mark Russel Jimenez of Asingan, Pangasinan and Dan Aldrin Peralta dela Cruz of Urdaneta City.
    Investigation said Jimenez lost control of his motorcycle and rammed into the metal railings on the shoulder of the bypass road in Barangay Santa Lucia.
    Jimenez, who was not wearing a helmet, sustained a head injury and died on the way to the Urdaneta City District Hospital.
    Police said a Toyota HiAce van driven by Norberto Sidayin Combes, 44, of Barangay Dilan Paurido, Urdaneta City, encroached on the lane of Dela Cruz on the Urdaneta-Dagupan Road in Barangay Pinmaludpod and hit him.
    Dela Cruz sustained severe injuries and died upon reaching the Urdaneta City District Hospital.
Combes was taken into police custody.
 

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‘Habagat’ leaves P1.8-M damage to agriculture, livestock in La Union

By Hilda Austria 

SAN FERNANDO CITY -- La Union province recorded over P1.8 million in damage to agriculture and livestock due to effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” as of Sept. 12, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
    In a report issued on Wednesday, PDRRM officer Aureliano Rulloda III said the estimated total cost of damage to agriculture was PHP1.4 million and PHP471,600 in livestock and poultry.
    The damage to agriculture was mainly on rice crops covering 42.97 hectares of land in San Juan, Sudipen, Naguilian and Sto. Tomas towns.
    The destroyed rice crops were in their reproductive, vegetative and maturity stages.
    Rulloda said the substantial damage to rice crops was in Sudipen town at 30 hectares, while the losses amounted to P855,000.
    He said Bangar town recorded damage to livestock and poultry, which got drowned, carried away by flood or suffered from hypothermia.
    Meanwhile, Rulloda said 27 houses were damaged.
“Of which, 21 were partially damaged, and six were totally damaged houses,” he said.

Rulloda said 110 families or 411 individuals in 15 barangay in the towns of Naguilian, Caba and City of San Fernando were affected due to the weather disturbance.

“There were also reported landslides and soil erosion due to continuous rain in the towns of Aringay and Naguilian, but these were already cleared,” he added.

The provincial government and the local government units have provided relief assistance to the affected families.

The enhanced habagat was due to the three weather disturbances, namely typhoons Goring, Hanna and tropical depression Ineng, which hit the country from Aug. 24 to Sept. 6, causing heavy rains. -- PNA

 

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PCG officer drowns in LU rescue mission

TUBAO, La Union -- A member of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) drowned during a rescue operation here Tuesday.
Petty Officer Third Class Ponciano Nesperos of PCG’s Special Operations Group-North Western Visayas, was with a rescue team that responded to a drowning incident in a river in Sitio Daeng, Barangay Halog East, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said.
    Nesperos was reportedly securing a safety line on the other side of the river when he lost his balance and was swept away by the strong current.
    He was declared dead on arrival at the La Union Medical Center.
 

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DOST funds biz projects in La Union, Pangasinan

