Mountain cracks, landslide threaten to bury alive Bontoc folks, 69 houses

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Mountain “cracks” and landslides along the Digdig Fault here threaten to bury alive villagers and 69 houses, including a “dap-ay or ato” (sacred huts), newly constructed barangay hall and waiting shed at Barangay Gonogon.

Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen had ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to inspect the site following report of Sally Cherwaken of the Provincial Planning and Development Office that Digdig Fault line traverses the village and is susceptible to rain-induced landslide.

Data presented by Cherwaken during a Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting was downloaded from the website of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

PDRRMO personnel led by PDRRM officer Anacleto B. Tangilag, Sally Cherwaken and Bontoc Councilor John Tay-og Peleo recently checked the site after Gonogon barangay captain Rudy Guitalao told them cracks could be seen above the national road.

Below the national road is Sitio Simbugan.

Gonogon folks said they feared they could be buried alive if the crack widens and the landslide continues. 

Guitalao said villagers constructed a drainage canal above all cracks to divert water flow and prevent erosion especially during  rainy season.

However, the slope above the national road eroded even without heavy rain.

Tangilag said the provincial government is now coordinating with Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Cordillera Administrative Region to conduct studies in the area to determine cause of cracks and landslides.

He said the MGB could recommend action to prevent loss of lives and properties if the cracks will widen and erode, burying the houses below the national road.

Five municipalities of this province are traversed by faultlines and epicenters with barangays susceptible to erosion as well as flood prone areas.

This was indicated by the geo-hazard map which bared most roads in the 10 towns of the province, except the eastern municipality of Paracelis, were susceptible to rain- induced landslides.

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P’sinan gov faces graft over illegal sand mining

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges against Pangasinan governor Amado Espino and several provincial government officials for over P10 million in illegal black sand mining trade in the Lingayen Gulf area.

Aside from Espino, the Environmental Ombudsman filed two counts of graft against Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan, Cynthia Camara and Lolita Bolayog of the Alexandra Mining and Oil Ventures, Inc.

Also indicted were Pangasinan Housing and Urban Development Coordinating officer Alvin Bigay, Alexandra Mining directors Cesar Detera, Edwin Alcazar, Denise Ann SiaKho Po, Annlyn Detera, Glenn Subia and Emiliano Buenavista and Michael Ramirez, Gina Alcazar and Avery Pujol of Xypher Builders, Inc.

In the joint resolution, the Environmental Ombudsman said that when Espino assumed as governor in June 2007, he crafted the Site Development Plan that would turn the area into an eco-tourism complex, with the development of two 18-hole golf courses at par with international standards.

Immediately after, a negotiated contract was entered into between the local government and Alexandra Mining with soil remediation activities conducted in Barangay Sabangan as pilot area.

On June 29, 2011, a Small Scale Mining Permit (SSMP) was issued in favor of Alexandra Mining. 

Barely three weeks later, Baraan issued a Notice of Cancellation of the SSMP and ordered Alexandra Mining to vacate the area.

A memorandum of agreement was entered into between Espino and Xypher Builders on Aug. 8, 2011 for the removal of metallic materials from the sand pile already vacated by Alexandra Mining.

Upon request for investigation made by residents of the affected barangays, the investigating team of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of Region I issued a report on Oct. 18, 2011 recommending that the SSMP in favor of Alexandra Mining be cancelled as it was not issued with an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

It also said that the Alexandra Mining should be penalized for putting up a mineral processing plant sans ECC and that a cease and desist order be issued stopping the mining firm from further extracting beach sand pending the resolution of the issue.

On Oct. 26, 2011, the provincial government issued a gratuitous permit, authorizing Xypher Buildings and the Provincial Housing and Development Coordinating Office to extract and utilize loose and unconsolidated  materials, and recover magnetite sand in Sabangan.

Espino also issued a Mineral Ore Export Permit in favor of Xypher.

The Environmental Ombudsman discovered that both Alexandra Mining and the Xypher Builders are not registered contractors with the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board.

