City council approves amnesty for delinquent real property taxpayers

BAGUIO CITY – The city council approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance extending the grant of amnesty or relief on penalties, fines, surcharges, interests or arrears to delinquent real property taxpayers in the city.

            The ordinance authored by Councilors Faustino Olowan and Benny Bomogao stated that a general tax amnesty will be granted to taxpayers in the city who are delinquent in the payment of their real property taxes as of the end of last year.

            The grant of the amnesty to real property taxpayers shall likewise include those properties which are undeclared and subject to taxes; those properties which are declared but the real property taxes have not yet been paid; those properties included in public auction conducted by the local government but have not yet been purchased by private persons or entities; property owners with pending cases in court whose ownership are in question and properties sold through public auction whose ownership has not been officially transferred due to non-issuance of final bill of sale by the local government.

            The ordinance stipulated that the prescribed period or duration of the tax amnesty shall be for a period of six months and shall take effect from the approval of the measure.

            Under the proposal, all fines, surcharges, interests or arrears, if any, shall be condoned only upon settlement of real property taxes if paid within the prescribed period; payments of real property taxes under the measure shall be made either in cash or instalment basis, provided, that it will be paid during the amnesty period as fixed in the measure and applied as of December 31, 2017; only after said delinquencies are settled may tax payments be credited to the current period and thereafter, no further tax amnesty shall be granted after the expiration of the existing amnesty.

            The ordinance added that no public auction of real properties due to non-payment of tax delinquencies will be held and initiated by the local government  during the amnesty period and real properties with delinquent taxes attached after the expiration of the amnesty period shall be offered for sale in a public auction to the highest bidder for the sole purpose of satisfying payment of accumulated delinquent taxes with the corresponding penalties, arrearages, surcharges and interests pursuant to existing laws and ordinances.

            The ordinance disclosed the application of amnesty shall be filed with the City Treasury Office on a prescribed form.

            Further, the City Treasury Office shall be responsible in the preparation and processing of any compromise agreement, together with the corresponding related documents, by and between the taxpayers and the City Mayor for and in behalf of the local government and any breach in the compromise agreement on the payments under instalment basis or should any instalment not paid on its due date, the total unpaid balance of the delinquent real property taxes and the entire amount of penalties shall become automatically due and demandable and shall be enforced in accordance with law.

            The ordinance underscored that taxes are the lifeblood of the government and without revenue raised from taxation, the government will hardly be able to fulfil its mandate and without taxes, the government, which is expected to respond in the form of tangible or intangible benefits intended to improve the lives of the people, will not be able to do so. -- Dexter A. See

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Negative projection of Baguio during Typhoon Ompong

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan lashed out at a number of individuals and media outfits who projected a negative perception of Baguio City during the onslaught of Supertyphoon Ompong, saying that such negative projections caused panic among people based in other parts of the global village who are concerned about anything happening in the city.

The city chief executive said the posted photos of flooding in the city does not reflect the overall situation in other parts of the Summer Capital as flooding only happened along some portions of Harrison Road and in the Burnham Lake area, the latter having overflowed its banks due to the accumulation of water from the heavy rainfall that prevailed over the city and the whole region when the weather disturbance passed over the city.

“Our soil was still saturated because of the continuous monsoon rains that prevailed over the city last month aggravated by the heavy rains that prevailed over the city at the height of the tropical cyclone that caused the numerous landslide resulting to the untimely death of ten persons,” Domogan stressed.

Last month, the local office of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded over 1.600 milliliters of rainfall, nearly double that of the projected average of 905 milliliters of rainfall for the month.

From September 10-16, 2018, the recorded rainfall was 920 milliliters which was way above the projected 576 milliliters of rainfall. On September 15, 2018 alone when Supertyphoon Ompong hovered over most parts of Northern Luzon, including Baguio City, the recorded rainfall was 760 milliliters which was too much for the holding capacity of the city’s soil and rock formations.

Domogan said the amount of rainfall that fell on the city at the height of the weather disturbance was too much and the areas where the landslides occurred were not actually landslide-prone areas.

He said the local government implemented pre-emptive evacuation in identified critical areas of the city but the areas where the landslide transpired were not previously identified as landslide-prone.

On flooding along portions of Harrison road and the overflowing of the Burnham lake, he said floodwaters immediately subsided even if the city’s drainage system can no longer handle the huge volume of water from the heavy rainfall that day, thus, it is unfair for certain individuals and media outfits to project a negative image of the city which does not reflect the overall situation in the different parts of the city where the situation was actually normal as expected with that kind of weather disturbance.

Based on records from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, eight of the 10 fatalities were victims of landslides in the different parts of the city while one of them was hit by a falling tree and the other was carried away by the strong water current in a creek near their place.

Domogan said right after the typhoon left the city, life in the city was back to normal despite the damages in some parts of the city.

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Alvarado pushes federalism, says it can solve flooding in Bulacan

By Freddie Velez

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — “As long as our country is in the unitary form of government, we are not going to progress, so we should support the federal form of government that is being pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte.”