By Hilda Austria 

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Two micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Pangasinan and eight from La Union provinces have received PHP3.7 million under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that they utilized to buy equipment for the upgrade of their business production.
    In an interview on Wednesday, Ilocos Region SETUP coordinator Adeliza Florendo said the MSMEs chose the supplier and specifications of the equipment awarded to them according to the approved proposal of the DOST regional office.
    “The MSMEs are in manufacturing and processing including food processing, furniture and fixture, gifts’ decors and handicraft, metal and engineering sector, and agri-aqua sector among others covered by the program,” she said.
    The MSMEs in Pangasinan are Mimi’s Cacao Processing in Mangaldan town which has received P449,000 for the tablea processor and Tees Digital Arts and Prints, a souvenir items and signage maker in Laoac has received P266,560 for the purchase of its equipment.
    In La Union, Dr. Ronald Alwit Farm in Bauang town has received P360,000 for a feed mill mixer and a hammer mill for its livestock feed production while B Amigo's Wood Crafts Manufacturing in Bagulin town was awarded P329,000 for its essential woodworking equipment, including a jointer, a Mortiser, a Tenoner, a band saw, and an air compressor for its production of crafted wooden products.
    Mae Wood Crafts Manufacturing in Balaoan, La Union has received P497,200 for the procurement of a three-in-one machine and a band saw for its woodwork designs; IDA Wood Crafts Manufacturing in Bagulin town was granted PHP148,300 for a jointer and a Tenoner machine also for woodworks; Calica's Fruit Products in San Fernando City got PHP205,000 for a pneumatic filling machine and a semi-automatic cup sealing machine for their fruit product packaging process;
    4J Padilla-Gale Ricemill in Tubao town received P600,000 for a set of compact rice milling machines for its rice processing; Coloma Wood Works in Bangar town was awarded P385,000 for a three-in-one machine, a Jointer, and a Mortiser for their woodworks; and Ayaoan Lumpia Wrapper Manufacturing has received P545,520 for the procurement of a lumpia wrapper making machine, a stainless steel table, and a stainless steel cabinet for their lumpia wrapper production equipment.
    Florendo said the MSMEs will pay the amount of the equipment they obtained in three to five years depending on the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between them and the DOST without any interest and collateral.
    Under the MOA, the recipient firms are expected to use the funds to acquire technology interventions relevant to their specific industries, and these technological interventions are intended to provide the firms with the tools and equipment necessary to enhance their operations, enabling them to meet the challenges of a competitive market.
    “Nagre-request sila for support so they visited sa office and nalalaman nila programs through other MSMEs (They requested support and they visited the office and they also learn of the programs through other MSMEs,” she said.
    She advised the other MSMEs who would like to avail of the SETUP to bring a request letter to their respective Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) and the PSTO will visit the area to conduct a technology needs assessment.
    “The firm will be assessed by observing their production and processing, and from there, their needs will be determined as well as the intervention they needed,” she added.
    The SETUP Fund is provided by the DOST Ilocos regional office to support local enterprises in adopting technological advancements to improve their business operations with the main goal of enhancing productivity, production efficiency, and overall income of these MSMEs. 
    Jennifer C. Fernandez, Science Research Specialist II of PSTO-Pangasinan, in a recent statement, emphasized the importance of fulfilling the responsibilities and obligations outlined in the MOA. -- PNA
 

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Programs set to boost economy of La Union

By Hilda Austria 

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The provincial government of La Union is set to implement more programs to boost the economy of the province and uplift living conditions of the people.
    For one, has inaugurated its P280 million worth convention center at Barangay Sevilla in this city.
    The 3-storey multi-purpose building has a total floor area of 2,000 square meters that can accommodate up to 1,500 people, the provincial government said in a statement on Wednesday.
    The project was funded by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways through the National Building Program.
    “The La Union Convention Center features a unique architectural and aesthetic design inspired by a surfboard, one of La Union’s icons, being a surfing destination in the North. Expected to boost economic growth and the tourism sector of the province,” it stated.
    The convention center will provide a venue for special events and large gatherings such as training, meetings, seminars, exhibits, conventions, and tradeshows that will not only cater to locals but also attract visitors from different parts of the country.
    “The construction of the infrastructure project began in the year 2015 during the term of then La Union first district Representative Victor Francisco Ortega, who was the brainchild of the project and succeeded by former first district Representative Pablo Ortega until its completion this year under first district Representative Francisco Paolo Ortega V,” it added.

Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David held her first State of the Nation Address at the convention center during its inauguration last Aug. 7.

“People-centered and driven governance is our call to action and unwavering commitment to placing the needs and aspirations and well-being of our citizens at the forefront of our decision-making. Throughout history we have seen and continue to witness wherein power is in the hands of the few where the voices of the marginalized have been and are silenced,” she said.