It also found out that the ECC was issued later in favor of Baraan for the Lingayen Golf Course Project only on Jan. 2, 2013.

Alexandra Mining is not registered as a legitimate business establishment in Lingayen.

Aside from the criminal indictments, Baraan and Bigay were found administratively liable for grave misconduct and meted with the penalty of dismissal from the government service.

Meanwhile, the complaints against Lingayen mayor Ernesto Castañeda, Jr., Sabangan Barangay chairman Hector Fabiana, Estanza barangay chairman Mario Navarro, Malimpuec barangay chairman Delfin Velasco and provincial consultant Eric Acuña were dismissed for lack of merit.

Ombudsman ConchitaCarpio-Morales re-activated the Ombudsman Environmental Team in  May 2012 to handle cases filed with the office against government officials and individuals accused of violating environmental laws.

The team is headed by Deputy Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera as Environmental Ombudsman.

The provincial government has remained mum, as of press time, on the indictment of Espino, Jr. and 13 other officials by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) in connection with the alleged operation of unlicensed mining firms extracting black sand on government property in the province.

“Wala pa dahil wala pa naman kami narerecieve na kopyang joint resolution (There’s no comment yet because we have not yet received a copy of the joint resolution),” said Provincial Information Officer Butch Velasco, when asked about the case filed by the OMB.

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Man takes 13 bus passengers hostage

CAUAYAN, Isabela – Police arrested a man who got on the Everlasting bus here Wednesday morning and when they were along North Luzon Expressway in Guiguinto, Bulacan, took hostage 13 bus passengers, including a four-year-old boy.

Hostage taker Lauro Sanchez, 35, of Agoncillo, Batangas, was subdued following a two-hour hostage drama, Police Regional Office 3 director Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta said.

All passengers taken hostage by Sanchez, who was initially identified as Larry Miranda, were released unharmed.

Two police officers, identified as Supt. Frankie Candelario and Senior Inspector Isagani Santos, were hurt when they subdued Sanchez, who was armed with a knife.    

The bus carrying 45 passengers was headed for Cubao, Quezon City. 

When the bus reached the expressway’s Sta. Rita toll exit at around 6:30 a.m., Sanchez grabbed a male passenger and held him hostage at knifepoint.

The bus driver and conductor along with the other passengers managed to get off the bus.

The 13 passengers were trapped inside with the suspect.

Bulacan police chief Senior Supt. Ferdinand Divina said he formed a team to negotiate with Sanchez, who appeared to be mentally unstable.

The suspect, who claimed he wanted to clear his name of robbery charges, asked for journalists to be present and a car with a driver.

When negotiations failed, a Special Weapons and Tactics team from the Bulacan police entered the bus at around 8:40 a.m., said deputy regional director for operations Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe.

Policemen were able to pin down the hostage-taker after grappling for his knife.

Sanchez was detained at the Guiguinto police detention cell.

Teresita Ramos, mother of Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Marlon Ramos, said she told Sanchez that her son was a reporter when the hostage-taker demanded the presence of journalists.

Ramos said she and her niece were seated by the window while the hostage taker was beside them.

She said she was left behind when the other passengers got off the bus and saw the suspect poke a knife at a man.

She said she told the suspect that she saw her son’s car outside and that she should go out to talk to him.

The suspect allowed her to go out. Minutes later, two police officers posing as journalists entered the bus and subdued the suspect.  

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NGCP: Sufficient power supply for Luzon grid

By Peter Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said there is sufficient supply of power for Luzon provided no force majeure happens affecting the energy industry.

Lawyer Cynthia Alabanza, the corporation’s spokesperson,  said NGCP’s gross power supply reserve is sufficient to fill in the needed supply for Luzon as projected in their weekly power outlook.

NGCP’s Sept. 26 to Oct. 2 weekly power outlook showed 1,437MW gross reserve on Oct. 1 which is  high against a possible occurrence of a power crisis from projection of 600MW shortage in Luzon in 2015.

