P40,000 fund for Nueva Vizcaya athletes stolen
By Joan Capuna
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Exactly P47,500 intended for the training of student athletes in the province were stolen from two public school teachers here by three female thieves on Nov. 11.
Police said Brigida Esquida, 60, district supervisor of the Villaverde school district, and her companion, Elnora Legaspi, had just come from a branch of the Philippine National Bank along Benigno Aquino street here where they encashed a check worth P47,500.
The amount, from the provincial government’s Special Education Fund, was intended for the athletes joining the forthcoming annual provincial sports meet spearheaded by the Department of Education.
Since it was noon, the two teachers decided to have their lunch at an eatery along the national highway, just a stone’s throw away from the town’s police headquarters.
Upon reaching the restaurant, Esquida was suddenly accosted by three women whom she did not recognize.
It was only later that she discovered that her bag had been slashed and the money stolen.
“The three women may have espied on (Esquida) and knew that she was carrying a big amount of cash,” said Chief Insp. Corazon Valencia, this town’s police chief.
Recently, motorcycle-riding robbers took P1 million from a trader from neighboring Ifugao province after he had withdrawn the money from a Banco de Oro branch here.
Showing posts with label Nueva Vizcaya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nueva Vizcaya. Show all posts
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
MORE NEWS, NUEVA VIZCAYA
Revival of vanishing eel pushed in Cagayan wilds
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A comeback in the population of the vanishing eel in the wild is expected after the government’s fisheries sector started reviving one of the country’s most delectable fish species along the region’s various freshwater areas.
Start up efforts, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources had recently released thousands of elvers in various rivers, lakes, creeks and other fresh bodies of water in the region where they used to abound some years back.
Among the region’s freshwater areas where the eel stocks had been dispersed includes the Magat and Cagayan Rivers and its various tributaries in the towns of Aritao, Santa Fe, Kayapa and Ambaguio here; Cabatuan, San Mateo, Ramon and Angadanan in Isabela; and Diffun, Cabarroguis, Aglipay and Maddela towns in Quirino.
Around 3,300 eels, called igat or kiwet in the Iluko dialect, were released per town for a total of 39,600 eels released into the wild, said Dr. Jovita Ayson, BFAR director for Cagayan Valley.
As one of the country’s most delectable freshwater fish species, the snake-like eel could grow as long as six feet long.
BFAR said its market demand is very high, especially among Chinese and Japanese markets due to what is believed to be its medicinal value, besides its known unique taste.
This, according to BFAR, has also resulted in foreigners buying the more delectable elvers for as high as P10,000 per kilo while big-sized eels would sell for P500-700 a kilo.
“Before fishermen can easily catch eels the size of an arm, but now we can hardly see any except at some selected areas,” said Primitivo Clave, retired BFAR regional director.
With the new eel production program, Dr. Evelyn Ame, head of BFAR’s eel stock enhancement project, said that the fishery sector is optimistic it can revive the region’s once abundant eel population, which has been alarmingly decreasing in number due to illegal fishing activities and pre-mature harvesting. -- CL
Gov’t to seize unregistered foreign used cars at CEZA
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The government’s Cagayan Economic Zone Authority said Wenesday it would take custody of all foreign used cars whose importers failed to have them processed before last week’s lapse of a court-issued temporary restraining order (TRO) against a CEZA directive stopping their importation, registration and sale.
According to Julian Gonzales, operations manager of the CEZA-managed International Port of Irene in Santa Ana town here, only those imported second-hand vehicles, which had been processed by the Land Transportation Office and Bureau of Customs before the termination of said TRO would be allowed to leave the free port.
Meanwhile, Gonzales, also the port’s principal engineer, said the national government stands to lose millions of pesos in taxes once the used car importation business here eventually closes shop.
“The government indeed will lose millions of pesos in tax and other revenues, like LTO and customs charges and import taxes, but we cannot do anything but to follow the orders of the court,” said Gonzales, also the port’s operations chief.
“We will just let the impounded cars be left inside the free port, as no one will be able to bring them out,” he said.
Earlier, Santa Ana town Mayor Vic Rodriguez said that hundreds of their constituents are in danger of losing their jobs if the court affirms President Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 156, banning the importation of second-hand cars in all ports of the country.
“Not only those directly employed with the car importers and right-hand converters will be affected but also those indirectly benefiting from the business in the free port since this means less business for them,” he said.
The constitutionality of EO 156 has been the subject of a court case filed by the Automotive Rebuilding Industries of Cagayan led by its president, Jaime Vicente, who argued that the President’s directive does not cover Port Irene since the car importation trade at said port did not yet exist at the time of the issuance of said order.
At present, ARIC had to terminate the services of more than 800 workers directly employed with their trade since the 17-day TRO against a CEZA directive for the implementation of EO 156 had lapsed last week.
Moreover, in a move to intensify his campaign against car smuggling, Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing, has ordered an investigation into LTO personnel that has allowed the registration of imported vehicles into the country. – CL
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A comeback in the population of the vanishing eel in the wild is expected after the government’s fisheries sector started reviving one of the country’s most delectable fish species along the region’s various freshwater areas.
Start up efforts, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources had recently released thousands of elvers in various rivers, lakes, creeks and other fresh bodies of water in the region where they used to abound some years back.
Among the region’s freshwater areas where the eel stocks had been dispersed includes the Magat and Cagayan Rivers and its various tributaries in the towns of Aritao, Santa Fe, Kayapa and Ambaguio here; Cabatuan, San Mateo, Ramon and Angadanan in Isabela; and Diffun, Cabarroguis, Aglipay and Maddela towns in Quirino.
Around 3,300 eels, called igat or kiwet in the Iluko dialect, were released per town for a total of 39,600 eels released into the wild, said Dr. Jovita Ayson, BFAR director for Cagayan Valley.
As one of the country’s most delectable freshwater fish species, the snake-like eel could grow as long as six feet long.
BFAR said its market demand is very high, especially among Chinese and Japanese markets due to what is believed to be its medicinal value, besides its known unique taste.
This, according to BFAR, has also resulted in foreigners buying the more delectable elvers for as high as P10,000 per kilo while big-sized eels would sell for P500-700 a kilo.
“Before fishermen can easily catch eels the size of an arm, but now we can hardly see any except at some selected areas,” said Primitivo Clave, retired BFAR regional director.
With the new eel production program, Dr. Evelyn Ame, head of BFAR’s eel stock enhancement project, said that the fishery sector is optimistic it can revive the region’s once abundant eel population, which has been alarmingly decreasing in number due to illegal fishing activities and pre-mature harvesting. -- CL
Gov’t to seize unregistered foreign used cars at CEZA
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The government’s Cagayan Economic Zone Authority said Wenesday it would take custody of all foreign used cars whose importers failed to have them processed before last week’s lapse of a court-issued temporary restraining order (TRO) against a CEZA directive stopping their importation, registration and sale.
According to Julian Gonzales, operations manager of the CEZA-managed International Port of Irene in Santa Ana town here, only those imported second-hand vehicles, which had been processed by the Land Transportation Office and Bureau of Customs before the termination of said TRO would be allowed to leave the free port.
