Northern Philippine Times

Batac teacher wins half of P42 million lotto pot; Benguet guard P4.5-M

>> Tuesday, February 14, 2012

BATAC, Ilocos Norte – A teacher of this town claimed last week half of the P42-million of the Jan. 30 lotto draw that he shared with a 35-year-old seaman from Sta. Cruz, Laguna who got his share Feb. 9, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office said.

This, as a 25-year-old security guard from Benguet, won the P4.5-million jackpot of the Feb. 1 6/45 lotto draw.

Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, PCSO general manager, said the seaman, who has three children, spent P840 for the System 9 play (84 combinations) with the numbers picked from his birthday and important events of his family.

“Even when the winner was in the high seas, he often called his wife to place bets on the number combinations that he maintained,” Rojas said

The seaman’s winning combination was 2-10-6-11-26-24, which carried the jackpot of P42,0012,459.

Rojas quoted the seaman as saying that he plans to retire, buy a house and lot and start a business with his winnings.

Meanwhile, another winner, a returning overseas worker, has claimed the P4.9-million jackpot of the Feb. 3 draw of the 6/45 lotto game.

The winner, who worked as domestic helper abroad and is a single parent, also plans to buy a house and lot and share her winnings with relatives, the PCSO said.

Also among the members of the so-called “lotto millionaires’ club” is a 32-year-old bagger of a forwarding company in Zamboanga City who bagged the P28,027,321.20 jackpot of the 6/42 regular lotto draw.

The biggest winner so far this year is a jobless man from Surigao del Norte who won the P55,645,466.40 prize of the Super Lotto draw.

Another jobless man, 39, from Valenzuela City, bagged the P19,295,148.60 jackpot of the 6/42 regular lotto.

NPA to try Palparan for ‘crimes against the people’

The New People’s Army has joined the hunt for fugitive Major Gen. Jovito Palparan saying they would try him for “crimes against the people.”

But if Malacañang will only have its way, it would rather that Palparan fall under the hands of the authorities than with the NPA, as this would only “complicate” more the situation.

Efforts to hunt down Palparan “ought to be purely a law enforcement matter,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said, in reaction to the NPA’s reported intent to launch its own manhunt.

“It should be the law enforcement components of the state… that have the authority to undertake the manhunt and as such should be left to it,” she told reporters.

Palparan has a reported P1-million bounty for his capture.

Valte refused to entertain thoughts, however, that the NPA might get immediate custody of Palparan, who is facing charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention for the disappearance of two female activists, since the Aquino administration prefers that he surrenders or is arrested by lawmen.

Even Palparan himself, who has been branded as a “butcher” by leftists, would not want himself to be caught by the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The order is for law enforcement agencies is to bring the retired military officer before the bar of justice and face the charges that have been filed against him before the Bulacan regional trial court, Valte said.

“Well, what the orders of the law enforcement components are to find him and bring him to trial...,” she added.

For his part, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, said, “We want him to be prosecuted. We want him to stand (trial)... we want him to face prosecution. And so, his security is important for us. When he surrenders, we want to make sure that he is secure.”

“On the part of the government, we want to make sure that we will be able to apprehend him and one way of facilitating the apprehension is to offer a bounty for General Palparan,” he said.

Marco Valbuena, Communist Party of the Philippines information bureau chief, said the CPP central committee has ordered the NPA and left-leaning organizations to “closely look into reports of Palparan’s presence in their areas of responsibility and take immediate action.”
Palparan was charged with the kidnapping, illegal detention and torture of students SherlynCadapan and Karen Empeño, who were kidnapped with peasant activist Manuel Merino in Hagonoy, Bulacan in 2005.

“It is a matter of obligation to the Filipino people and state responsibility that the people’s democratic government undertake the necessary measures to put General Palparan under its duly authorized judicial organs,” according to an order of the CPP central committee.

“A people’s court can be immediately convened to try and render judgment on General Palparan for war crimes and gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law,” the order added.

Palparan has not left the country but vowed not to surrender, according to a statement released by Palparan's lawyer, Jesus Santos.

“I am just around but I will try my best not to surrender,“ the statement said.

“I am not a fugitive,“ he said, insisting that the warrant issued for his arrest was illegal since it was a product of an “improper“ preliminary investigation.

“I will not allow myself to be a victim of this farce. My name is clean and I have served our (Armed Forces of the Philippines) with all my mind, soul and body,“ he said.