David reported that La Union remains one of the least poor provinces of the country and the 11th most competitive province in the country as of 2022.

“Poverty incidence is at 6.6 among families, according to the Family Income and Expenditure Survey of Philippine Statistics Authority,” she said.

She added that the province has a zero Commission on Audit suspension and disallowance.

David said La Union was chosen as the only local government unit (LGU) in the Ilocos Region out of 21 provinces in the country for implementation of the LGU Reform Project of the Department of Finance.

“It aims to improve LGU’s revenue mobilization. Build the capacity of LGU to deliver public service and strengthen local government performance,” she said about the project.

Since her administration is anchored on people-centered and driven governance, the provincial government established a customer feedback system and a complaints desk.

They also have the 33 in-house information and communications technology system to empower the citizenry with accurate and relevant information and to keep citizens updated with relevant news.

“We are the first province in northern Luzon to partner with GCash to expand the payment platform. We dream of wire-free streets downtown as we explore the underground cabling of our province,” she said.

David said the provincial government has institutionalized the Annual Youth TAOID Camp peer-to-peer facilitation program, a campaign for human immunodeficiency virus acquired immunodeficiency syndrome awareness and screening tests, and the province’s Youth Development Council and Elyulympics, sports competition.

Women empowerment is recognized and acknowledged in La Union as David is the first woman governor of the province.

La Union is also the first to implement the menstrual leave privilege for its employees and even provides menstrual kits in every department.

David said over 10,000 individuals prioritizing those in geographically isolated areas (GIDA) villages in the free medical and dental outreach program.

She said the five district hospitals have ISO certifications and the Rosario and Naguilian district hospitals’ bed capacity has been increased from 25 to 50 while an additional P200 million was allotted for the implementation and maintenance of the hospitals.

She added the provincial government aims to provide barangay health stations prioritizing GIDA villages.

The LGU has also provided P300,000 in financial assistance to persons with disabilities group and some P18.3 million to the nonagenarians and centenarians in the province.

David said they have also signed an agreement with the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development to formalize the establishment of a home for the elderly.

In tourism, the province recorded 494,387 tourist arrivals in 2022 and the revenue increased by 315.21 percent from 2021 to 2022 and is expected to be surpassed this year as they have already 308,309 tourist arrivals only in the first semester of 2023.

“We have won six Pearl Awards for Best Tourism Practices and the Philippine Tourism Excellence Award,” she said.

The Pasalubong Center also benefited as its revenue grew by 600 percent in sales, from P553,460 from January to June 2022 to P3.9 million on the same period this year.

This was attributed to the return of the La Union surfing break following its hiatus during the outbreak of the pandemic and the holding of the World Surfing League.

She added that the La Union Tourism Summit will also return in September this year.

David thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the P15 million cash assistance and generator sets following the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Egay in the province.

She also said the province is one of the beneficiaries of the Pambansang Pabahay ng Pangulo, a flagship program of the Marcos administration.

David said a draft ordinance on the Mandatory Registration of Poultry and Livestock Raisers and Farm Owners is underway to protect and boost agriculture particularly the poultry and livestock in the province.

“With this initiative, we will be able to closely monitor stakeholders and provide assistance (when needed),” she said.

The province is also enforcing Provincial Resolution 342-2023 or the Single-Use Plastics and Other Reusable and Disposable Materials Code.

David said the 59.5-kilometer Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway extension project from Rosario to San Juan has already been approved and is expected to promote growth and provide livelihood to the residents.