               In these words, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado spelled out his strong support for federalism as the key for strengthening local governments and allowing them to deliver their respective areas to progress.

Alvarado cited the problem of flooding in Bulacan and the solution promised by the creation of mini dams in Nueva Ecija and Candaba swamp to prevent backflooding through the coastal areas.

“Under the federal form of government hindi na kailangan pang ipaalam sa itaas ang mahalagang proyekto tulad ng pagpapagawa ng mini dams ng taga Nueva Ecija at Pampanga sa Candaba dahil kaya na nilang magdesisyon para sa kapakanan ng lalawigan at mamamayan (there would be no need to have projects like mini dams for Nueva Ecija and Candaba, Pampanga approved by the national government because these may be decided by the provincial government for its people),” he said.

He said, while currently being under the presidential unitary form of government, the decision will be coming from the national government and provinces and localities will only be receivers of big-ticket projects.

“We can only propose because we are under a presidential unitary system. Decisions will be coming from the national government and will pass through Congress,” he explained.

Under a federal set-up, Alvarado believes proposals from the local government can be acted on by the local government in order to have them implemented. “We are the ones who do the job so it’s easier to solve the problems below,” he said.

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Anti-profanity law in Baguio okayed

BAGUIO CITY – The city council approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance instituting an anti-profanity ordinance in all schools, computer shops and other business establishments frequented by children, high school or college students in the city.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Lilia A. Fariñas stated profanity refers to blasphemous or obscene language, irregular or irreverent speech or action, expletive, oath, swearing, swearword, coarse, cussword, profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger.

               Anti-profanity would mean acts or measures to counter and prohibit the practice of profanity, or the use of obscene language.

The ordinance declared that all schools in all levels, whether pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, high school, college and universities and business establishments such as, but not limited to, computer shops and other places frequented by children and students in the city are prohibited from cursing, cussing, expressing insults, whether directly or indirectly, to anyone or using profane and foul language as a means of expression, or as a manifestation of anger, surprise, disgust, or any other form of extreme emotion that yields to such expressions of profanity.

The proposal said it has been observed nowadays that cursing has become a normal practice in common places everywhere that even children seem to have even accepted the habit as a customary routine in the society, oblivious of the repercussions that it may result to.

The proponent claimed the revolting habit can be observed most often in computer shops where children of different ages play games, especially those that engage in war games and feudal battles which cause them to insult each other with indecent and profane language, as if it were okay to do so, and especially because their parents or guardians are not present to correct their actions.

According to her, this habit of cursing has not only been confined to such places, but has already penetrated the schools and educational system, business establishments, and the society as a whole, that even the very fabric of morals and human decency has deteriorated to such a degree that it has to be prevented before the damage would become irreparable.

She said legislation was necessary to imbue a legacy towards the preservation of the morals of the people and the Filipino youth, not only in the observance of the national children’s month but as an everyday advocacy, to preserve the identity of the Filipinos as a decent and ethically upright people.

The ordinance requires all schools, whether public or private, to include in their educational system, particularly in their constitution and by-laws, code of conduct, or rules and regulations, that profane language and all its attributes are strictly prohibited while school administrators and teachers will be tasked to install signs and signages in their classrooms, and in noticeable places to announce the observance of the anti-profanity ordinance.

               Schools shall provide the necessary penalties, graduated accordingly to the extent they may deem necessary, and shall be consistent with the limitations on penalties as provided for by the Constitution, the Juvenile Justice Act and all other related laws and statutes that may govern the specific age group in the particular case concerned. – Dexter A. See 

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Du30’s Honeylet brings relief goods to Benguet victims

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – Around 3,000 Benguet residents from various towns were each given P3,000-worth of relief goods on Tuesday from Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, the common-law wife of President Duterte.

Avanceña met families who suffered the devastation wrought by Typhoon “Ompong” at the Benguet Sports Complex.

The facility was packed with about 3,000 people, some of them farmers who were told they would be receiving seed capital.

The media were kept away from the program.

Ompong blew through the province on Sept. 15 with strong rains and wind, destroying P172 million worth of high-value crops and P2-million worth of heirloom rice, eroding P2-million worth of farms, and damaging P5-million worth of greenhouses and irrigation facilities.

The typhoon also killed 87 Benguet residents, 82 of them killed by landslides in Itogon town. 

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Ex-gov’t employee nabbed for rape after 14 years

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – A former city government employee tagged in a rape case was arrested Wednesday, after 14 years in hiding.

Supt. John Guiagui, city police chief, identified the suspect as Frederick Ordoño Balanon, 43, considered the city’s second most wanted fugitive.

The arrest was coordinated with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Soccsksargen region.

Balanon ,a former City Engineering Office employee from 1999 to 2003 and a resident of Barangay Sevilla and Cabarsican, here, went into hiding in Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani since 2004.

Guiagui said Balanon was nabbed when the Sultan Kudarat police informed them that he was a spotted in Purok 5, Barangay Old Poblacion, Maitum, Sarangani Province.