Santos told reporters Palparan requested his statement be distributed “for it to reach the human rights watch and the government.“

Meanwhile, at least seven international lawyers’ associations, including a United Nations consultative lawyers’ group, have joined calls for the arrest of Palparan.

Edre Olalia, secretary general of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, said these lawyers’ groups are the London-based Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, US-based National Lawyers Guild, Netherlands-based International Association of Peoples’ Lawyers, Belgian Progress Lawyers Network, Japanese Lawyers for International Solidarity and Action, Lawyers Rights Watch of Canada and the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL).

Olalia said the IADL is a lawyers’ group with official consultative status with the United Nations, and has members in 90 countries.

He said the entry of the international lawyers’ association into the issue of impunity and extrajudicial killings in the country should hasten government action.

Isabela town PNP chief loses post over gun duel of 2 men

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– Two policemen who shot it out with each other in a police station in Isabela Feb. 4 now face administrative sanctions even as they are still recuperating from gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, Insp. Reynaldo Maggay, police chief of San Agustin town, was temporarily relieved of his post pending investigation into the shooting incident involving two of his men, SPO4 Genaro Marquez and SPO1 Melchor Rumbaoa.

Senior Supt. Franklin Mabanag, Isabela police director, said administrative charges are now being readied against Marquez and Rumbaoa, who shot each other while taking their dinner in the mess hall of the San Agustin police station.

Marquez and Rumbaoa are still recuperating from bullet wounds at the Cagayan Valley Adventist Hospital in Santiago City.

“We are still investigating the actual cause of the quarrel but initial reports indicated that it seemed to have something to do with (their station’s) operations,” Mabanag said.

Marquez was the deputy police chief, and Rumbaoa, the administrative officer.

Mabanag said Maggay is under preventive suspension while the investigation is ongoing to see if he had been remiss of his duties, and to remove any suspicion that he might influence the results of the probe.

“Although he was out of his area at the time, (Maggay) had previously asked my permission before going to Manila for an important appointment, and left the management of the station to the two. If it is proven that he had nothing to do with the incident, he will be returned to his area,” Mabanag said.

The incident involving policemen was the second to happen in the region in a couple of months.

Last Christmas Day, PO3 Roberto Discipulo, assigned to Aritao town in Nueva Vizcaya, shot dead PO3 Edwin Marabut and wounded another colleague in their patrol car after he was roused from sleep as he thought that he was being kidnapped.

The three policemen, it turned out, had had a quarrel in a drinking spree before they responded to a stabbing incident in a nearby village.

Discipulo is now locked up in the provincial jail while facing summary dismissal proceedings and criminal charges.

Red tide alert up in P'sinan

DAGUPAN CITY– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region 1 has advised the public to refrain from eating, gathering, transporting and marketing shellfish from the coastal waters of Bani town in Pangasinan after samples were found positive of red tide toxin.

In an advisory, Nestor Domenden, BFAR-Region 1 director, said his office and local authorities will continue to monitor the coastal waters of Wawa, Bani to safeguard public health and protect the fishery industry.

NPT writer mauled, robbed by gangsters

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Two unidentified persons, believed members of the Bekkel Gang, held up a local journalist and government employee of the provincial capitol of Mountain Province around 7:15 p.m. night of Feb. in a dimly lighted pathway here at Barangay Pico.

Police identified the victim as Francis Degay, a correspondent of the Northern Philippine Times who was brought to the Benguet general hospital for treatment.

Degay suffered contusions on his head, wound in his inner left cheek and abrasion on his right elbow.

He also had difficulty swallowing and felt pain in his right neck as a result of choke by his assailants.

Degay was reportedly on his way about 10 meters towards his in-laws’ house, when he noticed someone was following him so he rushed to open the main gate.

One of his assailants immediately hammered a hard object on his head and choked him.

He shouted for help but no one came to the rescue.

The other suspect immediately covered his mouth and nose with a handkerchief suspected to be doused with sleeping drug while taking away his wallet containing some amount of cash, Land Bank ATM card, driver’s license, gun license, among others.

The heist took less than a minute.

As he couldn’t breathe and felt a knife punched in his neck, the victim struggled and fought back.

The victim hit the eyes of the suspect who was in front.

This prompted the suspect to move a bit his hand from covering the nose and mouth of the victim who shouted for help.