She added that a sports complex will soon rise in San Fernando City while the San Fernando City Airport Terminal connecting to the islands of Visayas and Mindanao is being lobbied by the provincial government. -- PNA

 

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Court acquits ex-La Union solon, 8 execs of graft cases

By Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino

THE Sandiganbayan's First Division acquitted former La Union Second District representative Thomas Dumpit Jr. and other individuals of graft charges in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) totaling about P40 million.
    In a 227-page decision promulgated on Monday, July 3, the court acquitted the following of nine counts of graft: Dumpit; Gondelina Amata, Ofelia Ordoñez, Gregoria Buenaventura, and Sofia Cruz who had been from the National Livelihood Development Corporation; Flerida Alberto; and Godofredo Roque. Lilibeth Aloot-Macazo, who had been a store proprietor and was an accused in four of the nine graft cases, was acquitted.
    The court said in its decision that "assuming that accused Dumpit indeed requested for the release of his PDAF allocation and endorsed the NGO [Kabuhayan at Kalusugan Alay sa Masa Foundation, Inc.], these acts could not be considered as manifest partiality, evident bad faith or even gross inexcusable negligence. This is because assuming he indeed performed all those acts, he was simply carrying out acts required for the release of the funds and other 'informal practices,' which were declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional."
    The declaration of unconstitutionality was prospective because of the doctrine of operative fact, the Sandiganbayan's First Division said.
    The court also said that "there was no evidence, testimonial or documentary, introduced to establish that accused Dumpit benefitted from the PDAF transactions."
    In the same decision, the court acquitted Dumpit, Amata, Ordoñez, Buenaventura, Cruz, Alberto, and Roque of three counts of malversation of public funds. Aloot-Macazo, who was an accused in one count, was acquitted.
    The court also acquitted Dumpit, Amata, Ordoñez, Buenaventura, Cruz, Alberto, and Roque of six counts of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents. Aloot-Macazo, who was an accused in three counts, was acquitted.
    The court said in its decision that it "is inclined to believe that the signatures of accused Dumpit, as appearing in the documents as offered by the prosecution, are forged. Accused Dumpit has consistently denied that the signatures are his. [...]     The prosecution has not presented any expert witness to rebut the opinion of witness [Desiderio] Pagui."
    According to the decision, Pagui "testified that he examined both the known and questioned signatures of accused Dumpit and he concluded that the signatures appearing in the questioned documents are not that of Dumpit."
    Also, the court said that the prosecution "failed to show that [...] Amata, Ordoñez, Buenaventura and Cruz, in the performance of their functions as mentioned earlier, took advantage of their position and falsified any of the abovementioned documents proffered by the prosecution by committing any of the acts mentioned in Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code."
    The court also said in its decision that Aloot-Macazo "has sufficiently proven that the receipts shown by the prosecution are not hers."
 

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Five NPA guerillas surrender in Ilocos

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Five former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered in Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan on Monday, May 15.
    Police identified one of them as “Ka Randy,” a former member of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) under the Sigmaru Unit Command of Komiteng Larangang Guerilya (KLG)-Caraballo and a farmer residing in San Nicolas, Pangasinan.
    Ka Randy underwent debriefing and has signed a pledge of alliance to the Philippine government. He has received two sacks of rice, groceries, P2,000 cash gift, and was turned over to the local government unit (LGU) of San Nicolas, Pangasinan.
    Another was “Ka Alis,” an unemployed resident of Barangay Tangaoan, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur and formerly affiliated with the Alex Boncayao Brigade of the NPA.
    She has signed an oath of allegiance signifying iher withdrawal of support to the communist movement.
“Ka Juan,” a  laborer residing in Barangay Angkeling, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, also surrendered and turned over a caliber .45 homemade pistol entrusted to him by the NPA in 2016.
    The other surrenderers were “Ka Edmund” and “Ka Me-an,” residents of Barangay Cadacad, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur and former members of the Special Yunit Partisano of the NPA operating in Ilocos Sur.
    They withdrew support to the NPA in 1994 and 1995 but they were not properly documented.
    Police and the military facilitated the surrender of the five former NPA rebels.

