MORE NEWS, ILOCOS SUR

Ilocos army brass hit for silence in slay of policeman, civilian
By Mar T. Supnad

STA LUCIA, Ilocos Sur- The bloody murder of a policeman and a civilian remains unsolved for lack of police action and apparent refusal of the Philippine Army to coordinate with investigators, a confidential report showed yesterday.

Based on the report submitted to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame, the killing of SPO3 Joffrey Palacio and Melchor Angala, both of this town, is yet to be solved due to alleged refusal of the 50th Infantry battalion officials to reveal the outcome of their investigators in the shooting to death of the two victims last April 19.

Despite the request made by the CIDG, the battalion did not provide the data on the shooting incident the CIDG was asking. Last June 24, a certain Lt. Col. Bautista, Provost Marshall of the 5th Infantry Division based in Gamu, Isabela, reportedly agreed to conduct a case conference with the police on the case. But up to now, no meeting was held.

Sr. Supt. Virgilio Fabros, PNP director, could not give data on the incident to the media based here, raising suspicion he was trying to hide the real story.

On the evening of April 19, a group of five army soldiers allegedly riddled with bullets the body of SPO3 Palacio Angala. However, reports said the PNP headed by Insp. Joseph Cabreros, then chief of police here, and three of his men reportedly arrived in the beerhouse to check the presence of armed men who turned out to be members of the77th IB of the army.

But some claimed the policemen went there to drink also at the beerhouse since they were in civilian clothes but brandishing firearms.

Another version gathered by Insp. Rolando Battulayan, newly-designated chief of police here, showed Cabreros and his three policemen arrived in the area in civilian clothes, then questioned the army men inside the beerhouse. Felt insulted, the army men suddenly left, then came back in a few minutes. Automatic gunfire followed.

“Nang makita daw ni Palacio na si Cabreros ay tinututukan ng mga armadong army ay nagtangkang sumaklolo ito ngunit inunahan siya ng mga army. Nang makarining ng putok itong sibiliyan na si Angala ay tumakbo. Binaril din siya,” said Battulayan.

Presidential assistant elected world sports fishing group head
By Mar T. Supnad

STA MARIA, Ilocos Sur- Presidential Assistant for North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area Dr. Enrie A. Mendoza and Markilo Kosales, were elected overwhelmingly as the first Filipino chairman and president, respectively, of the more than 50 million card-bearing members of the World Sports Fishing Association (WSFA).

Right after their election, Mendoza and Kosales signed a memorandum of agreement with China representative Yan Bin at Tahanan ng Masa building in Malacanang complex where the presidential assistant holds office.

In the MOA, they agreed to promote “fun fishing” in the Philippines to start in the North to attract foreign tourists particularly those fond of fishing.

“The aim of this is to promote actually tourism industry in the country, particularly in Northern Luzon being strategically located near Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and neighboring countries,” Mendoza said.

A Regional Commander of the Knights of Rizal for North Luzon, Mendoza said among their programs to be implemented are the putting up of fishponda with beautiful resorts along coasts of Ilocos provinces, saying a number of their members will certainly come in the country every week for fun fishing and strolling.

With the signing of the MOA, Mendoza said more and more Taiwanese, Chine and other foreign nationals will visit the country the coming months and years.