He kicked the suspect holding his neck but there was no impact because the suspect was too close.

To get even as he felt that blood oozing from his neck and thought he will die anyway, the victim held the testicles and penis of the suspect.

The victim was left unconscious.

Police Senior Insp. Jimmy Macwes who was near the scene called immediately the personnel of La
Trinidad police station.

After a few minutes, responding police came but Degay’s assailants had left.

Bystanders near the scene told police the suspects ran to the main road leading towards nearby Barangay Puguis.

Neighbors near the crime scene interviewed by police said they heard shouts but ignored these because they thought some locals were just drunk.

It was revealed by the policemen that the strategy of robbers is to choke their victims.

Police said these criminals usually come in twos; one chokes the victim while the other one gets all the money and valuables.

Police said a man was robbed last month near his house by a pair of Bekkel Gang just a stone’s throw away from the recent scene of the robbery using the same style. Some residential houses and individuals who passed the pathway were also robbed in the previous months.

It was learned from Degay that about three years ago, a resolution requesting for three street lights was passed to barangay officials of Pico.

But to date, not a single light was installed. The request was made due to complaints of some victims passing the pathway who were robbed of their money and cellular phones by criminals.

Also, some female victims did not report to the police that their private parts were maliciously touched due to security reasons.

The pathway is a short cut route from km 4 to km 5 and Pines Park barangay and vice versa.

It is accessible to the La Trinidad public market, trading post, municipal government unit, Benguet State University and Benguet general hospital.

People from km 5 also use the same way to km 4 where some big groceries, farm supply stores and auto supplies are located. – By Palsy Face with reports from Caday Sianen M. Almazan

Assassination attempt on NE mayor probed

CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija – Police are investigating the motive for the assassination attempt on Mayor Restituto Abad of this town.

Senior Supt. Roberto Alligayu, Nueva Ecija police provincial director, said he ordered Guimba police to conduct an investigation into the shooting incident.

Abad and his driver, Private First Class Satty Duclayan, were wounded when fired upon by a gunman who acted as traffic volunteer, Alligayu said.

The victims are still confined at an undisclosed hospital.

Alligayu said the gunman was identified as Jonathan Carpio, a resident of Barangay Obrero in Cabanatuan City.

The identity of the suspect was known after the arrest of Jose Pascual, of Barangay Pagas, Cabanatuan City.

Investigation showed that Pascual acted as a lookout while the gunman waited for the arrival of the victims’ vehicle.

The mayor suffered two gunshot wounds in the shoulder and neck while his driver was shot in the head and neck.

Alligayu said a manhunt for Carpio has been launched.

Angara pushes aggie programs vs hunger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fake city SM mall supervisor fleeces money from victims

By Mydz Supnad

BAGUIO CITY- A suspected illegal recruiter who claimed to be a mall supervisor was arrested Feb. 6 after he was chased by his victims inside the SM Mall here.

Senior Supt. David Lacdan, city police chief identified the suspect as June Rualo Fonacier, 26, resident of San Roque, Agoo, La Union.

Fonacier was almost being lynched after he was chased by his alleged victims of illegal recruitment.

The suspect was arrested after three weeks of hiding when he was chanced upon by the complainants inside SM Baguio.

Lacdan said a short chase transpired inside the mall but with the assistance of SM security personnel, the suspect was arrested and was turned over to Police Station 7.

Insp. Karissma Sta. Juana, PNP city spokesperson, said the Fonacier was charged with estafa and illegal recruitment based on complaints of three persons that he reportedly victimized at about 4 p.m. of Jan. 4, here along Post office Loop, Session Road.

According to investigation, Sta. Juana said the suspect approached the victims and introduced himself as head supervisor at SM-Baguio.

After convincing them to be employed as employees of SM Baguio, the suspect reportedly collected money amounting to P1,450, P3,700 and P5,000.00 from each victim, respectively, with a total collection amounting to P10,150.

After receiving the amount, the victims said they could not locate the suspect anymore until they saw him at the said mall.

The case was referred to inquest prosecutor Jorge Manaois who ordered the detention of the suspect at the city jail.

Suspect in slay of widow, 3 kids caught on way to Pangasinan hometown

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan -- A man accused of killing a widow and stabbing her three children Feb. 8 in Caloocan City and arrested by police Tuesday was waiting for a bus that would take him to this municipality, his hometown.