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8 hurt in La Union vehicular accident

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- — Eight persons including a singer were injured when their vehicle figured in an accident here May 14.
    Gigi de Lana, Mary Gidget de Llana in real life, and her companions were headed to Ilocos Norte for a musical event when their Toyota Hi-Ace van crashed into a Foton Tornado truck parked along the opposite side of the road in Barangay II at around 10:30 a.m., police said.
    The vehicular mishap occurred amid reports that road crash incidents in Ilocos region are on the rise this year.
    Probers said that van driver Joseph George Wagan could have fallen asleep, causing the vehicle to stray into the opposite lane.
    Aside from De Lana and Wagan, injured were Emmanuel Cruz, Carmela Liane Cueto, Mike Jesser Castillo, John Maverick Sumaylo, Julius Traquena and Jan Joseph Verceles.
    The victims were brought to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center for treatment.
    In a post on social media, De Lana said that after receiving medical clearance from the hospital, she and her bandmates pushed through with the event.
    “No one else was involved in the accident and all issues have been resolved,” she posted on Facebook.
    De Lana thanked the city government of San Fernando and the people who assisted them during the accident.
 

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74 Ilocos police officers pass surprise drug test

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Seventy-four police officers from the Police Regional Office-1 tested negative in a surprise drug test on April 12.
    Police Brig. Gen. John C. Chua, PRO-1 director, led the surprise drug test during a command conference here.
All attendees were barred from leaving the conference room without being tested.
    “The conduct of the surprise drug test is a part of our regular and continuous effort in sustaining the gains of the PNP’s internal cleansing program,” said Chua.
    The Regional Forensic Unit-1 said 38 police commissioned officers, including senior officers, and seven police non-commissioned officers were subjected to a drug test and all tested negative for dangerous drugs.
    Before the command conference, the Regional Forensic Unit-1 also subjected 29 operatives from the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit to a surprise drug test and all also tested negative for drug use.
    “The implementation of our intensified campaign against illegal drugs must start within our organization and I am happy to note that PRO1 remains to be a drug-free organization,” Chua said.
 

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LU town PNP chief dies in road crash

By John Michael Mugas 

BACNOTAN, La Union -- The chief of police of Tubao town, La Union was killed in a road crash here Tuesday, April 4, police said.
    Investigation showed Maj. John Maynard Macusi, 32, a resident of La Union’s Sudipen town, was driving along the national highway here at Barangay Guinabang, when he lost control of his vehicle while heading southbound.
    Macusi’s vehicle collided with a sports utility vehicle traveling in the opposite direction was driven by Avelino Ledda Anastacio, 29, from La Union’s Balaoan town, investigators said.
    Photos of the accident scene showed the wrecked front portions of the two vehicles.
Macusi, who suffered serious injuries, was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
    Anastacio and his two passengers were still being monitored but now in safe condition, the police said.
    The Police Regional Office 1 mourned the death of Macusi, who was described by regional director Brig. Gen. John Chua as a “hardworking chief of police.”
    The La Union provincial police office said Macusi was a “young, promising, hardworking” officer.

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Outstanding Ilocos lady police officers awarded

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The Police Regional Office-1 (Ilocos) honored three lady police officers for their outstanding performance in the campaign against criminality in the region during the observance of National Women’s Month.
    Brig. Gen.  John C. Chua, PRO-1 director, said the Medalya ng Papuri was awarded to Police Majors Jairlyn F. Camangian, chief of police of Santiago, Ilocos Sur; Sheryll C. Guzman, COP of Paoay, Ilocos Norte; and Katelyne Mae D. Awingan, COP of Asingan, Pangasinan.
    The three chiefs of police were honored for conceptualizing and implementing various community-based programs such as the PNP outreach program, information dissemination/barangay visitation, lectures, gift-giving and educational assistance for children, and other activities that heightened the cooperation of citizens in the successful fight against drugs, loose firearms, arrest of wanted persons, and other criminal acts, contributing to improved peace and order in Region 1.
    The other awardees of the Medalya ng Papuri – Sheryl C. Villanueva, chief of the CMRC, RCADD; Capt. Antonia J. Farol, action PCO, PPSS RPRMD, Senior Master Sergeants Cyndy H. Soriano, FJGAD PNCO and Winnie O. Lucer, were cited for their exemplary performance in implementing the revitalized Kasimbayanan program in Geographical Isolated Disadvantage Areas in Region 1 for the month of January 2023; records management; and action officer.