Meanwhile, Gonzales, also the port’s principal engineer, said the national government stands to lose millions of pesos in taxes once the used car importation business here eventually closes shop.
“The government indeed will lose millions of pesos in tax and other revenues, like LTO and customs charges and import taxes, but we cannot do anything but to follow the orders of the court,” said Gonzales, also the port’s operations chief.
“We will just let the impounded cars be left inside the free port, as no one will be able to bring them out,” he said.
Earlier, Santa Ana town Mayor Vic Rodriguez said that hundreds of their constituents are in danger of losing their jobs if the court affirms President Arroyo’s Executive Order No. 156, banning the importation of second-hand cars in all ports of the country.
“Not only those directly employed with the car importers and right-hand converters will be affected but also those indirectly benefiting from the business in the free port since this means less business for them,” he said.
The constitutionality of EO 156 has been the subject of a court case filed by the Automotive Rebuilding Industries of Cagayan led by its president, Jaime Vicente, who argued that the President’s directive does not cover Port Irene since the car importation trade at said port did not yet exist at the time of the issuance of said order.
At present, ARIC had to terminate the services of more than 800 workers directly employed with their trade since the 17-day TRO against a CEZA directive for the implementation of EO 156 had lapsed last week.
Moreover, in a move to intensify his campaign against car smuggling, Assistant Secretary Alberto Suansing, has ordered an investigation into LTO personnel that has allowed the registration of imported vehicles into the country. – CL
Thursday, October 30, 2008
MORE NEWS, NUEVA VIZCAYA
Permits for PUVs set for All Saints Day
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – To ensure the smooth travel of thousands of commuters and vehicles to and from Metro Manila during the All Saints’ Day break, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is again issuing special trip permits to buses and other public utility vehicles.
LTFRB Chairman Thompson Lantion said the issuance of special permits, which was first adapted last year, is part of the Department of Transportation and Communication’s Oplan Kaluluwa.
Lantion said interested bus operators can now apply for these special trip permits, provided they have legitimate franchises.
But he warned all PUV owners and drivers, especially those who are set to apply for special permits, to be fair in charging fares and not engage in trip-cutting and other road violations which are usually rampant during the holiday season.
Last year, more than 300 special permits were granted to bus operators from the Bicol region, Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon, and Northern Luzon as well as to bus companies plying routes from Metro Manila to the south via roll-on, roll-off ferries. --CL
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – To ensure the smooth travel of thousands of commuters and vehicles to and from Metro Manila during the All Saints’ Day break, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is again issuing special trip permits to buses and other public utility vehicles.
LTFRB Chairman Thompson Lantion said the issuance of special permits, which was first adapted last year, is part of the Department of Transportation and Communication’s Oplan Kaluluwa.
Lantion said interested bus operators can now apply for these special trip permits, provided they have legitimate franchises.
But he warned all PUV owners and drivers, especially those who are set to apply for special permits, to be fair in charging fares and not engage in trip-cutting and other road violations which are usually rampant during the holiday season.
Last year, more than 300 special permits were granted to bus operators from the Bicol region, Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon, and Northern Luzon as well as to bus companies plying routes from Metro Manila to the south via roll-on, roll-off ferries. --CL
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Kidnap-ransom suspect arrested
TUGUEGARAO CITY – The suspected leader of a kidnap-for-ransom and gunrunning syndicate operating in Central and Northern Luzon and victimizing mostly Indian nationals was nabbed Wednesday by policemen while playing mahjong near his residence in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
No bail was recommended for the temporary liberty of Francisco Flores, 54, of Barangay Don Mariano Marcos, Bayombong town.
In his report to Chief Supt. Robert Damian, Region 2 police director, Senior Supt Pete Danguilan, Nueva Vizcaya police director, said Florez was tagged as the mastermind in the kidnap-for-ransom of Indian nationals and was also involved in a series of gunrunning operations. -- BC
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
P1-B of Cagayan nat’l road user’s tax missing
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Rep. Carlos Padilla, who was the first to spill the beans on the controversial national broadband network deal in the Lower House, said more than P1 billion released for the Cagayan Valley region from the collection of the national road user’s tax in 2004 could not be accounted for.
Padilla said that based on records received by Congress, the amounts were released to the district offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the region’s three main provinces – Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya – but that there was nothing to show where the money actually went.
Padilla said the P1 billion was just part of the more than P10 billion released by the Arroyo administration to a number of provinces from the national road user’s tax in 2004, and whose uneven distribution created a uproar among congressmen over the weekend.
“A House investigation was already set next week, especially by the House committee on public works and highways, because many congressmen were angry about this,” Padilla said.
“In fact, some of our colleagues are up in arms because their provinces did not receive even a single centavo from the road user’s tax, while here we (were supposed to) have received more than P1 billion in Cagayan Valley in 2004 and yet we have no idea where the money went,” he said.
“With just the allocation alone, there was already an anomaly,” he added.
Based on Commission on Audit documents, Padilla said Nueva Vizcaya was given P380 million from the national road user’s tax in 2004 for the maintenance of provincial roads.
“But I don’t see any evidence that such an amount was used for the provincial roads of Nueva Vizcaya. If such an amount had been received, then the provincial government would not have so much problem in the maintenance of its local roads,” he said.
He said such was apparently also the case with Isabela and Cagayan where the rest of the more than P1 billion supposedly went.
“If this is true with Cagayan Valley, then possibly the same is true with other areas in the country,” Padilla said.
Padilla said it was important to find out what happened to these funds from the national road user’s tax released in 2004, which was an election year.
“We want to find out where the money went. But I have a feeling that the money may have gone to ghost projects or had been utilized during the 2004 elections,” he said.
Padilla said the “missing” funds were connected with the controversial more than P2 billion in bonuses, which the 70-member secretariat of the Road Users Board gifted themselves with in 2005 and which the Palace is now investigating.
“Whoever utilized the more than P10 billion in government funds intended for road maintenance projects in 2004 would face the consequences,” he said.
Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma said the provincial government never received such a huge amount in 2004 or even up to this time.
“If the P380 million had been allocated for the maintenance of our provincial roads in 2004, that would be more than enough for us and we would not have any problem now in maintaining our provincial roads and that the amount we are allocating to maintain them should have been used for education and other social services,” she said.
For his part, Ronald Reyes, DPWH district engineer here, denied that his office ever received the P380 million.
If such an amount had been allocated, Reyes said its utilization could be confined in the national or regional level.
Padilla vowed to uncover those behind the missing share of Cagayan Valley from the national road user’s tax.
“Those behind the P780-million Jocjoc Bolante scam as well as last year’s P271-million rice fund scam already look like small-time pickpockets compared to those involved in this more than P10-billion road user’s tax scam,” he said.
The road user’s tax, or the motor vehicle user’s charge, was created under Republic Act 8794 in 2001.
It is collected as part of the payment of a motor vehicle owner when he registers his vehicle every year with the Land Transportation Office.