He was taken into custody by the Maitum police through a standing warrant of arrest which was issued on August 27, 2013 in San Fernando City. -- Erwin Beleo

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Portions of roads in CAR, Pampanga still impassable

Some sections of eight roads in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region 3 have remained impassable as of Wednesday noon, almost two weeks after typhoon “Ompong” hit these regions.

               In an advisory, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced that the eight closed road sections in the two regions were still closed to traffic due to landslide, collapsed road, damaged slope protection, road slip and flooding.

One of the major roads leading to Baguio, Kennon Road, was still closed.

Two sections of Baguio-Bontoc Road — Busa and Tiging sections — were also closed.

Five sections of Baguio-Bua-Itogon Road located in Barangay Ucab and Barangay Poblacion in Itogon, Benguet were still impassable.

A section of Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-Bakun Road in Bagtangan, Gambang, Bakun, Benguet also remained impassable.

The Nagparan section of the Abra-Ilocos Norte Road, a section of Apayao – Ilocos Norte Road, one section of Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road, and Bomba Bridge in Baliwag – Candaba – Sta. Ana Road in Pampanga were still closed to traffic.

Over the past two weeks, a total of 77 roads that were closed due to Typhoon Ompong and effects of Habagat have been cleared, according to the department.

Meanwhile, damaged to infrastructure caused by typhoon “Ompong” has reached P6.948 billion as of Wednesday.

The recorded partial cost of damage to infrastructure was combined from P1.539-billion damage to roads, P52-million damage to bridges, P5.278-billion to flood control structures, and P78.30 million to public buildings.

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Pangasinan soon to be ‘insurgency-free’

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Officers of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division and officials of the provincial government of Pangasinan convened Monday at the Provincial Capitol here and agreed in an assessment here the province will soon be declared “insurgency-free.”

On June 13, a joint recommendation between the Army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade and the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office  was signed, endorsing Pangasinan to be declared as “insurgency Free”.

A requirement prior to the declaration of Pangasinan as “insurgency free” is a pronouncement of the Area Clearing Evaluation Board (ACEB) that the province is “cleared” of local terrorist groups (LTGs) and the Communist NPA terrorists (CNTs).

Major Ericson C. Bulosan, acting chief of Northern Luzon Command (NoLCom) public information office, said the main agenda of the ACEB meeting is to evaluate the area clearing conducted by the Area Clearing Evaluation Team (ACET) based on given parameters that qualifies an area to be “insurgency free.”

Leading the 7th ID group during the meeting was Brigadier General Lenard T. Agustin, while representing the province of Pangasinan was Pangasinan Gov. Amado I. Espino III, who is also the ACEB chairman.

“It is hoped that before the year ends, Pangsinan will finally be declared as “insurgency free,” Bulosan said.

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POLICE ROUNDUP

Laborer rapes stepdaughter

LUNA, Apayao – A case for multiple rape was prepared against a laborer here last week for allegedly raping his stepdaughter, a minor.

The 14-year-old victim told police Monday the illegal acts were done by her stepfather identified as Mario Valdez Ulita, 42, married from April 9 to July 30 at their home in Purok Mabuhay, Barangay Dagupan.

Investigation disclosed that at around 1 p.m. of April 9, while the victim was inside her room after taking a bath, the suspect suddenly entered her room and forcibly removed her clothes. The victim resisted but still the suspect held her, threatened to kill her and raped her. After which, he carried her to her room and raped her again.

The victim never revealed the incident to her mother because she was afraid that her stepfather might kill them. But when she visited her grandmother on Oct. 1 at Barangay Lucban, Abulug, Cagayan, the victim revealed the incidents.

She was brought to Far North Luzon General Hospital for physical and medical examination and subsequently referred to the MSWD Office. 

Operator pinned by payloader dies

EHEB, Ifugao -- A payloader fell into a ravine resulted in the death of its operator here in Barangay Eheb early last week.

Police said Jeffrey Bayawa, 47, was clearing the debris left by Typhoon Ompong on the slope of the mountain when the ground collapsed, causing the equipment to roll down the ravine.

Rescuers had a hard time retrieving Bayawa’s body as he was pinned under the payloader.

Laborer, 63, molests daughter in law

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao – A 63-year-old laborer is now the object of a manhunt by police after his daughter in law told police he tried to molest her at their home here in Barangay Bangbang. 

Complainant Kate Pulao Dupingay, 23, with her husband reported to police that Ruben Calingayan Dupingay, whowas living with the couple committed acts of lasciviousness against Ms Dupingay.

Ms Dupongay told police that at around 8:30 p.m. of Sept, while they were sleeping together with her three children, suspect entered their room and touched her feet up to her belly.

The victim thought that it was her husband so she took a flashlight and pointed at him and saw that it was her father-in law who was touching her.

She immediately kicked him and went out of their room. Victim due to fear, left her children and went down to the church were her Pentecost church mates were having fellowship and told them what had happened to her.