Late September, NGCP’s gross reserve for Luzon was pegged at 1,658MW; Sept. 29 at 1,573MW, Sept. 30 at 1,469MW; and Oct. 2 at 1,407MW.

Alabanza said the power outlook is subject to change depending on actual power system conditions. “What also changes decision particularly on the part of government is the condition of power generation plants like if one or two plants collapse or are undergoing repair,” she said.

To ensure power supply reliability, Redi Allan Remoroza, transmission planning department head, said construction of towers and power lines of the 118 km 230KV Santiago-Tuguegarao Line 2 project is ongoing and would be done in 2015 He said there is also plan for a 64 km. Tuguegarao-Magapit 230 KV Line Project targeted completed in 2017.

“The 230KV power line serves as a buffer in the event that 69kV lines collapse as a result of calamity damages.

Another NGCP project is to increase capacity of sub-stations with the ongoing installation of 100 MVA transformer at Tuguegarao City targeted to be completed in December 2014. The long term transmission development is the North Luzon 230kV Loop.

NGCP said replacement of destroyed and rotten poles along  its  69kV power line between Solana, Cagayan and this city is a continuing activity to ensure reliability of power for consumers.

Alexander Alvarez, operations and maintenance head of Cagayan Valley area that covers the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao, said they have replaced 20 percent of wooden posts to steel along said stretch.

“This is a continuing project and we assure our consumers that reliability of power is our utmost goal along this plan,” he said.

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Tuguegarao PNP chief sacked over crime rise

TUGUEGARAO CITY – The chief of police here was relieved from his post amid rising criminality in the city. 

Chief Supt. Miguel Laurel, Cagayan Valley police director, confirmed the relief of Superintendent Julius Ordonio on Tuesday. 

“He failed to maintain peace and order in his area of jurisdiction,” Laurel said. Supt. Jessie Tamayao took over Ordonio’s post in an acting capacity. 

Ordonio’s relief came in the wake of the killing of Chinese-Filipino trader Andy Chua and Gyorgy Tong, aide of Cagayan Rep. Randolph Ting, on Oct. 2. 

Laurel also cited the wounding of two college students in a reported shootout with police along Balzain Avenue.

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Apayao DENR exec hurt in LU mishap

BAUANG, La Union -- An official of the environment and natural resources office in Apayao was injured when a truck hit his car here Monday.

Raul Castro, community environment and natural resources officer of Luna town, was reported to be in critical condition at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City.

Castro’s four companions were unhurt in the incident.

Reports said the victim and his companions were in a car parked along the road in Barangay Paringao when a 10-wheeler truck driven by Rogelio Rasco rammed them.

Case officer Senior Police Officer 1 Marlon Panitan said the group was going to Baguio City for a seminar.

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Mayor urges Baguio folks: Avail of Comelec offsite registration

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan encouraged residents here to avail of the offsite registration activities currently being undertaken by the Commission on Elections in various venues in the city.

Comelec Baguio City election officer John Paul Martin sought the mayor’s assistance in disseminating the registration schedule to reach out and encourage more qualified citizens to avail of the registration process.

Martin said the registration is in line with the provisions of Republic Act 10367 which mandate that “registered voters with no biometrics (digital photograph, digitally captured signature and fingerprints) will be deactivated.”

“While they have been able to vote in the past, they will no longer be able to participate in the 2016 elections if they do not have their biometrics taken by the end of the current registration period,” Martin said.

The offsite registration was piloted at City Hall last July 7 and has since been conducted per barangay district.

Registration started Sept. 7 in some barangays.

On Oct. 26 (today) , registration will be held at district 11 at Lualhati barangay hall.

Other schedules: Nov. 9 – district 6 at MRR Queen of Peace barangay hall; Nov. 16 – district 13 at Camp 8 police station; Nov. 23 – district 18 at Kayang Hilltop barangay hall; and Nov. 30 – district 4 at Phil-Am barangay hall.

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Sagada road works defective; contractor urged to comply

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE - Remove and replace road works along the Dantay –Sagada road await completion with construction companies not having fully complied with instructions of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to replace defective road works to ensure quality construction along the span of the national road.