Ivan Lou Climaco, 28, was caught at around 7:45 a.m. on Camachile Road near the boundary of Caloocan and Quezon City, according to Chief Insp. Rodrigo Soriano, who heads the Station Investigation and Detection Management Bureau.

Climaco allegedly stabbed dead his neighbor, Ana Agullo, and wounded her three children – Justine Ann, 15; Arvin John, 13; and Alfer John, 11 – while the victims were having breakfast in their house on Reparo street in Baesa.

Police investigators said Climaco was set to flee to Bayambang when the police, acting on a tip, spotted him walking towards the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway.

Unknown to Climaco, Agullo’s brother-in-law, Antonio Alejandro, had been stalking him after learning of his plans to hide in the province. Alejandro was the one who told the police of the suspect’s whereabouts, a source said.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri personally handed a P100,000 reward to Alejandro, who identified Climaco during a press briefing at the city hall Tuesday.

Echiverri promised to shoulder the expenses for Agullo’s burial and the medical bills of her children. Doctors said they remain in critical condition at the Manila Central University Hospital.

In his cell at the Caloocan police station, Climaco admitted his crime and aired his side to television reporters, but when pressed for details, he said he could not remember what happened.

Police sources said Climaco was high on shabu when he attacked Agullo and her children.

They said Climaco has a pending rape case before a local court and reportedly settled another rape case with the victim’s family. Climaco denied the allegations.

Police said Climaco incurred debts when he played video karera, an illegal numbers game, at her house.

The suspect allegedly asked for another loan night of Feb. 5, but Agullo refused until he paid his outstanding debt, according to her sister, Lucy Alejandro. Investigators believe this was the reason she was killed.

Police said it is not clear whether Agullo owned the video karera machine or maintained it for an illegal gambling operator.

Teen gets life term for sale of shabu

BAGUIO CITY – A 16-year-old female was sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court here after being found guilty of selling shabu to drug enforcement agents.

In an 18-page court decision dated Jan. 10, 2012, the convicted was also ordered to pay a fine of P500,000 for violating Republic Act 9165, the new drug law.

Court records revealed in the evening of June 14, 2009, at Pinewood St., Crystal Cave here, Atifah Dajani(not her real name), 16, native of Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur and a resident of No. 120 Pinewood St., Crystal Cave tried to sell 0.18 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, a dangerous drug popularly known as “shabu” valued at P1,500 to an agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Cordillera who acted as buyer.

PDEA Cordillera director Gil Cesario P. Castro said their records bared there had been 32 drug law violators convicted in 2011 in the Cordillera.

Out of this, 72 percent of were in Baguio City, 19 percent in Benguet and nine percent in Mountain Province.

Of the 32 drug cases that led to convictions, 59 percent were on shabu and the other 41 percent on marijuana.

Three of the cases were filed in 2006, another three were filed in 2008, eleven were filed in 2009, eleven in 2010 and the remaining four filed last year.

Further, 47 percent of the afore-said drug conviction cases were for sale or delivery of dangerous drugs, 47 percent on possession of illegal drugs, three percent on possession of paraphernalia for dangerous drugs while three percent were on use of dangerous drugs.

Pilgrims flock to Tarlac for Christ Cross enshrinement

By Mar T. Supnad

SAN JOSE, Tarlac -Around 5,000 devotees flocked to the Monasterio de Tarlac last week to celebrate the 5th anniversary enshrinement of the true relic of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.

A mass led by Bishop Florentino Cinense and Servants of the Risen Christ founder Rev. Fr. Ronald Thomas Cortez was held at the quadrangle at the middle of the Monastic community.

Notable guests who attended the Eucharistic celebration were Vice President JejomarBinay, Ambassador Tita de Villa and former Senator Ernesto Maceda, to name just a few.

Pilgrims from here and abroad started to arrive as early as 5 a.m. to view and touch the holy relic that is exposed for public veneration only twice a year.

The actual sacred fragment is encased in a silver arqueta found at the foot of the altar and enclosed by grilled doors.

The relic of the true Cross made its way to the Philippines from Essen, Germany through divine providence and the faith of Father Archie Cortez, Servant of the Risen Christ [SRC] prior.