The DPWH secretary chairs the Road Users Board, which manages the funds collected that are supposed to be used for road maintenance. -- CL
Padilla said that based on records received by Congress, the amounts were released to the district offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the region’s three main provinces – Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya – but that there was nothing to show where the money actually went.
Padilla said the P1 billion was just part of the more than P10 billion released by the Arroyo administration to a number of provinces from the national road user’s tax in 2004, and whose uneven distribution created a uproar among congressmen over the weekend.
“A House investigation was already set next week, especially by the House committee on public works and highways, because many congressmen were angry about this,” Padilla said.
“In fact, some of our colleagues are up in arms because their provinces did not receive even a single centavo from the road user’s tax, while here we (were supposed to) have received more than P1 billion in Cagayan Valley in 2004 and yet we have no idea where the money went,” he said.
“With just the allocation alone, there was already an anomaly,” he added.
Based on Commission on Audit documents, Padilla said Nueva Vizcaya was given P380 million from the national road user’s tax in 2004 for the maintenance of provincial roads.
“But I don’t see any evidence that such an amount was used for the provincial roads of Nueva Vizcaya. If such an amount had been received, then the provincial government would not have so much problem in the maintenance of its local roads,” he said.
He said such was apparently also the case with Isabela and Cagayan where the rest of the more than P1 billion supposedly went.
“If this is true with Cagayan Valley, then possibly the same is true with other areas in the country,” Padilla said.
Padilla said it was important to find out what happened to these funds from the national road user’s tax released in 2004, which was an election year.
“We want to find out where the money went. But I have a feeling that the money may have gone to ghost projects or had been utilized during the 2004 elections,” he said.
Padilla said the “missing” funds were connected with the controversial more than P2 billion in bonuses, which the 70-member secretariat of the Road Users Board gifted themselves with in 2005 and which the Palace is now investigating.
“Whoever utilized the more than P10 billion in government funds intended for road maintenance projects in 2004 would face the consequences,” he said.
Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma said the provincial government never received such a huge amount in 2004 or even up to this time.
“If the P380 million had been allocated for the maintenance of our provincial roads in 2004, that would be more than enough for us and we would not have any problem now in maintaining our provincial roads and that the amount we are allocating to maintain them should have been used for education and other social services,” she said.
For his part, Ronald Reyes, DPWH district engineer here, denied that his office ever received the P380 million.
If such an amount had been allocated, Reyes said its utilization could be confined in the national or regional level.
Padilla vowed to uncover those behind the missing share of Cagayan Valley from the national road user’s tax.
“Those behind the P780-million Jocjoc Bolante scam as well as last year’s P271-million rice fund scam already look like small-time pickpockets compared to those involved in this more than P10-billion road user’s tax scam,” he said.
The road user’s tax, or the motor vehicle user’s charge, was created under Republic Act 8794 in 2001.
It is collected as part of the payment of a motor vehicle owner when he registers his vehicle every year with the Land Transportation Office.
The DPWH secretary chairs the Road Users Board, which manages the funds collected that are supposed to be used for road maintenance. -- CL
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Nueva Vizcaya warden suspended
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The warden of the local government-run provincial jail, which has been hounded by reports of illegal drug trade inside its premises, was suspended last week for the alleged questionable release of a drug suspect.
Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma slapped a 30-day preventive suspension against provincial jail warden Benzon Cadiente, who, besides the unauthorized release of an inmate facing illegal drug-related cases, is also now being investigated for other alleged accumulated administrative malpractices since assuming the post in 2004.
The suspension of Cadiente, scion of a prominent political family here, took effect Sept. 8 under Administrative Case No. 58 and 59, pending the investigation over the accusations against him, which also include alleged mishandling of jail funds.
Sources close to the embattled Cadiente, known for his being soft-spoken, opined that politics could be behind his premature suspension as some influential personalities are eyeing another individual to take over the post.
A source close to Cadiente, whom he described as a victim of “power play” inside the jail, also claimed that the warden had already cleared himself of the so-called accumulated violations hurled against him.
According to Manuel Tabora, provincial administrator, Cadiente happened to be on leave due to the death of his mother when the provincial government’s committee on investigation recommended to the governor his suspension. “What we want to stress is that Cadiente had merely been preventively suspended (due to administrative violations), which still have to be proven,” said Tabora, who took over the management of the provincial jail in an acting capacity.
Sources here cited as one reason for Cadiente’s suspension the case of one Garcia who had first been committed for possession of illegal firearms but later allegedly became involved in the peddling and use of illegal drugs inside the jail.
“When the Bayombong municipal trial court requested for the appearance of the detainee, he could not be presented because he had been prematurely released after the dismissal of his illegal firearms case,” the source said.
Ma. Carla Lucia Torralba, provincial human resource management officer, said Cadiente could be reinstated if he would be able to disprove the allegation hurled against him.
The provincial jail, once one of the best managed provincial jails in the country, had been hounded in recent years by allegations of drug dealing inside its premises, laxity of security and unauthorized as well as premature release of inmates. -- CL
Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma slapped a 30-day preventive suspension against provincial jail warden Benzon Cadiente, who, besides the unauthorized release of an inmate facing illegal drug-related cases, is also now being investigated for other alleged accumulated administrative malpractices since assuming the post in 2004.
The suspension of Cadiente, scion of a prominent political family here, took effect Sept. 8 under Administrative Case No. 58 and 59, pending the investigation over the accusations against him, which also include alleged mishandling of jail funds.
Sources close to the embattled Cadiente, known for his being soft-spoken, opined that politics could be behind his premature suspension as some influential personalities are eyeing another individual to take over the post.
A source close to Cadiente, whom he described as a victim of “power play” inside the jail, also claimed that the warden had already cleared himself of the so-called accumulated violations hurled against him.
According to Manuel Tabora, provincial administrator, Cadiente happened to be on leave due to the death of his mother when the provincial government’s committee on investigation recommended to the governor his suspension. “What we want to stress is that Cadiente had merely been preventively suspended (due to administrative violations), which still have to be proven,” said Tabora, who took over the management of the provincial jail in an acting capacity.
Sources here cited as one reason for Cadiente’s suspension the case of one Garcia who had first been committed for possession of illegal firearms but later allegedly became involved in the peddling and use of illegal drugs inside the jail.
“When the Bayombong municipal trial court requested for the appearance of the detainee, he could not be presented because he had been prematurely released after the dismissal of his illegal firearms case,” the source said.
Ma. Carla Lucia Torralba, provincial human resource management officer, said Cadiente could be reinstated if he would be able to disprove the allegation hurled against him.
The provincial jail, once one of the best managed provincial jails in the country, had been hounded in recent years by allegations of drug dealing inside its premises, laxity of security and unauthorized as well as premature release of inmates. -- CL
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Woman trader loses P.1 M to robbers
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – An Ifugao woman trader lost at least P100,000 to still unknown suspects who robbed her in broad daylight in neighoring Solano town, adding to the increasing cases of crimes in the province’s premier commercial district.
In a reports, the robbery victim was identified as Pauline Bogbog, 32, of Lagawe, Ifugao, whose P100,000 she had just withdrawn from a bank in the town’s downtown were taken by the suspects last week.