After a while, her father- in law followed her and shouting for her to come out from the church but they pacified him and the  suspect shouted at her saying to quote “an ilukluktapam lakay mu” in ifugao dialect (meaning, the suspect was accusing the victim that she was having an affair with someone).

The victim revealed that prior to the incident; sometime in April, while she was fixing their clothes at their room, her father-in-law entered but it so happened that her husband called her name so the suspect went to their porch. The suspect is at large. Case is being prepared for referral against the suspect at the prosecutor’s office

 Store helper nabbed in buy-bust operation 

BAGUIO CITY – An alleged drug pusher identified as Darling Dumo “Darlin” Parayno, 35, store meat helper and presently residing at San Carlos Heights here was arrested at Peak Blossom, Marcos Highway, Bakakeng Central Monday in a buy-bust operation.

Personnel of Station 10 and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera seized from him two plastic sachets containing suspected shabu; cash amounting to P1,000 and P2,000 boodle money.

 
Gov’t worker files complaint against OFW hubby for abuse

SABLAN, Benguet – A government female employee filed a complaint with police here Tuesday saying her husband maltreated her, didn’t give support to their children and is now allegedly living with his mistress now in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Police said complainant Beverly Calado Madayag, 47, here of Poblacion, Sablan, Benguet went to police station and filed  complaint against her husband Loreto Lenneng Madayag, 47, overseas foreign worker  (OFW), native and resident Lower Palali, Poblacion, Sablan.

Victim said her husband always came home late or didn’t go home for days. She claimed on August 30, her husband hit her with a mono block chair on her arm shouting unsavory words at her in front of their children. She said her husband was not giving support for their children’s studies.

 A case of violation of Republic Act 9262 (violence against women and children) is being readied for filing to the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor against the husband.

 Man on motorbike dies in mishap

MALASIQUE, Pangasinan -- Hans Christian Mediana, 32, was on a motorcycle when it slammed into a rock here in Barangay Lokeb Tuesday making him die at the scene from head injuries.

The victim was with his brother Paul Brian, who was on a separate motorcycle when he figured in the accident.

Motorcycle rams railings; driver dies

BANNA, Ilocos Norte – Sixty three-year-old Saturnino Alviar died here early last week after his motorcycle hit road steel railings. Alviar’s companion Leoncio Abado, 48, was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Lady nabbed in drug operation

BUGUIAS, Benguet – A certain Annie Rose Binos Tugatog of La Trinidad, Benguet was nabbed here at Bekes, Buyacaoan Monday in a drug operation.

Police and narcotics agents confiscated from the suspect P1, 000 buy-bust money, three plastic sachets containing suspected shabu; drug paraphernalia and Samsung cellphone.

 Shabu lands woman in Mankayan jail

MANKAYAN, Benguet – One Goldalyn Baguista Guanso was apprehended here Monday at Ambabag, Guinaoang for illegal drug possession. Confiscated from her were two sachets containing suspected shabu, P1,000 buy bust money and a  Nokia cellphone.

Trike driver hurt in Ifugao crash

LAGAWE, Ifugao – A tricycle driver was injured when he tried to overtake a jeep making the latter fall down on the road. A police report said the accident happened around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday along the national highway at Banao, Poblacion South in front of Eastern Gasoline Station.

Involved vehicles included a Honda TMX 155 driven by Allen Dulnuan Bumidang, 29 and a public utility jeepney bearing plate number AYC-957 driven by Dick Irvin Pahicnion Langbayan, 34, of Nagakadan, Kiangan town.

Investigation disclosed both vehicles were traversing from Ibulao heading towards Lagawe Town Proper when the bus was about to turn left towards Don Bosco High School at the Eastern Gasoline Intersection.

The speeding tricycle tried to overtake the jeep but its sidecar wheel side swept the driver’s side front wheel of the jeep and also hit its front door.

As a result, the tricycle fell down down while the driver who was observed to be under the influence of liquor was left lying with the tricycle on top of him. The tricycle driver of was injured as result. The tricycle was taken under the custody by police while the jeep was allowed to ferry its passengers.

Bizwoman nabbed for estafa in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – A businesswoman was arrested here Tuesday for borrowing money from another entrepreneur without paying the money and using a spurious document as collateral.

A police said Mila Bakidan Baldos, 34, of Purok 4, 161 Lower Pinget here filed the complaint against Saturnina Diwas Hilario, 41, married, resident here of Dangwa Tranco Building, Rajah Matanda, Kagitingan.

Investigation disclosed the suspect transacted with complainant on Sept. 17 to borrow money amounting to P130,000 using Transfer Certificate of Title as collateral -- a lot of 800 square meters. Said agreement was made a copy of mortgage subscribed by lawyer Esteban A. Sumngi.

On the same day, complainant proceeded to the Registry of Deeds, La Trinidad, Benguet and verified the titled lot under Certificate Title Number 016-2017002012 and found out that title of said lot was not genuine with discrepancies on its details.