Assistant Engr Frank Jose of the quality assurance section of the Mountain Province District Engineering office (MPDEO) said KVC construction has not initiated any road repairs along the stretch of a 17 million project along said national road despite instructions.

Despite uncorrected road defects, Benguet-based KVC is currently doing another  7 million peso project constructing a gabion below the road after Dapdapanan sitio along with widening works to be finished before the year ends.     

The 82 million works on upgrading and rehabilitation of  road sections spanning some 4 kilometres of road length from the regular funds of the MPDEO have been programmed since 2011 and contracted by 3 construction companies including Baguio-based BLC construction.  A total of 181 million have already been  programmed and contracted out to cover a 9 kilometer section of the total 13 kilometer Dantay-Sagada road since 2010.

An initial 48 million peso joint venture contract after the Dantay junction was worked on by BMK-ETLatawan Construction in 2011. ET Latawan Construction registered in the name of Engineer Eduardo Latawan Jr,  the current mayor of the town since 2007 is now represented by  his wife Felicitas  Latawan as  the registered contractor.

Tarlac-based BMK construction has already performed some 100 meters of remove and replace works along intermittent road sections including the application of epoxy on some cracks on the pavement on its 28 million peso project with the DPWH.

Asked why the intermittence of road sections requiring remove and replace methods,  Jose said  this must have been due to  uneven  application of water  to a mix with cement or there must have been a pouring of  rain on the constructed pavements further saying the defects  are 60%  of human error and negligence rather than natural causes.

Construction companies are the ones responsible to apply remove and replace works on their contracted projects and the expense taken from the contract cost.  KVC and BMK construction have not fully collected the contract cost from DPWH pending remove and replace works.

BLC construction which worked on a 37 million peso project on a 2 kilometer span of the road have  fully  performed  remove and replace  works covering some 80 meters along some sections of  said road, Jose  said.

Assistant District Engineer Charles Sokoken said validation of the already done replacement works shall be conducted by the regional DPWH office.

In the same development, the  PhP7 million project covering  some 280 meters  from Dapdapanan sitio to the  water-drenched  and curved section face road –right- of way  issues  with the owners of  adjacent  lots demanding  slopes  to be  stonewalled.

Programmed to be finished December this year, the road section underwent an earlier 5 million peso contract with a gabion constructed below the road with cost from the maintenance funds of MPDEO.

BLC Construction is currently doing a 34 million peso road  project with  DPWH along the main Antadao road.  

An earlier work done along the sinking road section in Antadao shall be worked on in another project by a separate construction company.  

Meantime, a 7 million peso rehabilitation project is currently being worked on by Bentrix construction involving the blasting of limestone rocks along the road in Antadao covered by a certificate of non coverage (CNC) issued by the regional Environment and Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with instruction that said road work “shall not exempt the grantee (MPDEO) from compliance with applicable environmental laws.”

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Kalinga coop nominated to Gawad Parangal award

By Geraldine Dumallig

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Provincial Cooperative and Development Office of Kalinga was recently nominated as one of the 2014 Cooperative Development Authority Gawad Parangal finalists.

The PCDO  was recently named  2014 Most Outstanding LGU Cooperative Development Office in the Cordillera Administrative Region qualifying it for a national nomination.

Ronald Ryan Jose of the Kalinga PCDO said  this was the third year that the coop  received national nominee citation for Gawad Parangal for its  contribution to cooperative advancement and empowerment, demonstrating unequivocal commitment as a driving sector for the socio-economic development of the country. It got the same recognition in 2012 and 2013.

The Gawad Parangal award recognizes cooperatives, local government units, partner organizations and cooperative leaders in recognition of exemplary performance, best practices and good governance and in bringing responsive services to the people and to the community.

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Tabuk recognizes 100-millionth baby

By Larry Lopez

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The city government recently gave  recognition to Baby Benny Senica Jr. as one of the 100-millionth babies born on July 27, 2014.