Besides the cash amount, the suspects also took the victim’s ATM cards, a passbook and other valuable items, including documents.
According to reports, the suspects closely approached their victim at gunpoint just as she was about to ride on a mini-elf truck waiting nearby a police outpost, and quietly announced a holdup.
The motorcycle-riding suspects, one of them reportedly armed with a Cal. 5 pistol, immediately fled toward this capitol town.
Besides other angles, investigators are eyeing a possible inside job in the incident as the robbers appeared to have prior information about the victim’s transaction that day.
The incident was the latest to take place in the province’s city-bound town, which has been put in a bad light due to a spate of crimes in the past months, including the robbery of Solano’s Centro Mall, where the burglars took more than P1 million in cash and valuables. -- CL
In a reports, the robbery victim was identified as Pauline Bogbog, 32, of Lagawe, Ifugao, whose P100,000 she had just withdrawn from a bank in the town’s downtown were taken by the suspects last week.
Besides the cash amount, the suspects also took the victim’s ATM cards, a passbook and other valuable items, including documents.
According to reports, the suspects closely approached their victim at gunpoint just as she was about to ride on a mini-elf truck waiting nearby a police outpost, and quietly announced a holdup.
The motorcycle-riding suspects, one of them reportedly armed with a Cal. 5 pistol, immediately fled toward this capitol town.
Besides other angles, investigators are eyeing a possible inside job in the incident as the robbers appeared to have prior information about the victim’s transaction that day.
The incident was the latest to take place in the province’s city-bound town, which has been put in a bad light due to a spate of crimes in the past months, including the robbery of Solano’s Centro Mall, where the burglars took more than P1 million in cash and valuables. -- CL
MORE NEWS, NUEVA VIZCAYA
‘NPAs using land mines, violation of Geneva pact’
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro accused the communist New People’s Army rebels of still using land mines and child soldiers in its attack on government troops, both of which are in violation of the Geneva Convention.
"They (NPA) are violating the law (Geneva Convention) by utilizing land mines and other (banned) explosives,” said Teodoro, who was in neighboring Lagawe, Ifugao Tuesday as guest of honor during the 63rd anniversary of the surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, chief of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II here, which effectively ended the war in the country.
Teodoro accused the communist rebels of utilizing land mines in their attacks against government troops which, he said, are clear violations of the provisions of the Geneva Convention which ban the use of land mines and other deadly explosives.
The defense chief also scored the NPA for using minors as combatants, which, he said, is also strictly prohibited under international law.
Teodoro said that the communists have shown that their activities are clearly not for the people but only for their own political interest.
“They are unmasking their real motives. They are not really fighting for the people but (for) an alternative political platform with guns and private armies,” he said, adding that the communists here have already lost their attraction as their ideology has failed worldwide.
The fact that they are using banned explosives, he said, indicates that they are losing their battle to establish their own political platform in the country.
Teodoro’s statement was in reiteration of earlier remarks made by President Arroyo during a recent regional peace and security summit in Tuguegarao City during which she stressed that the rebels were engaging in terroristic activities in desperation since they are slowly losing the sympathy of the masses.
She had also earlier commended the Army’s Northern Luzon Command for its outstanding achievements and called on them to totally wipe out the rebels on, or before the end of her term in 2010. -- CL
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro accused the communist New People’s Army rebels of still using land mines and child soldiers in its attack on government troops, both of which are in violation of the Geneva Convention.
"They (NPA) are violating the law (Geneva Convention) by utilizing land mines and other (banned) explosives,” said Teodoro, who was in neighboring Lagawe, Ifugao Tuesday as guest of honor during the 63rd anniversary of the surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, chief of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II here, which effectively ended the war in the country.
Teodoro accused the communist rebels of utilizing land mines in their attacks against government troops which, he said, are clear violations of the provisions of the Geneva Convention which ban the use of land mines and other deadly explosives.
The defense chief also scored the NPA for using minors as combatants, which, he said, is also strictly prohibited under international law.
Teodoro said that the communists have shown that their activities are clearly not for the people but only for their own political interest.
“They are unmasking their real motives. They are not really fighting for the people but (for) an alternative political platform with guns and private armies,” he said, adding that the communists here have already lost their attraction as their ideology has failed worldwide.
The fact that they are using banned explosives, he said, indicates that they are losing their battle to establish their own political platform in the country.
Teodoro’s statement was in reiteration of earlier remarks made by President Arroyo during a recent regional peace and security summit in Tuguegarao City during which she stressed that the rebels were engaging in terroristic activities in desperation since they are slowly losing the sympathy of the masses.
She had also earlier commended the Army’s Northern Luzon Command for its outstanding achievements and called on them to totally wipe out the rebels on, or before the end of her term in 2010. -- CL
Monday, September 8, 2008
8 Vizcaya cops face raps over shooting
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Eight cops manning a multibillion-peso mining project in a remote village here are facing administrative cases in connection with the shooting incident in the area, which resulted in the wounding of one of their colleagues.
Senior Supt. Pedro Danguilan, police provincial director, said administrative charges are being readied against the eight-man police team from the 2nd Regional Mobile Group based in Tuguegarao City, for the shooting incident, which they reportedly instigated in Kasibu town’s gold and copper-rich Didipio village on Aug. 16.
The policemen, Danguilan said, who were assigned in the area to maintain peace and security during the height of tension between pro and anti-mining groups there, were all relieved following the incident.
Investigations, he said, show the cops themselves were the ones behind the shooting after some misunderstandings while reportedly having a drinking spree inside their quarters, which also resulted in the wounding of PO1 Danilo Maquiraya, contrary to earlier reports that armed men have been harassing them.
“Based on the information we gathered, it seemed there was a misunderstanding among them while reportedly having some fun which resulted in the incident,” he said.
“Instead of the residents feeling safe with their (police) presence, they even caused fear and panic among the people in the area,” said Danguilan, whose office sought the relief of the policemen from the area.
The incident came while a House panel is investigating a number of policemen for allegedly detaining a four-man House team out to investigate alleged human rights abuses and environmental violations allegedly committed by Australian firm Oceana Gold Philippines, whom the government had contracted to undertake the $320-million Didipio Gold-Copper Project in the area.
This also came as residents of Didipio, around three hours from this capital, were still reeling from a recent spate of violence there, including the controversial killing of their chieftain, barangay chairman Paul Baguilat, who was shot dead by armed men amid brewing tensions between pro- and anti-mining villagers. -- CL
Senior Supt. Pedro Danguilan, police provincial director, said administrative charges are being readied against the eight-man police team from the 2nd Regional Mobile Group based in Tuguegarao City, for the shooting incident, which they reportedly instigated in Kasibu town’s gold and copper-rich Didipio village on Aug. 16.
The policemen, Danguilan said, who were assigned in the area to maintain peace and security during the height of tension between pro and anti-mining groups there, were all relieved following the incident.
Investigations, he said, show the cops themselves were the ones behind the shooting after some misunderstandings while reportedly having a drinking spree inside their quarters, which also resulted in the wounding of PO1 Danilo Maquiraya, contrary to earlier reports that armed men have been harassing them.