The complainant then set a transaction against the suspect informing asking her to pay her balance amounting to P 50,000. The suspect agreed to meet and upon payment of P20,000 police nabbed Hilario at the Total Convenient Store/gasoline station at Camp 7.

Picture of crashed truck sets rescue

KIANGAN, Ifugao – A picture of a vehicular accident from a Facebook account was seen Tuesday around 1:30 p.m. by local cop PO1 Denden B Pinkihan uploaded by Rexella Tuguinay, sangguniang kabataan chairman and resident of Barangay Hucab.

Pinkihan asked her the place of accident and she answered that it happened at SO Alimit Hucab of the town. With other cops, Pinkihan responded and found out Toyota Elf mini dump truck with plate no. BCL 969 owned and driven by Carins Daulayan Domelod, 35 of Neduntog, Antipolo, Asipulo, Ifugao lying on its side.

 Investigation disclosed that the incident happened at around 1:20 p.m. that day wherein said vehicle loaded with crates of tomatoes was traversing the road from Asipulo to Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Trading Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

Upon reaching the curve and ascending road, the driver shifted gear from 2nd to 1st but it malfunctioned and the vehicle started moving backward and the driver could not control it anymore. Upon seeing that no vehicle was tailing him, he let the rear n of the vehicle bump a sloped portion of the road.  Due to the impact, the vehicle fell on its side. The driver was unhurt while the vehicle incurred damaged on its left side portion and some other parts and some of the cargo were thrown along the road. Cops helped fix the cargo and lifted the vehicle in its normal position.

Jobless woman nabbed for estafa

TABU7K CITY, Kalinga – A certain Jenny-Lee Bumadang Lawani, 21, single, jobless, native of Kabugao, Apayao, and resident here of Agbannawag was arrested here at Dagupan for estafa.

This, after judge Victor A. Dalanao of MTCC, 2nd Judicial Region, Tabuk City, Kalinga issued warrant against her and setting bail of P24,000 for her temporary liberty.

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RDC: Strong nat’l support, info campaign boosting autonomy

by Marlo T. Lubguban

BAGUIO CITY -- Raising of awareness of Cordillera autonomy through its information, education, communication (IEC) program remain top priority of the Regional Development Council’s autonomy advocacy program.

With national support for Cordillera autonomy gaining ground, more and more regional stakeholders need to be made aware of this third attempt at autonomy for the Cordillera region, RDC officials said.       

Last August 16 and 17 local government officials from Benguet, Baguio and Mountain Province gathered in Baguio to learn more about Cordillera autonomy and gain the necessary skills to become effective speakers.

These officials were trained as IEC speakers to further enhance the reach of the advocacy.

Later, the National Economic Development Authority- Cordillera Administrative Region, in partnership with the provincial government of Benguet gathered Sangguniang Kabataan members for a youth forum on Cordillera autonomy on August 22.

As a priority sector for information dissemination, the youth leaders provided fresh insights that can enhance the advocacy. They are seen as Organic act and key influencers in raising awareness of the advocacy.

 In Kapangan, Benguet, 120 stakeholders from the grassroots sector gathered to learn more about Cordillera autonomy last August 28. Joel Cervantes of the RDC autonomy IEC speakers’ bureau discussed the core messages of Cordillera autonomy.

Back in Baguio, CHED hosted the regional education summit on August 31 in which IEC speakers’ bureau member and RDC PSR Emerita Fuerte discussed the culture-sensitive education provided in the proposed Organic Act.

She urged around 300 participants to contribute in raising the awareness and support for the advocacy.

The grassroots and youth sectors are priorities of the Social Preparation of the Cordillera Administrative Region into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) program as targets for raised awareness. Subsequently, these sectors are key partners in helping gain support throughout the region.

The SPCAR program aims to gain more autonomy advocates from these sectors to better reach the Cordillera stakeholders.

These events continue amid a strong push at the national level. Recently, NEDA-CAR has partnered with the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), the Institute for Autonomous and Governance (IAG) and various other institutions and individuals who have helped raise national support for the attainment of regional autonomy in the Cordillera.

The SPCAR program, implemented through NEDA-CAR is a program of the RDC-CAR to spearhead the advocacy for the attainment of regional autonomy through information dissemination, national and local alliance building, and regional capability building.

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Officials: 'Insurgency- free' Pangasinan by end of 2018

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Provincial and army officials concluded after an assessment here that Pangasinan—birthplace of the Communist Party of the Philippines in 1968—will be declared rebel-free by the end of the year.

The Philippine Army's 7th Infantry Division met with provincial government officials of Pangasinan in Lingayen on Monday to evaluate the status of the province in preparation for an official declaration expected at the end of 2018.

According to a Sept. 24 report on Pangasinan's Sunday Punch, the Area Clearing Evaluation Board chaired by Army Brig. Gen. Lenard Agustin recommended the declaration of Pangasinan as insurgency free in a resolution handed to Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino III.

In a Philippine News Agency report on Sept. 17, Agustin said the declaration does not mean there are no communist rebels in the province, saying rebel influence is a factor in assessment. 