Baby Benny was born at exactly 12:06 a.m. of July 27 at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital through normal spontaneous delivery as certified by his attending physician.

He is Kalinga’s representative to the  Search for the 100 Millionth Baby nationwide.

Baby Benny’s parents are  Benny Senica Sr and Evalyn Taguinod Senica of Barangay Bulanao Norte, Tabuk City.

As  award, the city government handed a certificate and baby starter- kit worth P5,000 excluding formula milk, feeding bottles  and disposable diapers to Baby Benny. 

 Tabuk City Population officer Ditas Tenedero said Popcom will monitor baby Benny’s growth and development as one of the country’s symbolic babies.

The  Commission on Population launched the nationwide search for the 100 Millionth Baby to highlight the country’s reaching its 100 million population projected at 12:06 a.m. on July 27, 2014.

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POLICE ROUND UP

373 wanted persons arrested in Benguet

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – A total of 373 wanted persons, some of them classified among “top most wanted persons” (TMWP), were sent to jail by personnel of the Benguet Police Provincial Office.

These people were wanted for various crimes covering the period of Jan. 2014 to Oct. 9, 2014. Senior Supt. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr., PPO director, in a report said, out of 373 arrested, two were classified as TMWPs at the regional level, 14 at the provincial level, 34 at the municipal level and others ordinary wanted person. One of the arrested had a bounty for his capture. Record shows that there were 476 wanted persons arrested in 2013.

6 nabbed in Baguio City drug den raid 

BAGUIO CITY -- Barely a week after agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera raided a drug den at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center compound here, another drug den at Hamada Subdivision was dismantled by PDEA Monday.

Charina Macasinag Ymson, 44, housewife and a resident of the subdivision, was arrested together with her common law husband Rommel Baruela Dacumos, 39 and a lineman when  PDEA operatives implemented search warrant issued by Judge Reynaldo A. Alhambra of the Regional Trial Court Branch  No. 53, Manila.

Also taken into custody were Kareesha Mae Ymson Dacumos, 20, maid; Hyner Cornel Leung, 28, married, jobless and  resident of Abatan, Buguias, Benguet; John Malaca de Guzman, 31, taxi driver and a resident of Leonila Hill and Mario Rapadas Garcia, 61, electrician and resident of Barangay Balsigan.

Seized during the operation were two sachets containing methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu weighing 1.5 grams and several drug paraphernalia.

The suspects were detained at the PDEA regional office in Camp Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The couple will be facing charges for illegal drugs.

The younger Dacumos, Leung, de Guzman and Garcia are held liable for visiting the drug den as provided in Republic Act 9165.

Except for Garcia, all suspects also violated Section 15 of R.A. No. 9165 for testing positive for use of dangerous drugs during the confirmatory drug test, the PDEA said in a press statement.

PRO-COR signs covenant with Cordillera ‘action team’

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Regional police director Chief Supt. Isagani R. Nerez cited five awardees Monday as part of Distinguished Visitors Program following signing of memorandum of agreement between PRO-COR and Cordillera Comprehensive Action Team here with Gabriel In-nabo Francisco, regional chairman of Kabalikat Civicom as  guest of honor and speaker.

Francisco, together with Nerez and staff, awarded Medalyang Papuri to Supt. Gabriel T. Pablo and PO3  Cesar B. Dolinem of Benguet police for apprehension of the No. 2 Top Most Wanted Person  Regionwide.

Also cited was  PO3Anden B. Busilan, for arresting Benguet’s  TMWP, who was facing three counts of rape.

PO3 Divina D. Kawi, and PO2 Gloria B. Wais of Baguio City Police Office, also received awards for apprehension of two suspected human traffickers.

Meanwhile, Gabriel In-nabo Francisco, regional chairman, Kabalikat Civicom together with Nerez, signed MOA in presence  of Joel Depayso, assistant regional chairman and Senior Supt. Donato O. Bacquian, acting, deputy regional director for operations.

In his speech, Francisco said that the MOA was part of moral recovery program and joined the speaker’s bureau of the OECHAP at Camp Crame.