In 2005, Father Archie was invited by Mr. Lutz Rolhoff, President of the Philippines German Association in Oberhausen, as guest to the World Youth Day in Cologne. The young priest met with Msgr. Volker Bauer, from the Diocese of Essen where the relic of the holy Cross been kept about 1,000 years.

When asked by Msrg. Bauer if he was willing to take care of the sacred artifact, Father Archie immediately agreed.

“All I can think of that time was to bring home the sacred relic so Filipinos from all walks of life can worship the most important symbol of Christ’ sacrifice. We are forever grateful to all our generous benefactors who helped build and renovate the chapel. Our heartfelt gratitude also goes out to the late Congressman Aping Yap who offered the Land where the Monastery now stands,” Father Archie said.

In Gov. Victor Yap’s speech, he said that Tarlac is privileged and honored to host one of the most important artifacts of Christianity.

“Tarlac is proud to host the Holy Relic…it has brought much to the province and we were put into the map of religious and tourist destinations,” Gov. Yap said.

The governor likewise thanked all those who have came to celebrate the fifth year of the Relic’s enshrinement and to those who have done their part in bringing the Holy Relic into the province.

Second District Rep. Susan Yap for her part said that the arrival of the Relic has brought economic prosperity to Tarlac and has spared the province from devastation brought about by man-made and natural calamities.

“The relic will stay with us forever,” she said.

The holy relic was formally enshrined on Jan. 29, 2007 at the Monasterio de Tarlac officiated by the Most Rev. Fernando Filoni, D.D. Papal Nuncio to the Philippines.

The Monasterio de Tarlac is located at the heart of the Tarlac Eco Tourism Park, a 20-hectare property with picnic parks and well-manicured gardens strewn with life-size statues. The most majestic is a statue of the Risen Christ measuring 30 feet which is reminiscent of the famous Christ Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Monastery is home to SRC, an apostolic monastic community of monks, living in prayer, works and service. The congregation’s religious women counterparts are the contemplative nuns, the Handmaids, the Oblates of the Risen Christ.

The chapel of the Holy Cross is open to the public daily except Thursday. The Mass is celebrated daily at 10:30 a.m. and an additional mass at 3:00 p.m. every Sunday, said Arvin Cabalu, Media Affairs head.

106 cops who served in Basilan welcomed home

CAMP BADO DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong and top brass of regional police welcomed home Feb. 6 some 106 police officers who served and maintained peace in Basilan, Mindanao.

Magalong, Cordilelra police director said the contingent were deployed in Basilan for more than six months from June 29, 2011 to Feb. 3 and for the first time in the history of peacekeeping in Basilan, its people and political leaders requested the extension of the tour-of-duty of the Cordillera police contingent.

He said this was because of their high sense of responsibility and effort in maintaining peace and order that resulted to a generally tranquil and peaceful Isabela City.

As sign of gratitude, Cherry Santos Acbar, mayor of Isabela City sent through Chief Insp. Allan Guyguyon , company commander of Basilan Contingent; a framed “Cris” to regional director Magalong.

Other officers of the Basilan Contingent were Senior Inspectors Radino Belley, Jaime Nadela, CeriloPanawan, Allan Agwaking and Police Inspectors Julito Rabena and Jeffrey Fontanilla.

All officers and 100 other members of the contingent were awarded MedalyangKasanayan and a privilege to choose their unit assignments after a 15-day vacation leave.

Meanwhile proper honors were rendered yesterday to the late SPO4 Romeo Sibaluca member of the contingent who died a natural death last Dec. 25 during his tour-of-duty in Basilan during the 21st foundation anniversary celebration of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera.

Ilocos town has new vice mayor

BACARRA, Ilocos Norte – The Commission on Elections has served the writ of execution ousting the vice mayor of this town.

Sangguniang Bayan member Jonathan Ramit was installed as the new vice mayor, replacing ousted Vice Mayor Pacifico Velasco, on Tuesday.

Vice Gov. Angelo Marcos swore Ramit into office.Town officials said they will abide with the Comelecorder. – Teddy Molina

Taxi driver robbed in city; vehicle found in Trinidad

BAGUIO CITY --A taxi driver was robbed of his earnings at Barangay Pinget here by still two unidentified men who ordered him to drive the taxi to Tam-awan Village up the area where they left him and proceeded north.

Police identified the driver as Rolando S. Sabado y Santiago, 43, married, native of Libtong, Burgos, La Union.