Chua said women were important to the survival and well-being of families and communities.

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7,699 cops secure Ilocos visitors in Lenten season; no major crimes committed

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union – The Ilocos Regions was generally peaceful during the Lenten Season after some 7,699 cops and force multipliers were deployed in strategic places in Region 1 to secure visitors and residents this Lenten season, according to Police Regional Office-1 Director Brig. Gen. John C. Chua.
    Chua said the PRO-1 activated its security plan “Ligtas SUMVAC” to accelerate its law enforcement initiatives and anti-criminality stance ahead of the observance of the Lenten season.
    He added the comprehensive security plans on traffic management and personnel deployment are already in place to ensure public safety services to the community before, during, and after the observance of Holy Week and other holidays and important events thereafter.
    Intelligence monitoring efforts, implementation of road safety measures and traffic management, and deployment of police assistance desks, especially in major public transport terminals, airports, churches, shopping malls, and other places of convergence were intensified.
    “The police personnel and force multipliers were assigned in places of convergence, transportation hubs, tourist destinations, and road construction areas in anticipation of the influx of motorists and tourists who will be visiting the region,” he said.

    He also ordered maximized police visibility and strengthened beat patrols for crime deterrence and accessible public assistance.

    The deployment of Tourist Police Units in tourist destinations region-wide in coordination with LGUs, local tourism councils and Dept. of Tourism complemented this security initiative.

    “We have been doing several early preparations to ensure the peaceful observance of the Lenten season. Rest assured that we will maximize our efforts to make sure that everyone will enjoy the summer vacation,” Chua said.

    He appealed to the public to support the police by following the implemented rules and regulations in the area and observing precautionary measures against criminals.

    Meanwhile, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Region 1 and its local DRMMCs were placed on heightened alert to anticipate any untoward incident in the observance of the Lenten season in the region

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PDEA dismantles drug den in LU:4 held

By Jerico Joshua Kahulugan

ROSARIO, La Union -- A “drug den” was dismantled in Barangay Bacani here by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Ilocos Region.
    They also arrested four drug suspects during the operation recently.
PDEA-1 Regional Director Joel Plaza identified one of the arrested suspects as Raymart Dumo, who was categorized as the second most wanted drug personality in La Union.
    Also collared by the authorities at around 9:30 p.m. were Raymond Dumo, Fortunato Rivera and one minor whose identity was withheld by the police.
    During the anti-illegal drug operation, the authorities seized four pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu that weighs more or less 50 grams with an estimated value of P340,000. Also confiscated were assorted drug paraphernalia, cash in different denominations amounting to P1,600, a cal. 45 replica firearm, two rounds of live ammunition and the buy-bust money.
    A case for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den), Section 7 (Employees and Visitors of a Drug Den), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002," will be filed against the suspects who are now detained at the regional office.

The operation was conducted by PDEA in coordination with the Regional Police Office and its drug enforcement unit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4 foreigners rescued off Cagayan waters

By Jun Elias

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Four foreigners rescued off the coast of Calayan Island in Cagayan on Feb. 12 were turned over to the Bureau of Immigration.

Swedish national Sazid Hazan Shiek, 19, and Peruvians Richard Ventura, 48; Victor Palomino, 57, and Ulian Oswaldo Ventura, 52, were rescued by Philippine Coast Guard personnel, Ensign Jessa Pauline Villegas of the PCG-Northern Luzon said.

The four reportedly went sailing in the Pacific Ocean in December last year, but their boat encountered a mechanical problem and ran out of fuel.

Villegas said the foreigners are all in good physical condition. No illegal items were found in the boat, she added.

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