The MOA stated the CCAT, Regional Chapter of the Kabalikat CiviCom which is actively involved in traffic assistance, relief and rescue operations and patrolling has the responsibility to cooperate and assist the PRO-COR in rescue, evaluation, relief operations and to inform and report  to PRO-COR  accidents, illegal activities, incidents that need immediate assistance.

These include threats to civilians and properties.

They will also provide assistance as witnesses in the conduct of criminal investigation of crimes or illegal activities.

PRO-COR will provide venue for trainings and supervise and constantly assist them.

Under the MOA, the PRO-COR will also immediately respond to calls or reports from them of any information pertaining to crimes being committed or about to commit.

After the program, Senior Supt. Victor Diego (Ret.) donated and led the distribution of the Holy Bible to PNP personnel.

3 rob suspects nabbed while selling loot

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Three suspected “AkyatBahay Gang” members were arrested Tuesday night, when police allegedly caught them in the act of selling their loot at the market, here.

Chief Insp. Radino Belly, chief of police here, identified the three as Berto Sangoy, 22, alias “Lito,” of Bauko, Mt. Province; Lorenzo Nadudalig, 21, alias “Bugsot,” and Marson Buyagan, 24, alias “Kuanjong,” both of Buguias, Benguet and residents of Kilometer 4 Barangay Pico, this town.

Arresting officer, SPO3 Allan Sumalde, said two of their alleged cohorts – Marson Bartolome and Ehmel Dominguez – eluded arrest.

Drunken farmer shoots two women

PIDIGAN, Abta – Police arrested a drunken 39-year-oldfarmerforshootingtwovictimsMondaynightherealong Abra-Ilocos Sur Road, Barangay Pangtud.

The victim named as Adela Almienda Bisquera, 59, was walking on her way home while the other victimGemma Quinto Talingdan, 39, businesswoman was on board a tricycle passing by the area when were shot by the suspect identified as Jerome Apolinar Alcos“Erwin”Urong, 39, farmer, all residents of Barangay Pangtud, Pidigan.

TalingdanwasshotonherleftfootwhileBisquerawasshotonherrightknee. 

Both victims were immediately taken to Seares Memorial Hospital, Bangued, Abra for medical treatment while the suspect who was  identified by one of the residents of the said place was immediately arrested.  

The weapon used was a shotgun based on the recovered one plastic wad by the operatives.

Farmer shoots young man for stabbing him

TABUK CITY – A man shot another man for stabbing him at the residence of the Itay family in BarangayAppas here night of Oct 17.

The suspect identified as Robert Navarro Tamayo, 38, farmer, and a  resident of Alcala, Cagayan was lying in the kiosk of his employer when the victim named as Adonis Rigaton  Agsaway, 18 and a resident of Appas, stabbed him on his right arm with the use of a small bolo.

The suspect, as a result drew his homemade 12GA shotgun and shot the victim’s right chest.   

The victim was rushed by his relatives to Kalinga Provincial Hospital for medical treatment while the suspect surrendered to his employer and to the responding police.

Farmer hacks farmer in drinking spree

CONNER, Apayao -- A farmer was arrested for hacking another farmer after an altercation ensued between them during a drinking session here at Purok 5, Barangay Malama evening of Oct. 18.

The victim was identified as Ronel Domingo Cartera, 26, of  Laco, Kabugao, Apayao while the suspect was named Abraham Elizur Bansilan Angway, 27, of Purok 5, Malama.

Both, with   Jhondy Balalang Gulaya were having a drinking spree when an altercation ensued between them.

Gulayan was pacifying them but the suspect took a bolo and hacked the left breast and right face of the victim.

The victim was brought to Conner District Hospital while the suspect was arrested by police. 

Man cornered for taking phone from victim’s bacpack

BAGUIO CITY – A man was arrested here for cellphone theft Oct. 16.