"As for Pangasinan, we have assured that the rebel influence is minimal, close to nothing," he said then.

Pangasinan's Sangguniang Panlalawigan last month adopted two resolutions commending police and military units in the province for helping it achieve "insurgency-free" status.

"[T]he declaration is not only beneficial to the entire populace of Pangasinan in terms of having a sense of territorial ownership and socioeconomic growth but is also a welcome development on the part of local and foreign tourists who frequently visit the province," both resolutions read.

The 702nd Infantry Brigade and the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office signed a joint recommendation endorsing Pangasinan as an "insurgency-free" province in June.

A declaration of being insurgency-free would mean the Provincial Peace and Order Council will take the lead in internal security operations instead of the military.

The province was also declared insurgency-free in 2010, according to a PNA report at the time. 

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Baguio execs hit LTFRB over PUV franchises

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government appealed to Dept. of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra III not to approve any public utility vehicle (PUV) applications for Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) whether inter or intra-connecting Baguio to and from other regions unless these were granted exemption from the moratorium on PUV franchise by the city council.

In Resolution No. 271-18 and approved by the body at the instance of councilor Benny Bomogao and signed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, the City asked the agencies to honor the moratorium on the approval of public utility vehicle (PUV) franchise still in effect in the City.

The body decried the lack of consultation with the local government on the approval of the franchise for a new route from San Jose City to Baguio City with 15 bus units. 

“Let it be known that the city council was not consulted by the regional director of the LTFRB-CAR during the identification of developmental routes within their respective Regions stated in LTFRB Board Resolution No. 045, Series of 2018 and its passage particularly the 15-units Bus, San Jose to Baguio City route, which prompted the City Council to adopt this Resolution,” the Body said.

The LTFRB Board Resolution No. 045 series of 2018 dated May 31, 2018 entitled “Opening of Routes for Application for New CPC under the Initial Implementation of the PUV Modernization Program” states that on May 29, 2018 the LTFRB received authorization from the DOTr authorizing the route San Jose City to Baguio City and thereby directed the Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices (RFRO) to accept and process applications for the issuance of new CPC on the said route under the PUV Modernization Program.

The resolution said the new route was presumed to be identified in coordination with the local government unit concerned but no such consultation was done with the city council.

The body said the move negates the various ordinance and resolutions adopted by the city council to ensure that the moratorium will remain in its bid to address the traffic situation in the city. 

“(Our) efforts will be put to waste if the LTFRB will not be considerate of all the Local Ordinances and Resolutions it has passed and adopted.  Resolution Numbered 316, Series of 1995 is still in effect and the LTFRB MC No. 96-002 is still binding,” the aldermen said.

Resolution No. 316-95 approved on Sept. 26, 1995 directed the city legal officer to file an urgent petition with the LTFRB and the Dept. of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to stop, oppose and suspend the processing of all applications for franchises of PUVs in the city.

Because of the resolution, the LTFRB issued on January 10, 1996 Memorandum Circular No. 96-002 declaring a moratorium on the acceptance of applications for PUV services which the aldermen said continues to be in effect as there has been no new order lifting the moratorium.

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Tamaraw FX, van collide along Halsema Highway

ATOK, Benguet – Traveling the Halsema Highway is still dangerous if one is speeding.

Two vehicles nearly met a near fatal crash at km 35, Topdac, Atok Tuesday around 5:30 p.m., a police report said.

A police report said the vehicles were a Toyota FX with plate no. TTY 434 owned and driven Mario Santilan Labinio, 52, married, farmer, o Bakun, Benguet and a Hi-Ace van with plate no. VO2742 owned and driven by Christopher Wandalen, 29, married, of km 4, Asin Road, Baguio City.

Investigation showed both vehicles were traversing towards Baguio City wherein the Toyota was ahead of the Hi-Ace.  Wandalen gave signal light honking his horn at the Toyota then overtook it.

At that juncture, Wandalen noticed two vehicles ahead of him which stopped due to fallen rocks prompting him to brake but was hit by the Toyota. Both vehicles incurred undetermined cost of damages. The drivers agreed to settle their case amicably.

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Bus-trike collision kills 1, injures 46 in La Union

By Erwin G. Beleo

BAUANG, La Union — A passenger bus rammed into an oncoming tricycle then crashed on a ricefield, resulting in the killing of one person and the injury of 46 others in Barangay Santiago, here, night of |Sept. 29.

Chief Insp. Silverio Ordinado, Jr., La Union police information officer, said the lone fatality in the road accident was one of the occupants of the tricycle with body no. 0582 and conduction sticker no. 0136067.

Ordinado did not identify the fatality, pending the notification of the victim’s family.

He said six of the 46 injured in the accident were in critical condition at the Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City.

Investigation showed that the bus, driven by Michael R. Gatchalian, 40, of San Fabian, Pangasinan, encountered mechanical trouble while cruising the road.