“Based on the information we gathered, it seemed there was a misunderstanding among them while reportedly having some fun which resulted in the incident,” he said.
“Instead of the residents feeling safe with their (police) presence, they even caused fear and panic among the people in the area,” said Danguilan, whose office sought the relief of the policemen from the area.
The incident came while a House panel is investigating a number of policemen for allegedly detaining a four-man House team out to investigate alleged human rights abuses and environmental violations allegedly committed by Australian firm Oceana Gold Philippines, whom the government had contracted to undertake the $320-million Didipio Gold-Copper Project in the area.
This also came as residents of Didipio, around three hours from this capital, were still reeling from a recent spate of violence there, including the controversial killing of their chieftain, barangay chairman Paul Baguilat, who was shot dead by armed men amid brewing tensions between pro- and anti-mining villagers. -- CL
Monday, September 1, 2008
MORE NEWS, NUEVA VIZCAYA
GMA vows P130 M for Vizcaya mountain road
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Indigenous residents from an upland village here can now travel anytime soon through a well-paved mountain highway.
This, after an initial P130 million was committed by the Arroyo administration for improvement of an upland road linking a major vegetable-producing town here to the rest of the province.
Rep. Carlos Padilla said the money would be utilized to improve the Bitnong-Belance road in Dupax del Norte town, which has been suffering from intermittent road closures due to its poor condition.
The project is a major farm-to-market road where much of the vegetable produce, like premium quality squash, broccoli, cabbage and bell peppers, green peas and cauliflower from the mountain areas in the eastern part of the province pass through.
“The improvement of the road will definitely accelerate the development of our mountain areas and surely boost the economy of the province, which is the vegetable bowl of the region,” said Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma.
Padilla said the amount committed by the President would be included in next year’s General Appropriations Act.
President Arroyo, during her visit in Belance, told village folk and local officials she would see to it that the road going to their area would be concreted and completed by the end of her term. – CL
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Indigenous residents from an upland village here can now travel anytime soon through a well-paved mountain highway.
This, after an initial P130 million was committed by the Arroyo administration for improvement of an upland road linking a major vegetable-producing town here to the rest of the province.
Rep. Carlos Padilla said the money would be utilized to improve the Bitnong-Belance road in Dupax del Norte town, which has been suffering from intermittent road closures due to its poor condition.
The project is a major farm-to-market road where much of the vegetable produce, like premium quality squash, broccoli, cabbage and bell peppers, green peas and cauliflower from the mountain areas in the eastern part of the province pass through.
“The improvement of the road will definitely accelerate the development of our mountain areas and surely boost the economy of the province, which is the vegetable bowl of the region,” said Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma.
Padilla said the amount committed by the President would be included in next year’s General Appropriations Act.
President Arroyo, during her visit in Belance, told village folk and local officials she would see to it that the road going to their area would be concreted and completed by the end of her term. – CL
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Bocaps shot dead in Solano, Tabuk
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – A barangay chairman in this premier town was gunned down late night of August 13, the second village chief to be slain in the province in two months and the 10th in the region in the past two years. This, as former village official Manuel Lardizabal of Bulanao Norte in Tabuk City in Kalingta was also shot dead also on Aug. 13, reports said.
Lardizabal reportedly sustained four gunshot wounds from a Cal. 45 pistol.
In Bayombong, Senior Supt. Pedro Danguilan, provincial police director, identified the victim as Rodolfo Teaño, 57, village chief of Tucal, Solano, who was waylaid by at least five men while on his way home from a nephew’s wake at around 10:30 p.m.
Teaño’s killing occurred hours after unidentified men shot dead an Indian businesswoman, Harvender Kaur, 37, in front of the gate of her residence in Barangay Mariano Perez here.
Teaño was immediately rushed to the Medical Mission Group Hospital in Solano town but was declared dead on arrival.
Danguilan cited reports from the Solano police Teaño had at least four gunshot wounds in different parts of the body.
He said his men were putting more emphasis on old grudge and revenge as a possible motive behind Teaño’s killing.
“That is the most likely angle according to our investigation, but we cannot rule out the possibility of politics, the victim being a public official,” he added.
Recovered from the crime scene were five spent shells and a slug from a Cal.45 pistol and the victim’s eyeglasses.
Teaño was the second village chief to be killed in two months in the province. The other victim was Paul Baguilat of the remote mining village of Didipio in Kasibu town.
ENVIRONMENT WATCH
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – This province, considered as Cagayan Valley’s watershed, has been the recipient of a financial aid being provided by the Japan government for watershed protection efforts here.
The P2.6-million grant, issued recently by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a tie-up between a Japanese non-government organization and its Philippine counterpart, would be utilized in support of the province’s forest protection and conservation project dubbed “Promotion of Participatory Forest Management in the Critical Areas of Nueva Vizcaya.”
The Japanese-based NGO, Global Link Management Institute and its local counterpart, the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement have been spearheading the implementation of the project in partnership with the participating local government units and other stakeholders here.
GLMI’s Makiko Watanabe said that the project, covering 32 hectares of watershed and forest areas here, is also being implemented in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Education. The areas covered by the project, formed part of the province’s remaining forests, are in the upland towns of Kasibu, Kayapa, Santa Fe and Dupax Del Sur, where soil erosion is reported to be alarming.
This, Watanabe said, may be replicated in other parts of the province’s watershed areas, depending on their success. What is important during the initial stages, she said, would be to further enhance the capacity of the stakeholders, especially the communities, in fostering a comprehensive and responsible approach to forest land use.
For the project to succeed, Merlinda Calubaquib, PRRM area manager and joint project leader, said that there is a need to achieve sustainable forest management through secure land tenure, fair application of environmental laws and devolution and training of the functions of protecting the environment to the barangay level.
Task force to decide landfill site selection
BAGUIO CITY – A task force to study the offers and decide on the final site of the planned engineered sanitary landfill for the city will be formed by the city mayor soon. City administrator Peter Fianza whom Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. tasked to oversee the garbage management concerns announced that the city executive will create the body which he said is expected to first and foremost decide on setting a timetable for the selection process starting with imposing the cut-off date for receiving offers for possible sites.
He said the task force will assess and investigate all the offered sites, implement a selection process based on the guidelines and point systems established by the Solid Waste Management Board and select the most appropriate site. The result of the selection will be submitted to the city council for confirmation.
Fianza said the city has received 20 additional offers for possible landfill sites.
He said they expect the whole process of selection and approval on the sides of both parties to take not less than a year. The establishment of the sanitary landfill has been identified as a long-term solution to the city’s waste management problem.
While it is being worked out, the city is also implementing remedial measures like the purchase of equipment like smelting machines and pulverizers, establishment of materials recovery facilities in the barangays and improvement of the existing composting plant at the Irisan dumpsite. To complement this, the city continues to promote the 3Rs (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) among households. Acting Mayor Daniel Farinas said the collection of wastes continues as scheduled every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the hauling still being conducted by Metro Waste and local contractors.