The victim who, a resident of Barangay Upper Ferguson, said she waws walking along Magsaysay Ave. and did not notice that suspect Joel AsueloHayas, 25, a resident of Barangay Lower Middle Quirino Hill had opened her backpack and took her LG-E612 phone worth P8,000.

Concerned citizens in the area who witnessed the incident suspect chased and arrested Hayas with assistance from personnel police.

The stolen item was recovered from his possession.

Backpack lands young man in jail

BAGUIO CITY -- A young man was jailed for robbing the bagpack of a victim along Sta. Escolastica Village, here early morning of Oct 19.

The victim named Jobelyn Guerero Reyes, 28, caretaker and residing at Mamaril's residence, in Sta. Escolastica was walking home when suspect Aljin Mandawe, 23, of Camp 8, pulled her hair and forcefully grabbed her black shoulder bag. The victim tried to take hold of her bag but the suspect boxed her on the back that caused her to collapse.

The suspect took the victim’s bag containing her blue leather wallet with cash of P3,500, BPI ATM Card, assorted IDs, important receipts, and make up kit.

The victim reported the incident to Police Station 4, at Baguio City Police Office and positively identified the suspect from police mug files.

The suspect was later arrested in a follow-up operation.

Drinking mates rob man of cash, valuables

BAGUIO CITY -- Another alleged robber landed in jail for robbing his victim here along Padre Zamora St. Oct. 18.

Victim named as Alexander John Macly Altea, 19, educational representative of Multi-access Technology and resident of Upper Padre Burgos with his companion Alpha Alberto and the suspects named as Richard Datu Gracer Jr., 19, unemployed, and resident of City Camp Proper, ;Jesson Ordanes a.k.a “Madz” and Alfilan Sangana.k.a “Mark”, security guards and both residents of City Camp Proper were on their way home after having a drinking session when suddenly he was boxed and choked by the suspects.

The trio took the victim’s Samsung Galaxy cellphone worth P4,800,  cash of P4,000.00 and black leather wallet containing cash of P5,000 including silver necklace worth P750.00.

 Alberto was able to seize Gracer Jr. with help of members of Police Station-2 who were patrolling the area.

The two suspects evaded arrest.

Three Tabuk City gun wielders locked in jail

TABUK CITY, Kalinga–Supt. Francisco Bulwayan, city police chief said his men arrested three suspects for possession of illegal firearms here Wednesday.

First to be arrested was Michael Buclongan Macagne, 27 of Barangay Bulanao who nabbed after he was seen lying inside a kiosk fronting the Mason Lodge at Barangay San Juan with a handgun tucked on his waist.

Seized from his possession was a Cal.38 pistol with three bullets.

Three hours later, same operatives arrested two farmers for the same violation.

The operatives responded to a vehicular accident at the intersection of Quezon Street and Provincial Road, Dagupan Centro wherein passengers of the hand tractor driven by Jaime Dugay of Isla, Basao, Tabuk City, Kalinga were acting suspiciously and left the area after sensing that they were being observed by police.

The lawmen followed them and saw Tommy G. Wayyag, 39 of Isla, Basao, San Juan throw something at a canal. He was trying to pull a bolo tied on his waist to ward off police when he was arrested.

Seized from him was a Cal. 45 with five bullets and a bolo.

Meanwhile, his companion identified as Appol Linang,, 41 y/o, also of Isla, San Juan, ran a few meters, pulled out a handgun and aimed it at police officers.

But when he saw the officers pointing their guns at him he threw his gun for fear that he would be killed.

His gun loaded with six bullets and another Cal. 45 handgun loaded with nine bullets found in a belt bag were confiscated.

 All arrested suspects and confiscated and seized items are now under custody of Tabuk police while charges for illegal firearms were prepared against them.

Man nabbed for shabu in Tayum

TAYUM, Abra – Police and narcotics agents arrested Tuesday a certain Catalino Balboa,45 in in his residence at Barangay Deet here for illegal drugs. 

Confiscated from his were five pieces of plastic sachets containing shabu assorted drug paraphernalia, a Nokia cellphone and 32 bullets for Cal. 22handgun.