It veered onto the opposite lane and rammed into the oncoming tricycle driven by a certain Ronnie S. Villaluz, 41, of Bauang, this province.

After wrecking the tricycle, the bus swerved and then fell on its side as it crashed onto the ricefield off the road.

Ordinado said most of those injured were passengers of the bus, with Plate No. AWB 509 and registered to Elpidio Munio of Barangay Maria Christina East, Bangar, La Union.

The bus driver, Gatchalian, fled the scene and is now the subject of a manhunt.

Ordinado said he may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries.

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Albayalde orders full probe on La Union mayor’s slay

By Freddie Lazaro and Erwin Beleo

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Philippine national Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has ordered thorough probe to identify the suspects in the gunslaying of Sudipen town mayor Alexander Boquing and two others in an ambush incident in Barangay Cadapli, Bangar town on Monday night.

Mayor Boquing’s wife, Vice Mayor Wendy Joy was wounded during the incident and she is now in stable condition at Lorma Medical Center in San Fernando City, La Union where she was rushed right after the ambush.

Albayalde said special investigation task group Boquing was created to ensure in-depth probe for immediate identification of the suspects and motive of the gunslaying of Mayor Boquing and his police escort PO2 Rolando Juanbe and his driver Boni Depdepen, a resident here of Barangay Castro.

Mayor Buquing shielded and saved his wife Wendy Joy when they were ambushed at the Bangar-Castro provincial road in Barangay Cadapli, witnesses said.

The witnesses, who were in the vicinity of the ambush site said Mayor Buquing, who succumbed to several gunshot wounds, shielded and embraced his wife as the assailants fired at the victims, who were aboard a Toyota pickup.

Sudipen Councilor Melvin Macusi, in a statement, said the municipality was never known for violent incidents, even during an election period and condemned the attack on the Buquings.

“We are in mourning, who would have thought that a good mayor who has never been involved in violence and illegal activities would end up being killed,” Macusi said.

Macusi added that if Wendy decides to run for mayor in place of her late husband, they will support her.

Prior to the attack, Mayor Buquing visited the wake of a municipal department head in Barangay Ippet.

The PNP Task Group is eyeing five suspects in the slaying of Sudipen Mayor Alexander Buquing.

But La Union police chief PIO PCI Silverio Ordinado Jr. clarified that they have no person of interest yet though they suspect that all gunshots originated from a single firearm based on the bullet slugs recovered from the crime scene.

“More or less mga hindi bababa sa lima yung suspects. Lima katao, pero base kasi sa bala, iyong mga cartridge case na nakuha, ang findings kasi ng crime lab natin is iisa lang iyong pinang galingan, iyong baril…iisa lang ang baril na ginamit. Definitely iisang gunman lang bumaril doon,” Ordinado said.

Authorities do not discount the angle of illegal drugs in the case, although Sudipen Police OIC PInsp. Juan Casem Jr. confirmed that Mayor Buquing was not included in the PNP’s narcolist and the municipality has already been declared drug free in April this year.

Other potential angles that the PNP are investigating include business, politics and personal reasons that may have led to the murder of the Mayor.

The PNP chief also called the witnesses to come out and to help in the investigation of the ambush.

In the initial investigation, the ambush happened at about 6:40 p.m.

Mayor Boquing and his wife together with their police escort were onboard a Toyota Hi-Lux colored black with plate number AEZ 114 when they were fired upon by unidentified suspects while they were on their way home in Barangay Castro.

Police said the unidentified suspects have used M16 Armalite rifles during the ambush.

Witnesses said the suspects reportedly fled the crime scene onboard a white pickup vehicle after the shooting incident.

All occupants of the vehicle were seriously hurt after the shooting incident.

Boquing and PO2 Juanbe, a resident of New Poblacion, Burgos, La Union, were rushed to Ilocos Sur District Hospital in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur but both were declared dead on arrival.

Wendy Joy and Depdepen, were rushed to Lorma Medical Center but Depdepen was also declared dead on arrival.

Senior Supt. Ricardo Layug, Jr., La Union police director said Buquing was declared dead-on-arrival at the Southern Ilocos Sur District Hospital in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur due to gunshot wounds on his head and body.

Vice Mayor Wendy Joy Buquing and Depdepen were rushed to the Lorma Medical Center in San Fernando City, La Union for treatment.

However, Depdepen died while the vice mayor is still being treated in the same hospital.

Layug said the victims were on their way home in Barangay Castro in Sudipen from a wake in Barangay Ippet when they were ambushed.

Police are looking at politics and construction business also as motives for the killing. Another possible motive is the Amburayan River project.

Buquing was supposed to seek re-election in the 2019 mid-term elections.

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Baguio hits local civil registry transfer to PSA

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government expressed opposition to House Bill No. 7695 [An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Civil Registration System, Reorganizing the Local Civil Registry System, Providing Funds thereof and for other Purposes] saying it negates the spirit of decentralization.