He was allegedly robbed at 1 a.m. Feb. 7 by the two, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

Later, John Abad Palasico, a security guard of Sidekick Security Agency assigned at the Benguet Capitol, Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet reported to town police that a white Adventure taxi bearing plate no. AYM-391 was parked and left near the capitol building by two unidentified male persons.

Police investigated and found out later the driver of the taxi was robbed in Pinget, around 8 km from the capitol.

7 men nabbed for illegal logging in Benguet town

ITOGON, Benguet -- Seven individuals were arrested last here week for illegal logging and transporting the sawn logs for buyers in Baguio City.

Joint operation of Benguet police Supt. Mario L. Mayames Jr., Lambert Suerte and La Trinidad town police Insp. Vicente L. Tamid conducted operations Feb. 5 which led to the arrests.

Nabbed at Barangay Apalan here was Butch A. Buaquen, 42, of Ambilao, Bokod town, owner of the confiscated pine lumber.

Also arrested in the area were Bokod town residents Lucas B. Belino Jr., Juanito D. Pulsingay, 46, driver of Elf truck and July L. Pa-ay, 39, owner of the truck.

Others were Michael A. Simon, Mike A. Sison, 36, and a resident of Buhaw, Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet who was driving an Armak jeep and Rogel S. Dela Cruz, 24 driver of another Elf truck.

A police report said the first three arrested persons were on board an Elf truck bearing plate number CSN-364 owned by Pa-ay and registered in the name of GlendrexBosucan, resident of Magsaysay, Loakan, Baguio City.

|The truck was loaded with 160 pieces of illegally sawn pine lumber with a total volume of 933 board feet.

Said pine lumber was to be delivered at Brookside, Baguio City.

The second Elf Truck with plate number XHP-547 driven by Dela Cruz was loaded with 2,201 board feet of lumber and eight sacks of charcoal.

The Armak Jeep with plate number TFW-496 driven by Sison was loaded with 294 pieces of pine lumber with a volume of 1,472 board feet.

Total confiscated pine lumber was 4, 606 board feet.

The arrested suspects and confiscated items are now under the custody of Benguet provincial police office.

A case for violation of Presidential Decree 705 (illegal logging) was prepared for filing before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in the capital town of La Trinidad against the suspects.

BSU to put up patent library for inventors

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Benguet State University will establish a patent library that will preserve and protect the works of local inventors from being copied by other researchers.

Dr. Ben Ladilad, BSU president, said the State-run higher education institution is one of the six State schools which were chosen by the Department of Science of Technology to host the patent library for the benefit of local researchers and inventors.

“Our patent library will be operational by June so that our local inventors and researchers will be able to keep their works to serve as future references for other inventors wanting to conduct studies in our region,” Ladilad told the media.

According to him, BSU will also be putting up its technology incubation center as a compliment to the patent library to allow inventions which are ready for commercialization to be given out to the public with the appropriate copyright for such works of local inventors.

“We have a lot of homework to do with our numerous researches and inventions. We need to put them in place to make them accessible to everyone and to avoid duplication of the works of our local inventors,” Ladilad he said.

According to him, the patent library will host the database of all works and researches of local inventors so that it will serve as reference for other inventors prior to doing their own inventions in the region.

“Researchers and inventors will be required to seek guidance from our patent library in case they want to perform their own inventions in order to avoid duplication of earlier works which will be patented in the names of the original inventors,” Ladilad said.

“We have to contribute in efforts to protect our inventors, especially those whose works are ready for commercialization, so that they will be the ones to benefit from their painstaking studies. We will extend to DOST the necessary assistance to ensure the successful establishment and operation of the patent library,” the BSU president said.

BSU is serving as the center for research and development among the six state universities and colleges in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Ladilad said the patent library will be operating under the direct supervision of the BSU administration but DOST will be extending the necessary technical assistance in relation to the documentation of genuine inventions from local inventors so that it will be successful in patenting the rights of Cordillera inventors over their works.

Once the patent library will be established by June, the BSU official cited all local inventors will be allowed to avail of its services in order to facilitate the immediate patenting and copywriting of their works.

“We had been receiving reports on the alleged duplication of works of our researchers by individuals who just simply come to the region and perform their studies without consulting concerned government agencies in charge of the matter. We do not want to sacrifice the interest of our inventors,” he added, citing that the patent library and the technology incubation center will complement each other in order to ensure the marketability of products of studies and researches.