Farinas said the city mayor acted in good faith in tapping the services of Metro Waste without undergoing the process of entering into a contract and other procedures required by the law because it was done in response to the exigency of the situation at that time.
Reacting to some councilors’ criticism of Metro Waste’s enlistment, Farinas said city officials must concentrate on the need to find solution to the problem instead of finding fault. He expressed confidence that remedies can still be made for the city to compensate Metro Waste for its services despite problems in the approval of the budget for said purpose.
He said that for as long as the service rendered was for the benefit of the people, legal remedies can always be resorted to by the city to justify payment to the service provider. Efforts to initially pay Metro Waste faced a snag after the ordinance allocating P10 million for the payment of its services for the first part of July was returned unsigned by the city mayor due to procedural lapse. Another request for the payment of obligation to Metro Waste for the last part of July was denied by the body. The body on motion of Councilor Richard Carino also called for an investigation of the Metro Waste deal after allegedly receiving information that the tipping fee being charged was doubled.
The body however approved the allocation of another P10 million for the continuation of hauling services for the month of August. In other moves, the body also approved the allotment of P15 million for the development of the city government property in Irisan as temporary garbage residual containment area and another P7.4 million for the acquisition or lease of a lot for a permanent residual site. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Vizcaya gov, others face raps for 'stalling' mining project
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya -- Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma and several other government officials were charged before the Ombudsman for stopping the Didipio Gold Copper Project of Australian mining firm OceanaGold in Nueva Vizcaya.
Also facing grave coercion, violations of the Graft and Corrupt practices act and the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (RA 7942) with the governor are board members Edu Balgos, Francisco Tolentino and Danny Ramos of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Senior Insp. Iringan of the PNP-Nueva Vizcaya, other police personnel and provincial guards, who for several occasions allegedly caused irreparable damage and delay of the operation of the mining firm.
OceanaGold, holder of one of the first two approved Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) in the country, stands to lose $65,000 for every day of delay, said retired Col. Gil Maglanque, assistant general manager of OceanaGold who filed their complaint last month at the Ombudsman.
The Didipio Gold Copper Project was halted by Cuaresma’s Nov. 2007 and April 9, 2008 “cease and desist orders,” which OceanaGold claims are patently illegal and lacks legal basis.
On Nov. 23 last year, Cuaresma stopped OceanaGold’s earth-moving work insisting it has been quarrying a river without sand and gravel permits from the provincial government.
OceanaGold, said Maglanque, was then extracting sand and gravel for exclusive use in its operations “but the governor issued the CDO without issuing them any tax assessment for such alleged quarrying and without any proof that their firm has not paid assessment.”
Maglanque added, “She issued the CDO without filing appropriate tax collection suit with the appropriate court as provided by the Local Government Code. We tried to clarify that we were lawfully conducting quarrying activities without permit pursuant to clause 13.4 (g) of the FTAA and section 48 of the Mining Act of 1995.”
“And despite replacing our quarrying contractor in December who applied for permits from the provincial government, Cuaresma again issued another CDO in April this year “without indicating any basis.” “She did not again issue any tax assessment and proof that we have not paid any tax.”
On April 24, after OceanaGold sought DENR Secretary Jose Atienza’s opinion in the impasse, the latter wrote the governor explaining that “as FTAA contractor, (OceanaGold) had the right to extract materials within the FTAA area without the need of a permit.”
But again, on May 1, also this year, the Nueva Vizcaya PENRO reportedly attempted to serve another CDO but was refused by Oceana Gold insisting there was no legal basis.
Again on May 6, Cuaresma, Vice Gov. Jose Gambito, Balgos and all heads of offices of the provincial government went to the mining site to stop it, although on May 11, upon getting clearances from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and DENR, the firm resumed operations.
The next day however, the governor and her group allegedly with fully armed men and policemen aboard a convoy of vehicles “forcibly entered by threatening and intimidating the armed guards.” Two days later, Nueva Vizcaya PENRO officials with armed provincial guards and policemen entered the project site without permission from the mining firm.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
MORE NEWS, NUEVA VIZCAYA
Couple, owners of drug store latest victims : shop condemns rash of murders in Vizcaya
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena, one of the country’s most outspoken church officials, denounced the rash of killings in this usually peaceful province. “We abhor these violent killings in the strongest possible terms.
What is happening to our province? Villena said in visible anger. “We call on authorities to extend justice to these killings.”
Villena said this last week as he delivered eulogy at the St. Louis Parish Church for Joel Corpuz, 43, and his wife, Cristeta, 42, who were gunned down here on the night of July 5.
The couple, who left four young children, was buried Monday.
The church was filled with thousands of mourners who also condemned the “senseless” killing of the Corpuz couple, who owned the CV Drug Store here.
Police are still clueless on the killing although they earlier suspected robbery a possible motive.
Chief Insp. Corazon Valencia, town police chief, said Corpuz, brother-in-law of Vice Mayor Alberto Bumolo of Kasibu town, and his wife were robbed of their day’s earnings and shot dead by at least two gunmen as they got near their residence on board an owner-type jeep last July 5.
Police said the Corpuzes died from several bullet wounds in the head and body.
The couple’s killing came days after a mayor of a neighboring town and his lawyer-brother barely survived an assassination attempt.
Authorities have yet to name those behind last month’s killing of the barangay chairman of a mining village in Kasibu town, and the dumping here of the remains of an Indian national believed to have been tortured to death after his family failed to raise ransom money for his abductors. – CL
Sunday, July 13, 2008
FRONT PAGE
Ex-Ecija bocap killed in ambush
By Liam Anacleto
CABANATUAN CITY – A former three-term barangay chairman was killed in an ambush here Thursday morning by two motorcycle-riding men who took advantage of the absence of police checkpoints.
Senior Supt. Napoleon Taas, provincial police director, said the victim, Melencio Martinez, 50, former chairman of Barangay Bangad this city, was riding his motorcycle from Barangay Lourdes when he was shot with Cal. 45 pistols around 9:20 a.m.
Taas said Martinez had received death threats, adding ambushers timed the attack when police checkpoints were not in operation. Martinez was reportedly allied with the Josons’ Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) party.
His successor, Manny Islaya, is a known supporter of Mayor Alvin Vergara. Supt. Eliseo Cruz, Cabanatuan City police chief, said they are still looking into different angles in Martinez’s ambush-slay.
MORE NEWS, NUEVA VIZCAYA
UK execs bullish on Vizcaya mine venture despite standoff
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Executives of a London-based mining company remain bullish on their prospects in this mineral-rich province where they are undertaking exploration work despite the ongoing standoff between the provincial government and another foreign mining firm.
Executives of Metals Exploration, British parent company of MTL Philippines, said they are even more positive about their exploration project in Runruno, Quezon town, saying their findings during their on-site inspection were “highly encouraging” and bid well for the possible start of commercial mining operations in the near future.
Jonathan Beardsworth, Metex chief executive officer, said this positive development could in a way downplay the ongoing “crisis” between the province and OceanaGold Philippines in Didipio village in Kasibu town. Beardsworth, however said he believes investors would in the end consider the problems in Didipio as case-specific rather than having an effect on the entire mining industry in the country.