In Resolution No. 273-18 authored by Councilor Edgar Avila and approved by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, the city council said the bill “would essentially provide for the absorption of all Local Civil Registry Officer under the Philippine Statistics Authority” and thus negates the spirit of Republic Act No. 7160 of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Proposed by Isabela Rep. Ma. Lourdes Aggabao, the bill notes that the “current set-up provides that the PSA only exercises technical supervision over LCRs while the designated Local Government Unit (LGU) exercises administrative supervision. However, Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 mandates that the National Statistician, as head of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is tasked to provide over-all direction in the implementation of the Civil Registry Law and related issuances and exercise technical supervision over the local civil registrars;

“Pursuant to this recent enactment, this bill mandates that the PSA should be at the forefront of civil registration and vital statistics in the Philippines.  The PSA must have overall supervision over LCRs to ensure the fulfillment of their duties and functions.  Funding for the LCRs and their staff is to be provided by the PSA.  Moreover, mandatory continuing education and training programs for the LCRs and their staff must be implemented by the PSA.” 

The city resolution said Republic Act No. 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 repealed Executive Order No. 121 [Reorganizing and Strengthening the Philippine Statistical System and for other Purposes] respected the devolution of Local Civil Registry Units to the Local Government. 

“(The proposed bill) directly contravenes the spirit and intent of the (Local Government Code of which) Section 2 of Policy thereof states that ‘(a) x x x.  Toward this end, the State shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through system of decentralization whereby local government units shall be given more powers, authority, responsibilities, and resources. The process of decentralization shall proceed from the National Government to the local government units.’”’

“To allow the (LCRs) to be absorbed by the (PSA) would amount to a diminution of the devolution of the national government offices and jeopardizes local autonomy.   Furthermore, the fees collected at present would now redound to the National Treasury and the power to create its own sources of revenue,” the resolution noted.

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Kalinga marijuana plantation destroyed; 8 druggies nabbed

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga -- Another marijuana plantation was discovered and destroyed here recently while eight pushers and users were arrested in simultaneous anti-illegal drugs operations in the region, according to the Police Regional Office-Cordillera.

Chief Supt. Rolando Nana, regional director, said some 12,300 fully grown marijuana plants worth an estimated P2.58 million on five plantation sites in Barangay Butbut proper, Tinglayan, Kalinga, were uprooted and torched last Sept. 27, under the implementation of Oplan Manganop and Oplan Linis Barangay of the Kalinga Provincial Police Office.

Meantime, three drug suspects were arrested in separate operations in the region.

In La Trinidad, Benguet, Arjay Manuel Bautista, 32, was arrested in his residence where a buy-bust operation was conducted.

Bautista yielded two sachets of shabu and marked P1,000 bill.

In Bangued, Abra, the police arrested Giovani Marzan Calicdan, 46, instructor, of Lagangilang town.

Confiscated from Calicdan were a sachet of shabu, ammunition, and marked peso bills used in the drug sting.

On Saturday, Julie Rose Sadia Galino, 30, a native of South Cotabato was arrested in her residence in Baguio City.

Confiscated from her were two sachets of shabu, and marked money.

Her two young children were turned over to the social Welfare department.

Still in Baguio City, five teenagers, including two minors, were apprehended by the police for smoking marijuana inside an unattended bus in Irisan.

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PSA accredits Baguio as regional sports center

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY  – The Philippine Sports Commission announced Baguio City will become one of the sports body’s accredited regional sports training center following the city’s successful hosting of the 2018 Batang Pinoy national championships from Sept. 17-21.

Commissioner Celia Kiram revealed to Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan the decision of the PSC to make the city one of its accredited regional sports training centers because of its suitability as venue for the conduct of high altitude training of the country’s athletes.

Kiram said the identification of Baguio City as one of the PSC’s regional sports training centers was one of the reasons why the sports body decided to leave behind Baguio and Benguet over P18 million worth of sports equipment to be used by the local government and the PSC for the implementation of an enhanced sports development program that will upgrade the state of sports in the city.

Aside from the P18 million worth of sports equipment, the PSC also left behind at least 2,500 sleeping mats for Baguio and Benguet, including for the victims of the Itogon landslide and the billeting schools. 1,000 sleeping mats will be left for Baguio City while the remaining mats will be equitably distributed among Benguet, the Benguet State University (BSU), the identified billeting areas and the victims of the tragic Itogon landslide.

Commissioner Kiram expressed optimism that the units of sports equipment left behind will be used by the local government and the different schools to improve their grassroots development program to discover young athletes who can be trained as future representatives of the city in local, regional, national and international sports competitions.

Domogan directed the City General Services Office and City Sports Development Office to inventory the sports equipment left behind by the PSC for proper documentation and safekeeping to ensure athletes will benefit from the use of the said equipment in their trainings and upcoming participation in various sports competitions.

 He expressed the local government’s gratitude to the PSC for making Baguio City and Benguet as venue for the 2018 Batang Pinoy national championships, the identification of the city as a regional sports training center and the donation of the multi-million sports equipment that will greatly contribute in efforts to make the city one of the sports development centers in the country.

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