Six farmers arrested for murder in Mt Prov

PARACELIS, Mountain Province --Six farmers were arrested here last week for murder while another was nabbed for frustrated murder in Itogon, Benguet

Joint elements of Paracelis Police Station and Mt. Province Provincial Public Safety Company arrested Feb. 1Dagul P. Rivera, 24; Marvin M. Dawagan, 30; Basilio P. Bawal, 30 and Orlando A. Duldulao, 40, all residents of Barangay Anonat here.

Also arrested on same day was Leonada N. Pattan, 65, of Capalallian, Palitud and Boy Macadangdang of Damsite, also in Paracelis.

All arrested persons were arrested for murder following a warrant issued by Judge Joseph C. Patnaan of Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, Branch 36, Bontoc, Mt. Province.

The suspects were jailed at the Paracelis police station.

Meanwhile elements of Itogon, Benguet police also on Feb. 1arrested Eric Niño Dayao, 27, miner, of Roxas, Isabela and presently residing at First Gate, Virac in the town for frustrated murder.

A bail bond at P200,000 for his temporary liberty was ordered by Danilo P. Camacjo, presiding judge of RTC 1st Judicial Region, Branch 62, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The suspect was properly detained at the Benguet Provincial Jail, La Trinidad.

SM Baguio gets top shopping center of the year award

SM City Baguio was awarded as the Outstanding Shopping Center of the Year in theMedium Category during the PRA’s Outstanding Retailers Awarding Ceremony held recently at the Crown Plaza Hotel.

SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy together with SM Supermalls President Ms. Annie Garcia, and VP for Leasing Ms.Daisy Chua, received the award with the SM City Baguio team - VP for Operations-North Mr.Bien Mateo, AVP for Operations North Luzon 2 Mr.Juancho Sibal and Regional Operations Manager North Luzon 1 Mr. Cesar Bondoc.

SM City Baguio opened on Nov. 21, 2003 making it the first and only SM Supermall in the Northern Luzon area. .

Located on a 79, 763-square meter property at the site of the former Pines Hotel on Session Road, the 16th SM Supermall was designed to capture Baguio's breathtaking beauty. Its construction and design team - Design International, a foreign design consultant; Jose Siao Ling and Associates, architects; New Golden City, general contractors; and DA Abcede and Associates, project managers worked very closely with SM's engineering group to create this masterpiece of a mall.

SM City Baguio is a departure from the usual box-type shape that characterizes other SM malls. Design International, the mall's foreign design consultant, and Jose Siao Ling and Associates collaborated on this "out-of-the-box" concept, which was made possible by Baguio's cool climate.

According to architect Jose Siao Ling, Design International and his firm integrated SM's symmetrical and organized mall concept and ideas from non-government groups to design a mall that follows the contour of the land, blends with nature, is environmentally efficient and breathtakingly beautiful.

The front side has three levels and the back side six levels. Terraces on both ends which were inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Mountain Province, add to SM City Baguio's rustic charm. The terraces also give one a breathtaking 360-degree view of the beauty of Baguio: The mountains in front, the city and the mountains at the back. The design team also collaborated with landscapers to create beautiful gardens of lush plants, flowers and pine trees.

The mall is also environmentally efficient. Apart from its natural ventilation, it also treats and recycles water. Rather than the usual roll-ups, it has "counter weight glass doors that allow one to see the outdoors. It is first in the Philippines. A scenic elevator in the atrium also allows shoppers to see both the mall and the view from the terraces.

Since its opening, SM City Baguio has become a tourist destination not only because of its design, but also because it has raised shopping, leisure, and entertainment levels in the City of Pines.

With the SM Department Store and SM Supermarket as its main anchors, it has over 300 specialty stores where Baguio residents can enjoy the latest trends in fashion, home furnishing, health and personal care, electronics, as well as services without leaving the city.

The mall also has a special area where visitors can buy Baguio souvenirs.

Dining out options include hometown favorites, local and international food chains, and specialty restaurants. The mall also has 4 state of the art cinemas where residents can enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters and hometown hits. The mall has been a venue for major local events like the Panagbenga, performances of local and world class talents, as well as numerous cultural events.

As a responsible member of the community, SM City Baguio has been catalyst for employment and business opportunities, and a top city taxpayer. The mall has also hosted numerous CSR events for the environment and for persons with disabilities; and assisted SM Foundation in its scholarship programs and medical missions.