“We find the Philippines a very suitable place for the mining business since the people are friendly, the government is a democracy and follows the rule of law, which is not common in some places where the mining industry operates. We are definitely bullish on our investments in this area,” he said.
The standoff between the provincial government and OceanaGold, contracted by the national government to manage its Didipio venture, the region’s first large-scale mining project now on its construction phase, stemmed from the refusal of the company to pay quarry fees and taxes to the province.
Like Runruno, Barangay Didipio is a remote, mineral-rich village where the national government and OceanaGold’s P117-million project is located. “As a whole, the industry considers the country as a very positive site for mining investment,” Beardsworth said, adding they consider the Mining Act of 1995 an excellent piece of legislation that meets the international standards of the mining industry.
He said they are closely watching the developments in Didipio so they would know what to do in case their project here, particularly in Runruno, would reach the stage of development as that of the Didipio gold-copper project.
Beardsworth, however, refused to make further comment on the issue, saying they might not be able to give a constructive view as OceanaGold and their company belong to the same sector.
“It is difficult to comment on the matter, since we are also from the mining industry. Our statements might be misconstrued by our competitors,” said Beardsworth, who, along with three other Metex executives, were recently here to monitor progress of their company’s ongoing multimillion-peso exploration work in Runruno.
Besides the Runruno project, MTL, also known as FCF Minerals, was recently granted two more exploration permits by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau covering 14,000 hectares in the towns of Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag and Dupax del Norte.
The Quezon municipal government led by Mayor Aurelio Salunat has endorsed the new exploration activities of MTL and the eventual conversion of its exploration work in Runruno to the commercial phase. -- CL
Thursday, July 10, 2008
MORE NEWS, NUEVA VIZCAYA
UK execs bullish on Vizcaya mine venture despite standoff
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Executives of a London-based mining company remain bullish on their prospects in this mineral-rich province where they are undertaking exploration work despite the ongoing standoff between the provincial government and another foreign mining firm.
Executives of Metals Exploration, British parent company of MTL Philippines, said they are even more positive about their exploration project in Runruno, Quezon town, saying their findings during their on-site inspection were “highly encouraging” and bid well for the possible start of commercial mining operations in the near future.
Jonathan Beardsworth, Metex chief executive officer, said this positive development could in a way downplay the ongoing “crisis” between the province and OceanaGold Philippines in Didipio village in Kasibu town.
Beardsworth, however said he believes investors would in the end consider the problems in Didipio as case-specific rather than having an effect on the entire mining industry in the country.
“We find the Philippines a very suitable place for the mining business since the people are friendly, the government is a democracy and follows the rule of law, which is not common in some places where the mining industry operates. We are definitely bullish on our investments in this area,” he said.
The standoff between the provincial government and OceanaGold, contracted by the national government to manage its Didipio venture, the region’s first large-scale mining project now on its construction phase, stemmed from the refusal of the company to pay quarry fees and taxes to the province.
Like Runruno, Barangay Didipio is a remote, mineral-rich village where the national government and OceanaGold’s P117-million project is located.
“As a whole, the industry considers the country as a very positive site for mining investment,” Beardsworth said, adding they consider the Mining Act of 1995 an excellent piece of legislation that meets the international standards of the mining industry.
He said they are closely watching the developments in Didipio so they would know what to do in case their project here, particularly in Runruno, would reach the stage of development as that of the Didipio gold-copper project.
Beardsworth, however, refused to make further comment on the issue, saying they might not be able to give a constructive view as OceanaGold and their company belong to the same sector.
“It is difficult to comment on the matter, since we are also from the mining industry. Our statements might be misconstrued by our competitors,” said Beardsworth, who, along with three other Metex executives, were recently here to monitor progress of their company’s ongoing multimillion-peso exploration work in Runruno.
Besides the Runruno project, MTL, also known as FCF Minerals, was recently granted two more exploration permits by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau covering 14,000 hectares in the towns of Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag and Dupax del Norte.
The Quezon municipal government led by Mayor Aurelio Salunat has endorsed the new exploration activities of MTL and the eventual conversion of its exploration work in Runruno to the commercial phase. -- CL
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – Executives of a London-based mining company remain bullish on their prospects in this mineral-rich province where they are undertaking exploration work despite the ongoing standoff between the provincial government and another foreign mining firm.
Executives of Metals Exploration, British parent company of MTL Philippines, said they are even more positive about their exploration project in Runruno, Quezon town, saying their findings during their on-site inspection were “highly encouraging” and bid well for the possible start of commercial mining operations in the near future.
Jonathan Beardsworth, Metex chief executive officer, said this positive development could in a way downplay the ongoing “crisis” between the province and OceanaGold Philippines in Didipio village in Kasibu town.
Beardsworth, however said he believes investors would in the end consider the problems in Didipio as case-specific rather than having an effect on the entire mining industry in the country.
“We find the Philippines a very suitable place for the mining business since the people are friendly, the government is a democracy and follows the rule of law, which is not common in some places where the mining industry operates. We are definitely bullish on our investments in this area,” he said.
The standoff between the provincial government and OceanaGold, contracted by the national government to manage its Didipio venture, the region’s first large-scale mining project now on its construction phase, stemmed from the refusal of the company to pay quarry fees and taxes to the province.
Like Runruno, Barangay Didipio is a remote, mineral-rich village where the national government and OceanaGold’s P117-million project is located.
“As a whole, the industry considers the country as a very positive site for mining investment,” Beardsworth said, adding they consider the Mining Act of 1995 an excellent piece of legislation that meets the international standards of the mining industry.
He said they are closely watching the developments in Didipio so they would know what to do in case their project here, particularly in Runruno, would reach the stage of development as that of the Didipio gold-copper project.
Beardsworth, however, refused to make further comment on the issue, saying they might not be able to give a constructive view as OceanaGold and their company belong to the same sector.
“It is difficult to comment on the matter, since we are also from the mining industry. Our statements might be misconstrued by our competitors,” said Beardsworth, who, along with three other Metex executives, were recently here to monitor progress of their company’s ongoing multimillion-peso exploration work in Runruno.
Besides the Runruno project, MTL, also known as FCF Minerals, was recently granted two more exploration permits by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau covering 14,000 hectares in the towns of Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag and Dupax del Norte.
The Quezon municipal government led by Mayor Aurelio Salunat has endorsed the new exploration activities of MTL and the eventual conversion of its exploration work in Runruno to the commercial phase. -- CL
Monday, June 30, 2008
Mine stops operations; Vizcayans urge GMA: Cancel explore permit
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Thousands of anti-mining advocates urged President Arroyo Thursday to revoke the exploration permit granted to a mining firm here.
This, as Australian owners of the national government-backed multibillion-peso Didipio mining project of OceanaGold Philippines in this province announced a self-imposed suspension of operations.
Didipio Project Manager Jake Foronda said suspension may last two to eight weeks for adjustments and place the pre-requisites in proper positions to prevent disruption of operations.