The search was witnessed by Edgar Tanora of DZPA radio station, barangay chiefs Crisostomo Tacanay and Edwin Tagura of Deet. 

Guns found in man’s house

SAN QUINTIN, Abra -- San Quintin police and members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group served search warrant against a certain Reynaldo Carasi Cambe in his residence at Barangay Tangadan here Wednesday but he was not around.

Confiscated in Cambe’s house were one Cal.45 pistol loaded with eight bullets, two magazines, 17 bullets for Cal.45, six bullets for Caliber .38 and a bullet for Super .38pistol.

 The search was witnessed by barangay chairman Geronimo B Pajara and barangay kagawad Rommel Valdez of Barangay Tangadan, 

Senior Supt.Albertlito Garcia, provincial police director said search warrant for Cambe’s arrest was issued by Judge Raphie Alzate, of the Regional Trial Court of Branch 1, Bangued, Abra.

Drunken farmer shoots two women

PIDIGAN, Abra -- Pólice arrested a drunken 39-year-oldf armer for shooting two victims Monday night along Abra-Ilocos Sur Road, Barangay Pangtud here.

 The victim named Adela Almienda Bisquera, 59, was walking  home while the other victim Gemma Quinto Talingdan, 39, businesswoman was on board a tricycle passing by the area when they were shot by  Jerome Apolinar Alcos @ Erwin Urong, 39,farmer.

All are residents of Barangay Pangtud.

Talingdan was shot on her left foot while Bisquera was shot on her right knee.

 Both victims were immediately taken to Seares Memorial Hospital, Bangued, Abra for medical treatment while the suspect who was identified by one of the residents of said place was immediately arrested.  

The weapon used was a shotgun.

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John Hay employment soars by 146 percent

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY– The full blast operation of the John Hay Special Economic Zone and influx of multinational business process outsourcing companies to the zone contributed in sudden surge of employment opportunities by at least 146 percent over the past three years,” Dr. Jaime Eloise M. Agbayani, president of the John Hay Management Committee, said here recently.

Agbayani said from around 1,400 jobs in July 2011, employment opportunities inside the zone grew to 3,470 by the

end of 2013.

She added for the first two quarters of 2014, an additional 560 jobs were generated by the opening of more shops in the multi-billion Ayala Techno hub and the expansion of operation of several business process outsourcing companies like Convergy’s, International Hotels Group among others.

“We want to make John Hay productive because of the expected influx of various investors wanting to operate their businesses inside the zone and avail of the benefits of the special economic zone,” Agbayani said.

The JHMC official disclosed out of the over 10,000 jobs within the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the JHSEZ accounts for at least 60 percent of the jobs that were generated over the past several years.

JHMC is a subsidiary of the State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority which is tasked to oversee the operation, administration and management of the former American rest and recreation center in the city.

 Agbayani cited at least 92 percent of the workers inside the PEZA and JHSEZ come from the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) and the different parts of the Cordillera.

 “We want to leave a legacy in John Hay and we want to leave it in better state compared to when we took over the former American military base,” Agbayani said.

 She said expansion of MOOG Controls Corporation, an American semi-conductor company operating inside PEZA, which leased around 5 hectares of land from BCDA resulted in the generation of more than 1,500 jobs and another 1,000 indirect jobs from the BLISTT area.

The JHMC official said employment within the JHSEZ has constantly increased by a maximum of 30 percent annually over the past several years and job generation inside John Hay will be projected to grow at the same rate with the projected influx of investors locally and internationally.

In terms of business establishments, Agbayni said from 70 locators in 2011, it grew to 110 at the end of the second quarter this year.

By the end of this year, Agbayani said JHMC projects hitting the 5,000 mark in terms of jobs that will be created while locators are expected to increase to around 120.

She said numerous queries have been received by JHMC in terms of doing business inside the zone, thus, there will likely be a significant growth in the number of locators and the jobs to be created for local residents within the next two years where CJH has been projected as one of the catalyst of the city’s overall economic growth.

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