DAR allots lands to 105,000 Cordi folk

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – At least 105,000 indigent farmers in the Cordillera were awarded alienable and disposable lands for them to till and be a source of their livelihood.

Franklin E. Cocoy, regional director of the Cordillera office of the Department of Agrarian Reform, said the agency o distributed 89,000 hectares of land to the 105,000 farmers in the 85 agrarian reform communities in the region.

“We are about to meet our target of 105,000 hectares of lands to be distributed to our farmers in the identified agrarian reform communities regionwide. By the time that the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) will end in 2014, we will be able to distribute the balance to the more than 20,000 farmer-beneficiaries,” Cocoy said, adding out of the remaining 16,000 hectares undistributed, 8,000 hectares will be distributed on time while the remaining 8,000 are described as problematic because of alleged boundary disputes and overlapping claims among others.

According to him, each landless farmer got an average of 0.8 hectare which they are now tilling to produce food for their families while their excess production of rice and other agricultural crops are sold to the market.

Aside from getting the land that they can call their own, Cocoy said the agency was also instrumental in providing the agrarian reform communities the appropriate infrastructure like farm to market roads, irrigation as well as post-harvest facilities that helped them sustain their productivity.

“After our land distribution mandate will expire, we will concentrate in providing our farmer-beneficiaries with the appropriate support services that will help improve their productivity which will be beneficial in allowing them to earn more income for their families,” Cocoy added.

The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law mandates that landless farmers must given at least 3 hectares of land which they could till to earn a living and to help improve food security, especially in identified agrarian reform communities.

However, Cocoy disclosed the rules regarding the land area to given out to farmers in the region was relaxed, because of the topography of the land, thus, each farmer is entitled to get a maximum of 0.8 hectare.

“We have to be aggressive this time so that we will be able to meet our targets by 2014. What we are concerned now is the identified problematic lands because the farmers might not get their lands on time if the issues and concerns will not be immediately settled by the concerned agencies, local governments and the beneficiaries,” the DAR-CAR official said.

Cocoy said land distribution in Mountain Province, Abra and Benguet is expected to be completed by the end of this year while land distribution in Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao will be completed before 2014.

By the end of 2012, he said at least 1,200 hectares will be given out to the beneficiaries in the agrarian reform communities in order to move closer in meeting their targets before the expiration of the extended CARP.

Volunteer nurses and hospitals

EDITORIAL

It is high time that a proposed law was filed in Congress seeking to end collection of fees by hospitals from volunteer nurses who serve in the hospitals to gain work experience that they may use elsewhere.

For so long, it had been an irony that hospitals charged volunteer nurses for their services. House Bill No. 5445, entitled “An act prohibiting public and private hospitals from requiring the payment of money upon registered nurses who want to gain work experience and penalizing any violation thereof,” was filed last month.

Among sponsors of the bill was Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog and members of the House committee on health.

Most hospitals collect fees in the amounts ranging accordingly from P1,500 to 3,000 per semester from volunteer nurses who are, under the definition of the bill, rendering “free” or unpaid services in hospitals, without employer-employee relationship, and performing hospital duties with minimal supervision from regular staff nurses.

The bill is being supported by the Ang Nars, a national organization of nurses in the country. However, it has expressed reservations at the same time for some concerns of nurses not addressed by the Bill.

“Ang Nars is thankful for the recent focus of the House of Representatives signifying the first step in giving justice in order to improve the welfare of nurses in the country, ” stated a letter dated Jan. 9 to Dalog.

The letter was signed by NARS Leah Primitiva Samaco-Paquiz, founding president of the organization.In the same letter that forms part of the position paper of the organization, AngNars has noted the following concerns: the bill does not address the salary and unemployment problems of nurses; the bill encourages hospitals not to employ nurses, making them work without salaries, benefits, protection, and security of tenure; the bill removes fees of non-accredited training programs but legalizes and strongly strengthens false volunteerism.

Samaco-Paquiz said the government should look into how the nurses could be employed as the organization believes that “nurses want to serve and earn a living”. They also want the full implementation of the Magna Carta for public health workers.

The bill provides that any person found guilty of violating the law shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than one year and a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000.

The proposed law states that “the Department of Health in coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission and the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations within 60 days after effectivity of the Act”.

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