"Suspending the construction phase is one step backward for us to double check and do necessary reconditioning of our ‘vehicle’ to assure smooth sailing before we go back to the launching pad," Foronda told its employees. The anti-mining advocates, led by the Catholic Church, presented their stand to Gov. Luisa Cuaresma and members of the sangguniang panlalawigan during a rally Wednesday at the provincial capitol here.
"We firmly believe that the mining company had suspended its operation because it knew it has many lapses in its operation and is remiss in its obligation to the local government," a leader of the anti-mining group said. The impasse between the provincial government and the company came about when the latter refused to pay quarry fees.
It argued that its financial and technical assistance agreement (FTAA) with the national government exempted it from paying the fees. This prompted Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma to issue a cease-and-desist order stopping the firm’s quarrying activities.
But this was countered by a return-to-work order issued by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Joselito Atienza. The impasse was aggravated by the filing by the company of charges for graft and corruption, grave coercion and abuse of authority with the Ombudsman against Cuaresma. OceanaGold Philippines said the move was to enable it to evaluate its position on issues that have affected its operation, which is now in the construction stage.
The unilateral stoppage, which started last week, was done upon the orders of the firm’s Australian-based parent company Oceana Gold Ltd., said to be the world’s second largest mining company.
An executive of the mining firm said "this (suspension of operations), in a way, will also show to the provincial government that we in the company are willing to work for a return to harmonious relations which we had before this problem broke out. We are doing this out of respect for the provincial government."
However, the executive clarified that the stoppage did not mean the firm is giving up its Didipio project. Sources on both sides said reason should prevail in the efforts to resolve the standoff between the provincial government and the mining firm in connection with the issue over quarrying fees and provincial taxes.
Foronda said suspension of major construction works does not have anything to do with the demand of the anti-mining advocates to stop the large-scale mining projects in the province.
"We are just like any other businesses allowed by the (national) government to operate. While majority welcomes us, some may hate us too, but this does not mean that we should close shop for as long as we abide the mining law and our FTAA contract with the government," Foronda said.
Except the workers involved in the construction activities, the regular administrative and corporate social responsibility (CSR) division will be kept to deliver regular services.
OceanaGold community partnership manager Arnel Arrojo said while construction division is idle, his team will take the opportunity to strengthen partnership sustainability in the mining village.
"Jamilla will be responsible for the development and management of OceanaGold’s community partnership and sustainable development initiatives in the Philippines and New Zealand business units of the company," Foronda said. -- CP
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Mine firm files charges vs Vizcaya governor, 4 others
KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya -- OceanaGold Philippines Inc., the world’s third largest mining company, has filed grave coercion, graft and corruption and harassment cases against Nueva Viscaya Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma along with four other provincial officials with the Office of the Ombudsman.
OceanaGold is a Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) contractor for the Philippine government in Barangay Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya gold-copper mining project with an estimated annual production of 227,000 gold equivalent ounces (at A$-$500/oz and Cu=$D1.90/LB).
In its 67-page criminal complaint affidavit, OceanaGold named Cuaresma, Board member Edu Balgos, Nueva Vizcaya Senior Police Insp. Iringan, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officials Francisco Tolentino and Danny Ramos respondents in the grave coercion, graft and harassment cases. OGPI general manager Gil Maglaque said in their complaint that Cuaresma’s Nov. 23, 2007 and April 9, 2008 cease and desist orders caused undue delay and injury to the P150 million mining project of the Philippine government.
The top provincial official’s May 12, 2008 forcible entry into the project area and Cuaresma’s unlawful order on OceanaGold to pay quarry taxes amounting to about P28 million smacks on graft, and an act unbecoming and enough ground for them to file the case.
Balgos was quoted in the complaint as saying “Pasensiya na, trabaho lang.” and “Ang Oceana kasi hindi inayos si Gov, kung binayaran, ‘di na sana tayo hahantong sa ganito.” Only recently, OceanaGold, whose president Stephen Orr assured President Arroyo in their meeting in New Zealand in May 2007 that his company is committed to developing a mining industry based on international corporate social responsibility best practice, got a 60-day temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals against Cuaresma’s CDO.
“OceanaGold is dedicated to the highest environmental standards. We will continue to work directly with local communities and the relevant government and regulatory authorities to ensure the Didipio project delivers social, economic and development opportunities,” Orr assured President Arroyo then.
Cuaresma issued the two CDOs on OceanaGold’s failure to settle quarry taxes on its earth-moving preparatory works worth P28 million but Maglaque countered in their complaint with the Ombudsman that the governor issued the CDOs without first issuing any tax assessment or any proof that “OceanaGold had not paid the assessment and neither she nor any tax collection suit filed” .
As FTAA contractor OceanaGold has the right to extract materials within the FTAA area and under the Mining Act rules and regulations and the ongoing activities could not be categorized as “quarrying” and more so, not taxable.
And as such, Cuaresma and the other respondents may have violated Section 3 of RA 3019 or the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Maglaque said. Meanwhile, Cuaresma is ready to answer raps filed against her by a foreign-owned mining firm which she slapped a cease-and-desist order for disregarding a collection order for quarry fees and provincial taxes being levied by the province.
According to Rachel Magday-Itchon, executive assistant of Cuaresma, who is now on official travel to the United States, this is what the governor has been waiting for to clear her name from whatever accusations have been levied against her.
“She is more than willing to face the charges in court, especially so, since she believed in the justness of what she is fighting for, which is for the interest of the provincial government and the Novo Vizcayanos,” Itchon said.
Itchon, in a statement for the governor, said: “Gov. Cuaresma also wishes to assure her constituents to remain calm at this new challenge from a foreign firm that wishes to dominate the affairs of a part of her province in total disregard of the interests of Nueva Vizcaya. She is more than willing to face these charges before the Ombudsman and believes in the justness of her position.” – With CL
June verdict set for Campbell slay case
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya – The Banaue, Ifugao regional trial court is set to come out with its decision on the murder of US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell in April last year. Judge Ester Piscoso-Flor said here all has been set for the verdict on Juan Donald Duntugan, the self-confessed killer of Campbell on June 30.
“What I can only say is that barring any unforeseen events like force majeure or sudden illness of any party including myself, we will be having the decision read to the public by June 30,” Flor said.
Duntugan, a native of La Trinidad, Benguet, admitted to killing the American but his lawyers are hoping he would get a lighter sentence of a maximum 20 years considering his admission before the court.
“In any case, whatever the verdict, Duntugan will ultimately be sent to the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City,” Flor said.
Despite the admission, the prosecution pushed for a life term for Duntugan, pointing out the brutality of the killing of Campbell. Campbell’s body, which was in an advanced stage of decomposition, was found buried near a footpath of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces in Batad village on April 16. Authorities noted the body was buried in a shallow grave, indicating foul play.
On the other hand, the defense lawyers argued Duntugan made the confession before and during the trial, which could merit a mitigating circumstance that would lower the sentence to homicide. The lawyers argued there was no murder since Duntugan had no intention to kill Campbell, and that he had merely mistook her for a neighbor against whom he had a grudge. -- CL
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